hmmm..first winter snow and not too happy..

[Helmuth]

I have 17" pure winter tires. Breaking is the part that makes me unhappy. Maybe it is related to the fact that they put tons of salt on the roads and that is a slippery mixture. When snow gets deeper I will do some testing. Have some great roads for that near here. Let's see....

And BTW: dropping tire psi is not a good idea. Winter tires should have a little bit more pressure then summer tires (+0,2 bar).

[mywidebody02]

Mine is like it is on rails with my winter tires. Assuming your x drive is working it is all in the tires. Pirrelli ice and snow.

[c4racer]

Originally Posted by mywidebody02

Mine is like it is on rails with my winter tires. Asking as your drive is working it is all in the tires. Pirrelli ice and snow.

+1 for the Pirelli's here. And while it isn't as good as an Audi Quattro in the snow, the X5 is better than any traditional big heavy SUV or truck I've owned.

[LeMansX5]

I have used Bridgestone Blizzak and Dunlop Wintersport and they both hold very good in heavy snow. With good snow tires, it should hold like on rails.

[phil47]

Originally Posted by mywidebody02

Mine is like it is on rails with my winter tires. Asking as your drive is working it is all in the tires. Pirrelli ice and snow.

Another vote for Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow on 18" wheels. Amazing combination. Braking is almost eerie it's so confidence inspiring, and acceleration and handling combined with x-drive are amazing. I have owned other 4wd SUVs running other brands of dedicated winter tires and they don't come close to this combo. Combined with the higher ground clearance for deeper snow, you should be amazed by this vehicle...not disappointed.

[Roadkill]

Originally Posted by mywidebody02

Mine is like it is on rails with my winter tires. Assuming your x drive is working it is all in the tires. Pirrelli ice and snow.

Amen. Pirellis are like glue. 19's and i have to really try to slide around.

[Boston X5 4.4]

Originally Posted by user1000

Just got a great set of winter tires, dunlop grandtrek WT M2 on original BMW 18's but the truck is not acting the way it should.

You didn't pick the wrong tire ...I have driven the Dunlops (17's) in the worst winter conditions in MA/ME/NH/VT and they have been awesome. Might be just different to what you were used to - my X does not handle in the deep snow as good as my old jeep either.

No need for any hand wringing for anyone buying winter tires. Any of the top rated winter tires will be equiv - Dunlop grandtrek, Pirelli Scorp., Hakkas, Blizzak etc. etc. - we are not entering the scandinavian ice rallying circuit

[kaptain]

Originally Posted by Helmuth

And BTW: dropping tire psi is not a good idea. Winter tires should have a little bit more pressure then summer tires (+0,2 bar).

I think it really depends on the conditions. But I noticed rally cars generally use Skinny tall tires so I think that would support the idea of a non deflated tire.

However if you are on really deep snow, I bet an under inflated set of tires would be more useful, to make the car float higher up and not get bogged down.

This link says to slightly over inflate.

Meanwhile this article claims over inflating is a myth.

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by kaptain

I think it really depends on the conditions. But I noticed rally cars generally use Skinny tall tires so I think that would support the idea of a non deflated tire.

However if you are on really deep snow, I bet an under inflated set of tires would be more useful, to make the car float higher up and not get bogged down.

This link says to slightly over inflate.

Meanwhile this article claims over inflating is a myth.

isnt the point to "dig in" to the snow to hit the pavement so you have more traction and to not float higher up?

[m5james]

Originally Posted by kaptain

I think it really depends on the conditions. But I noticed rally cars generally use Skinny tall tires so I think that would support the idea of a non deflated tire.

However if you are on really deep snow, I bet an under inflated set of tires would be more useful, to make the car float higher up and not get bogged down.

This link says to slightly over inflate.

Meanwhile this article claims over inflating is a myth.

I made the mistake of taking the M5 out in the snow and taking it to work one day...I was all over the place. Even worse was the guy in front of me in a Corvette. The problem w/ sports cars, maybe even the X5, is that the width of the tires is actually worse to have in snow vs skinny tires. Having wide tires IS just like having snow shoes on...you stay on top, but that's not beneficial for a car that needs traction to go forward vs being able to lift your foot straight up and forward for movement.

Once the snow starts hitting here in Boise, ID, the cars stay parked in the garage and I spend more time driving my 90 S10 Blazer w/ skinny little 195 tires that drives AWESOME in the snow. I've driven the X in the snow to Reno, but it is a little sketchy, and while the electronics are there to save me, they can also be a little intrusive as well.

Wide tires w/ small sidewalls are great on dry pavement, but skinny and tall sidewalled tires are the key to being able to drive around in deep snow...look at images of rally cars in the snow as they have the skinniest damn tires w/ big sidewalls.