Good point Brit-in-Germany, if it were that easy.

Did order proper winter tyres, understood I was going to get Vredestein Snowtrac (c) - got Fullway Snowtrack (k). Didn't want them. See reasons they've put on fulwayfullrun.com. Was told that as Fullways had a version of Alpine snowflake they were OK, but no tech spec, and Alpine symbol mirror image etc.

So I have ditched the ditchfinders, as you called them, and paid all over again for proper tyres - no refund for the Snow Traks though - hence Trading Standards being involved.

What's my point? The Fullways are an unknown quantity being sold as a full spec winter tyre. Thought others might like to know.

Concerning Gremany winter driving, technically M+S is OK for north German plain / Osnabruck. Go down to southern Bavaria, police there want the Alpine snowflake symbol. I know 'cos German friends have asked the traffic police. It's a mess - which is why there is new legislation in the post, due to be approved any time.

Just Googled Fullway Tyres and yes, it's the Fullway Tyre Corporation China!

I use Vredestein Snowtrac at the moment and I'm delighted with the grip on snow and ice. My Google search brought up a picture of the Fullway Snowtrak-with-a-'k' and the tread pattern is a copy of the Vredestein Snowtrac 3 tyre. Now, neither web-site for Fullway or Fullrun gives any details of their tyre construction or tread compound, but in comparison, Vredestein's web site - www.apollovredestein.com - is quite boastful of the research put into the tread compound of a Winter tyre. Also, the web-sites for Michelin and Nokian tyres are very informative and well worth a look. I've e-mailed Vredestein UK and asked for their comments on the Fullway Snowtrak copies, but alas, they haven't replied!