2012 X5 Winter performance

hyde · 10-11-2011, 08:34 PM

With winter upon us, I was wondering how does X5 do in the snow and heavy rain with those wide tires? I assume X5 does not have any kind of limited slip differential so it might be difficult to get out of a sticky situation in snow. Do you change rims/tires in the winter?

richard in NC · 10-12-2011, 09:54 PM

Good winter tires are the key. I put staggered 19 Pirelli Ice & Snow on my stock rims last winter and they were amazingly good. They are not quite as wide as the 20s but 295 is still darn wide.

hyde · 10-12-2011, 10:26 PM

Thanks. I would probably just swap the rims/tires together with a cheaper rims (smaller diameter) with winter tires if needed. I believe we cannot get studded tires in NYC, but we can probably get more aggressive tires with smaller rims.

What is the bolt pattern/backspace of X5?

Brian425 · 10-13-2011, 10:18 AM

I generally go one size narrower and one size taller on winter tires. I have always bought dedicated winter tires for all my vehicles. It is just much easier to swap rims and tires. By the time you pay for changing tires 2 times per year a few times, you can buy a set of winter rims and TPMS for $1500.

I have nokian hakkapeliitta 7 on my Rover and my wife's Volvo. I am looking for a set for the X5. They are studded; but, have a very mild type of stud. The Rover was unstoppable in the 30 inches of snow. I was even able to drive out without digging after the 30" of snow we had last year. (Locking differential and not worrying too much about damage also helped).

I would whole heartedly recommend the Nokians. I have also had success with Blizzacks in the past.

10-11-2011, 08:34 PM	#1
hyde Lieutenant Colonel 541 Rep 1,734 Posts Drives: 2024 X3m40i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	2012 X5 Winter performance With winter upon us, I was wondering how does X5 do in the snow and heavy rain with those wide tires? I assume X5 does not have any kind of limited slip differential so it might be difficult to get out of a sticky situation in snow. Do you change rims/tires in the winter?
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10-12-2011, 09:54 PM	#2
richard in NC Colonel 1229 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	Good winter tires are the key. I put staggered 19 Pirelli Ice & Snow on my stock rims last winter and they were amazingly good. They are not quite as wide as the 20s but 295 is still darn wide. __________________ 2020 X3M non-comp, Alpine White over black : Exec Pkg, ventilated M Sport seats, 20"s 2020 M2 Comp, Sunset Orange/Blk: Orange stitching, DCT, exec pkg, bicolor rims Gone '18 M550i, '16 X4 M40i, '15 M5, '13 X3 35i, '12 335is, '11 X5 50i, '09 Z4 35i, '08 550i, 06 X3, 06 650i, '02 M5, '99 540i
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10-12-2011, 10:26 PM	#3
hyde Lieutenant Colonel 541 Rep 1,734 Posts Drives: 2024 X3m40i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	Thanks. I would probably just swap the rims/tires together with a cheaper rims (smaller diameter) with winter tires if needed. I believe we cannot get studded tires in NYC, but we can probably get more aggressive tires with smaller rims. What is the bolt pattern/backspace of X5?
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10-13-2011, 10:18 AM	#4
Brian425 Private First Class 11 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW X5 50i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY iTrader: (0)	I generally go one size narrower and one size taller on winter tires. I have always bought dedicated winter tires for all my vehicles. It is just much easier to swap rims and tires. By the time you pay for changing tires 2 times per year a few times, you can buy a set of winter rims and TPMS for $1500. I have nokian hakkapeliitta 7 on my Rover and my wife's Volvo. I am looking for a set for the X5. They are studded; but, have a very mild type of stud. The Rover was unstoppable in the 30 inches of snow. I was even able to drive out without digging after the 30" of snow we had last year. (Locking differential and not worrying too much about damage also helped). I would whole heartedly recommend the Nokians. I have also had success with Blizzacks in the past.
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