Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Snow socks

Discuss your latest mods or ideas, and anything to do with the BMW X5 (E53).
User avatar
ITBarbie
Member
Member
Posts: 832
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 1:28 pm
Location: Coulsdon. Surrey

Snow socks

Post by ITBarbie » Wed Nov 24, 2010 10:40 pm

Hello People

Has anyone on here got snow socks for their X5. I am considering buying a pair and wanted to have feed back from X5 users. I presume they are only put on the front wheels?

Please don't all write in and tell me to get winter tyres. I'm a bit low on cash flow at the moment and can't afford the wheel hotel on offer at BMW in fact its that bad I couldn't even do a B & B at present :cry:

Due to the NHS cuts they are closing the site I work at and I am being moved to a London site an hours drive each way which means more wear and tear on the car with the added worry about getting to work in winter with possible snow. I thought this solution would suit my needs at present.

If anyone has any feed back on these it would be greatly appreciated :D
2004 Sapphire Black 3.0d SE
MODS
Intravee with KCA, Xennons, Folding Mirrors (enabled with Intravee), Sport Wheels 19's, DVD Headrests, updated SAT NAV, Voice Recognititon with TV in Motion enabled with Resler a

philip600
Member
Member
Posts: 144
Joined: Sun Aug 29, 2010 7:25 pm

Re: Snow socks

Post by philip600 » Wed Nov 24, 2010 11:00 pm

Hi Barbie,

I was looking at these the other day.
Wondered about getting some for my X5 & my van.
Looks like I'm too late as there's 2" of snow on the ground as I speak :o
I was considering getting a set of winter wheels & tyres but I was quite impressed with my X5 in the snow last winter even though it's running on 20" rims with 315 tyres on the rear.
One disadvantage I could see with these socks is the ones I was looking at were only for use up to 30mph & you also would need to stop & remove them as soon as you got to clear roads so only good for getting you going if stuck on untreated roads.
Winter tyres are certainly the best option but as you say they're not cheap.
Hopefully someone who has used them will come along with some advise as to how useable they are.
Sorry to hear about job situation :(
Regards Phil.
2005 3.0d Le Mans auto - Now gone :-( but replaced with an Audi A4 Avant Quattro Black Edition 177PS :-)
1988 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet - NOW SOLD.
1996 Lotus Esprit S4s in Mica Yellow.

Raj
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 4512
Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 11:30 pm
Location: Midlands

Re: Snow socks

Post by Raj » Thu Nov 25, 2010 7:51 am

Heard of them quite a few times over the past couple of years but don't know anyone who has actually bought them.

In all fairness though London shouldn't be too much of an issue driving into as I would have thought all the main roads would be gritted. The X5 with sensible driving should be ok with the snow, but I'm only basing that on the fact the M5 didn't cope to badly with the snow we had at the beginning of this year and the X5 should be more capable.
Image

User avatar
kena
Member
Member
Posts: 357
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 6:50 pm
Location: Sunderland

Re: Snow socks

Post by kena » Thu Nov 25, 2010 8:12 am

Ive just been down there for the last 4 days. Its not a X5 you need it's a bloody tractor. The roads are terrible. Rant over !!!!

User avatar
ITBarbie
Member
Member
Posts: 832
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 1:28 pm
Location: Coulsdon. Surrey

Snow socks

Post by ITBarbie » Thu Nov 25, 2010 9:15 am

Bugger I called them this morning and they said they don't do them to fit the back 285/45 and they say although the X5 is a 4x4 it's predominantly rear wheel so not really much help :-(

Mine was ok ish last year but I tried not to take it out when it's too bad. It gets quite rural in some parts here so you see cars stuck all the time. Oh well

Penny


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
2004 Sapphire Black 3.0d SE
MODS
Intravee with KCA, Xennons, Folding Mirrors (enabled with Intravee), Sport Wheels 19's, DVD Headrests, updated SAT NAV, Voice Recognititon with TV in Motion enabled with Resler a

User avatar
pvr
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 5254
Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2010 5:13 pm
Location: West Sussex

Re: Snow socks

Post by pvr » Thu Nov 25, 2010 9:20 am

On the positive side, you still got a job ...
X5M F85,  Golf Clipper, Abarth 595 Competizioni, Jeep

911 50th anniversary -
Site & Forum Admin Team Member.

User avatar
pvr
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 5254
Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2010 5:13 pm
Location: West Sussex

Re: Snow socks

Post by pvr » Thu Nov 25, 2010 9:22 am

[quote=""ITBarbie""]Bugger I called them this morning and they said they don't do them to fit the back 285/45 and they say although the X5 is a 4x4 it's predominantly rear wheel so not really much help :-(
[/quote]

I did quite a bit of research with my snow chains last year, and the consensus was that you did indeed need the chains / socks on the front of the car as those were the steering wheels.

I suppose if you are sliding down a slope, it would be more helpful if you can steer your way out of trouble ...
X5M F85,  Golf Clipper, Abarth 595 Competizioni, Jeep

911 50th anniversary -
Site & Forum Admin Team Member.

User avatar
ITBarbie
Member
Member
Posts: 832
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 1:28 pm
Location: Coulsdon. Surrey

Snow socks

Post by ITBarbie » Thu Nov 25, 2010 11:13 am

Yeah your right I've still got a job. It's annoying that I had to reapply for it via written tests, interview panels and presentations after doing it for 10 years bet hey it all worked out in the end. Good 'ol NHS eh but you did say us NHS managers did nothing for our pay do I suppose I better start earning it!!

