Snow Chains or Cable for X5 M Sport Package

hi guys.... first post on this site, hoping you can all help me out here.

live in Los Angeles here, planning on going up to Lake Arrowhead (for those familiar with CA), this will be during February, so not really sure if it will be snowing or what kind of temperatures we'll be having given the erratic nature of So Cal winters

I have the 2012 X5 Sport Activity 35 with M Package

wanted to know if the Bridgestone Dueler H/P tires would be OK to drive in these conditions, or what chains/cable would be best to use?

any help would be greatly appreciated

Not sure about the tires, but do opt for cables/cords if needed. Chains can damage your wheel and/or vehicle. Imagine one breaking off...

thanks Abbott....will be talking to my service guy at the local BMW dealership and keep you guys posted, I am sure there are others like me in California wondering same thing.... gets below 70 degrees and we are freezing! now imagine driving in the snow!

Welcome aboard Sir
General rule....No pictures = No posts
Well let it slide this time, in the mean time get us some pics!

thanks for the heads up about the pics....how do i do that?

ok i think i got it....

The Bridgestone Dueler H/P are Summer tires and not recommended for the snow or ice.

I have lived in Montana most of my life, and driven in the winter for approx. 57 yrs. I abhor tire chains, if I would have ever put them on, it would be in an extreme emergency and they would come off directly after getting myself out of that situation. I would suggest you rent a vehicle suitable for that area either when you get there or when you leave your area. In my mind fulltime AWD is best although there are other opinions out there. If this is something you may do each year, you may want to invest in dedicated winter tires and wheels. JMO

yeah that's what I was thinking....definitely not a winter person here, so this will probably be a one off, so may end up renting another car for the trip, i did speak to the dealership and this was his response to me earlier this morning .... "The tires should be good for the snow unless it is really heavy snow"

so looks like it will be a game time decision for me on this one

thanks for taking the time to answer my question

I had SCC previously on the 750Li as they make excellent chains for low-profile tires. I do have other more detailed threads on the specific chains for the X5d but I think that may be on another forum so I'd say that there are two or three types that are suppose to work on the X5d but different sites make different claims so buyer beware.

The other Jay

Originally Posted by gagobeats

yeah that's what I was thinking....definitely not a winter person here, so this will probably be a one off, so may end up renting another car for the trip, i did speak to the dealership and this was his response to me earlier this morning .... "The tires should be good for the snow unless it is really heavy snow"

so looks like it will be a game time decision for me on this one

thanks for taking the time to answer my question

This is bad, potentially legally culpable, advice from the dealer. of course it is a verbal right? Ask them to put it in writing....they wont. If they do, send a copy to your family estate attorney.

The rubber compound in your tires will be hard as a rock- traction will be reduced DRAMATICALLY. With or without chains/cables, you will be at risk. There are actually stories about how dangerous summmer rubber compounds in winter cold, wet, etc (not 6 inches of snow, jsut cold) can be. Read the specs on tirerack- simply driving in rain at "near freezing temps" is dangerous.

Do the real reseach- dont listen to people here, who generally arent well informed. (Only one person mentioned this...)

A

Originally Posted by ard

This is bad, potentially legally culpable, advice from the dealer. of course it is a verbal right? Ask them to put it in writing....they wont. If they do, send a copy to your family estate attorney.

The rubber compound in your tires will be hard as a rock- traction will be reduced DRAMATICALLY. With or without chains/cables, you will be at risk. There are actually stories about how dangerous summmer rubber compounds in winter cold, wet, etc (not 6 inches of snow, jsut cold) can be. Read the specs on tirerack- simply driving in rain at "near freezing temps" is dangerous.

Do the real reseach- dont listen to people here, who generally arent well informed. (Only one person mentioned this...)

A

+1 when I moved to PA from FL I also had the Bridgestones on,and the first little storm we had let me tell you...it was a scary experience! No grip what so ever coming to a stop while doing 25MPH was almost impossible.
U are definitely better of renting a car the day.

Originally Posted by Dirtbag

I have lived in Montana most of my life, and driven in the winter for approx. 57 yrs. I abhor tire chains, if I would have ever put them on, it would be in an extreme emergency and they would come off directly after getting myself out of that situation. I would suggest you rent a vehicle suitable for that area either when you get there or when you leave your area. In my mind fulltime AWD is best although there are other opinions out there. If this is something you may do each year, you may want to invest in dedicated winter tires and wheels. JMO

Exactly - my X5M now has a set of dedicated 19" 298M's with 255/50x19 Pirelli Winter rubber to get me around Flathead Lake and up the hill on 93 North of Polson this winter

I would have gone with a narrower and smaller diameter winter set-up but 19" is as small as one can go and clear the brakes on a X5M. Not ideal, but with AWD it will work. No chains!

Originally Posted by gagobeats

yeah that's what I was thinking....definitely not a winter person here, so this will probably be a one off, so may end up renting another car for the trip, i did speak to the dealership and this was his response to me earlier this morning .... "The tires should be good for the snow unless it is really heavy snow"

so looks like it will be a game time decision for me on this one

thanks for taking the time to answer my question

This is not good advise. Summer tires in your width are not effective in snow, the rubber compound gets too hard in cold temperature and can't sustain traction (as others have said).

Honestly, your most economical option is probably to rent a different car if this is a one time trip. It's not worth the investment in winter tires in your size for just one trip. Have fun!