Major Rant

[Qsilver7]

If you don't want to be sliding all over the road in ice & snow...that's not a fault of AWD. You describe a no traction issue which falls directly to the type of tires you have mounted. A 2WD vehicle mounted with dedicated winter tires will outperform an AWD vehicle mounted with all seasons or summer tires.

If you have all seasons or summer tires mounted...an AWD system is not going to be able to do what it was designed to do...if you don't have traction...you're not going to fare well...and again, that is the work of the tires.

Second, your AWD system has a permanent 38/62 torque split (front/rear)...and it uses DSC to help. If your ABS/DSC system isn't working properly...this is adding to your issues. Unlike the facelift e53s which got the variable torque split iDrive system...the early e53s got an AWD system that was similar to the old AWD systems used in the e30/e34 "ix" models...but with the addition of DSC. Sometimes you will see it referred to as DSC-X...but it was short lived since iDrive debuted around the 2003/2004 model years with the e90/e53/e83.

Below is some info about the early AWD systems that used DSC-X...perhaps it will help explain some of your driving issues that go along with probably the incorrect tires mounted for the driving conditions:

[Qsilver7]

Here's some videos that show how a vehicle handles with winter tires vs summer or all season tires:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGfvyPtYR0Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2wTg0l3_wI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfuE00qdhLA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elP_34ltdWI

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

I run staggered 19s with Vred Ultrac Vortis, X has NEVER been on ice or snow. These are similar to Michelin Pilot SuperSports (almost no tread, can track all day long/handle speeds over 180 and not turn to grease). The downside is they get ROCK HARD at freezing temps.

If the X ever sees snow, I will install the 18s with B'stone all-season tires.

Always good to have 2 sets!

I run Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires on the G35 during the summer, but switch over to a dedicated winter tire in the winter. Even living in Chi-Raq, where the snow is plowed immediately or you don't get re-elected to another term as mayor, you still need winter tires on a RWD vehicle.

[Clockwork]

QSilver7, great vids. I HATE when ppl do not use winter tires in cold/snowy/icy weather!!!!! Its flat !out stupid. And i cant stand the excuse "i cant afford them".
You can afford a car but not to drive it safely?
If you have family and friemds in the vehicle it means you can afford to let them potentially die due to an accident cause you couldnt afford tires????? Stop buying other luxaries for a while to afford winter tires.
And these 4 vids show exactly the benefits of winters!!!
If i sound a bit jaded/bitter thats cause i live in a city where a LOT of expensive cars drive with summers and end up getting into accidents driving uo auto insurances for all... F!!!!

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

[CapeX5]

Thanks for all the input guys. And you are correct, I did not give info on the tires. Haven't looked to see what they are, but they are big, and I know not all season. I knew they wouldn't be very good in the snow, just didnt' expect that bad. But, I accept that a big part of the problem is the tires. But, in the snow on a clear road, I step on the gas and the rear end just comes right around like a 2 wheel drive car. I am not hammering the throttle, just easing into it and seeing what happens with accelerating. Happens really fast like I am getting no input from the front wheels. I will go over that explicit info that Qsilver was so kind to post. Yes, I am an angry Elf, have put so many hours into the M62 engine issues that I am very frustrated. And the broken rear wiper was the topper. After scouring the internet for fuse/relay locations, verifying all fuses good in the front and rear fuse boxes, well that was just the topper……..THe engine surge I have looked everywhere for. Vacuum leaks, loose connections, etc. Not sure where to go on that one. No codes being thrown.

[TiAgX5]

Good point Clockwork.

Saw TONS of Texas tv news coverage of all the Camaros, MBs, Mustangs, BMW, Vettes unable to climb SLIGHT grades due to "summer only" tires on ice/snow.

Saw a few pick-ups and SUVs spin off the hwys/into guardrails at around 30mph too, seems they all had HUGE aftermarket wheels (usually chromed) and Crappy, off brand, WIDE, "summer" tires.

These are people who could afford winter tires, but want to make a "look at me" statement with wheels.

Stupid losers IMHO!

[Qsilver7]

The first thing I purchased for my e53 when I got it back in 2012 was a set of 4 dedicated winter tires (Michelin Latitude X-Ice xi2)...it is the best way to get all the benefits of AWD if you live in snow country.

Now if you live below the Mason Dixon Line...or along the coasts...or where it hardly ever snows and the temps stay pretty much above 45° F....then all seasons or dedicated summer tires probably work fine for you.

[jauloz]

can't comment much on the mechanical issue, I just brought my X before snow too.

However, I can share my experience with you. I've driven in deep snow (with rwd 335 and bunch of AWD) since I got my license.

With the X, summer tires (almost bold) on fresh wet snow,
DSC on = feels like RWD with PSS summer tires, back end kicked out everywhere
DSC off = don't even think about it. just like driving my 400whp 335 with summers in deep snow

Winter tires (~3mm left, so almost bold too) on deep snow 30cm, give or take,
DSC on = unless you power out something, or hit ice surface all the way, car behaves like normal AWD, but, if you put your foot down, it will spin the rear and rear only.
DSC off = good luck. just like summer tires with DSC off.

So, IMO, if you have doubts with your mechanical issues regrading DSC, don't drive it in snow until its fixed. DSC played a major role in the X as comparing to my old e46 AWD, e90 AWD, e92 RWD. DSC in those cars are less of a factor.

[crystalworks]

Winters aren't THAT expensive are they? Especially on a set of beater wheels... I've seen 17 and 18" X5 wheel sets for sale for <$200. In fact I have a set of 17's for sale in my shed on CL for less than that...

Glad our coldest temps here are in the 20's every winter though. I wouldn't trust San Antonio drivers to drive on snow... hell most of them can't drive on rain. Though they usually have bald summer/all seasons on they bought used from Martinez Muffler shop for $10/tire.

[Freestyler]

Originally Posted by Clockwork

I HATE when ppl do not use winter tires in cold/snowy/icy weather!!!!! Its flat !out stupid.

Driving in snow/icey conditions without a good set of wintertires is almost the same as driving your car around in traffic, knowing that is has no brakes at all. And who in their right mind would do that?

In Sweden (just across the bridge from where i live) it is illegal to drive a vehicle without dedicated winter tires from dec. 1 to march 31.
There is a reason for that.