X5 + Snow = ?
 

I still haven't pulled the trigger on an X5 (though I'm close), and I'm wondering how they fare in snow... I'm not expecting Rover-esque abilities, and I don't plan to take my next auto into anything terribly nasty, but we do enjoy the higher, less maintained roads with some weather, and I'd like a good compromise between the man-friend's diesel Excursion and my sad little four-banger Accord.

My 01 x5 with 18s perilli ice and snow does better in the snow than our 03 range rover with 19s on snow tires. The range seems a little floaty on the snow.

:dunno: but my pick is the x5 in a big storm.

X5 in the snow is excellent....now if you're talking about off road and mud and dirt..thats a different story..

Standard repsonse. Its pretty much tire dependant. Don't expect much snow performance with summer high performance tires on 20's. (for back ground, I work part time at a ski resort and spend 12 plus weekends every winter driving on fresh snow, compacted snow, wet snow and ice.)

Many, myself included, have 18" rims with snow tires.

I have read that the stock Michelins on 19's can be down right scary in the snow. I have the 19's standard but have not tried them in the snow.

Of course, driver habits/ability also kicks in.....

I have owned 5 different 4runners in my time, 4 of which were modified for off road use and they are all very capable off road but my 2003 with 18" rims and Cross Terrain Michelins even with all manner of electronic traction control etc, could not hold a candle to my 99 with Bridgestone Dueller Revo All Terrain tires in snow, either compacted or falling snow.

In short, depending on how much of the year you plan on driving in snow, budget for snow tires and you will be fine but try plowing through 6" of fresh with 20's and high performance summer tires and you are going to be dissapointed.

Of course, just my 02 cents
David

A lot of people here drive them quite successfully in the snow sometimes even with the high-performance tires on (not recommended), the RR is a serious off-road car and I find it hard to believe that the X does better in the snow than it - the Range Rover has really soft suspension so it pretty much feels "floaty" on anything and you're also running a more desirable tire size for the snow on the X vs. the RR

for winter use, stick with a nonstaggered 18" setup for your x5 and you'll be alright. Save your bling bling for warmer weather.

Ding Ding Ding !

We have a winner :thumbup:

I would like to get hold of some Grantrek Wintersport M2's for next season to try as the reviews are incredible ... they appear to combine dry road performance with snow traction while being quiet and wearing well... however, they sell out every year by October :rolleyes:

David

Up here where snow is not unknown, 18" rims with Scorpion Ice work just fine.

I've driven my X5 with 19" Pirelli Zero's through 5" to 10" of snow in blizzard conditions with no problems. If you are a able winter driver the X5 is more than capable. Enjoy

10", amazing considering the ground clearance is about 6.5" on the frame :rofl:

j/k