XDrive Summer tires ok in Local Cali Mtn's i.e. Mammoth or Tahoe

[MizikeTSK]

I have a XDrive 50i MSport with summer tires, will I be ok going to the local mountains of Mammoth or Tahoe? Was thinking of getting chains or snow socks until I can get a set of 18"/19" for those winter trips. I wouldn't drive up while raining/snowing or during a storm. I plan on switching to A/S when these summer wear out.

[alphaod]

In the wintertime? No it's not okay. If there is any snow or ice you'll be sliding all the place with any whiff of the throttle. Tap on the brakes, you're sliding. Snow socks might be fine in snow, but you'll destroy them on bare roads (which might have ice). Chains won't do much unless you buy two pairs, which will suck for driving.

This is all from personal experience heading up to Tahoe for two years. At minimum have all season tires.

[pdt]

I would like to go with 18" wheels for my winter setup, if possible (F16). Does anyone know if that's possible? Seems there are more tire choices at that diameter...

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by pdt

I would like to go with 18" wheels for my winter setup, if possible (F16). Does anyone know if that's possible? Seems there are more tire choices at that diameter...

Definitely no on a 50i. Bigger brakes. May work on other models. 18 were stock wheel size on F15 for a while.

[pdt]

Originally Posted by turboawd

Definitely no on a 50i. Bigger brakes. May work on other models. 18 were stock wheel size on F15 for a while.

Yeah, that's what I feared. I wish I could find a published spec for the minimum inner diameter of the wheel...

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by pdt

...I wish I could find a published spec for the minimum inner diameter of the wheel...

Have you use one of the online part databases yet to pull up the wheels/tires that are available for your X5?

There are 18 " wheels & winter tires offered...and there is also supplemental info in the side columns that will reveal if you can use the 18" wheels/tires or not. I believe if you have the performance brake pkg (option code SZP1a)...then you can only go down to 19" wheels/tires.

Hopefully you've decoded your VIN and know your option code list. For example, here's one of the 18" winter wheels for the f15 X5...click the link and scroll down to the part number index...check the supplemental info for the 18" wheels...see if your option codes are listed for yes or no to determine if you can mount an 18" wheel:

http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/F1...ble_spoke_446/

[FastMarkA]

Summer tires are never okay in wintery conditions.

Getting the car in motion is a challenge, but the real danger is stopping.

Don't do it.

(In Germany, if you're caught with summer tires in winter conditions, you get a very hefty fine.)

[redline9001]

Originally Posted by pdt

Yeah, that's what I feared. I wish I could find a published spec for the minimum inner diameter of the wheel...

18” rims work on 35i and 35d
19” rims are required for the 50i

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by redline9001

18” rims work on 35i and 35d
19” rims are required for the 50i

If your 50i doesn't have the performance brake pkg (option code SZP1a)...then according to the part database it can use the 18" winter wheel/tire setups.

The thing to know is...how is your 50i optioned? In some markets, all 50i models may be optioned with the performance brake pkg as standard...but in other markets it may be an ala carte option.

Click the link to the part database in post #6 above for verification.

[sandwi54]

Summer tires are NOT ok in Tahoe or mammoth even without snow as they lose most of their reactions below 40 degrees. Driving through the mountain windy roads at freezing temperature may mean you kill yourself and family by not being able to brake and falling off a cliff.

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by MizikeTSK

I have a XDrive 50i MSport with summer tires, will I be ok going to the local mountains of Mammoth or Tahoe?

Nope. Any money you save on not buying winter tires now will be given back several times over in body repair and increases of insurance premiums. In addition you're a huge risk on the road and a danger to others. Do the right thing and equip your vehicle properly or get a winter beater and use that.

[MizikeTSK]

Thanks all! I just checked and can slap the 18" 446's on my 50i. I'll probably just look for a used set and mount winter rubber for trips to the mountains or go with either the Toyo Proxes ST III's or Conti DWS 06 when it's time to get new tires. I guess I wont be driving to Mammoth or Tahoe in the 50i this season.

[alphaod]

Originally Posted by MizikeTSK

Thanks all! I just checked and can slap the 18" 446's on my 50i. I'll probably just look for a used set and mount winter rubber for trips to the mountains or go with either the Toyo Proxes ST III's or Conti DWS 06 when it's time to get new tires. I guess I wont be driving to Mammoth or Tahoe in the 50i this season.

Second-third month I got my car November, a few friends of mine wanted to go back to Northstar for opening weekend, first chair, for three days, I already ordered tire replacements, but they didn't arrive yet. Anyways I somehow go convinced it was okay with run the summer Dunlop tires. So the drive up was okay in the dry especially since it was much warmer in the Bay Area, then it us fine in Sacramento. I think at the time I was excited, but going up I-80 we were confident. Even when I got to Northstar and we settled in it seemed all was good.

Then there was whiff of snow that night like there was some specks on the ground and I was tasked with going to the local market for some alcohol and meats. I'm driving nicely around 25 MPH all of sudden I find myself understeering around a bend. I've lost traction before, but there was no F'ing way to get those tires to get grip. Fortunately in front was dirt and gravel clearing not trees. I dreaded driving the car after that, but I eventually got back to the house [we rented]. I think it should have been 15 minutes, took me an hour. My friends were bewildered, but not mad. I told them what happened.

