20" SAV wheels in snow country...

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by TRAINER

We had the same blizzard, I'm 10 minutes out of NYC. His truck would have been stuck many many times here.

The difference is that the heat from the subways helps warm the ground and also NYC is bascially flat. Not to mention NYC has a massive budget for snow removal.

My point is that you can't just say something like, "My friend has an X5 with 20's and did great in NYC during a blizzard". You know what that's going to do? It's going to put a false sense of security to someone on the fence on to or not to buy dedicated snows for their BMW.

Everyone has different needs and expectations. I live in a very hilly area of NJ and the side streets are so tight that it's hard to plow as well as needed sometimes. Furthermore I have two very young children that I drop off and pick up from pre-school daily. I need my X5 to perform well in all conditions and expect to get through the snow.

I will NEVER take ANY chances when it comes to their safety. It cost me $2500 to set my $75,000 X5 up with a great set of wheels and snow dedicated snow tires. A small price to pay for piece of mind and safety.

Very well put!

[blue dragon]

Very very true! I would not run non winter tires, in snow country, during the winter season

[aceman]

Thanks folks, i am going to stay with 19" 'y' spokes...i appreciate all your input!
I've been trying to find a 35d w/ Sport act pkg but they are getting scarce so looks
like i'll be ordering exactly what i want and saying goodbye to 1800 alt fuel...

Aceman

[AnthonyL88]

Originally Posted by two-five boy

Was he driving on the Dunlop SportMaxx's? Surprised to hear he has no issues w/these tires in snow.

Yes, I didn't take my X5 SAV w/20"wheels out in the snow, because of what I read on all the BMW forums. But my friends told me today, he drove in the blizzard with his new X5 M Sport w/o any problems. Yes, I was surprised too and it doesn't mean I won't be extra careful driving in the snow.

PS: He was driving on the performance tires (Dunlop SportMaxx's)

[two-five boy]

Originally Posted by AnthonyL88

Yes, I didn't take my X5 SAV w/20"wheels out in the snow, because of what I read on all the BMW forums. But my friends told me today, he drove in the blizzard with his new X5 M Sport w/o any problems. Yes, I was surprised too and it doesn't mean I won't be extra careful driving in the snow.

PS: He was driving on the performance tires (Dunlop SportMaxx's)

Where in NYC was he driving in? Staten Island/Bklyn got ALOT more snow than Qns/LI/Manhattan

[AnthonyL88]

Originally Posted by two-five boy

Where in NYC was he driving in? Staten Island/Bklyn got ALOT more snow than Qns/LI/Manhattan

My friend drove my Long Island (LIE Exit 36) to Brooklyn and back home during the blizzard.

[stockguru]

He must have stayed on the highways that were shoveled. In the side streets in queens I got stuck on my stock 18" Duelers (12k miles). I don't have the M sport but I don't think it matters. The snow was high enough on the side street that it buried my wheels. I got in one street halfway and once I lost momentum, I was done. I actually think the car was perched up on the snow with the wheels lifted.

I got out and shoveled, turned off DTC and DSC and wiggled my way back instead of forward. I basically gave up on those streets and searched for roads that had some sort of cleaning.

My X performed like a champ in the storm in feb, but lost this time.

[IndyRon]

I'm all for properly matched wheels and tires for the conditions you will be driving in. That being said, here in Indianapolis, it dropped below freezing and snowed on 12/1 and we've had intermittent snows weekly since then with side street coverage and ice here for the last month. Our snows have been about 2-4 inches each time so not A LOT by any means, but enough to make the roads unsafe for sure. Because it got cold so early, I didn't have a chance to swap out my 20" wheels with the Dunlop Sport RFT's on them for the 18" set with all season tires that are sitting in the garage. (Not motivated enough to change out tires in the cold just yet). I have been pleasantly surprised with how well the car tracks in snow measuring 4" or less with these summer rated tires and with 315 width tires in the rear. The BMW handles, accelerates, and stops much better than my wife's Toyota Solara FWD vehicle with brand new all season radials (less than 500 miles on them). I'm not saying you don't need winter tires and undoubtedly they will improve wet and snow traction in the cold but just wanted to share that if you live in a relatively flat environment with a few inches of snow, the X5 can be driven safely and comfortably in these conditions even with the 20" wheels and tires on.

[335xray]

Originally Posted by TRAINER

We had the same blizzard, I'm 10 minutes out of NYC. His truck would have been stuck many many times here.

The difference is that the heat from the subways helps warm the ground and also NYC is bascially flat. Not to mention NYC has a massive budget for snow removal.

My point is that you can't just say something like, "My friend has an X5 with 20's and did great in NYC during a blizzard". You know what that's going to do? It's going to put a false sense of security to someone on the fence on to or not to buy dedicated snows for their BMW.

Everyone has different needs and expectations. I live in a very hilly area of NJ and the side streets are so tight that it's hard to plow as well as needed sometimes. Furthermore I have two very young children that I drop off and pick up from pre-school daily. I need my X5 to perform well in all conditions and expect to get through the snow.

I will NEVER take ANY chances when it comes to their safety. It cost me $2500 to set my $75,000 X5 up with a great set of wheels and snow dedicated snow tires. A small price to pay for piece of mind and safety.

Well said.

X

[JS_4.8]

Originally Posted by TRAINER

We had the same blizzard, I'm 10 minutes out of NYC. His truck would have been stuck many many times here.

The difference is that the heat from the subways helps warm the ground and also NYC is bascially flat. Not to mention NYC has a massive budget for snow removal.

My point is that you can't just say something like, "My friend has an X5 with 20's and did great in NYC during a blizzard". You know what that's going to do? It's going to put a false sense of security to someone on the fence on to or not to buy dedicated snows for their BMW.

Everyone has different needs and expectations. I live in a very hilly area of NJ and the side streets are so tight that it's hard to plow as well as needed sometimes. Furthermore I have two very young children that I drop off and pick up from pre-school daily. I need my X5 to perform well in all conditions and expect to get through the snow.

I will NEVER take ANY chances when it comes to their safety. It cost me $2500 to set my $75,000 X5 up with a great set of wheels and snow dedicated snow tires. A small price to pay for piece of mind and safety.

Hey trainer, I may be taking delivery of a 2012 xdrive35i sport activity with the 20" wheels and tires. Being in NJ I am definitely not taking a chance with the dunlop summer tires in the snow. What setup did you end up going with for your dedicated snow wheel/tire setup?

Thanks