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

[jwhkc]

I have a 2008 X-5 (sport suspension, 19", all season tires.)

Over the years (too many!) I have owned a number of 4 wheel drive and all wheel drive vehicles. Without question the x-drive is the best of the lot (at least among those I have owned & driven.) It is my understanding that the Audi Quattro system is superior, however I have never owned an Audi so I really cannot say. I can say that the amount of traction & control demonstrated by the X-5 equipped with all season tread is outstanding. I am confident it would be even better with winter tires. As I am sure you know performance tires are a much different story & are not suited for winter driving even with the X-drive.

I live in the mid-west & my daughter attends a university in the upper mid-west so in the winter I frequently drive in fairly extreme snow & ice conditions over long distances in often poor road conditions. I have never had any issue with my x-5 relative to extreme loss of traction or control. I have a fairly 'heavy foot' and tend to drive that way even in inclement weather. The x-drive system has never let me down.

Your experience may differ, driving on snowy, icy mountain roads is a more severe test, however I think the X-drive would do better than most under these conditions as well.

Hope this helps...

[JCL]

We've had an X5 (pre X drive), an X3, and a 325xi.

The 325xi was the best in the snow, but the X5 was fine. More ground clearance with the X5, but also more weight to deal with. I had the Michelin OEM all seasons on the X5, so that was the limiting factor. I had Michelin all seasons on the 325xi, but they were a different model Michelin, and better in the snow.

First important factor is tires. Real winter tires, not all seasons.
Second important factor is the driver, and his/her experience.
Third factor is the vehicle and the drive system.

As an example, I got the rwd 535 with Dunlop Wintersport M3 tires (on four wheels) up a very long hill that many AWD vehicles were stuck on, and which was then closed by the police due to poor conditions. The X3 struggled, but made it. The X5 couldn't make it. Tires over vehicle.

[brian5]

I put my winter tire & wheel set on every winter. The E70 X5 is fantastic in the snow and ice with winter tires. My car gets up and down roads that other AWD vehicles can't (but that may because they have all season tires -- haven't been bothered to look into that).