Does anyone here actually run a low car with knobbly tyres as their daily drive?
No?
I do.
my car is actually lower than spec by 40-50mm
granted its a 4 wheel drive but it goes everywhere I need it to
forestry roads, wet fields, mud tracks etc etc
Ground clearance is always going to be an issue with a standard chassis vehicle, no-one goes paddling around in deep stuff unless they like waiting, but most stuff that stops normal road chassis cars is traction.
Winter or mud/snow tyres transform their ability
choose your path carefully and you can navigate all sorts
I took an Audi A6 up here last month, just needed a spotter out of the car to navigate the big bits, clearance wasn't the issue, traction was, but only briefly:
I am running Nokian WR G2 winter tyres on the S4 and Dunlop Wintersport 3D on the A6
Numerous pairs of part worn winter tyres on eBay for anything from £50-£200 a pair
plenty of new ones too