Tahoe great success

[SlowRider]

Just got back from my second trip to Tahoe this winter season, the first time I've driven my X5 in the snow. The first trip was a little disappointing because the roads were clear (one good thing about CalTrans) but the second trip was dumping hard on the drive up.

I'm running Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow on cheapo 17" rims. I drove through light snow, deep snow, ice, slush, and rain with no problem. Even accelerating from a dead stop on ice was no problem. I felt the DTC kick in and rolled away smoothly!

By the way, I read up on the whole discussion about turning DSC on/off in the snow. I never turned off the DSC nor felt the need to.

I mounted the Inno dual angle ski/snowboard rack pretty easily and it's working great so far.

One thing I wish I had is the cold weather package. Visibility was pretty bad on by the time I reached my destination, I saw that the headlights and fog lights were both caked in snow.

I bought the X5 a few months ago to have a good vehicle for Tahoe trips that's also fun to drive on clear roads. She performed just as good as any other SUV or truck I've driven in the snow, granted that I wasn't driving in extreme conditions.

[JAH1]

what kind of rack/bars are those?

[JCL]

Good to hear. My '03 3.0 did very well in similar conditions, on the same 17" wheels. I didn't have Pirellis then, but I do now, and they work very well.

[AZX54.4]

I just got back from Mammoth a few days ago. I was in the monster storm and the X performed great! I drove up form LA on Sunday, a week ago. I went from some of the most extreme rain driving I have ever been in while in LA to the most amount of snow I have ever seen on the way to Mammoth. I was riding on michelin mxv4 all season tires and they did well. I fully agree about the winter package. That is the only option I wish my X had.

Heres a pic after one day. Yup theres an X under all that snow!!!

[JLW]

You don't need to turn off the DSC with the Pirelli Scorpions. They make a huge difference. But if you climb something steep and deep it will be a different story.
The MXV4's will lack in a harsh circumstance.

[sprocket1200]

mxv4's lack in any temperature nearing freezing or below. with snow or ice the difference is even more amazing...

[SlowRider]

Originally Posted by JAH1

what kind of rack/bars are those?

Inno dual angle ski/snowboard rack:
RH722 / inno (RV-Inno) / ADVANCED CAR RACKS,

It's a dedicated snow sports rack that lets you tilt it at an angle, so that snowboard bindings don't hit the top of your car.

[SlowRider]

Originally Posted by AZX54.4

I just got back from Mammoth a few days ago. I was in the monster storm and the X performed great! I drove up form LA on Sunday, a week ago. I went from some of the most extreme rain driving I have ever been in while in LA to the most amount of snow I have ever seen on the way to Mammoth. I was riding on michelin mxv4 all season tires and they did well. I fully agree about the winter package. That is the only option I wish my X had.

Heres a pic after one day. Yup theres an X under all that snow!!!

Damn that's a lot of snow man! I bet you had a fun time in Mammoth by the looks of it. I decided to get dedicated winter tires because I plan on doing a lot of snow trips and I hate messing with chains.

[SlowRider]

Originally Posted by JLW

You don't need to turn off the DSC with the Pirelli Scorpions. They make a huge difference. But if you climb something steep and deep it will be a different story.

Yup, I haven't faced what I'd call extreme conditions yet. It's nice to know the wheel spin is just a button away if I ever need it.

[RMak]

Congrats on the X handling the snow.

You're lucky to live close to Mammoth. I have friends that are frequently there and Mammoth to date has been pounded by snow (that's a good thing). That's the place to be this year. I hope to one day ride Mammoth. I live on the East Coast.