i drive my x5 on lake minnetonka frequently and granted im running nitto 404s 255/55/18's(winter setup) the x5 is just not for offroad use. The older four wheel drive system is "ok" but i have gotten stuck a couplw times and had to be pulled out by my friends polaris ranger(6x6) Snow tires would make a night and day difference, but its just that when one tire has no traction it moves power to another wheel, and thats not the best when all four tires are on the real slippery stuff. My old qx4 was a tank and had a true 4 wheel lock with a low trans.
I really dont know what im saying but the x5 is good enough for me as far as offroading.

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