E53 Looking To Buy

[HaiderGill]

Hi,

I need some advice on the X-Drive system. If one side of the car is on ice i.e. the rear & front wheels passenger wheels are spinning on ice, will the all the power go to the spinning wheels like a normal open diff? Can it do torque vectoring between the four wheel like a Evo or Scooby?

If you add some 17inch alloys and decent tyres (BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO 245/70 R17) that handle a bit of off-road stuff would E-53 facelift SUV be able to handle a drive through forest trail muddy or be able to handle Glastonbury muddy?

Obviously I realise it is not a 4x4 and I won't be taking it to the Serengeti or the Paris to Dakar. I would be looking at places like the New Forest, Dartmoor, Ex Moor & Highlands going up muddy lanes to a cottage. Would that be possible on 19s?


Thanks
Haider

Thanks
Haider

[Johnell]

I'm interested in what people have to say about this too.  Also, would 17"s with "all terrains" be good for winter use on snow?

[AW8]

I cant claim to know the exact diff specs but X drive as on the facelift E53 does distribute power to individiual wheels to deal with any grip issues in each corner.

With decent enough rubber it will be fine for what you decribe subject to underground clearance and depth of mud, however, choose the rubber carefuly and look at tyre reviews. A Mud terrain tyre will obviously cope better in mud but mpg, tyre noise and road handing may be compromised.

It doesnt have low ratios or locking diffs but you can select 1st & hill decent.

Mine is prefacelift so lacks x-drive but I have driven on wet soft muddy grass without any issue on my winter 17's with decent tread depth remaining.

Bear in mind you cant fit 17's to 4.6is (prefacelift) or 4.8is (facelift) due to bigger brakes. 18's as low as you can go. 

Depending on what you want off road the Land Cruiser (02-09) 120 maybe worth a look and probably more reliable than the obvious choice Range Rover. Not driven one myself though. Touareg/Cayenne maybe worth considering too if one aqbout for right money & heart not set on BMW. X Trail rated buy some but not my cup of tea.

L322 RR & 1st Touareg a little to vague, (when piloted preogressively on twisty roads), for my liking.......each to their own.

[HaiderGill]

99% tarmac just thinking off picking up some 17s inch alloys for winters/very mild off roading getting to a cottage through a forest on a dirt road. May be once in a while through a wet slippy field/meadow.

[X5Sport]

The traction control system should apply the brakes on the 'slipping side' whilst the X-drive shifts the power ratio to front to rear as necessary to bring the torque into the non-spinning wheels.

The E70 'M' versions and all X6 versions have electronic controlled torque vectoring rear differentials plus the xDrive and TCS to shift the power to the wheel with the most grip.  It's one of the reasons the X6 can seriously embarrass a lot of hot hatches....

At least that is supposed to be the theory.  And it is definitely a 4x4 as the transmission is permanent 4WD system on all versions with all four wheels being driven unless the xDrive shunts the torque off one pair because of excess wheel slipping.  I think the 'standard' split is 60:40 rear:front.

Richard

[Don Coffey]

From what you have described, I would suggest a winter tyre.  These are mud and snow tyres so the grip, tread pattern will aid muddy, slippery conditions but still be very good in the snow.

Don