197/200 Owners and Autosocks (snow socks), please comment!

[KMB]

I visited the local French version of Halfrauds and they told me that Autosocks were not suitable for the Clio 200.....

I'd checked the size (ref 645 for 215 45 17 tyres) and noticed that they did not have the size I wanted in stock. The excuse seemed to be there was not clearance to the cars suspension and they would snag, I am slightly doubful it was valid but need some confirmation. Especially as they directed me to more expensive snow chain style solutions which I would not touch for potential of tracking damage and alloy scratching.

Has anyone on here with a 197/200 successfully used Autosocks, if so please comment and let me know if they're OK to buy?

Thanks in advance

 

[munro843]

I bought a set of autosocks for my 197 and they worked a treat. If I didn't put them on while in Aberdeen at Christmas I would've got stuck. Now I have a 200 with cup suspension I think they'll be a little harder to get on as the gap is less than my 197 but not impossible.

I'll be using them for when I go snowboarding as I hate getting stuck in the carpark.

Well worth the £65.

 

[R-Sport.]

can you post a link to the product how long do they take to fit

S

 

[Dave..]

So they told you that the cheap version was not suitable, but the more expensive set of snow chains are suitable?

Doesn't take a genius to spot salesman boll*cks

 

[KMB]

can you post a link to the product how long do they take to fit

S

Here you go Steve, fitted in 5 minutes: http://www.autosock.co.uk/

 

[KMB]

I bought a set of autosocks for my 197 and they worked a treat. If I didn't put them on while in Aberdeen at Christmas I would've got stuck. Now I have a 200 with cup suspension I think they'll be a little harder to get on as the gap is less than my 197 but not impossible.

I'll be using them for when I go snowboarding as I hate getting stuck in the carpark.

Well worth the £65.

Thanks for the helpful info, I'm sure that they'll be ok, especially as the serving lady never actually asked whether it was a Cup 200 and still came to the dubious conclusion from her 'web check' that they would not have clearance

I was snow boarding yesterday in Alpes D'Huez, great fun and my 5th time since the start of December, exactly the same purpose I want the socks for!

 

[ForceIndia]

Aren't they unsuitable for use in places like the Alps etc?
Please note that they’re not approved for use in the Alps where snow chains/ snowchains are required, whatever you might read elsewhere. These snow chain regulations require the use of “metal” components, and even though AutoSock makes use of Kevlar (stronger than steel) they won't be permitted until the regulations are changed.
http://www.roofbox.co.uk/snow-chains/

 

[KMB]

This is a bit of a grey area as they did have some form of approval, I've lived near the Alps for 3 winter seasons now and never been checked by the police, in fact most people ignore the 'Snow Chains required' signs and drive around on Winter tyres - In reality you're probably fine, although you could be asked by the Police to go back down the mountain in bad conditions, so you take a risk (however small that might be).

 

[munro843]

Here's pic of my old 197 with the socks fitted. Before I fitted them the car was sliding all over the place, didn't even spin afterwards.