Take/pictures whatever to document why they the brake line is severed. Could've ended a lot worse, at least you're ok.

When you say "chains", do mean "cable" chains?

What brand/model did you buy?

So sorry to hear about the chain mishap, but as previous poster said, at least you and family are OK--that's a lot to be thankful for on a day like this!

Wow, that really sucks... I hope everything works out ok. Good luck!

Dump the chains and get some other tires too if you are going to temp the snow. Good luck.

Hold on, I need to recap:

- You asked about whether the tires were any good for your trip.
- You were told "nope" by multiple posters.
- You went anyway.
- Realized it was a bad move.
- Paid a "mechanic" to put chains on your car.
- Severed a brake line.
- Got a rental car.
- Need new brake line and rim...and snow tires.

What did we learn here, snow tires would have been far cheaper than that adventure.

I'm new to the x5 world (my 04' 4.4 is 2 mnths old)
I have new snows on oem 19's (255 front, 285 rear oem size)
ITS AWESOME!!!
up hills, down hills, deep snow (and its lowered), any snow for that fact. ITs GREAT!

glad you and the family are ok mate, but I have to agree with Wagner on this. You really should have heeded everyone's advise and put some snow tires on that baby. I have the Diamaris on staggered 20's and she is quite content to sit in the garage until it warmer days.

should've read the manual... the billiant and very informative book tells you DO NOT put chains on the 20's...

Spikes Spider
 

I live in Seattle and have taken my '06 X5 4.8iS with 20" Diamaris up to Snoqualmie Pass twice so far and it's done great. Stopping and turning are the weak points, like everyone's said, but working the transmission seems to do pretty well for me (2nd to reduce speed, then neutral to stop).

That being said, I ordered a pair of Spikes-Spider Sport chains and just installed them on the rears today. They are the ONLY chains that you can put on this car, and at ~$465 a pair, they aren't cheap. But the quick install and good build quality help make up for the price, and it's a cheaper and more convenient solution than having a separate winter setup. I'm switching to all-seasons when these tires wear out though.