WTF winter driving

[Bouchedag84]

Hey guys,
We had a huge snowfall here, in Calgary Alberta Canada, a week ago and I had the X5 out. (Keep in mind I've only had it since the end of August)
I assumed with the awd that the x5 would be a great winter vehicle. Anyways, driving to work. I would stop in traffic and be parked there for a few seconds. And then my X's nose would start to slide towards other cars. I would end up being on a skewed angle in the middle of my lane looking like a dickhead who couldn't drive in snow. I have lots of winter driving experience and have never had a winter accident. Anyways, is it my tires that are crap and causing this or what the heck. the tires are all in great shape and are all seasons. Just curious if the X isnt' as good in winter driving as i had hoped...?!

[cn90]

Whether you accelerate or decelerate, the law of Physics says that what holds you down is the rubber.

Having said that, nothing beats a set of winter tires.

[mcurcio1989]

I went from a 325xi with a set of all season tires to a x5 with all season tires and set of winter tires. The x5 did not handle as good as the 325xi in the snow with all season tires. All around traction was not as good I'm not sure why if it was just a weight and balance thing or what. I threw the winter tires on and was absolutely amazed. Snow mine as well have been dry pavement. It handles like a freaking dream. I'd recommend getting a set of winter tires and wheels. It sounds like a lot of money but think of it like this. With where you live, winter tires are good for 6 months out of the year or more. Get a cheap set of wheels and you'll just be doubling the time that tires last so it really is not costing you anything if you plan on owning the vehicle more than a few years or if your All season already have some wear anyways.

[Bouchedag84]

Yeah, I am looking at picking up a set of rims and winter tires.
I have a set to go look at tonight after work if they don't sell before then.

I was on my way to buy a set last week, show up at the guys house to pay for them, call him and he says 'oh sorry, my wife is in the back alley selling them right now'. I wasn't pleased! 18" BMW rims with near new winter tires for $850! damn damn damn! haha

[Sweep_the_Leg]

Originally Posted by Bouchedag84

I was on my way to buy a set last week, show up at the guys house to pay for them, call him and he says 'oh sorry, my wife is in the back alley selling them right now'. I wasn't pleased! 18" BMW rims with near new winter tires for $850! damn damn damn! haha

In my experience, Craigslist-type sellers are some of the most inconsiderate people out there. Not sure if most of them are just trying to hedge their bets or what, but I've had some really stupid/awkward/time-wasting situations that could have been avoided by a simple text or call.

I drove my X through last winter with a less-than-new set of Continental ExtremeContact DWS on and it was a beast. Very little sliding, and it carved right through fresh snow up to 4-5" inches with no problems. If I lived in Calgary, I'd probably get a dedicated winter set, but in most environments further south, IMO the ExtremeContacts should work just fine coupled with the X's all-wheel drive.

[Rockit]

To answer original poster's question....The E53 SUCK in the snow. You would think an AWD SUV would be good. It's not until the Idrive they became pretty good.

The only thing you can do is put hard core winter tires like Bizzacks and buy separate rims. Then its ok.

It's like a hot chick.....if sex is good you over look things like dinner being made when they are stay at home mothers

If your a girl reading this just reverse the chick to dude

I like the way it looks so I put up with it

[thrillcat]

Originally Posted by Sweep_the_Leg

I drove my X through last winter with a less-than-new set of Continental ExtremeContact DWS on and it was a beast. Very little sliding, and it carved right through fresh snow up to 4-5" inches with no problems.

Good to know. That's what I have on...this will be my first winter with the X5, and they don't like to do much to the roads here until it stops snowing.

My Continentals have probably about 4K on them...

[Qsilver7]

Ditto...ditto...ditto. The first thing I purchased for my X was a set of 4 Michelin Latitude X-Ice xi2 (snow/ice) winter tires. Can't say enough good things about them...just as those that may have some of the other brands (Hakkas/Nokian/Blizzaks/Graspics/etc).

When temps drop below 45° F (7° C) the rubber compound of summer & all season tires harden...thus loosing their ability to grip. The modern engineering that goes into winter tires...the rubber compound stays soft and pliable when ambient temps turn cool or drop to below freezing...thus continuing to give the tire traction and stability. This works not just for taking off...but also for braking and turning...which is the reason for getting 4 winter tires instead of just mounting them on the drive wheels. If one axle has traction and the other doesn't...then you end up like a pendulum...the one axle is spinning out of control...eventually taking the other axle with it if the momentum is great enough.

If you go to a site like http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=122&currentpage=123 ...they have some great info about winter tires and the types that are available for the kind of winter conditions where you live.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQwJ...B764B37ABFF533

[Bouchedag84]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

If you go to a site like http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=122&currentpage=123 ...they have some great info about winter tires and the types that are available for the kind of winter conditions where you live.

thanks
i just did a review on the tires i'm supposed to look at tonight Michelin Latitude Alpin, and another person where I live reviewed them and said they are pretty crappy. Might have to keep looking then

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Bouchedag84

thanks
i just did a review on the tires i'm supposed to look at tonight Michelin Latitude Alpin, and another person where I live reviewed them and said they are pretty crappy. Might have to keep looking then

The Michelin Latitude Alpin is a different tire than the Latitude X-Ice xi2. The Alpin is a "performance" winter tire...which means it's going to give up some deep snow and icy conditions for better handling in the dry/cold & mostly plowed roads. The X-Ice xi2 is a studless snow & ice tire...which does better in deep snow/ice/sleet.

When shopping for winter tires (any tire really)...make sure that you are comparing apples to apples. The winter tire category has multiple types of tires for various conditions. Just as you wouldn't want to use a great summer tire in a location that will be below freezing for half the year...the times that its cold...the tires will suck big time.

Some are performance winter tires, some are snow/ice winter tires, some are ice tires...then you have the studded & non-studded. Make sure you look in the category that fits the conditions and location you'll be driving.

Good luck.