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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - Snow Chains

Does anyone know if there are snow chains available to fit the ZS 17 inch rims, without damage at a reasonable price? The only ones I have found so far are well above £200.
Climber

Better still do the steel rims on the standard Rover 45 fit the ZS and if so what size winter tyres should be fitted?
Climber

Well the world is truly mad! I have just been advised by my MG-R Dealer that if I swap my 17inch Alloys for standard Rover 45 Steel wheels with winter tyres for use in the Alps this winter I will invalidate my warrenty, because I am changing the spec of the car. Does anyone know if this is correct? Does this also me that every time I swap the wheels (i.e. for snow & ice conditions I must tell my insurance company and get charged an admin fee?
Climber

Climber

MAD it is - I can't think that is true. However, insurance maybe a problem as the car is capable of higher speeds that the Snow tyres fitted.

Warranty - sounds like horse **** to me!
Jerry Flint

Well the saga goes on. Dealer just called me and confirmed that the warrenty would not be affected after all. However the front disks on the ZS are too big to take anything less than a 16" wheel and Rover don't make 16 " wheels. Apprently there are no snow chains for the 17" wheels and even if there was they would not fit as there is not enough clearance.

So...? My next step is to try and find out if Honda make a 16 inch wheel and fit something like 195x50 R16s
This would give a 0.84% differance in speedo and gear ratio. Anyone know if I can get 16x6J wheels to fit?
Climber

Well seeing as most of you are too busy reading MEGA's posts,I will end this thread now with some useful information for those who may wish to drive their MGs in more harsh conditions: Spike Spiders http://www.spikesspider.com apparently can supply some suitable snow gripping equipment for the ZS 180 for UK use a Quick 2.5 £175.00 or for the Alps a Carrier M £225.00 less 20% before 8/12/01 plus VAT this apparently includes delivery. Needless to say these are a touch expensive, however when compared to sliding off the road and into a tree its probably worth it. As for the wheels I have abandoned the idea of obtaining a spare set of steels for winter use although if anyone discovers any that fit I would still be interested. Maybe I should have got a landrover :0)
Climber

Certain places in the Alps will not allow you through if you don't fit snowchains. Having said that you rarely need them anyway.

If you are doing much driving anywhere near mountains in the winter, steel wheels with winter tyres is a very good idea IMHO.

In Germany, if you aren't fitted with winter tyres & you are involved in an accident your (German) insurance will take that as contributary to the accident.
Dot

Thanks for that link Climber, very interesting!
I cant say that I relish driving in conditions that warrant snow chains etc! With recent climate changes & floods we should perhaps be looking for driving accesories for underwater motoring! :-)

Kelvin
Kelvin

Climber - I think you will find that the MGF has 15 or 16 inch wheels!

Ted
Ted Newman

>>>However the front disks on the ZS are too big to take anything less than a 16" wheel and Rover don't make 16 " wheels<<<

Correct and Cr*p in that order!

The 282mm brakes makes the use of a 16" rim ideal, although depending on wheel design a 15" ould be made to fit.

There has been a couple of 16" alloy rims available for several years. The rim on the 200 BRM is a 7x16 and since the PCD and hub are shared this fits straing on using the same wheel nuts.

Next when the Rover 25 arrived the GTi version used the same size rim as the BRM in what is known as the Hairpin design. It to is a bolt on unit which uses the same wheelnuts and of course for those who in dealerships should know their product is a standard fit to the whole ZR range except for the ZR160.

Rog
Roger Parker

A slight addition and correction. The sizes are 6.5" x16 not 7x16 and whilst the 16" option on the ZR and ZS are known as 'Hairpins', on the 25GTi they were called '16" Active'

Rog
Roger Parker

Roger
Thanks for the info, Its sometimes hard to get this stuff out of the dealer. You don't know by any chance where I can source a cheap set?
Climber

Try B&G www.ukmgparts.com or 01462 490049. Alternatively drop Mat Smith a line via www.roverbrm.co.uk

Hell what are some dealers up to I know I have some deepth of knowledge with MG Rover products, but for goodness sake these guys swim in the stuff day in and day out. It's enough to elicite another classic Liverpudlian comment!!

Rog
Roger Parker

This thread was discussed between 19/11/2001 and 25/11/2001

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