The drive back was worse. That evening it was heavy stuff. CHP issued R-2. So I'm thinking we're screwed, not getting home tonight. I tell my friends they are confident in my driving (thanks!), but I tell them it'll be slow until we are out of the mountains. I drive behind another X5 (E70), they're checking cars one by one. I see the CHP guys checks his tires and let the other car go; when I drove up, I rolled down the windows, I told the officer, "Yes sir four wheel drive, snow tires, chains in the trunk, just like the same car in front, we're together." Worst case we need to find a hotel for the rest of the night, but the guy say lets us go! You think that's great I got lucky, but honestly the rest of the drive, I was so nervous. I think I drove at 10-15 MPH for 4 hours because any faster I was sliding. It wasn't fun at all. Finally out the mountains I was able to pick up some pace.

Please don't make the same mistake I did. Not worth it.

[CT335xi]

Originally Posted by alphaod

Second-third month I got my car November, a few friends of mine wanted to go back to Northstar for opening weekend, first chair, for three days, I already ordered tire replacements, but they didn't arrive yet. Anyways I somehow go convinced it was okay with run the summer Dunlop tires. So the drive up was okay in the dry especially since it was much warmer in the Bay Area, then it us fine in Sacramento. I think at the time I was excited, but going up I-80 we were confident. Even when I got to Northstar and we settled in it seemed all was good.

Then there was whiff of snow that night like there was some specks on the ground and I was tasked with going to the local market for some alcohol and meats. I'm driving nicely around 25 MPH all of sudden I find myself understeering around a bend. I've lost traction before, but there was no F'ing way to get those tires to get grip. Fortunately in front was dirt and gravel clearing not trees. I dreaded driving the car after that, but I eventually got back to the house [we rented]. I think it should have been 15 minutes, took me an hour. My friends were bewildered, but not mad. I told them what happened.

The drive back was worse. That evening it was heavy stuff. CHP issued R-2. So I'm thinking we're screwed, not getting home tonight. I tell my friends they are confident in my driving (thanks!), but I tell them it'll be slow until we are out of the mountains. I drive behind another X5 (E70), they're checking cars one by one. I see the CHP guys checks his tires and let the other car go; when I drove up, I rolled down the windows, I told the officer, "Yes sir four wheel drive, snow tires, chains in the trunk, just like the same car in front, we're together." Worst case we need to find a hotel for the rest of the night, but the guy say lets us go! You think that's great I got lucky, but honestly the rest of the drive, I was so nervous. I think I drove at 10-15 MPH for 4 hours because any faster I was sliding. It wasn't fun at all. Finally out the mountains I was able to pick up some pace.

Please don't make the same mistake I did. Not worth it.

In my opinion, buying a set of snows is money well spent , first of all it’s safe for you/your family or others on the road and your sure to get a few seasons out of them depending on how much you drive. Also if you look at it this way you keep your nicer wheels out of all the salt, sand, and harshness of winter plus if you run some nice expensive summer tires they will now last a little longer! Win win

[alphaod]

Originally Posted by CT335xi

In my opinion, buying a set of snows is money well spent , first of all it’s safe for you/your family or others on the road and your sure to get a few seasons out of them depending on how much you drive. Also if you look at it this way you keep your nicer wheels out of all the salt, sand, and harshness of winter plus if you run some nice expensive summer tires they will now last a little longer! Win win

Yeah after three years of ownership with the DWS06, I finally decided to get winter tires this season of course it's 50°F in January. I did drive up to Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. I felt there was more traction in loose snow and ice. Definitely worth it. I'm eyeing that snow report, I got to make more use of my season pass, head up to Vermont again next week. Definitely won't be worrying about my tires, though of course I will still be careful and I'll carry my chains.

[Mbunje]

I just called off a trip up to San Bernardino Mtns (Snow Summit) for this exact reason. Summer tires on my Msport 50i. Going to buy a set of Continental all seasons. I have rear tire chains. There is not sufficient clearance for front chains, even cables.

I have lived in California all my life. Never really considered the limitations of summer tires. Doing some research it seems really dangerous to drive with Summer tires in cold weather (below 40) let alone in snow.

What do people do with non run flat tires?

[tbpeder]

I got the Z-chains for my 20" wheels on my last X5 and they worked like a charm. Easy to put on and take off. About $300.

[brevets10000]

Originally Posted by Mbunje

I just called off a trip up to San Bernardino Mtns (Snow Summit) for this exact reason. Summer tires on my Msport 50i. Going to buy a set of Continental all seasons. I have rear tire chains. There is not sufficient clearance for front chains, even cables.

I have lived in California all my life. Never really considered the limitations of summer tires. Doing some research it seems really dangerous to drive with Summer tires in cold weather (below 40) let alone in snow.

What do people do with non run flat tires?

First and foremost is enjoy a muchhhhhhh better ride.

AAA and an new OEM spare off ebay for $239 in case of emergency

[RED_Y_]

NO! It is not OK, please be well prepared for the driving in snow, don't put your life and life of others in risk!

[Duke I]

What brev said! The summer rubber is very soft to enhance grip. In the cold it hardens and can lose grip even on dry pavement.

My set-up is full winters on 19" 467's. Have run flats in the winter -- I hate changing tires in the cold/snow and will swap to conti non-run flats when my OEM tires are gone -- I already have the plug kit and 19" space saver spare ready to go.

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by MizikeTSK

Thanks all! I just checked and can slap the 18" 446's on my 50i. I'll probably just look for a used set and mount winter rubber for trips to the mountains or go with either the Toyo Proxes ST III's or Conti DWS 06 when it's time to get new tires. I guess I wont be driving to Mammoth or Tahoe in the 50i this season.

Trust us. You definitely don’t want to go anywhere near ice on summer rubber. The xDrive is useless and more importantly, you will be completely helpless if you skid off the road into a ditch or shoulder. The summer tires turn into very expensive skiing boots.

[MizikeTSK]

Appreciate all the feed back. I won't chance taking the X5 to the mountains this season.