X3 in the snow?

[moymch]

How do the X3s do in the snow? I'm not talking deep snow just like 4-5 inches. I'm changing from a 2003 Pathfinder LE that does great in the snow. I know the X3 won't compare much to the PF from a 4x4 aspect. Thanks.

[adventurelarry]

I was in a Nissan Xterra before the X3, and the difference is night and day. The X3 is hands down the better driving vehicle in the snow. On the same corners I felt my Xterra starting to slide out, I now feel like I am on rails. It really is remarkable how much better the X3 is.

--Larry

[Curious Joel]

It'll do fine. I had an X3 loaner last winter while the 330xi was in, and there was a blizzard. It did fine, even without snow tires.

[Bavarian]

Originally Posted by adventurelarry

I was in a Nissan Xterra before the X3, and the difference is night and day. The X3 is hands down the better driving vehicle in the snow. On the same corners I felt my Xterra starting to slide out, I now feel like I am on rails. It really is remarkable how much better the X3 is.

--Larry

Sorry to say this...but Xterra? What were you thinking?!

The X3 is an excellent machine, apparently with superior off-road abilities to the X5 even.

[adventurelarry]

At the time the Xterra met my needs, it was a basic 4 wheel drive vehicle with room to hold my climbing gear, bikes, kayaks, camping gear and me. Plus, for the money, it was the best value I could find.

That being said, I would not buy another Nissan product. I followed all service recommendations, and had problem after problem. Other Nissan owners I know have had the same experience.

--Larry

[Kretz04X3]

good to hear the X3 does good in the snow, i just bought mine for my wife, she has never drove in the snow and i just got stationed in Alaska.

Do you guys recomend chains, or rear studs or all four studs or what?
Thanks for the input

Tony

[B&DCalgary]

Modern snow and ice tires are so good nowadays that studs aren't needed at all. The only time you might ever require chains is if you're caught in a blizzard with about two feet of heavyfresh snow, otherwise the snows alone will do just fine. It's not a bad idea, since you'll be in Alaska, to keep the chains on hand (stored with the spare tire). In over 30 years of Canadian driving, I've only ever put chains on my car once, and that was to do some towing after a four day snow storm with two wheel drive, otherwise it's overkill.

[BigO1120]

I live in the East Coast (NJ) and we got hammered last year with a couple of snow blizzards. I was happy to say that my X3 took on the snow (6+ inches) like a champ! There were some bigger SUVs that I saw (Land Cruiser, Blazer, Tahoe) that couldn’t make it up a snow cover hill and I was able to get up the hill with little problems.

I just LOVE the way my X3 handles in the snow and I welcome the blizzards again this upcoming winter.

[somewhereinla]

Alaska... you'll want to keep chains in your x3's trunk. I would recomend having two sets, for both front and rear tires. So you won't lose your 4x4 advantage.

[eltroco]

ALLCAN Rally

Do a google search for the Allcan rally 2004 and meet the X3