Right folks what with this early snap of cold weather and presumably more to come this winter just wanted to get some opinions on a choice I have.

Currently got two vehicles, my Fabia VRS and a Suzuki Samurai jeep, which is a soft-top/off road toy but which I rarely use to be honest. Last winter I started to use my Samurai in the january snows but unfortunately the previous owner had neglected to use enough antifreeze so after a particularly cold day the radiator froze and I ended up overheating and busting a radiator seam and only got everything repaired once the snow had gone which was very frustrating. Far more prepared this year, but if we have any significant bad weather down south I'm starting to wonder what would be better for my short 10 mile commute:

Use 22 year old Suzuki jeep with aggressive diamond tread mud tyres, 4x4 but mechanically old and more fragile and more vulnerable in cold. Auto-choke is particularly poor in cold weather. Heater is hot but doesn't blow too strongly. Very, very draughty soft-top. No safety equipment save a seatbelt and roll cage! However it is garaged all the time.

or:

Invest in second wheels and proper winter tyres for the Fabia.

I would be much less upset taking a knock, kerbing the jeep but would feel far more peace of mind in terms of breakdowns and safety continuing to use the Fabia. Maybe the jeep letting me down last year has knocked my confidence in it a bit. I found the VRS unnerving to drive in last years snow. especially braking even with excellent rainsport2 tyres and ended up using my mums 107 a few days which was fantastic. Low power, light, thin tyres. Do you think the 4x4 mud tyre jeep would be superior in snow/ice than the Fabia on proper winter tyres? I really can't afford or justify spending hundreds on new wheels and tyres at the moment!

At first I 5thought, no question, go with the Jimmy, but then as I read your thread about the lack of safety etc of your Jimmy I changed my mind. I now think, No question! Buy 4 winters (if you can source any?) and use the Furby. Having driven extensively in snow and poor conditions in a Sedici with winter tyres, I think you will be amazed. Even in FWD mode, the Sedici was better up hill than 4x4 soft roaders on normal tyres, they really are that remarkable. I honestly think you will have an epiphany if you meet any snow with a full set of winter tyres

Winter tyres are not just about traction and the ability to 'get going', they make a huge improvement to your handling and braking ability, both things that your Jimmy wouldn't be as good at anyway. The only possible bonus your Jimmy has (that I can see) is is might not have ABS brakes? and ABS can be slightly worse than non-ABS when braking on snow (the snow can't build up in front of the wheels as easily with ABS). Overall, I honestly thing the Furby is the best bet. Of course if the snow is mega deep the Furby will beach before the Jimmy, but do you want to be out in those conditions.

Edited 28 November, 201015 yr by Lady Elanore

At first I 5thought, no question, go with the Jimmy, but then as I read your thread about the lack of safety etc of your Jimmy I changed my mind. I now think, No question! Buy 4 winters (if you can source any?) and use the Furby. Having driven extensively in snow and poor conditions in a Sedici with winter tyres, I think you will be amazed. Even in FWD mode, the Sedici was better up hill than 4x4 soft roaders on normal tyres, they really are that remarkable. I honestly think you will have an epiphany if you meet any snow with a full set of winter tyres

Winter tyres are not just about traction and the ability to 'get going', they make a huge improvement to your handling and braking ability, both things that your Jimmy wouldn't be as good at anyway. The only possible bonus your Jimmy has (that I can see) is is might not have ABS brakes? and ABS can be slightly worse than non-ABS when braking on snow (the snow can't build up in front of the wheels as easily with ABS). Overall, I honestly thing the Furby is the best bet. Of course if the snow is mega deep the Furby will beach before the Jimmy, but do you want to be out in those conditions.

Yep no ABS! Not much of anything to be honest! It isn't even a Jimny, it's an old SJ413 Samurai! Safety, comfort, reliability aside would winter tyres on a heavy torquey diesel car outperform aggressive mud tyres on a small light low power petrol 4x4 though?

How deep is the snow? If it gets to about 6", you're gonna need the Turnover in order to even move off!

General consensus on most of the 4x4 Forums is that agressive M & S, such as the diamond treaded ones, are not the way to go for most snowy motoring. They might be great on virgin snow, but as soon as it gets packed down they are too hard and ridged to do anything. Best option seems to be All Terrain type.

