Winter wheels and tyres?

[weirdfish]

What do people do about winter driving in their X5's, I need a better car for the coming winter months, ( bit of snow coming me thinks ).
Been looking about and keep ending up on the X5 page, but I do remember from past experience that they're not the best in the slippy stuff when shod with 20" road going rubber.
It will be the 4.6 that I'll go for if any.
So is it winter wheels and tyres, or don't bother and leave it in the garage.

[CondorX5]

Lots of threads including a sticky on Winter Wheels somewhere here the X is very capable in the slippy stuff if you use a decent set of winter wheels and tyres - however, its not really the right time of year to start looking for them, if you find stock they will be a very high premium and finding a set of alloys will set you back a load as well - best to buy a suitable set in summer when people off load them on ebay!

The BMW approved set up for the 3.0D and 3.0i are 17" alloys, the 4.8is takes 18" due to the calipers.  Lots of decent winter tyres around, personally I rate Vredestein Wintracs which I have used for years.

[Raj]

Tbh, I've run mine through snow on 18's with winter tyres and then 20's/21's/22's all on summer tyres and I've never got stuck etc. So it really depends on location, how deep it really gets and how ya drive lol.

[fenj66]

me too, never had a problem with my summer diamaris in wintertime. tbh, this winter and last were very mild but the bad snow and ice of 2/3 years ago was no problem. personally i would not allocate funds to a winter set up in a capable 4x4 in this country.

[Turks]

I didn't want to change the aesthetics of my 4.8is by using 18" Wheels with winter tyres. I have therefore this year bought a full set of Yokohama Winter Tyres which fit straight on to the OEM 20" Wheels.

To be honest, even in the bad winter a couple of years ago, my X5 had no issues whatsoever in getting about and sailed past all the other cars having troubles.

However, I had the money and decided that safety is the most important so bought Winter Tyres this year just to give me that extra grip when it comes to stopping. Some might say it was a waste of money and you should just drive accordingly to the conditions (which I do), but its not me that I am worried about - its the other less responsible drivers who I may need to stop for quickly.

Anyway, I agree with Condor, you will have some issues now trying to source Winter Wheels / Tyres unless you are lucky or pay a premium.


Turks.

[briankerrys47]

[quote="fenj66"]
me too, never had a problem with my summer diamaris in wintertime. tbh, this winter and last were very mild but the bad snow and ice of 2/3 years ago was no problem. personally i would not allocate funds to a winter set up in a capable 4x4 in this country.
[/quote]With you all the way on this fennj66,I know we all live in different parts of the country and weather varies but lets face it our winters are about 2days!!!!!! Of course if you are South of Watford then it's life threatening )

[Jackstrath]

Never got stuck with mine yet



orn by Jack Strathdee, on Flickr

[Don Coffey]

[quote="Jackstrath"]
Never got stuck with mine yet



orn by Jack Strathdee, on Flickr
[/quote]

I don't think you would get stuck anywhere with those things on. 

As capable as any 4x4 can be.  Summer tyres will only do so much.  Even a slight incline if slippery can defeat the X on summer tyres, I know from experience.  A set of winters can turn a two wheel drive car into a snow conquering machine, so imagine what they can do to the X's winter performance.  I have to look at it from the point of view that I live in the sticks on top of a bloody steep hill, with roads that are not gritted or ploughed, so I have to be prepared, just like March last year.


This was the road outside my house, Easter 2013.

I agree now is not the best time to get a bargain on tyres, so if you don't do it now, I would at least consider looking into it later in the year........if you buy the X.

Good luck,

Don.

[AW8]

[quote="Jackstrath"]
Never got stuck with mine yet [/quote]

Out of interest what tyres are those please ?

[x5monster]

What size wheels are they and how wide?
I'm looking for some 17" steel wheels and all I can find are cragar wheels imported from the states

[Don Coffey]

[quote="x5monster"]
What size wheels are they and how wide?
I'm looking for some 17" steel wheels and all I can find are cragar wheels imported from the states
[/quote]

They are 17", not sure on the width, these were the standard wheels on the SE models.

Don

[Turks]

I have bought some OEM 4.6is 20" Wheels too so I can swap the wheels myself between my winter and summer set rather than paying a Tyre fitter to swap my tyres twice a year at around £20 a corner!


Turks.

[ChrisLux]

Much cheaper to buy set of Winter wheels/tyres than the £5k+ if you stuff the front end going into a ditch !!

Don't forget that Summer tyres are not effective under +8C , therefore there doesn't necessarily have to be
any snow on the ground for your tyres to not work 100% . Your braking distance will increase and they won't handle the same going round corners etc .

It's slightly different for me because over here it's a legal aspect , but I would always put Winters on from a
safety aspect . There's no point in having a 4x4 left in the garage  :'(

I've used Continental which are good , last set was Yoko's which were brilliant , my current set are Vredestein on the recommendation of my tyre supplier , but not sure how to rate them yet , they seem to
have a softer sidewall than the Yoko's making the X5 seem a bit boat like , and I haven't had any snow yet to comment on that either .