11-26-2014, 09:15 AM | #1 |
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2012 X5M with winter shoes
Question:
This is my first Northeast winter with the X5. I bought a set of non-staggered 255/50R-19 Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2 with winter wheels. I'd like to hear from anyone with an X5M with non-staggered winter wheels/tires. How's the handling, traction, starts/stops? ...all of this assuming sensible driving. Thanks in advance.
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11-26-2014, 02:07 PM | #2 |
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I don't have a X5m but do have an M3 and X5 50 with winters. I have a staggered Michelin Alpines on the M3 and Square 255/19 Blizzaks LM25(used to have Pirelli ice &Snow) on the X5. The X5 is incredible in the snow with the winter setup. Yes looks a bit odd going from 275/315 to 255 but I am more concerned with the performance.
Starting: I have been in all conditions: ice, slush, packed snow, 6 inches and the car just goes. I do turn on DTC (not sure if X5M has that or another M specific version) which does allow for a bit of tire slip. I have NOT been in any situations where I have had trouble leaving like the pavement was dry. Stopping: This is where the winters really shine. Ice and snow: they really bite and stop the car, some ABS but usually pretty minimal. When the snow gets deeper, you will have extended stops but that is expected because you are stopping on snow and not pavement. The car is always in control and i have not had those "OH SHIT" moments. Corners: This is where I feel the winters shine as well. In Ice and slush conditions, you will find that the car will turn just like on dry pavement. Essentially you will be able to take most corners at normal speed with confidence. In snow covered, you will still get very good turns by like any AWD car, you may experience some under steer. Since I drive with DTC on when in the winter, I always find that i can simply use a little gas to counter act the under steer and take the corners with no issues. Changing lanes in snow covered roads: When the snow starts to accumulate you will end up with driving lanes with snow mounds in the middle and in between lanes. When you switch lanes you will be crossing from pavement, to snow/slush, back to pavement. This can cause the car to float or feel squirely when you do this. With winters, you will have much more confidence that when you are make lane changes, you will essentially plow right through those mounds and you will not get that loose and out of control feeling. Yes you will not eliminate that feeling when the snow gets deeper but the sense of control is there. If you do have DTC(X5) maybe MDM(M3) on the X5M then I really recommend driving with it on. Depending on your experience with car control, you may find that you can control the X5 much better with your ability to introduce more slip angle. Like I mentioned above, turning corners is where it really shines. With DTC off, and you have any under steer conditions, you hit the throttle there is no responses due to the traction control and you are stuck with just the tires biting to correct itself.. DTC/MDM on you can get the car to throttle up and correct the over steer. DTC/MDM DOES NOT eliminate traction control 100%. It is still active when driving and when going around corners. If you get too much slip, it will feel the individual brakes working to straighten you up. The DTC/MDM will give you say a foot of tail before it starts to intervene. If you want to see the difference, hit a snowy parking lot and experiment. It won't take much for you to understand the difference. Good Luck.
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11-26-2014, 02:34 PM | #3 |
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MRV...that's great info, very much appreciated. I've read about the DTC control and plan to experiment with it. Not too thrilled with the appearance of the narrower tires in the rear, but it's more about not wrecking than looking good.
Thanks again
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11-26-2014, 03:33 PM | #4 |
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You could put spacers w/ new lugs to move the wheels flush with the outside. I have decided to not add spacers to protect the body from the tires tossing rocks, salt, and sand from the body.
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11-26-2014, 04:02 PM | #5 |
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Non-M X5 here, so I can't speak from experience. But, I believe there is always in issue with non-BMW 19" wheels clearing the brake system on the X5M.
Did you check that? I've heard that the Style 298 wheels are about the only 19" wheel that will clear the brakes. I guess I'm just suggesting you confirm that. |
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11-27-2014, 05:17 PM | #6 | |
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Quote:
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11-30-2014, 10:41 PM | #7 |
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I have a '13 X5M with a square set of 255x19 Pirelli Scorpion Winters on 298M wheels. This will be my third winter with this set up and for the most part it works great. Next set of rubber will be studded Nokian Hakka's but I should get at least 1 more winter from the Pirellis.
I would not consider staggered for the rough conditions we see in Montana.
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