M3P in Switzerland

[Jandd45]

Hi,
I just got a M3P in UK in December, and happily driving winter here. I'm planning a trip to lake Lucerne in February and a little concerned if the performance tyres will be ok. Mostly it'll be Autobahn in Belgium, Germany and Switzerland, but coming off the highway onto to ordinary (steep) roads to get down to the hotel, am I going to need winter tyres for that 15 minute trek, or will 4WD be adequate. I wonder if anyone has experience with that?
Thanks

 

[webbah]

Hi,
I just got a M3P in UK in December, and happily driving winter here. I'm planning a trip to lake Lucerne in February and a little concerned if the performance tyres will be ok. Mostly it'll be Autobahn in Belgium, Germany and Switzerland, but coming off the highway onto to ordinary (steep) roads to get down to the hotel, am I going to need winter tyres for that 15 minute trek, or will 4WD be adequate. I wonder if anyone has experience with that?
Thanks

I wouldn’t do it. Firstly, in some cantons you will be illegal to be running summer high performance tires in the winter. Second, you put other people at risk including yourself. If rain turns to ice, or snow/ice you will have horrible stopping power or traction.

Pick up a set of Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4’s and you’ll have a great time. These tires are high performance winters and fairly low noise. Been excellent in all weather in the alps!

 

[WilliamG]

Hi,
I just got a M3P in UK in December, and happily driving winter here. I'm planning a trip to lake Lucerne in February and a little concerned if the performance tyres will be ok. Mostly it'll be Autobahn in Belgium, Germany and Switzerland, but coming off the highway onto to ordinary (steep) roads to get down to the hotel, am I going to need winter tyres for that 15 minute trek, or will 4WD be adequate. I wonder if anyone has experience with that?
Thanks

What kind of temperature are we talking about?

 

[webbah]

What kind of temperature are we talking about?

For those routes during the next week it will be between -4C to 10C. In January-March it can have periods of -10C or more. Not wise to drive with high performance summers.

 

[WilliamG]

For those routes during the next week it will be between -4C to 10C. In January-March it can have periods of -10C or more. Not wise to drive with high performance summers.

Oof. That would be cutting it close. I have now issues driving in 1.5C-5C weather here in Seattle, but period of -10C or more is a bad idea, especially with steep roads...

 

[webbah]

Oof. That would be cutting it close. I have now issues driving in 1.5C-5C weather here in Seattle, but period of -10C or more is a bad idea, especially with steep roads...

Not only that, it’s illegal to do so. If in any accident you will be automatically at fault no matter what and incur big fines. If there is a control you will also get a big fine and be forced to tow the car to a shop and get new tires.

 

[Jandd45]

What kind of temperature are we talking about?

Around 5 deg daytime, maybe -1 deg C at night. Not intending to be up in the Alps. Just round the lake. But still, that is typical temperature and could get colder of course.

 

[Jandd45]

I wouldn’t do it. Firstly, in some cantons you will be illegal to be running summer high performance tires in the winter. Second, you put other people at risk including yourself. If rain turns to ice, or snow/ice you will have horrible stopping power or traction.

Pick up a set of Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4’s and you’ll have a great time. These tires are high performance winters and fairly low noise. Been excellent in all weather in the alps!

Thanks! Any idea what size those are? Is it the 18" for the M3P?

 

[webbah]

Thanks! Any idea what size those are? Is it the 18" for the M3P?

If you have stock rims with an M3P with red brakes you have 20” wheels. So you’d want to get this size:

235/35 R20. Make sure the are the “XL” for Extra Load which is also a requirement for TM3’s.

 

[holmgang]

PA4.... great great tires for the Alps. But they're stupid-expensive in the 20" size - ive seen anywhere from 300-500eur/piece depending on the market. You might be better buying something like 19" CrossClimates on a different wheelset to be compliant* for that trip, and useful year round in the UK.

*technically CoC only allows 20" for the Performance car

 

[WilliamG]

Oof. That would be cutting it close. I have now issues driving in 1.5C-5C weather here in Seattle, but period of -10C or more is a bad idea, especially with steep roads...

Meant to say “no” issues, not “now issues”. Just in case it was confusing.

But yes, let’s not drive in below-freezing temps on these tires!