Well, we're about to find out. My 4x4 is sitting on 'normal' Michelin Primacy HP. It had bridgestones on the front last year and was superb, so expecting the same again. Wor lasses fabia 1.2 is about to get some Conti Winter Contact 800. So in the coming weeks/months we should get an idea on how the two compare.

Edited 23 November, 201015 yr by P20

My guess would be the Fabia will be able to go anywhere within reason, that the Octy will go. Albeit with a little bit more scrabbling

Although the fabia is a lot lighter, I bet it'll be able to out-brake you.

Get some proper tyres on the 4x4 !

Although the fabia is a lot lighter, I bet it'll be able to out-brake you.

Get some proper tyres on the 4x4 !

I have thought about it, but given it was superb last year, i've resisted. Its Tasha 1st year driving, she only passed in the summer, thought she did drive whilst learning in the Octavia in the snow. We had a lot of snow last year, north east of england above 200m, so hence the fabia is getting its tyres.

I've just been out in the Octy in the snow and its not as grippy as i remember.....

I've used my 4x4 on ice/snow with both summer and winters

Fair enough the 4x4 copes at lower speeds, but once you're moving a bit faster traction can still be lost rapidly - particularly if you have to pull a rapid stop.

With winter tyres on - the safety margin is dramatically increased. I tried to drive the car as 'badly' as I could - flooring it in low gear 1/2 round corners, hard heavy (foot full to floor) off camber braking - would not let go.

Just on my local runs, encountered 4 Landrover defender planted in hedges - couple of the drivers I spoke too thought their mud tyres would work well in the winter - maybe for deep snow, not so good on ice.

I'm thinking about it, but the £300 price is putting me off for now, especially as it managed last winter

Winter tyres should last several years ( mileage dependent of course ), so the cost is 'spread' a bit; also when on winters, you're saving wear on your summers

Well, we're about to find out. My 4x4 is sitting on 'normal' Michelin Primacy HP. It had bridgestones on the front last year and was superb, so expecting the same again. Wor lasses fabia 1.2 is about to get some Conti Winter Contact 800. So in the coming weeks/months we should get an idea on how the two compare.

I think you might end up looking a bit daft at the hands of the fabia.

You might have 4x4 so potentially get going, but you won't be able to brake or steer as well. Also you'll probably have wider tyres.

The fabia on the other hand should do just fine on winter tyres and add to that the fact that the Michelin tyres are often pretty hard and very low rolling resistance, I can't see that helping you in snow/ice.

Well after several screw ups by kwikfit, the fabia finally has its winter contis on. The initial drive home, Tasha thought they felt more secure, so a positive start. We're west of Newcastle above 200m and have a lot of snow, well over a foot. The main roads are ok, but the side roads are bad. The 4x4 has been superb over the last 5 days. I have looked at winters for the 4x4, but kind of going off the idea at the moment. The Nokians have rocketed from £68 a tyre to £109. When we picked up the fabia i asked for a quote from kwikfit. The conti 830 are on offer at £380ish, Michelins are £590!!

I'll try and keep this updated

Having driven extensively in winter-time Alps in many types of car I find that a 4x4 on summer tyres can be a real handful. You get decent traction to start with, but the weight and high centre of gravity work against you when braking and cornering and it can be frighteningly easy to get the thing sideways.

Any small FWD hatchback on winter tyres is going to be a better bet in general, although the higher ground clearance of a 4x4 will help in deep snow. One of my favourites was always the Impreza AWD on winter tyres - nice low CoG makes it easy to handle on ice.

Edited 30 November, 201015 yr by Hauptmann

I've seen last winter a Toyota Aygo on skinny 14" probably winter tires, and was going uphill faster and safer then me on A6 quatrro.

P20,

What size wheels have you got on your 4x4? A more cost effective solution maybe a set of second hand 15" steel wheels off ebay with narrower and cheaper 195/65 R15 rubber. As long as you've somewhere to store them it's easy to swap over when the weather gets bad.

I've only had my winter tyres on 2 days, but I'm a convert. I live at the end of a gently sloping road with at least 2 feet of snow, and the road up to that has compacted, refrozen snow on it. The day before I got winter tyres it took 2 people and a shovel to get me up the road. It took me 3 hours (!) to get out in the morning as I couldn't get off the drive (another slope). Today, after more snow and the old stuff starting to freeze, I drove straight to work and back, with no drama, and the traction control didn't come on once.

On the way home I drove up a hill past a lorry and 4x4 which were spinning their tyres and getting nowhere.

So I think 2wd with winter tyres will beat a 4x4 with summer tyres hands down. A 4x4 with winter tyres would no doubt have better traction and (quite important now the snow is so deep) better ground clearance. I will have to start shoveling again tomorrow as the snow is deeper than my bumper

Edited 30 November, 201015 yr by pixor

I've gone for the Conti ts830 tyres. The Octavia has still been fine, still hasn't been stuck, but i can't see this winter becoming any better. Tasha is still well impressed by her winter Contis, even her colleagues have seen what a difference they make and stopped taking the mickey.