I read that too fast and thought you said your were 'fire retardant' and was thinking ...that would be handy :rofl:

Still driving the 5-speed? I remember you from the Roadfly board.

I am that, as well, but I don't like to brag...

(BTW, for the record, I'm a she, not a he. :))

If you have no problem with a set for each season I'd go with the non staggered 18" set up for winter with the Pirelli Ice and Snows and 19" staggered with Michelins for those twisties :thumbup: You can go with 20"s but I think your ride will suffer the larger you go.

Just my $0.02

If you are going to drive in less maintained mountain roads with snow 10% of the time in the winter then you will need snow tires. Check out Tire Racks rec. for winter tires. Some people have different preferences but there really is no difference between them - Dunlop winters, Bridgestone Blizzak, Scorpion ice etc. etc. would be great and a vast improvement over a summer set. You won't sacrifice any comfort with the winter set around town, will quite possiblY be better if you go to a smaller rim/higher tire wall size wheel.


As far as the summer set, lots of choices and rim/tire size here - all down to personal preference for looks/performance/handling etc.

FWIW I have OEM 19's with Michelin Diamaris summer tires that stick like glue when cornering.

scorpion ice on 18" here. we just got them put on and there is a night/day difference compared to the stock rubber.

we don't get much snow, but remember the softer compound help you control your car as the temperature drops. from just above freezing and colder it makes a world of difference.

MotoL,
Cart before the horse, imo...when you cop your X5, tell the board
what wheel size/tire combo you have, and you can re-read the 2nd
version of this litany of opins, :rofl: ...
until you have it, no one here knows what your X will come with;
we are all throwing darts at this point.

Bottom line: any X, especially the newer MYs with XDrive, are
like mtn goats in almost any situ I can think of that you will
encounter in your area. Seriousazz snow driving, in your area,
or in more moutainous situs, may be easier with dedicated snows.
All academic until you have your ride and the experts here know your
current set up. :D
BR,mD

It was actually powder that California mountains are famous for, even at slower speeds we were blowing through it.:thumbup:

I only drive in snow conditions less than once a year. Even if I go skiing several times a year mostly the roads are clear. I carry Z Chains but it just dosen't make sense to swap tires for the occasional snow day. Tom

my x5 has sprt package 19" wheels and it has toyo winter wheels on it. we had alot of snow this year. the x5 was wonderful. it never got stuck never had any hestation. but still i would like 18's better.