X5d first snow
 

Just got hit with the first real snow since I've had the X. Right at a foot here in Omaha. I can happily report that even with the stock 18" all-season Bridgestones the SAV handled it like a champ. No issues whatsoever other than trying to avoid all the idiots like the guy in the 740 with foot wide, 20"+ low profiles going 5 mph up a slight hill with the wheels spinning 50mph. Guess he turned the DSC off.:rolleyes:

I was a little worried that all the low end torque in the diesel would cause wheel slippage but this was definitely not the case.

You folks with real snow tires must feel bulletproof in this thing. :thumbup:

Yeah, I had no problems in mine last winter in about 7" of snow. We just had a dusting yesterday, but it went down to 7 last night and about -10 wind chill. No starting problems...

Craig

I am embarrassed to say I swapped out my staggard 20's (dunlop summer tires) with 19's all-season yesterday even though it was only a dusting...

It was -8 here this morning. The diesel started right up, but I could tell it didnt really want to roll out of bed. Seemed heavier than normal and was running some serious revs trying to warm itself. Glad I researched the truck stops here and found that the Sapp Bros west of town specifically listed their current diesel as "winter blend". Filled up with it right before the temp dropped.

I just wish I had the option of the 20" wheels on my diesel. I have 19" with all season tires. I've heard the 20's with the summer tires are terrible in the snow and ice.

Craig

I run premium diesel. Where I purchase my fuel, they start with their winter blend around the end of October. I've spoken to their lab...
It's always good to purchase diesel fuel where they sell a lot and have good quality as well...

Craig

I work in transportation and deal with trucking companies daily. I have asked several local ops folks if they have heard of premium diesel after reading your comments and others when I bought the d several months ago. None of them know what I'm talking about. Where/how do you find stations that sell the stuff? Any particular brand that it is more common to find it at? I'd love to run premium, but I'm not driving all over the city looking for it.

Which brands sell premium fuels ( Shell/Poilet/BP/Gulf/Valero/Sunoco), or which is the best of all the above brands?

Glad I researched the truck stops here and found that the Sapp Bros west of town specifically listed their current diesel as "winter blend". Filled up with it right before the temp dropped

I forgot about Sapp Brothers. When I called on the trucking companies in the midwest, Sapp brothers was a trusted stop for b'fast. Great facilities........they don't have truck stops like that in the Northeast........ I miss the water tower that looked like an old perculator coffee pot !!!!

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attra...eith_smith.jpg

I've done some research and BP sells it in some big cities, not here where I live. The truck stops usually sell the cheapest fuel they can purchase,
Premium usually is a few cents more per gallon and the truckers only want the cheapest fuel..

Here is a link about the fuel I'm using...

MFA Oil Company

Craig

Thanks for the link. Looks like this is a Missouri company. Hopefully it will spread eventually to other areas too.

I found your other postings on bimmerfest and checked out Shell V-Power as a possibility. Only a handfull of their stations around here so that may work. I'll check BP too.

You're welcome... I think premium diesel will be available in the future everywhere. I really had to look around to find it here. Now, they have signs posted at all of their stations. I can tell a difference from regular diesel. The engine runs smoother and I think it isn't as loud using premium.

Craig

There is 1 Sapp Bros station in the entire state of CO and it's in my backyard (2 miles from home)! Check here for Sapp Bros fuel status and prices: Untitled Document
Looks like the Denver location for diesel says "B-NA" - I don't know what that means.

Biodiesel not available?

BTW: what does the manual say for biodiesel? 5% or less ok is my guess (since I don't own one --- yet).

Yes, max is 5%...

Craig

That's great to hear! I just swapped out my 20's (staggered Dunlop performance tires) for a set of Bridgestone all-season M&S 18's on Style 210 wheels. We got a dusting of snow on Saturday, but I'm eager to see how the X5 drives in accumulated snow. This will be my first winter with the X.

The X5 on snow tires is really amazing, I still can't believe how it handled on slippery slopes last year. Where it was hardly possible to go on foot, the X5 drove like there was no snow or ice at all...

Winter driving conditions here since mid-November. Running on 18" Nokian Hakkapllitta 5 SUV (2009 35d). Very impressed with vehicles capabilities to date. Needed to explore and learn about use of DTC, but once mastered, one can charge through most any condition. Such a blast to takeoff from most any surface condition or incline, leaving behind other vehicles with wheels spinning away at the light (Although that used to be me in my 97 328 and 2002 530, with Blizzaks on each).

Also to date, no cold related problems, although garaged over night, during the day at the office, X has sat out in the cold for 10 hours (as low as 10 degF) and started with no hesitation (just a hint that glow plug activated). Good interior heat, love the heated seats and steering wheel. So, all in all, so far so good...

...With the exception of the dreaded check engine light (sorry, couldn't resist adding this). Also, a quick (less than 1 min) showing of the "engine malfunction" light. Vehicle is requesting first service, so we'll see what wonderful codes await.

Whew. I feel better after reading the first couple of posts. No snow yet in the flatter parts of southern Germany, but this is the first weekend we might see some. Now those stock 18s don't seem as dodgy!