I was out in the snow in Ohio yesterday. Roads were not plowed and conditions were poor. The X3 does make you fell very safe in these conditions, but I did stick the SAV in about 15" of snow. I pulled into the deep snow to let another vehicle pass going the oposite direction. When I tried to pull back on the road I realized I was stuck. I had to back-up a couple of times before traction kicked in. It may have been my OEM tires? Previous to the X3 I drove a Ford Explorer and it would pull through anything with no problems. It may have been a combination of OEM tires and ground clearance on the X3.

The Explorer would have a heavier lugged tire that would work well in snow. The X3 and X5 tend to come with performance all-seasons (or worse if you get the upgraded wheel package) so you don't get great winter traction. The X-Drive can only do so much when the rubber isn't suited for the conditions.

Gee, strange I had a Explorer and I can't say that. I got stuck in my driveway a few times. On the same token my 94 4 Runner could go through any thing almost like your Explorer. LOL
cheers
vern

We got plenty of snow this past week, about 2 feet the one day. I had no problems with the X3. My 2007 came with the Pirelli Scorpion STR tires, which seemed to do a decent job. They're no snow tire, and did have issues tracking around bends in the road when snow covered. But you just have to watch your speed.

My previous car was a Subaru Outback Sport(impreza) with Michelin X-Ice snow tires. They grabbed a lot more in the snow, obviously. But that car was about 1,000 lbs lighter than my X3, so it also had tracking problems in deeper slush and snow.

I haven't had my X3 long enough to be really comfortable sliding around corners yet. Plus with the traction control interveening, it really keeps things in check. My OBS was extremely tossable and easy to control powering around corners. But, that car was a piece of sh1t, and I'm glad to be rid of it.

I did a 2 year lease on the X3, so I'm not going to buy snow tires for it. At times I could use them, but I'm sure I'll get buy with the X3.

Mike

No offense, but just because you now drive a BMW , you call Subaru's POS. Yes they're not German engineered , but no way are they POS's. I own 3 Subarus ( my snow cars) not once did I ever get stuck or stranded on ice or snow. Have seen many SUVs on the side wheel spinnng there way out of heavy snow...Not on the scoobys...low center of gravity and awesome handling and super reliable. To each his own I guess.

I'm not calling it a POS just because I drive a BMW(for 7 years now). I'm calling it a POS because that's how I felt about it. Not how you felt about it. And I'm not saying all Subarus are POS, just the one I had.

Here's some insight:
- The car smelled like oil the entire time I had it. Service manager and others said it would go away, burn off. Like the cosmoline BS. Never happened. 24,000 miles later and it still smelled like oil inside the car.
- The engine ran so rough the entire car would shake at idle. Shifter would bobble all around. RPMS were all over the place. Again, the Service Manger said it was normal.
- At 5 degrees F and below the engine would barely turn over, and when it did it would make a seriously loud whine that would last for about 10 minutes, until the car was warmed up. Sounded like it was going to explode.
- High speed stability was terrible. The car was highly suseptable to cross winds like no other car I've ever driven. Excessive lean in corners and nose-dive when braking.
- Braking was terrible. The rear brakes warped at 18,000 miles and had to be resurfaced.
- The stock tires were terrible.
- Rear seat space sucked. With the front seats in a "normal" position, rear seat room was uninhabitable for an adult, let alone a baby seat.
- No stability control available, except on the top of the line Outback model. Pretty lame for a company that prides itself on safety.

Other than that, the AWD was decent.

I had my Dunlop M3's removed this past weekend, and the Pirelli all-season's put back on. (Because I'm trading it in on a 335i).

What a difference! The snowtires really were good. Now the all-season's seem like junk in comparison. The X3 is now tail-happy on snow, and is a little scary.

I will miss the traction. If you don't have snow tires on your X3, you don't know how good it can be!

I drove around an entire winter here in Alaska with Bridgestone Dueler HPs on 20s and it did ok. I wouldn't turn or stop very well, as expected. I got some cheap Cooper studded winter tires this year and it handles amazingly well in deep snow and on glare ice - I couldn't be happier with them. I end up turning DSC off a lot in the winter to get a better feel for the conditions. The AWD is pretty decent IMO.

Here is a pic from last year at North Pole, AK with the 20s on.
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j7...nt/bmwsnow.jpg

With all the problems that you have had, IMO you have every right to call it a POS. I know I would.
cheers
vern