X5 off-road prowess (?)

[Krunk Man]

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.

[DinanX5]

Originally Posted by Krunk Man

...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...

That's what I was thinking too... the Cayenne does have a locking diff, so that's probably why it did so well clawing up a steep mud-covered slope, and blasting through deep, soft sand. I wouldn't try taking the X into anything technical, but it would be nice to know you could make it up something steep and slippery - would the X just stop if it couldn't find traction at any wheel (rather than spinning its tires, and clawing for traction)?

[Krunk Man]

well, when i got stuck only about 2 tires would spin for about 2 seconds then the other 2 would spin, and it was worthless. You have the new 4wheeldrive system so im sure its going to be bettter than what the older x5s have

[X5downunder]

Hey DS,
Another X5 in Aus here. I have taken my 2004 X5 4.4 off road a few times this year with a tag-along 4WD tour company: Great divine tour and they are very impressed with the X5 off-road capabilities considering its low clearance. The new X-drive system is very capable. We did a tour at Stockton beach in NSW on sand dunes/beach and the X5 has no problem whatsoever as long as the DSC button is pressed. On a steep sand hill challenge, even the tour guide with his turbo diesel Toyota landcruiser could not get up and my X5 had no trouble going up (and it was my first time going off-road too).

I am going on a 2 days 4WD driver training in a few weeks time and looking forward to the most out of this awesome luxury SAV!

Here are a couple of photos on past trips (not sure if it upload correctly, haven't been on the forum for a while). Enjoy.
QT

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2699
http://www.xoutpost.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2700

[DinanX5]

Originally Posted by X5downunder

... On a steep sand hill challenge, even the tour guide with his turbo diesel Toyota landcruiser could not get up and my X5 had no trouble going up (and it was my first time going off-road too)...

That's awesome - glad to hear it!!

[Laurence]

Originally Posted by Krunk Man

.....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. .....

Have a look at this artical:
http://www.xoutpost.com/articles.php?...icle&artid=108

It may be worth remembering this if/when you're next on the loose stuff.

[apetrov1x5]

Originally Posted by Krunk Man

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.

would turning the DSC off help?