buying a new x5

[davyk31]

It isn't snow that is the problem for an X5 it is ice. They are totally awful on ice, not that anything is great on ice but the X5 was totally scary. Because of the weight they just want to slide on even at a walking pace and no driver input can do much for it. The massive 20" runflat tyres just go rock hard and are useless.

That is where a decent set of winters will make a huge difference and a well worth investment if you plan  to have your X5 for a few years.

[allforus]

thanks i am planning to get a set

Here you go a couple more pics

[535dboy]

That would almost look cool on the back of snipez Aston

How much?

[allforus]

Brand new they are about £22 k had mine for two years going to change it next year for another one they are great

always turns heads

[X5Sport]

Unless your van has an MLM of more than about 1900kgs you will have no problem at all...

Richard

[allforus]

hi  why do you state that weight

[X5Sport]

Old towing custom & practice.....I think the advice went allowing the lines of "never exceed 80% of the weight of the tractor with any trailer".  I think it came from the Caravan Club and we used it for all our trailer towing when I was a fleet manager. 

The E53 came in at around 1900kgs for that if memory serves (depended upon version).  That was certainly what I was looking at when we were looking for a 'van' for my E53 a few years back.

Richard

[allforus]

Ah I see sorry

Caravan is about 1800 fully loaded I think tows well as it has propper torsion bar suspension and shockers

[X5Sport]

Nowt to apologise for......

I've been at the wrong end of a badly configured 'train' once and closed the A1 for a few hours!! 

Nice looking van...

Richard

[shadrack]

few points:
22k is alot of hotel rooms

lots of things exceed 80% of tractors take landrover defender 90 can tow 3.5t no problem

artics tractor 8-9t trailer and load the rest so 35-36t and tow fine

i would happily tow 3.5t on a x5 if it was rated to that, no idea if it is

richard maybe it was a badly configured driver lol

[shadrack]

oh and as much as i hate caravans it does look quite nice for a tin shed both inside and out, would prefer a twin axle though if i was towing it

[535dboy]

[quote="shadrack"]
few points:
22k is alot of hotel rooms

[/quote]
This I agree with and presumably there are camp site rental fees on top if that too!?

[X5Sport]

[quote="shadrack"]
few points:
22k is alot of hotel rooms

lots of things exceed 80% of tractors take landrover defender 90 can tow 3.5t no problem

artics tractor 8-9t trailer and load the rest so 35-36t and tow fine

i would happily tow 3.5t on a x5 if it was rated to that, no idea if it is

richard maybe it was a badly configured driver lol
[/quote]

Artics have a fifth wheel which modifies the balance points and reduces sway by putting the coupling on top of the wheels, not behind them.  That's why they are configured that way.

Just because a vehicle can pull 3.5T does not mean it should.  Anyone who tows will tell you there are combinations you just don't have, and one is avoiding having a trailer weighing more than the tractor on a conventional towbar.  There are also things like nose weight, balance points, anti-sway, side loading, no of axles, brake type, load height etc.  Only very experienced people are happy to tow more than a 100% ratio - or those who know no better.

You would not be so keen to pull the maximum weight in bad weather with a high trailer knowing that if all goes wrong the trailer will simply push your X5 over.  We've all seen 4x4s on their sides on roads with a huge caravan sat on it's own wheels.

Not really lol......

[allforus]

Hi couldnt have any of the twin axles as they are all too long to tow in this country with any thing less than 3.5t gross weight so went for the maximum length i could

[Nat]

I recon I could get a lot of interest....................the great X5 / Land Rover snow challenge.

If..............and it not the case for me, you live in Nepal and need to go to work a Land rover " may " be of use. However in places of the world where it really matters they use Land Cruisers for a reason ( & not anything Land Rover )
I drive mostly in the UK on roads and go to the odd fete where i may have to park in a field or down to the beach. There is nowhere I need to go that I cant go in the X5 where a Land rover would be better..........

I accept any snow challenge anywhere in the Uk on any road and even better if you are going to handicap yourself to all season tyres against snow tyres in the snow. ..................and yes I am sure if we get a 10 ft pile of snow it wont work. A Land Rover may have very soft suspension that can articulate itself to the nth degree, but honestly, for what we need its down to the footwear................
Yes my 4.8 did spin its wheels, but only because I switched off the DSC and was enjoying drifting 2 tons of glorious V8..........Use it sensibly and no spinning. Its not about did I spin my wheel, its about did I get to my destination safely without breaking down.

Anyone got BMW HQ's number see if they want to lend me a car for the challenge ?

On another front, I hate caravans too , but have to kind of agree that one looks better than most. I still dont think you can beat an old airstream for looks...................maybe im getting old. Where can i buy some snow slippers ?

regards,

Nat