X5 50i in Snow?

[superdog]

Ok. Dumb question I suppose. I have three season run flats.

But even my dealership has suggested I don't need to replace them. That the vehicle will be pretty good in the snow.

And snowmagedon is coming to the northeast.

I'll not try and do anything crazy. But in my old wrangle or my RRS, I handled the worst snow with ease.

Is it folly to expect this beast to operate moderately well?

[XXX5]

Nope! Those tires are not at all designed for cold and snow/ice conditions. Stay home, or buy a set of all season or winter wheels and tires.

[superdog]

^^^

Figured as much. Thanks.

[Alan l.]

Even with dedicated snow tires on my X5M the traction isn't the greatest in snow due to the width of the tires. If you have 19" all seasons you can probably venture out if you really have to but forget about it if you have the 20" Msport wheels with summer tires.

Alan

[alphaod]

I have the Conti DWS06 quite capable in the snow, but I don't recommend going out unless you need to. I always carry chains in case they're needed, which I might when I drive up to Quebec end of the month.

[tnikolov]

I live in the mountain and we get tons of snow every year where I live. I do drive in the winter ONLY on winter tires, which I change every two years or so. Still... Traction is kinda OK with smaller tires like 18" but you can't put an 18" on the 50i. On 19" it's still mostly OK - a bit drifty - but it becomes problematic especially when going downhill. On 20" its pure scary.

Going uphill is OK even on 20" so long you don't have to stop at all. cause then it simply goes backwards like a bobsleigh and no amount of horse power can change that. I've hit my previous F15's beautiful a$$ twice like that.

If the scenery around you is flattish though, you would be more than fine on 19" winters and probably even on 20"s.

[IvanLZ]

My set of winters are 20" square set up and it handles pretty good. I have more trouble driving my father's highlander even with snow tires on.

[WJMSprtXDrive]

Good advice so far. The runflats are Summer Tires you can easily crash in just 2" of snow.
I had an E70 X5 4.8i with EXTREMECONTACT DWS 06 staggered 20" setup. They are some of the best tires for our vehicles. I had no problems up to ~10"+ of fresh snow.
The DWS 06 are my favorite UHP all-season tires.

[NOVA99]

The X5 is great in the snow...with proper tires. The stock tires that come on the 20 inch setup are a death trap in the cold midwest winter and serious no-no. My wife just took delivery of '17 X5 50i with 20's and before leaving dealership installed Conti DWS06. Second time around as I did this previously with our 2013 X5 and no issues. Received 7 inches over night and no issues at all today. Storm heading your way...

[Flying Ace]

yeah, DWS06 are popular all season tires in OEM 20 sizes. IMO, they're popular b/c tirerack carries them and makes it easy to buy. That, and I suspect there's a lot of confirmation bias with current owners of these tires. I also see Pirelli Scorpion Verdes in OEM sizes as well on many X5s online. There are cheaper alternatives as well. My 20 inch all seasons only cost me $750 including tax and shipping, whereas DWS06 will price out to $1300 IIRC.

IMO most branded all-season tires perform the same. So unless you're a stickler to one specific brand, I would look for cheaper alternatives. All-seasons are terrible snow tires anyways, anything more than 4 inches of snow with/ice, you'll probably have traction issues with acceleration and definitely with braking on any 315 width tire.

I am using Nitto Motivo all-seasons. There's a member with an X5 who actually used it successfully on an off-road sand course, which tipped the decision for me to buy them.

https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=878101

[superdog]

Thanks all for the helpful comments.

I know you are all exactly right. I got myself dug out pretty good, and my area is pretty nicely plowed. Just a few inches at best, on the roads.

So I figured I would take her out for a measured test. Just in case I have to drive in the snow in the future.

I figured better to feel it out in a relatively controlled environment.

And she did ok. Not great have you. But it was better than expected.

And far better than my SRT was. Far worse than the RRS. Anyway, not too bad as long as I'm paying attention and driving appropriately.

And tell you what, she looks damn good in the snow....

[KennySRFElite]

OP,

I have 5000 miles on my new X6 50i since November '16. I purchased a full set of rims with Perelli Ice and Snow 20", staggered set up. I have had no problem at all. Good traction, cornering, start up, and stopping. I've driven in snow all my life. Before this car I drove full size 4x4 pickups, this car handles just as good. Don't let anybody tell you the staggered 20" setup is not good in snow or unsafe. The only thing you get with 19" rims on an X6, is a bad looking X6.

Cautjit

[jlstyle]

I used stock performance tires for my 20"s and they were very bad in the snow. I didn't feel any safer than my E92 without x-drive. I swapped them out with DWS right away and been having fun in the snow since.

[PeanutButterJellyTime]

I had 19" staggered summers and 18" winters for my 435xi. I didn't feel like I needed it 99% of the time in Calgary, Canada where we do get heavy snowfalls. When I got my 50i I decided to skip out on getting 2 sets of rims for summer and and winter, and replaced the summer tires with the Continental DWS06 all seasons instead. No issues. Less hassle for me and save storage fees. I'm not sure how bad snow gets in the NE but get rid of the summers if that's all you have. You will slip on less than 1cm of snow. I know this because I almost crashed after I picked up the vehicle in December.

Having said all that, let me know if anyone needs brand new Oem 20" staggered summer tires.

[NOVA99]

Originally Posted by cautjit

OP,

I have 5000 miles on my new X6 50i since November '16. I purchased a full set of rims with Perelli Ice and Snow 20", staggered set up. I have had no problem at all. Good traction, cornering, start up, and stopping. I've driven in snow all my life. Before this car I drove full size 4x4 pickups, this car handles just as good. Don't let anybody tell you the staggered 20" setup is not good in snow or unsafe. The only thing you get with 19" rims on an X6, is a bad looking X6.

Cautjit

Exactly +1.