Considering Snows

[NevarezX5]

I just got delivery of my fresh new 2016 X5 M Sport with the 20" performance tires. I live in Chicago so the winter can be brutal and I have to maneuver through the unplowed alleys. Is it completely insane to consider not getting winter tires even if my total daily commute into the city is under 10 miles round trip? Interested to hear what others have experienced and whether getting snow tires is an absolute must. If winter tires are the ONLY way to go what is a good option? Thanks!

[Alan l.]

Chicago Winters + 20" Summer only tires = Undriveable

Not sure if you've ever driven a car with summer tires in any snow/ice before. I have and i couldn't even make it out of my driveway without needed people helping me push the car out. AWD or not summer tires in the winter turns into hockey pucks with zero traction whatsoever.

Alan

[NevarezX5]

Thanks, Alan. I figured as much and knew it wouldn't be ideal just didn't know it was that bad. I traded in a 3-series with AWD and all season tires and it would plow through snow with no problems. I have never had summer only tires but the more I read the more I am convinced they are useless in snow & ice.

[Alan l.]

If you had all seasons they i would say you might be ok with such a short commute but with summer tires....its a whole different ballgame. I tried it a few times and you could get by if the ground is dry but once there is any snow/slush/ice its game over.

I'm going with dedicated snow tires mounted on my 20" Msport wheels this winter myself. The difference with snow tires is dramatic over all seasons tires.

Alan

[shodanusmc]

Summer Tires just forget. All Season you should be fine with. Never had a problem last winter with my 2015 X5 50

[wearenh]

Originally Posted by NevarezX5

...Is it completely insane to consider not getting winter tires even if...

yes, it is completely insane ... get a dedicated blizzak or hakka or pilot alpin set (square 19" set preferred)

[Chem14]

I used all seasons up on the mountain this past winter with no problems.

[Terp335]

Originally Posted by Chem14

I used all seasons up on the mountain this past winter with no problems.

What size wheels? I'd think 19's with all seasons on the mountains would be ok. 20's would not be ideal but passable with minimal snow.

[Blackhawks]

To be honest, I have never had a dedicated set of winter tires and the Acura AWD was magnificent in the snow. This will be my first winter with the BMW and I'm intending on getting a winter set. Granted, it can snow on Halloween and sunny and 70 on Christmas, but there aren't any run flat options in an all season that fit the M Sport staggered setup. I'm one of the few here that doesn't mind the road noise from the run flats...

[twelve535i]

My last 3 cars had AWD. The first two cars had all seasons (the crappy stock all seasons) and I've never been stuck before. Not even close. Getting in and out of icy/snow covered street parking posts might of taken a little extra time but not a huge deal.
To give a better example, my 535i x drive experienced two winters. The first winter, I ran Pirelli P zero all season tires. Second winter I ran Blizzaks. The Blizzaks offered more grip on ice and snow due to the soft compound and tread pattern but the Pirellis tackled the snow just fine.
If you search on YouTube, you'll find many videos that prove snow tires are better than all seasons in snow, in terms of acceleration and braking. I don't think anyone will dispute that but I think if you're driving
cautiously and live in an area where the streets are plowed regularly, you will be OK with all seasons.
I opted for continental all seasons for my X5 recently.
I'm hoping I made the right choice!

[Kzang]

Unless your going to be driving in unplowed streets all season should be find. I personally avoid driving when snow is predicted or if it is snowing regardless unless in an absolute emergency. No matter how good your winter setup is there is always someone out there that loses control of their car and can hit you.

With this said, my plan is to put on conti dws06 before winter hits here in northern NJ. I had all seasons the last three winters on my E70 and I was good to go. My E60 RWD only had summer Dunlop rft and that car slipped and slid everywhere. My other E60 RWD had all seasons and it was okay in the snow. Not great but doable.

[Mako]

I just took delivery on a 2016 X6 with 20" Summer tires, also in the Chicago area and a 10 mile drive to work.

As others have already said, get winter tires, you aren't just doing yourself a favor but people around you (you will not be causing any of the accidents).

Personally I am thinking of just getting 20" non run flat winter tires and using them on the stock wheels, normally I get a dedicated set for winter but I am leasing this one and 19" wheels ain't cheap for decent looking ones.

[Doanster]

Even though I'm in Oregon, I have a dedicated set of 18s with Blizzaks. Overkill perhaps, but it's one of those "have the right tool for the job" type things. Since I only swap them in when heading up to the mountain or on the few days that it snows, the set lasts the entire life of (my ownership) the car.
If I were in Chicago or the East Coast, it'd be a no brainer. I like driving when it's snowing, so I want zero issues with traction.

[Chem14]

Originally Posted by Terp335

What size wheels? I'd think 19's with all seasons on the mountains would be ok. 20's would not be ideal but passable with minimal snow.

Yes 19's. However I always carry a set of Thule snow chains just in case as it can be required when going up.

[Blackhawks]

Also, if you're in the city... Snow removal on the main roads and expressways is actually fantastic compared to most cities. If you live on a side street or park your car in the garage forcing you to go through an alley, you better get a plow... Not snow tires.

[Doanster]

Originally Posted by Chem14

Yes 19's. However I always carry a set of Thule snow chains just in case as it can be required when going up.

Bonus of the snowflake-on-mountain stamp with winter tires. I drive right past the required chain-up areas.

[Chem14]

Originally Posted by Doanster

Bonus of the snowflake-on-mountain stamp with winter tires. I drive right past the required chain-up areas.

True.

[atomic80]

I put on a set of Pirelli Scorpions Ice/Snow tires on my 20" and they worked great in the white stuff. I'd definitely highly recommend getting a separate set.

[Alan l.]

I will be getting the same this winter... love that pic.

[NevarezX5]

Thanks all for the input. I think I'm now committed to the snow tires and leaning toward the Pirelli Scoprions as well. Great pic BTW Atomic and it looks like you swap the tires onto the OEM wheels. I'm considering getting a complete winter set since it's a pain to swap.

[Terp335]

Cool pic Atomic. I'll be getting the 491 winter package. However, I'm going to try to get 4 fronts and run a square set up, 275/40. There are more tire replacement options (non run flat) and they are much less expensive to replace. I think I've seen them sold in pairs on a few websites.

[atomic80]

Originally Posted by NevarezX5

Thanks all for the input. I think I'm now committed to the snow tires and leaning toward the Pirelli Scoprions as well. Great pic BTW Atomic and it looks like you swap the tires onto the OEM wheels. I'm considering getting a complete winter set since it's a pain to swap.

I actually use the 599M's with summer tires for the rest of the year. I agree, it'd be a pain to swap the tires with the stock wheels every time. I have two sets because of that. Summers and winters with their own wheels. My dealership actually stores them for me when they've been swapped out.