BTW if your saying to put them on the front for at least steering purposes it may be worth getting them as they can supply for front size. For £60 odd quid it's worth a go?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
2004 Sapphire Black 3.0d SE
MODS
Intravee with KCA, Xennons, Folding Mirrors (enabled with Intravee), Sport Wheels 19's, DVD Headrests, updated SAT NAV, Voice Recognititon with TV in Motion enabled with Resler a

User avatar
pvr
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 5254
Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2010 5:13 pm
Location: West Sussex

Re: Snow socks

Post by pvr » Thu Nov 25, 2010 11:50 am

As an insurance policy, I don't think £60 is too bad. If you never use them, you could always sell them for almost the same anyway.

I had fixed my snow chain mechanism to the front wheels as well earlier this year during my winter sport, but never had to use them as the tyres were so good in the snow and ice.
X5M F85,  Golf Clipper, Abarth 595 Competizioni, Jeep

911 50th anniversary -
Site & Forum Admin Team Member.

User avatar
x555
Snr Member
Snr Member
Posts: 1763
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 12:06 pm
Location: south wales

Re: Snow socks

Post by x555 » Thu Nov 25, 2010 6:40 pm

Do you have any links to said snow socks guys as i have never heard of them before! In fact i refained from posting at first as knowing Penny that it may be some sort if sexual innuendo :poke: :lol:
54 PLATE E53 3.0d X5 FACELIFT BLACK WITH BLACK

User avatar
ITBarbie
Member
Member
Posts: 832
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 1:28 pm
Location: Coulsdon. Surrey

Snow socks

Post by ITBarbie » Thu Nov 25, 2010 7:00 pm

[quote=""x555""]Do you have any links to said snow socks guys as i have never heard of them before! In fact i refained from posting at first as knowing Penny that it may be some sort if sexual innuendo :poke: :lol:[/quote]

I can't believe that!!! I've made about 2 comments and I've had my card marked as a smut master. You must have totally the wrong impression of me :-) seriously I'm not that bad honest it's just you lot with Sanj and me wanting to be friends in the playground.

Just do a search on google for a company called RoofBox and they are called auto socks. I've orders them this afternoon and they were just over £60 for a pair to fit on the front tyres. They don't do them big enough for the back ones.

Worth a go even if I do look a bit of a plum as I drive along.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
2004 Sapphire Black 3.0d SE
MODS
Intravee with KCA, Xennons, Folding Mirrors (enabled with Intravee), Sport Wheels 19's, DVD Headrests, updated SAT NAV, Voice Recognititon with TV in Motion enabled with Resler a

User avatar
CondorX5
Snr Member
Snr Member
Posts: 1409
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 8:45 pm

Re: Snow socks

Post by CondorX5 » Thu Nov 25, 2010 7:06 pm

Hi Penny

There are threads on snow socks over on the 'Land - they seem to be viewed as helpful, but they rip up very quickly on tar apparently :cry: and don't last long on the car if used quite a bit!
Glad you have a job still , maybe look for a cheap set of 17" s in the summer when finances permit - you can get style 56 alloys for £50 sometimes - the winter tyres are relatively cheap and save your expensive summer rubber!!!
X5 2005 Le Mans Blue 4.8is
Fully loaded but Now semi-retired! 

X5 2012 Alpine White 40d MSport 21" style 215 black alloys, rear entertainment, media package, comfort seats and a load of other options.

User avatar
ITBarbie
Member
Member
Posts: 832
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 1:28 pm
Location: Coulsdon. Surrey

Snow socks

Post by ITBarbie » Thu Nov 25, 2010 7:39 pm

Hi Condor

Yes I did hear about that apparently they can be used for snow/Tarmac/snow/slush but not the type of thing to get you through rural roads then a motorway run. But they seem easy to fit so will get you out of a tight spot where required.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
2004 Sapphire Black 3.0d SE
MODS
Intravee with KCA, Xennons, Folding Mirrors (enabled with Intravee), Sport Wheels 19's, DVD Headrests, updated SAT NAV, Voice Recognititon with TV in Motion enabled with Resler a

User avatar
x5dom
Member
Member
Posts: 61
Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2010 8:44 pm
Location: Surrey

Re: Snow socks

Post by x5dom » Thu Nov 25, 2010 9:18 pm

Thanks Penny, not heard of these. Here's the promo clip... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYjIDvSdzHQ... worried as I got a bit excited a minute in to the clip, something to do with orange elbow length gloves! :lol:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
2005/55 E53 3.0d Sport - Sterling Grey/Dakota Black - Sports Plus Pack - 168 20s - Comms Pack - and many toys!  :)

Toy: '95 VW Corrado VR6

User avatar
ITBarbie
Member
Member
Posts: 832
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 1:28 pm
Location: Coulsdon. Surrey

Snow socks

Post by ITBarbie » Thu Nov 25, 2010 10:50 pm

Thanks for that. I'm really looking forward to getting them now...... I wonder if they do the gloves in pink? Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
2004 Sapphire Black 3.0d SE
MODS
Intravee with KCA, Xennons, Folding Mirrors (enabled with Intravee), Sport Wheels 19's, DVD Headrests, updated SAT NAV, Voice Recognititon with TV in Motion enabled with Resler a

Post Reply