Performance in Snow ... What's the real deal?

[Price]

I've owned several AWD cars - A6 quattro, X3, Land Rover LR3 and now X5. Each of them at some point went thru a severe snow ordeal. Like others said, tires play the biggest role, followed by ground clearance. I got stuck in A6 simply because the snow was too deep for it. LR3 went thru incredibly deep snow obstacles but got stuck after I parked for some time on a small incline - the tires were almost bald and coudn't get any grip on ice beneath the snow. At the same time, my wife made a successful trip in X5 from VA to NY and back in one day during the 2010 storm when the roads were shut down - on almost new OEM Bridgestone runflats.

So IMHO any AWD car will do fine in snow, as long as you consider what tires you have and how deep into snow you go.

[X5rolls]

Tires are what it is all about. Put summer tires on a hummer and it will leave you stranded in the snow.

My 4.8is with Michelin Latitude all seasons is OK in the snow with stock widths but when I put on dedicated snows, Pirelli Scorpions in stock size I could climb steep roads in snow with no slippage if going easy on the gas.

I think the X5 is as good as any AWD SUV in the snow with no transfer case locking - they will all perform only as well as the tires they have.

[London Lad]

Recently I have had 2 e53s, a land rover D3 and now the e70, all have been driven in snow and I'll back up what others here say, its all down to tyres.

With snow tyres on the land rover wins over the x5s on ground clearance but is just too unreliable. Providing the snows not so deep you ground out and you have the right tyres I would go for the e70 every time.

[poleposition]

Like others have said. Its ALL about the tires. Put a dedicated set of winters on an X and you're good to go in anything you come across.

[FreddyG]

Originally Posted by poleposition

Like others have said. Its ALL about the tires. Put a dedicated set of winters on an X and you're good to go in anything you come across.

We put on some Blizzaks and it drives like it's on dry ground in the wet stuff!

[CarsRmyVICE]

Tires. Stock all season non rft have been excellent in the winters here and we get plenty of deep stuff and ice galore. Blizzaks are def awesome if you are going to buy a winter tire set. I drive my x5 to the local ski slopes on desolate hwys that are often travel ban status and my x5 tracks like a champion. Never had an o-shit moment! (note* heavy foot is here to stay in the winter)

[nom3rcy]

thanks

[emcman]

Originally Posted by Mr.Impatient

I have seen many threads about performance in snow and I'm sorry if this subject has been beat to death, but I'm asking the current and past X5 owners to put in their two cents about driving in snow (your average trip to the mountains for a vacation). I assume snow tires are a requirement and you should stay out of the deep stuff.

Those Clarkson videos make the X5 and X6 look useless on anything other than dry pavement.

TIA

I agree with everyone else about tires and if you travel very seldom chains. IMO the run flats, even in all season form, do not seem to perform that well in wet snow and icy snow. I assume because they are stiff. Here it is hills and snow not flat and snow. With the new X5 I am going with a dedicated winter tire and wheel combo. Did BMW not in 07 have a commerical showing an X5 with two wheels on ice and two wheels on dry pavement on a steep hill to show how well it works. It really gets to the right tire and not a crazy size and all should be fine. Any car can look foolish with the wrong tires on it. Take my run flats and throw them on a LMS race car and see what happens.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by emcman

IMO the run flats, even in all season form, do not seem to perform that well in wet snow and icy snow. I assume because they are stiff.

It isn't because they are runflats. My Dunlop Wintersport M3 dedicated snows are runflats, and they are outstanding. It is due to the rubber compound, and tread pattern.

[PasPar2]

+1 on the 18" rfts being really bad in the snow. This is the drive behind getting a dedicated snow tire winter set up for me.