There is a 5 minute section of my hour commute that is fun and I would choose to 'manually' drive. The other 55minutes I'd be fine with letting a computer take over.
Unless you've permanently disabled the DSC and ABS on your 4.6, you've already given in to allowing a computer to do the most entertaining part of driving, trying to control a vehicle at and just above the limit.
I'll continue to have my fun in cars on the weekend and at the racetrack :) Sans DSC...

Realistically, we're probably a good 20-30 years before self-driving cars would be trickling down to the general population, and maybe 40+ before the majority of cars on the road, if not all during specific times or specific roads, are self-driving. Maybe my electric drive winnebago tow vehicle will be self-driving then, so I can be rested up for wrestling my historic E92 M3 race car around tracks across the country on weekends?

If it ever happens, in the country of Texas. we would hot wire that sucker around it.. If we can't speed, tailgate,scream and flip the bird at least 2 times a week we would get a traffic ticket that sent us to driving in Texas rehab. The schools aren't that big so the President of Texas woiuld see that a law is passed that forces us to drive pre drive themselves vehicles, certainly pickup trucks.

Drive itself vehicles, what a terrible legacy for our children

ahh, you're thinking about it wrong. with the vehicles being driven by a device that isn't distracted by eating a McDonald's Big Mac, facebook/texting, changing radio stations, applying makeup, etc, speed limits can be increased, tailgating will become the norm, in fact, much closer than you would ever do, unless you drive NASCAR on the weekend, because optimal aero-efficiency will be with the vehicles almost bumper to bumper. And being most likely all electric vehicles (or very high performance gas) computers won't doddle along on the acceleration ramps (aka entrance ramps) like most people, they will use the full acceleration of the vehicle in order to merge onto the freeway of bumper to bumper vehicles travelling at 90+ MPH, without any drama.
So, less energy use, less collisions, and more free time for playing on their iPhone 35s or Playstation 12's. doesn't sound that bad. also, haven't you heard the number of kids of driving age actually driving is currently on the decline?
Just like the number of cars with manual transmissions. Getting a manual is now typically an 'optional' item and usually not even available on the upper end models...

I'm not really sure what any of this has to do with doing donuts in snow filled parking lots and what the best tires are for that purpose though...

It has nothing to do winter tires. It has everything to do with the joy, fun and excitement of driving the way it is now. I have no idea why someone that owns a 4.6 would have anything positive to say about vehicles that drive themselves. The way it is a big part of the reason that driving is so fun and exciting. You can have the last work if you want. I won't be around anyway.

I was pleased with how the all seasons did this morning through 8 inches of unplowed snow here in CT. I was going back and forth on grabbing a dedicated set of snows, but for my situation, I feel the rare instances where snows would out shine all seasons, I don't envision myself absolutely having to drive... might feel diff if I lived in Mass or Maine though...

I'm actually surprised at how well the X does with a/s tires here, especially on some of the really steep hills when it's slushy. I probably won't go with a set of dedicated snows unless/until I trade up for one of the 8 cyl Xs.

I could definitely get through anything I need to with all seasons but I have driven on all seasons in the xi for 3 years and then one snow with them in the x5. Now that I have the winter tires on the x5 I don't think I can ever go back. They hold the road so much better and make it so much more fun and safe to drive in the snow. When you lose traction or start to slide on a/s you don't get it back until you more or less stop. With the winter tires I can mash on the gas on snow packed roads around turns etc. it will slip if you push it but soon as I let off it grabs the road again almost defying physics (at least my perception of physics based on past experience). The traction control does a much better job controlling the vehicle with the snow tires. I presume because it responds more like a car on wet asphalt than a rock on ice.

also, it is probably to late but if you live anywhere where it gets below freezing, cover your locks (especially the front two) in wd40. Found out the hard way, that these front two like to freeze.

mcurcio, glad you bought them and realize how much nicer the X drives with winters on it.
its hard to explain to someone who is skeptical and really does not want to buy winter tires.
I deal with it all the time in Calgary and HATE seeing all seasons on any vehicle in Calgary. ESPECIALLY a 2wd vehicle.
To me, in a Calgary winter climate, seeing a vehicle without winter tires on says "sorry but I don't care as much about my family's safety OR yours, as much as I care about my bank account"
to me any vehicle in a canadian climate is an absolute must.
if you can afford an X5, you can afford winter tires.

its all about being a responsible driver!!!
NOT having winter tires on your vehicle doesnt mean you drive like its summer dry conditions, just means you're more prepared for nasty winter driving conditions.

The problem although it's really not a problem is that the value of the early X's has fallen to the point that even teenagers with jobs at Mickey D can buy a X but can't afford to maintain them or buy extras like a second set of wheels for the winter.

then thats poor/irresponsible planning on the drivers behalf. The driver should just buy a beater civic till they CAN afford to own a vehicle and maintain it better.
they have to expect to put money into a vehicle before they buy it and they are missing that point.
its like putting the right fuel/oil/fluids in a car. you shouldn't cheap out just cause you could afford to buy the vehicle but can't afford to maintain it properly. Do that and it WILL break down.
would you buy a Ferrari and put regular fuel in there? No there are things you expect to do to a vehicle when you own one... buying winter tires (where winter conditions exist) should NOT be one you over look as it could save you/my life.

UpAllNight, please do not take this as comments towards you, I'm just stating to all.