Driving in the rain. How does the X5 rate?

Quicksilver · #1 10-05-2006, 02:19 AM

Driving in the rain......... With your X5

Does it handle better?
Is it safer that other cars?
Are there built in components to prevent spinning out?
Is the All wheel drive a factor in the rain?
Is braking better with standard or upgraded brakes?
Is there a false sense of security we might have?

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B-Line · #2 10-05-2006, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Driving in the rain......... With your X5

Does it handle better?
Is it safer that other cars?
Are there built in components to prevent spinning out?
Is the All wheel drive a factor in the rain?
Is braking better with standard or upgraded brakes?
Is there a false sense of security we might have?

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Bigger Brakes = Better braking
No

The biggest issue is not a false sense of security, it's understanding how AWD works and using it to the fullest. The gut instint people have when their car begins to skid is to lift off the gas and smash the brakes.
If you think about it though, the best thing you can do is continue to add gradual steady pressure to the accelerator, this way the front wheels are pulling you and the rear wheels are pushing you and you have increased traction. By jamming the brakes, the AWD does little to nothing.

So remember, the next time your car starts to skid, keep your eyes focused on where you want the car to be.. NOT THE WALL COMING UP AT YOU. If you stare at the wall, you will hit the wall. If you stare at the area of "safety" your hands will follow your eyes to the "safety" area. This in conjunction with not unsettling the weight distribution of the vehicle and keeping nice smooth pressure on the gas should be your best way out of a sticky slide.

-- Just because you have something like AWD does not mean it works all by itself, you have to help it by making the right decisions which can sometimes be counter intuitive.

B

Kewl X5 · #3 10-05-2006, 03:33 AM

Just make sure your tires are in good shape and has proper air pressure, but the traction on the X5 is much better than typical rear-wheel drive BMWs for foul weather driving (rain and snow).

Wagner · #4 10-05-2006, 07:04 AM

I feel far more secure in the X5 in bad weather then I have in any of my past 9 cars. It feels the most sure-footed in all conditions. Running 20's in the rain, which I initially worried about, feels fine. And throwing snow tires on the X for the winter is like adding tank treads.

E61Silver · #5 10-05-2006, 07:29 AM

The X5 drives great in the rain. Everytime it rains or snows I feel more happy with my purchase, on a nice sunny day I wish I had the new 3.

cmyX6go · #6 10-05-2006, 07:32 AM

The tires you're running have alot to do with it though. I feel much better with my winter set up than the Diamaris.

I agree with B - All these morons hit the brakes. THE BRAKE IS NOT YOUR FRIEND in rain or snow.

motordavid · #7 10-05-2006, 07:36 AM

QwkAg...what they all said.
We've driven through the "arms" of hurricanes with 50-100 yard ponds on the interstates.
If your tars are in good shape, regardless of brand/style, it is a freakin tank and very capable.

And, we have the old fashioned '01 AWD, not X Drive.

There is no current suv-type car I'd rather drive through a storm or in all day, all night rain.
BR,mD

Quicksilver · #8 10-05-2006, 01:42 PM

WE came home from dinner last evening driving in the rain and i'm just doing my normal thang hittin it 75-80 and the CEO turns and ask (forgot the exact question) Is it safer to drive the X5 in this weather? I had to think for a minute and answered with a yes explaining that with AWD there's a lot more control and there are built in safety features which can help. I guess she was white knuckleing it as i passed cars that didn't seem to know what they were doing. And in all honesty i know how transplant California drivers lose their minds at the first rain so i try to get away from all of them ASAP. But we continued the discussion talking about BMW's as we headed home. Still it was a reminder that i do drive the X5 like it's impervious to peril. Perhaps not the smartest move but that X machine sure does give one some serious confidence.

Quote:

Originally Posted by motordavid

QwkAg...what they all said.
We've driven through the "arms" of hurricanes with 50-100 yard ponds on the interstates. If your tars are in good shape, regardless of brand/style, it is a freakin tank and very capable.

And, we have the old fashioned '01 AWD, not X Drive.

There is no current suv-type car I'd rather drive through a storm or in all day, all night rain.
BR,mD

SilverBullet · #9 10-05-2006, 01:59 PM

Well it is raining in Vegas today, so i will let you know...

GUINNESS · #10 10-05-2006, 04:03 PM

I drove the X5 like I drive my M3

Ok, I guess that doesn't mean much, but I think it says something for the handling of the X5.

One thing I don't think people mentioned, and I'm not going back to check, don't drive past your comfort level, period. If everyone is going 80, and you're scared shitless going 75, do 70... who cares. It's your life, not theirs. If the car is wiggly, or you feel like standing water keeps breaking traction, slow down. And no matter how great your tired are or how well you know how to use/take advantage of AWD, it all means shit when you hydroplane over standing water or ice. Then it becomes a matter of sense, like B-Line said, and not slamming the brakes... but I'm sure we all know that anyway

And speaking of tires, I need some new rubber

Hurray for 225(235)/40-18s @ $200 a pop.

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