We you required to put on chains or at least show the CHP that you carried them?

I was at Mammoth last holiday weekend. I kept my 20" with Michellin Diamaris on since there was no chance of snow with sunny, blue-bird conditions. If I would have gone to Mammoth this weekend, I would have definitely replaced the 20" with my 18" winter set up.

If anybody is curious, I have the Yokohama Geolandar H/T-S setup during winter time or for trips to the mountains with decent snowfall conditions. They're M+S (Mud & Snow) rated tires mounted on the stock BMW style 69 rims (size: 255/55 R18). I bring the snow chains just in case but have not been required to use them with the tires since the tires have performed well enough in snow. The Yokohamas are also good for use all year round in all types of weather (which I've used all year long before I got the 20" tires). They're great!

DKL - Whether you drive a 4WD vehicle, you're still required by CHP to show that you carry snow chains. In the most extreme conditions (depending on snowfall/road conditions) CHP will even require you to put the chains on regarless if your vehicle has snow tires or 4WD before being allowed to proceed.
There are 3 different requirements. Here's some helpful snow chain requirement info for California... http://tirechain.com/california-chain-requirement.htm

Paulgt3 - Are snow/road conditions like this up there this weekend?...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1133/...60a92d9b0f.jpg


*** This is a photo of the snow conditions the last time I had the 18" Yokohama set up at Mammoth when I was parked at Main Lodge (bigger file size of one of my sig pics).

Have fun up there and drive safe! Looking forward to seeing some of your photos. :thumbup:

X5-4-Fighting i love how you have them E53 emblem on the side of your x5. Looks really cool.

X5-4-fighting about 8" of new coming down steadily. I was at the main lodge today too (buddy gave me a premier parking pass NOW thats the way to go!!)
I am hearing 4-6 feet before tomorrow nite. The X5 is MORE than capable in 6-8" of fresh snow including those spots where it gets scrapped off and its icy. I am very happy and recosidering my Cayenne GTS order.

X5-4-fighting. I have a Breitling B-1 Pro last of the 50 made. The Commemorative JSF models.(I work at China Lake)
ANd WHERE DID you get the E53 model badge? that is cool.

This is my winter wheel I really like it . Bought the set with tires from a friend and I am going to have to get motivated to put the chromes back on!

Paulgt3--- Main Lodge parking can be such an ordeal sometimes, so that's a great deal on the premier parking pass. What a great ski season it's been so far, huh? The Cayenne is nice but IMHO, the X5's aesthetic looks still tops the Cayenne. Btw, great Breitling watch you have there; quite rare too! And that's not a bad commute you have to and from Mammoth from NAWS China Lake. That's practically only a hop away from Mammoth. I modified the Breitling logo for use as my avatar, since the "B" is my last name initial.

As for the "E53" badge, I happened to find it from a seller on eBay. The seller no longer sells them, but you can find similar custom badge letters from http://www.bimmian.com/X5/

Enjoy your time and X5 driving up there in Mammoth!

X5-4fighting Yes I have a place here in Mammoth so its a very nice commute. I hate Ridgecrest in the summer and I love Mammoth in the winter. You should SEE it today!! BLIZZARD!!!! I think I am stuck here for another day. I took some pics but I dont have my cable to download.
The Cayenne never floated my boat, but this GTS sounds good --but youre right though. I think I am going to stand pat the X5 4.8is looks better. Although I am a dyied in the wool Porsche guy I have a X5 instead of the cayenne (its better) and a Z4M instead of the Cayman.


BTW I sold the watch. I want a more analog style. I didnt like the digital display. I made 1500 on it though.

Sounds good. Please do share your photos of conditions there when you can. Be safe. :thumbup:

X5-4-Fighting could you remove the E53 emblem if you wanted to? Also would i be able to put it on the back of the Bimmer?

I just drove my X5 for really the first time in the snow yesterday. I drove from Kansas City to Wichita in blizzard conditions through the flint hills. Lot of turns and hills plus semi's. It handled like a champ even, although it kept pulling to the right for the last 20 miles or so, ends up i had a flat rear passenger tire. But definately better then all the reviewers made it out to be.

Yes. The badges are made of the same abs plastic material and adhesive backing as the oem badges on bimmers. I used dental floss to remove the original badge, rubbed off some adhesive residue, then applied the E53 badges.