OEM 19's in the snow
 

The excitement continues to build in anticipation of our X5 4.4i arriving. It should be here tomorrow. We are due for our first snowfall any day now and that got me thinking about the OEM 19" Bridgestones on the X. I think they areTuranza ER30s. Now, I also got 18" star spokes with winter rubber in the deal, but I want to know just how the "V" rated 19's will or will not behave in mild snowy conditions. For those of you who toil with a real winter and have the sport package, let me know your experiences.

Seiler

The problem is stopping... you will just keep on sliding until you hit something. The rubber just gets too hard when it gets cold on those summer tires.

CS: As Dylan sang, "Don't think twice..." You have the 18s: slap 'em on, imo!
GL,md

Trust a fellow Canuck...and Albertan...have them throw on the snows. The stock rubber on the 19's is a joke when the temps drop below freezing.

Agree with all above, summer tires get rock hard when cold with no grip. And with the extra wide tires on the rear you will turn into a sled.
Sounds like winter is here so go for the 18's :thumbup:

yup, I bought 18's with Nokain Hakkapillitas for my 4.6is, also an Albertan :)

18"s definitely!!!!!!

What is this strange thing you speak of, this "snow"? :D


Hiding quickly in his Florida home, before the flames start.

hehehe...I'll admit that if it weren't for skiing and snowboarding I'd have little use for winter.

But I'll also add that they don't rate our storms as "Categorys" :stickpoke

:D

Point taken. Truck is getting out of province inspection and its winter package balanced and installed.

Ouch
 

:fight:

18 Inch Michelin Energy MXV4® Plus Tires
 

Does anyone know how these standard tires do in the snow?

These are what I used last year in our New England winter (which was exceptionally harsh) with nary a problem... - the standard Michie 18 Energy Plus. I run the 19's to about the beginning of Dec.

Why 19
 

Why do switch to 19 in summer?

I agree, the stock Turanza's are crap in the snow. We just had our first snowfall last night, so about midnight I went out for a spin. Moderate wheel slippage when accelerating and cornering, but horrible when it came to stopping. Might as well have been on a pair of skis. Definitely go with the snows for winter.