standard Bridgestones in the snow

One of the main reasons for buying my Jimny is to be able to get around in the snow. Last winter I had an Audi A6 quattro on winter tyres and the grip was fantastic, but the clearance wasn't so it left me stuck at home for a few days. I see the standard Jimny Bridgestones have M+S stamped on the side. How have you guys found them in the winter? Do they grip OK? Is braking in the cold on cold icy mornings any good with them?

They worked last year for me fine, but there are much better tyres for snow and ice, someone recommended Nokian WR, likely these were what you had on your audi.


However I have 2 different bridgestones on my Jimny, both same tread pattern, same type, but they are made in Japan and spain. The Japanese ones have higher ratings for load and tread wear than the Spanish ones. :huh:

No doubt one has more grip than the other too

If they still have plenty of meat on them in 4wd on fresh snow i would expect them to cope very well, just as much as any good all terrain. I had replaced mine before i saw any snow though, they were very worn and the slightest sniff of rain or frost and they were terrible.
On hard packed snow and/or ice no amount of tread will help you. I sat on the camber of an icy road with all 4 wheels spinning - the only thing i could do to stop me sliding off the road. Its in these situations that chains or studs would be suitable.

I found due to the light weight of the jimny the lightest wheel would easily lock on icy patches on cold mornings. Its just about adjusting your driving to suit, i find they are a unique driving experience and the only times its ever caught me out is if i've been a bit too heavy footed braking and accelerating.

Do you guys think these would be any better for winter use? They certainly look quite funky :laugh:

forget standard bridgestones in snow ... Last year I had to swap the Mud tyres for the standard ones for the MOT (was missing a few treadblocks and my MOT tester is strict).

I managed to get stuck on the drive in less than 1cm of snow. Swapped the muds back over and drove out no problem.

the M & S markings on the tyres should stand for "Mild Summer" ... :laugh:

the M & S markings on the tyres should stand for "Mild Summer" ...

Or Major Sliding :laugh: mine weren't great in the snow. Didn't actually get stuck but came very close- they were struggling in a few inches of the stuff.