Auto socks vs Chains

Definitely agree: A UK tyre industry survey showed exactly that: the majority of mainland Europeans swap winter and summer tyres, while only a small percentage of British (like me) do so. Brits think winter tyres are 'snow tyres' when in fact they're just as important in cold temperatures (under 8C or so). So here we all are, running on low-profile summer tyres and then we come down to the Alps - The chances are probably 2:1 that our wheels can't even take chains. Even if they can, we're going to need to fit them long before most European winter tyre drivers need to put them on. This explains why a lot of British drivers get into trouble in snow: they're running on summer tyres when the locals are on winter ones. By the time locals start putting on chains, most Brits are in a ditch.
What annoys me is that a lot - if not all - of the UK chain retailers/hirers don't explain this to their customers and are happy to see them drive off with chains that either won't even fit, or which are cutting it very fine in terms of damaging the suspension/steering.

wel the tyre size is 205/550r16 so shouldnt be too much of an issue! had a trial run last night with some, they were abit tight but stayed on when driving and didnt seem to catch whemn turning!