I'm looking for chains for my 945 Turbo... and am wondering about the chains I see for sale at Costco. They're 'Euro Alloy' chains... and consist of actual chains about 5/8" linked together... as opposed to the thinner cables I've usually bought, which are only about 1/4".

I'm curious how these two basic chain types compare in driving?

SInce the 'Euro Alloy' chains seem much larger than cable chains, I'm wondering if they give a rougher ride on bare pavement? That's the part I really hate about chains... when it seems like the whole car's ready to fly apart from all the vibrations.

Any opinions much appreciated.

Cables don't bite on ice (try sliding backwards/sideways down a steep hill for 2 1/2 blocks with cables on...not fun.)
Chains will bite.
Not sure what the euro chains are , but security chain used to market some as euro chains and the passenger car version is now labled Whitestar.
http://www.scc-chain.com/NewFiles/Seasonal%20Pages/Traction%20Products/ws_products.html
The diamond pattern keeps them from loosening up, they go on easy and the alloy is sturdy enough to run on dry for miles without comming apart if needed to find a safe place to pull them .

I have a set of these for backup for my brick, and I used to run the heavy version on a semi running in severe conditions, and never broke a link ( which is unheard of for truck chains , you usually break a link every other time they are used)

----Robert

Chains are pretty crude and will give a horrible ride. They are really for emergency use only. If you need traction devices, then buy the cable version (the real one, not the "Euro Cables"). Better are studded tires if they are allowed, although they are awful on dry pavement. Best are winter tires designed for snow such as Nokians or Gislaveds.

Up here in the Great White North NO ONE uses chains .... if the roads are THAT bad ... we stay home .... for the last 15 winters I have used nothing but All Season Radials and never had a problem ... the only thing I have ever used chains on is a 4x4 for ploughing VERY heavy snow.

Seasons Greetings

--
Brett Sutherland & the 1.5 million mile 122 Canadian

Only thing that would move the FWD saab on freezing rain ice in Killington.

Normally purpose snows are enough, shouldn't drive the car if they won't work, but we came out of a restaurant after it rained/froze and had to get back to the chalet. Good thing I had the chains.

One thing...check your owner's manual and see what the spec is for chains...many euro cars have a tight fit specification that only cable chains can meet. Security Chain has a great website too. Can probably order from it cheaper than buying local...