Grip control and wheel/tire trade-off

[Gary K]

I'm in discussions with the local dealer in Spain about a new Berlingo Multispace in the version they are calling the 20th Anniversary.  It's kitted out at the top level -- one above "Feel" -- but the van is still cheap from my perspective.  The primary reason I am interested in this version is that it has 7mm front / 10 mm rear additional ground clearance.  I want a bit more clearance to use unpaved roads (I had a truck that was 2WD but great clearance and believe that clearance is more important than 4WD for most situations that I would get into.  In Spain you can get the Berlingo in the Dangel 4x4 version but the price delta is more than is justified for my needs.) 

My question is whether to get the "grip control," which requires a downgrade in the wheel/tire choice, presumably to keep the price of the option lower.  Without grip, you get 16" alloys with 215/55R16.  With grip, you get 15" steel with 205/65R15.  The grip option tires are "mud and snow" tires, which I have not seen and don't know how aggressive the tread is.  I can't remember the price of the grip option, but is wasn't significant, again presumably because of the cheaper wheels and tires.

Not related to the raised suspension, I am considering the grip option for help on slippery boat ramps and the occasional slippery road (more so in the north of Spain and up in the montains). 

Does anyone regret getting grip control, either because it doesn't help much or is problematic, or regret not getting it?

Any views on the wheel/tire trade-off? 

I've searched this forum as well as I could and know that there are some who view grip control as a pricey software gimmick and others who have benefited from it, but I wanted to raise it anew.  I also know there are opposing views on steel vs alloy, and as someone who had a car with alloy and a truck with steel, I would think steel is more appropriate for a vehicle of this type.  Tires I don't really have much of a view on, other than to say that as I get older I drive more conservatively and am more interested in utility than performance, which is of course why I am looking at the Berlingo.

Thanks.

[jj9]

A bit of info here about it :

https://www.berlingoforum.com/thread-98.html


There's a few videos on youtube showing it on Peugeot 2008's it will be the same system so that should give you some idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R0GuGyP1hQ


You should get a smoother ride with 65 profile tyres compared to 55 profile as the side walls are that little bit taller so have a bit more give in them.

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[Gravity]

Often it's the tyres more than the number of driven axles that make the most difference.

One of my cars is a Fiat Panda - 2 wheel drive. I swap out the wheels each winter and put on winter tyres. Up against a 4 wheel drive Panda with standard summer tyres I can do just about anything he can do. Before you spend your money, check out this video and give some thought to a set of winters. They are now so good that you can run rings round more sophisticated full traction control vehicles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfuE00qdhLA

As far as steel versus alloy wheels is concerned, I have just one practical comment. I lived for many years on an island where the roads were just peppered with deep potholes with sharp edges. I wrote off three alloys over the years, but when I changed to steel I dented a few, but was able to beat them back into shape.

Gravity

[jj9]

I think the grip control is just a switchable form of traction control.

ESP although very similar to TC is slightly different.


The video below shows ABS, Traction control and ESP in action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-hHWSQh...u.be&t=217


Watch how the car goes up the ice with traction control on compared to off (from 4:38)


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