Bison1379134007 Posted July 22, 2006 Report Share Posted July 22, 2006 It's perfect in sooo many ways. Heated seats, heated wing mirrors, access to the boot that nicely fits a snow board in it... but can you put snow chains on it? Can you arse. The suspention strut at the front is literally 30mm from the tyre wall... if you put a chain in there it would end in tears. Apart from that, not a bad motor... full bisonesqe review coming soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazdot Posted July 22, 2006 Report Share Posted July 22, 2006 Look forward to your views oh great leader of Tsn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bison1379134007 Posted July 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2006 leader? more like server b*tch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesR Posted July 23, 2006 Report Share Posted July 23, 2006 Is this a problem common to most performance cars? Off to Hotham this week to enjoy what little snow there is but it wont be a long break if 325Ci cant be fitted with chains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bison1379134007 Posted July 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2006 Its not an issue on most. Also that being rear wheel drive i think the chains will be fitted to the back (seems to make sense!) and you've probably got a multilink setup which means the spring won't be attached to the strut and shouldn't be as close to the wheel. Pictures paint a thousand words and all that suspension bible You can easily feel it on the GTI, just stick your hand over the top of the wheel and feel how far from tyre to the strut is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted July 23, 2006 Report Share Posted July 23, 2006 Excellent Car Bible link . Hopefully they'll update it with the Koni FSD technology. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted July 23, 2006 Report Share Posted July 23, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Is this a problem common to most performance cars? Off to Hotham this week to enjoy what little snow there is but it wont be a long break if 325Ci cant be fitted with chains. [/ QUOTE ] So is the 325ci a performance car then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesR Posted July 23, 2006 Report Share Posted July 23, 2006 So is the 325ci a performance car then? [/ QUOTE ] Compared to other car, 1989 Saab Combi Coupe, BMW is a performance car. Compared to GTI, ill let you know late september. GTI being made as I type in South Africa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesR Posted July 23, 2006 Report Share Posted July 23, 2006 Pictures paint a thousand words and all that suspension bible Ill have a read. I think I might need more of these sites. Car knowledge sadly lacking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32North Posted July 23, 2006 Report Share Posted July 23, 2006 Got much snow on Bondi Beach Bison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhs Posted July 23, 2006 Report Share Posted July 23, 2006 You can always put Vredestein WintracXtremes on all 4 wheels Or there are low profile snowchains - had them for a previous car - will look into this next week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kabskabs Posted July 24, 2006 Report Share Posted July 24, 2006 I am currently looking into this and have purchased SCC Super Z6 Chains that require only 6.5mm of clearance. (http://www.scc-chain.com/Traction%20Pages/Trac_SZ6.html) I subsequently found out the manual says 'no snow chains', so I called dealer and volkswagen and received no straight answers... has anyone tried chains on the GTI at all? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bison1379134007 Posted July 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Got much snow on Bondi Beach Bison [/ QUOTE ] Heaps... you just can't snowboard on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bison1379134007 Posted July 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I am currently looking into this and have purchased SCC Super Z6 Chains that require only 6.5mm of clearance. (http://www.scc-chain.com/Traction%20Pages/Trac_SZ6.html) I subsequently found out the manual says 'no snow chains', so I called dealer and volkswagen and received no straight answers... has anyone tried chains on the GTI at all? [/ QUOTE ] Yup that's what caused me to post... rented some from a shop in jindy and fitted them, i just couldn't have moved without need for buying some new suspension! 6.5 mm or 65mm clearence? 6.5mm would be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 [ QUOTE ] You can always put Vredestein WintracXtremes on all 4 wheels Or there are low profile snowchains - had them for a previous car - will look into this next week [/ QUOTE ] That doesn't work down here (nor do studded tyres - which are illegal IIRC). By law, you must carry (and fit when directed) snow chains sized appropriately for your vehicle. Big $ fines if you try to evade or ignore this. As most of Australia's resorts lie in or near National Parks - this can get messy. As such, an AWD like the R32 can't be taken down to the snow as you can't get chains for 18" wheels, and it is illegal to put a wheel (say 17") & tyre combo on that has a lower rating than on the tyre placard (e.g. 92Y for the R) - even if this allows for chains. The Boxster on the other hand can fit Porsche chains (about $1K for both of them) to both the 17" or 18" rear wheels. It's a pity Oz doesn't get as cold and snowy as in the northern hemisphere - having a set of winter tyres makes a lot of sense... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Got much snow on Bondi Beach Bison [/ QUOTE ] Heaps... you just can't snowboard on it. [/ QUOTE ] ...and it gets messy tripping up over all the bodies trying to snort it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlT Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 What about these ? Autosock or Spikes Spider Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markallain Posted July 27, 2006 Report Share Posted July 27, 2006 Rach I thought the R32 was available in europe as an option with 17's for those who wanted to fit chains. So why is there a ruling about not fitting them and presumably this is only for Aus? Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhs Posted July 27, 2006 Report Share Posted July 27, 2006 Curiously the handbook you get with the GTI says that you can put chains on 15, 16 and 17s, but doesn't mention 18s at all. And 17s and 18s are effectively the same rolling radius and size surely? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesR Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 There's usually a nice secure car park at the mountain base. No salt, no grit, no black ice and no feckers unloading 5 kids next door. Do you really want to drive up the mountain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kabskabs Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I am currently looking into this and have purchased SCC Super Z6 Chains that require only 6.5mm of clearance. (http://www.scc-chain.com/Traction%20Pages/Trac_SZ6.html) I subsequently found out the manual says 'no snow chains', so I called dealer and volkswagen and received no straight answers... has anyone tried chains on the GTI at all? [/ QUOTE ] Yup that's what caused me to post... rented some from a shop in jindy and fitted them, i just couldn't have moved without need for buying some new suspension! 6.5 mm or 65mm clearence? 6.5mm would be fine. [/ QUOTE ] 6.5mm of clearence.... just got it back from the dealers. even with these chains the brake line is too close!? I really need an option here. help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 Get winter tyres, like the boys in Switzerland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kabskabs Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Get winter tyres, like the boys in Switzerland. [/ QUOTE ] I would do that, but I am driving from Auckland to Queenstown. 95% of the driving is on sealed roads... it is only going up the mountains that i need chains. I really do not want to loose the performance for normal driving. what about these? http://www.rudchain.com/snow/cars1.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonl Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 Speak or email VW in Wolfsburg. Emails do get through! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kabskabs Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 Thanks for that, Do you have a link / number to call? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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