:iagree:
But... I have noticed....

When cornering through slushy/slippery snow (or ice), especially 2 inches or more, the traction control can cut the throttle if you are sliding. There are times when you need some throttle to pull through the turn and keep you from sliding forward. There have been a few mentions regarding how to turn off the Traction control. They have both worked out well. Tried them each out a few times today.

A: push button until the light comes on. Turns it completely off.
B: push/hold button until the light goes out. Only turns off the throttle control. Will still manage tire slippage.

Have to say that after a few snowfalls here north of Chicago I am pretty disappointed with the snow performance of the X5.

Having come from a 4WD Silverado that would pretty much get through ANY snow situation out there, it's pretty disheartening to drive a vehicle that has a hard enough time making it through 2 inches of snow, if that, without pushing/sliding through corners, having the ABS activate on any incline/decline, get poor traction and have a multitude of other problems that just seem a bit ridiculous for a vehicle of this price range and regarded to be a "quality" vehicle. Right now, I don't see it.

I am running the Pirelli Scorpion Ice/Snow tires on 18 x 8.5 rims. My old 2000 Silverado on 16 inch all-season off-road tires would have eaten this thing for lunch and dinner like it was nothing. That vehicle left me feeling like I had superior command of traction and braking in the snow and left me feeling very safe....the X5 does not. Perhaps people coming from rear wheel drive cars might find the performance of the X5 to be good in adverse conditions, but frankly, I have driven front-wheel drive cars that have performed better in light snowfall conditions.

Right now the vehicle is still too new for me to want to rush to a quick judgment (8 weeks), but if this trend continues I will quickly trade it in on something a little more useful to me from a driving standpoint. Right now it's just a "pretty face" with not much else going on.

Realchef:

Turning off the stability control or traction control isn't designed for when you are sliding in a corner, IMO, it can make that worse. Sliding in a corner means too much speed, or poor tires, or both.

Turning off the DSC is for when you want wheel slip (a little or a lot). The only time I have used that (and never on the X, just on a rwd BMW) is when there is so little traction that there is no throttle response. Turning it off permits wheelspin, and lets you spin your way out of a snowdrift, for example. I have used it on a short steep hill. I would never leave DSC off when cornering, as DSC increases the stability of the vehicle noticably.

Tom: It is all about the tires. Our X3 has Pirelli Scorpion STR, and they are not very good in the snow, although they are rated as a M+S tire. They simply aren't a cold-weather compound. Not sure about yours, but I can say that the X3 or X5 with proper winter tires is unstoppable. I am thinking of picking up some Dunlop Wintersport M3 tires for the X3, same as I have on the 535.

Mine has 17in Pilot Alpins and have been very secure feeling. I also drive an Expedition and know how unstopable it feels. I like the X better though.

1stBMWTom,

We seem to have similar situations. I have driven the Colorado/Wyoming Rockies through too many winters with a Z28, 62 Merc, Eldorado, Galaxie 500, Delta 98 Explorer, Subaru etc... Read, learned and devloped some skills. (Almost died a few times too.)

This is the first winter driving the X5 seriously and have been having issues similar to yours. Having read that info on the DSC control, I tried it out and WOW what a difference. Spent the last two days seeking out unplowed roads and switching the button. It was pushing snow on a few roads and carved through the deep slush piles. Deliberatley drove the edges of the road, into the deep plow piles and slush. It did great. Currently, no longer concerned, having throttle control made alot of difference. I recommend you try it out. There's a good chance it's going to feel much better. (BTW:Running 18's and Vredesteins.)

My experience is that not having throttle at control certain times is limiting. You are left drifting or sliding between the roads 'fall line' and the direction your inertia is pushing you.

No car can do everything but... this comes close. It can cover Raton pass in the summer without going UNDER 100. It has held very well in the rain at ALL kinda speeds. And after the last two days, it seems to have snow capabilities as well. In six months it might not prove to be the ultimate winter machine, but it certainly is near the top for me right now.

:goodluck:

JCL,

Thanks, but let me clarify a little.

Running brand new Vredestein Wintrac 4 Extreme tires. They are not an issue.

Referring to low speed gradual curve, uphill/downhill and 90* street corners. The road was covered with snow and slush and the car was not responding well, more plowing than turning. Used the switch and control returned.

Now, turning it off made it feel like any other 4 wd. Nothing special, but familiar.

Pushing the button and holding it for 10 secs, leaves the control active but it will not reduce the throttle. THIS was AWESOME!! If you have not tried it, please do. I would be interested in hearing your impressions.

realchef,

Went out tonight and tried it with the DSC off. It's a little better around corners with the ability to manipulate the throttle.

1st BMW Tom,
You need to dump the pirellis and go with Blizzaks. We get on average over 20 feet of snow per year from Lake Superior and trust me, I would know a good ice/snow dedicated tire!

1stBMWTom,

Good to hear it.

In respect to JCL, he is right about tire compounds as well as speed and vehicle stability being improved by the DSC. Pushing and holding the button until the light goes OUT, then the Traction control is active but will not control the throttle. This really made the biggest improvement for me.

I might have been pushing it a little hard a few times, but that was the purpose of the exercise, to learn where the limits might lie. If you can isolate yourself in a large lot, field or unused road, it is not a bad idea to do some defensive driving moves in order to learn what you and the car are (not) capable of. I am not a driving instructor, just offering some observations/advice.

With the way the vehicle excels in the other 3 season's, being a great performer in the winter only makes sense.