I wish I could get some for the Yeti!!

Edited 29 November, 201015 yr by Llanigraham

fabia - winter tyres :thumbup:

Reindeer and sleigh

Do you think the 4x4 mud tyre jeep would be superior in snow/ice than the Fabia on proper winter tyres? I really can't afford or justify spending hundreds on new wheels and tyres at the moment!

I drive a fabia vrs with proper winter tyres on 205/45/16 and I was able to make my way up the hill where a 4x4 and lorry struggled. So having a 4x4 isn't all its cracked up to be.

Its been snowing here non stop since lunch time

Edited 30 November, 201015 yr by newskoda

Teebs, I like how you blame the previous owner for the lack of anti freeze in the radiator. As the current owner should you not have checked it?

Teebs, I like how you blame the previous owner for the lack of anti freeze in the radiator. As the current owner should you not have checked it?

Yes :p

General consensus on most of the 4x4 Forums is that agressive M & S, such as the diamond treaded ones, are not the way to go for most snowy motoring. They might be great on virgin snow, but as soon as it gets packed down they are too hard and ridged to do anything. Best option seems to be All Terrain type.

I wish I could get some for the Yeti!!

I beg to differ.

Got Back Diamonds on my Jimny, and in the snow (fresh and compacted) last winter they were absolutely TOP draw.

Different kettle of fish on ice though mind. :no:

Get the Fabia some winter tyres... somewhere on here in one of the gazzilion winter tyre threads, I read that someone saw FOUR Land Rover Defenders in the bushes where the farmers driving them all thought their mud tyres will suffice on snow. On soft snow they will, but not on ice since like other summer tyres the compound is hard as a rock in temperatures below 7 degrees.

Get the Fabia some winter tyres... somewhere on here in one of the gazzilion winter tyre threads, I read that someone saw FOUR Land Rover Defenders in the bushes where the farmers driving them all thought their mud tyres will suffice on snow. On soft snow they will, but not on ice since like other summer tyres the compound is hard as a rock in temperatures below 7 degrees.

I'm sad to say that I ended up in the undergrowth in the Jimny last January.

Sheet ice downhill and I was there soley for the horror ride.

Very and extremely lucky that I ended up merely in the undergrowth, as the road was tree lined. Control was zero.

Only studded tyres would have stood a chance imo.

The off roading 'rule book' states that in those sort of circumstances, put your foot down to gain control!

You try it. :no:

Brain sez absolutely..... NO CHANCE! : o

Edited 1 December, 201015 yr by Mr Ree

I beg to differ.

Got Back Diamonds on my Jimny, and in the snow (fresh and compacted) last winter they were absolutely TOP draw.

Different kettle of fish on ice though mind. :no:

As I said, I am only going on what has been said on several 4x4 Forums. Perhaps the fact that you are in a Jimmy and they are generally in bigger, heavier things makes a difference.

You wont get a better price for the Suzuki than if you sell it right now :-)

I wouldn't choose it in this weather, softtop? Pah, i'm too soft for that

I'm buying a 2004/2005 3.0d BMXW X5 nextyear...

Anything is better than my current Z4....

Edited 2 December, 201015 yr by Beancounter1980

I'm buying a 2004/2005 3.0d BMXW X5 nextyear...

Anything is better than my current Z4....

Very nice, love the X5, you'll get the fancy version of xdrive at that year i think?

If the Z4's going spare...

Well, was using the jeep and it was absolutely superb in the snow/slush.

But I was helping to recover people this morning and have now completely knackered my clutch. My own fault, just got really over eager but could cry right now! Doubt it'll be in a garage to be fixed before the predicted thaw at the weekend :S

So in this years snow I'm slowly learning - always check your anti-freeze and only help people who are an easy tow out. Leave the rest to the big 4x4s!

Get the Fabia some winter tyres... somewhere on here in one of the gazzilion winter tyre threads, I read that someone saw FOUR Land Rover Defenders in the bushes where the farmers driving them all thought their mud tyres will suffice on snow. On soft snow they will, but not on ice since like other summer tyres the compound is hard as a rock in temperatures below 7 degrees.

I've also heard a story about a boggy field that contained a "Series" stuck up past the axles, and a Turnover driving around it pointing and laughing.