Performance in the snow.

[Marc]

Had some snow a couple of weeks ago and some more today.

Went out in the X5 and it performed terrible.  Oversteered like mad and traction control just let it spin 180 degrees.

I had a range rover a few years ago when we had bad snow and that was excellent.

Really disappointed with the X5. Didn't feel safe at all.

I have continental summer tyres on which I know doesn't help but even the traction control didn't seem to be doing its job properly. In the range rover you drive the car in a circle and it would start sliding and you could feel the traction braking the rear inside wheel and it pulled you round. Felt nothing like that in the X5.


I'm going to change to all season tyres as I can't justify paying for winter tyres for the few weeks of the year it's below 7 degrees.

Anyone else have any experience in the snow good or bad?

[Nictrix]

A slightly different car (2010 X6) but I was out today and travelled around 60 miles through all sorts of snow, from 4 inches deep to hard packed on top of ice and the car only slid about when I wanted it to.
Not once did it spin when driving normally and I was even travelling in the outside lanes on the motorway and dual carriageways that were covered in snow with no tyre tracks.
Only thing is I had 19" winter tyres on and would highly recommend them.

[X5Sport]

My X6 behaves OK in snow too and I have never had any drama despite 20” wheels, and certainly never had any kind of spin.  It is better on 19” winter tyres, giving better grip on ice and increased confidence, however it still needs a light foot (or Snow Mode on the traction control).

Our E46 is lethal though!  It swaps ends at the first sign of snow  :'(

[gmc15]

Mine behaves as expected in the snow. It was sure footed most of the time - and only slid when I pushed a bit too hard in the snow, but that was on 20" wheels and summer tyres. The car behaved well and I had no issues in the snow and ice - some of which was 6" deep.

[X5M50d]

Having had previous X5's I know exactly where you are coming from - crap on summer tyres >:D
That's why I now have winter tyres on my second set of alloys just to be on the safe side. I know we don't get much snow over the winter however winter tyres are so much better below 10 degrees and in the wet, than summer tyres. I also travel to the Alps in the winter so again worth the expense.
Saying that the all season tyres are the way to go as a compromise.
Not sure what it is however it seems I'm getting better mpg on the 20" winters versus my 21" summers.
Only draw back, my winters are non RFT so with no spare in the boot, I have to rely on tyre sealant in case of a puncture

[pvr]

I have slid down the drive on my summer tyres, which was the trigger for me to get winter tyres. Never looked back, the winter tyres meant I could drive straight up ice hills whilst at ski resorts, passing cars who were all fitting snow chains. Never even needed snow chains since I got the winters.

Running on winters now as well, keeps the summer wheels safe and mileage down. It is a calculation that you save on the summer tyres though whilst running on the winters.

[Marc]

Thanks for the replies. It must be the summer continentals that are the problem.  I found some pirelli all seasons yesterday think I'll give them a go.

[bobgolden]

I’ve got the same model as you and mine was rubbish so I ended up stumping up for a winter wheel set of tyres and alloys.

The Land Rover Discovery ran on similar Pirelli Scorpions and never gave me any problems whatsoever.

[Dogzyboy]

Hmmm.  I’m running my SQ5 on summers and find that it can’t corner nor brake without sliding. If I give it some beans and it starts to slide then lifting off corrects it nicely. Traction when getting going and moving is pretty darn good otherwise.  I’m expecting the X5 to do the same but I guess I’ll find out shortly!

[Marc]

[quote="bobgolden"]
I’ve got the same model as you and mine was rubbish so I ended up stumping up for a winter wheel set of tyres and alloys.

The Land Rover Discovery ran on similar Pirelli Scorpions and never gave me any problems whatsoever.
[/quote]

Is there a noticeable difference in stability?