I have a RR L322 Westminster TDV8, 2012. 20 inch wheels 255/55 R20's. I have winter tyres fitted.
I go to the Alps often and in winter it is a requirement to carry/use chains. €300 fine if you don't have them in the car or use them when instructed. I recently got back from Austria -the police were stopping all RR's and BMW X6's and checking for chains or making them park up down the valley. Lucky we were in a Passat hire car (with chains supplied).
I have been looking into snow chains etc - it appears LR do not condone them. Evidently they can damage the brakes and wheels?
Instead they recommend the LR Snow Traction System - £560 for a set of 2. I am assuming you need two sets (all four wheels)? Therefore £1120 for all four wheels!!!
Does anyone have any experience of using chains or of using the Snow Traction System?
Does anyone know if you can hire these STS?
Does anyone have any second hand ones for sale?

It seems bizarre that a car that is claimed to be a "go anywhere" vehicle cannot use chains- what do people in Canada, Russia, or other very snowy regions do?

Any help much appreciated - I am due to be driving to the Alps in Mid Feb - I may have to take a different car.

Thanks[/b] RR Classic 2 door Lincoln Green 1974 (restored at last), RR Classic 2 doors 1976 & 86 Blue and sand (restoring), 1995 200Tdi green, 1996 3.9 Vogue SE, RR TDV8 Westminster(day car).
Gone - 3x2 door classics V8's, 2 x P38, 2 x L322 TDV6's (Silver, Blue)

The issue with traditional chains is that they require good clearance between the wheel and suspension/brake components.

The LR system is (I think) a LR-badged Spikes Spider system, which you can pick up quite a bit cheaper than the LR parts.

Not 100% on the advice regarding 1 pair or 2, but I believe a single pair is sufficient.

There are various types of chains listed by the likes of Thule and RUD: http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel3...mp;TID=414

Thanks I will look up the Spider Spykes.
I assumed I would need 2 sets in order to keep the systems - ABS, Traction control etc all in synch. RR Classic 2 door Lincoln Green 1974 (restored at last), RR Classic 2 doors 1976 & 86 Blue and sand (restoring), 1995 200Tdi green, 1996 3.9 Vogue SE, RR TDV8 Westminster(day car).
Gone - 3x2 door classics V8's, 2 x P38, 2 x L322 TDV6's (Silver, Blue)

Check the manual, I have vague recollections that 1 pair is enough.

the FF has a 50/50 power distribution to the front and rear wheels so i would put these on both axles to be safe. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

Chains would be good if you had a scruffy set of alloy wheels as well as they invariably will leave some marks on them.

You could then of course fit the size 19 wheels which are often cheaper and have more tyre choice, with the winter tyres being a little bit cheaper to  FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

I thought about 19 inch rims but I was told that they would not fit over the large brake callipers on the Westminster.
Anyone got any experience of fitting 19 inch wheels to this model?
If you do what rims did you use?
Thanks
N RR Classic 2 door Lincoln Green 1974 (restored at last), RR Classic 2 doors 1976 & 86 Blue and sand (restoring), 1995 200Tdi green, 1996 3.9 Vogue SE, RR TDV8 Westminster(day car).
Gone - 3x2 door classics V8's, 2 x P38, 2 x L322 TDV6's (Silver, Blue)

I looked up the Spider Spikes on the link provided - thanks
Not only do they sell them - cheaper than LR but they also rent them as well.
Looks like this maybe the solution.

Still interested to know if I can fit 19 inch rims?

Thanks RR Classic 2 door Lincoln Green 1974 (restored at last), RR Classic 2 doors 1976 & 86 Blue and sand (restoring), 1995 200Tdi green, 1996 3.9 Vogue SE, RR TDV8 Westminster(day car).
Gone - 3x2 door classics V8's, 2 x P38, 2 x L322 TDV6's (Silver, Blue)

Noooo, only put chains on the rear!!!

Says so in the manual  There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

Land Rover recommends fitting the snow traction system on the front wheels only for the L322 and on the back wheels only for the L405. I have no idea why the recommendations are different from one generation to the other but that's what the official recommendation is.
I personally think you can do without if you have good winter tyres.

I have a spare set somewhere...

I believe there is a certain style of 19" wheels that just clear those calipers for this express purpose, they are 11 spoke I think and mentioned in a post in general when someone looked at a 2010 sc that had the wrong wheels fitted to it.. FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

These ones Will

Click image to enlarge

As stated already - manual says rear axle only - there isn't enough clearance on the fronts

If you have winter tyres, then you're not ever likely to need to fit the chains anyway, but good to have them on board - as much as anything, for the reason you stated, without them, you may be refused access to the mountain.

I'm in Orton Waterville if you want to try a set of chains & see what you think - I paid <£100 for mine and haven't needed to fit them in 10 years

I need mine for half term, otherwise you could have borrowed them.

Last edited by Alistair on 5th Jan 2015 10:30pm. Edited 1 time in total

Thanks for pic
Do you know what make etc these rims are, and/or where to get them?
Are these the ones you thought you had spare?
Thanks RR Classic 2 door Lincoln Green 1974 (restored at last), RR Classic 2 doors 1976 & 86 Blue and sand (restoring), 1995 200Tdi green, 1996 3.9 Vogue SE, RR TDV8 Westminster(day car).
Gone - 3x2 door classics V8's, 2 x P38, 2 x L322 TDV6's (Silver, Blue)