I don't get it, the truck has better clearance than 99% of all cars except other SUV's. That should do the trick for normal driving unless you want to hit the mountains and go through several feet of snow. It really is not that complicated, the summer tires are not meant to be driven in any winter condition. With snow or even all season one can get by, knowing that dedicated snow is always better than all season for obvious reasons. I don't think any of your previous AWD trucks were using dedicated high performance summer tires

I’ve been discussing this topic to death over the past decade on various forums. It all comes down to your geological location and expectations. I have OEM summer only 20’s and Pirelli Ice/Snows on 19”s for the winter.

I got caught off guard like so many others here in North New Jersey on Saturday with an unexpected snow storm. I had to drive from East Hanover to Ridgefield (about 26 miles) with my summer onlys. A majority of the driving was on flat side roads, Rt. 80 to Rt. 46. On the highways everyone was driving around 40 or so and I felt somewhat confident at that speed. Keep in mind that I have 22K on my X5 and my tires have seen better days. So far so good, I get off the highways and then hit my local streets in route to my house. This is where I knew it would get interesting.

My neighborhood has some serious elevation changes. In just 5 or 6 blocks you can go from 280’ above sea level to 40’! I was going down a hill with my summer only 20’s during a snow storm I had no chance. Going down the hill at about 2mph no traction, the ABS was engaged the entire time, I was on and off the break, nothing. I went through a stop sign, luckily there was no one in my path or else it would have been bad. When my snows are on my X5 I don’t have to think twice about anything, I can accelerate, break and maneuver with the best of them.

My point being is that you read these posts and suddenly have “faith” in something just because a small handful of people lucked out in their environment, on that day - think again and ask questions. Elevation, temp, miles on tires... Does one diet work for everyone? No.

Me, I live in a hilly area of NJ, travel the state often for work and have two toddlers. I EXPECT my vehicle to be safe at all times. You can bet that I’ll ALWAYS use dedicated winter tires for this and every future SUV I’ll ever own. Why chance it?

If you wouldn’t run an all season on a race track, why would you run one in the snow? Just saying…

Safe Driving!

NO, none of my other SUVs used dedicated summer tires.
They all had M&S. I am saying that none of them had dedicated snow tires. The M&S were enough to brave even the blizzard(snowpocalypse) we had last year and I was driving highway speeds in the worst part of it around 1am. I was driving right past all the cars that were stuck, Infact they were slowing me down having to go around all of them.

I personally think a set of all seasons would be enough for this X5M to brave most conditions this winter. The problem is the low ground clearance. You get stuck in snow, when the snow depth reaches the lower chassis and your tires cannot reach pavement. in this truck, it will happen faster then most SUVs

Dont get me wrong, I am getting the DWS. Not only for snow, but I have been taking this truck off road to get to my bowhunting stand and I think the DWS will pull through the mud better then the summer RFT.
After driving with the summer tires I am pretty confident driving in the snow. But I know that with a set of DWS it will get me through better. Unless we get deep snow, then I do not think even a dedicated snow will even help due to low ride height

It turns out my buddy did not get through to his tire guy. I told him today to hold off. I will get them at the end of this month. he is doing them mounted and balanced on a road force for 1k.

Funny how I post how I drove my truck in the snow on summer tires and everyone is basically telling I am wrong/crazy for doing it??? I did it, It was a breeze and I will do it again if we get a freak snow storm again.
At least the guy from Northern NJ actually tried it, but he doesnt have an M. Do the non M's have the same Torque Distribution? because in my truck it was pretty amazing watching a single rear wheel show NO torque when pulling away in deeper snow, then regaining torque and losing it in the opposite side.
Its great to read articles, see scientific evidence and see manufactuer suggestions. But how many have actually tried it??

These early season storms coupled with warm roadbeds just provide 'hero snow' conditions where any old car with half-bald all-season tires can make it through the streets and highways. So I'm sure an X5M with best of breed awd and abs technology can make mince meat out of it.

A good winter snow falling on frozen ground, coupled with summer rubber that takes on the hardness of a hockey puck will be the true test. Will watch this thread for results.

The issue is not being able to go forward rather stopping in time, reliably and consistently

I coudn't agree more! :thumbup:

Anywayyyy... my one question regards the tow cover. I need to replace mine since it is constantly falling out. Donho, were you able to order one painted? or does anyone know this answer?

I plan on just calling up the dealership or stopping by, hopefully I can easily pick up the small painted piece and plug it right in..

Tenafly will sell them to you painted. (I'm sure other dealers will as well)

Not sure if they have them ready or if it takes a day or so.

I ordered them from Evan at:getBMWparts.com

The issue was they come only primed from BMW. They wanted 75 bucks to paint that little bastard!
I noticed there is another cover on the passenger side front and a square one one the back.
I asked Evan if I order all of them, is the cost to paint the same? and it was. So I order two of the fronts and two of the rears(spares) and have them all painted. Then Evan emails me and tells me the front part number(l&r are interchangable) says it is a kit, so there might be two per kit. I told hom to just get two. So I may have 4 fronts and 2 rears??? i figured it was better then buying one at a time and having to get them painted everytime

By the way, the DWS were order and arrived today. I wanted to wait for the end of the month, but I know how much room these fat tires take up, so I am not doing that to my shop. I went today.

I had them mounted and RoadForce balanced. I drove it pretty hard on the way home. It handles worse then the RFT. It does hit bumps alot better then the RFT. No more teeth rattling potholes. I think I can live with the softer feeling cornering. Now lets pray for some snow so I can see how these perform. I have my handful or tow hook covers and my DWS. I am ready for the winter!