I also test drove the new 550i during the Ultimate Driving event and I just dont like the steering at all...you feel disconnected to the road. I actually like the steering of my wife's X5 better... but nothing compares to the steering on my M3.

Someone mentioned safety and I wanted to point out that the IIHS rated the new 5 series a top pick. I don't think the X5 or X6 were top picks this year.

I would personally rather have the 5 Series. I think it looks great and is going to be one of the best looking 5's ever by the end of it's run. Plus, it is a fresh model. If you are going to buy a new car, why not have it be the new model for years to come? The e70 is going to take a bow soon.

Now, as far as snow is concerned, I think JCL is right. It is all about the tires. You are going to need a winter setup for the X5 anyway. Here is a video of an X6 going off road and in snow from Top Gear. Fast forward to 5:40 for the snow. Off roading is 4:30.



Also, as far as the 5 series ranking 3rd in that magazine comparison is concerned. Another member pointed out that the 5 series tested had active steering. Simply don't order yours with active steering and it should feel better.

OK I saw that Top Gear before and I really question it. I can tell you this from personal experience...I have the 20" style 214 wheels on mine running Toyo Proxes M+S year round (275F, 315R)...and I have taken my car through full on blizzards, on steep inclines, to ski resorts, through deep snow drifts, and over ice, and through deep water, and it gets through them better than anything else I've had...almost never slips and I have never gotten stuck. My friends with 3/5 series -xi models and Audi A4/A6 were getting stuck in snow drifts that I was clearing with ease.

Top Gear does a lot of things for effect so I'm sure they picked an exceptionally icy stretch for that scene at the ski resort. Clearly the car got there on its own, but all they show is that one scene. You have to take anything that Top Gear says with a grain of salt. The one thing you can say the X5/6 is missing is a low-range, but then again it's really not meant to be a true off-roader, but it's still better in those situations than a 5-series would be, IMO.

As for the 5 series steering, you are right...without the active steering it may be a different game. And with snow tires/studs I'm sure it could get around in many if not most snow conditions...as long as it's not in Tahoe in the winter.

:thumbup:

I'll put it this way. I went into my BMW dealer to purchase a 550 and left with an X5 50i.

Hard to argue with the fact that higher ground clearance is a plus with regard to really deep snow or huge drifts, but I am really surprised you are getting results like that out of those tires. Especially in those sizes. You have more experience in the snow than I do for sure, but I wouldn't really want to drive through a blizzard or any significant snow with that set up.

This...

:confused:

Most all-season or M/S tires are notorious for being pretty much worthless in heavy snow. Especially in those steam roller sizes.

Yeah it surprised me, too...doesn't sound like the ideal setup but the thing is a trooper...always sure footed. That's why I call it the mountain goat.

By the way, I still have those same tires on now in Fl, and they do just as well now...keeping me planted doing 60 on 270 degree freeway off ramps. I throw this thing into curves and it handles it with ease.

The dedicated M&S Vredesteins 20's on my X5 work perfectly and most recently in a Northeast VT blizzard. Clarkson wouldn't dare throw the summer 20's from the X6 on the Range for that silly comparison :confused:

Exactly. There's a lot of hidden bias in there and a lot of people take it at face value.