[quote=mazinkaizer]All weather tires aren't as good as winter/snow tires, if where you live really snows a lot I wouldn't get all weather/four seasons tires. I'd just buy another set of rims with snow tires on them so I can change them when winter comes but that just me.


:iagree:

Get the Sport package and buy proper winter/snow tires.
In Switzerland all weather tires aren't as good as winter/snow tires for the winter road conditions we have here.
:thumbup:

I think I found the info on this whole Adaptive Drive/Sport button issue.

Rooster328 posted in another forum:

"u either get the normal suspension , the sport suspension or the suspension with the adaptive damper. The adaptive damper will offer the comfort of a normal suspension yet can firm up with a push of a botton.
if someone order sport suspension with adative drive, the sport suspension will be replaced just like sport seats and comfort seats".

So I think the Adpative is the way to go....

1. You get firm suspension like sports package by switching it off.
2. You get comfort with button off.

Also I am going for premium package, so going for Sport package makes no sense as the sports seats are replaced by comfort seats....so in essence you are paying for comfort and sports seats !!!! ( each package has diff seats, yet taking both means you pay for sports and get comfort ! )

Sport Button (ONLY ON SPORT PACK MODELS)= stiffs suspension, slight engine re-mapping, holds gears longer , and changes the throttle responsiveness.

The Sport mode on non-sports holds gears longer.

Hope this clears stuff up for you.

Thankyou for that trueX5er.
2 Sport points here:

1. Sports mode in transmission which as you say holds gear longer...same as my 2006 330i

2. Sport button located behind shifter....as can be seen in the top picture.
http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e70-forum/...-pictures.html

I am referring to 1. only.
I appreciate everyones input here....X5 owners/to be owners all class !!:thumbup:

Re Snow tires vs all season

I agree with pm_belo, I have an E53 with 19's (summer) and I knew that the 18 all seasons would not work outside of downtown TO. Anywhere else it is worth the investment in snow tires. IMHO all seasosn are "no-season"tires. They are not as good in rain or heat as summer tires and fail miserably if there is more than 5cm of snow. I change in November and March/April - it makes an enormous difference, the initial cost is offset by not having to replace the tires as early and most importantly in safety.

what's with the eye roll? I had an '01 with 19's and it absolutely sucked in snow .... :confused:

In snow a narrower tire will sink deeper and will have a better chance of getting down to pavement. If the brakes allow for it 18" tires with a higher profile and a narrower tread would be better in snow.

While this may be true, I'm not sure it's the reason narrower tires work better in snow. I always thought is was because there is less surface area at the contact patch which means more weight per square inch.

Dont forget the Aspect Ratio thing..

A bigger Aspect Ratio (for tires with the same width) will work much better in snow conditions because the tire is more flexible (the tire will “self clean” the snow much better)

Yes, another good point. I suppose there are several factors, including tread design as well. All good stuff! :thumbup: