[COBodom]

We got a bit of snow last night here in NY. I decided to take my 528xi for a spin and finally compare the xDrive against Quattro. What a big disappointment that was! Driving on local unplowed streets at 30/40 mph the car felt tail happy almost all the time. Driving on a highway felt very wobbly, the car did not feel planted on the road at all. Instead of going straight it felt like the car was trying to find its path on the road and was not able to. It was slightly swerving to the left and right all the time requiring manual corrections from me.

Not sure if we get more snow this winter to test it out a bit more, but so far this xDrive is a one big joke compared to Quattro. My previous Audis felt like they were on rails when I drove in snow (on all season tires). My 528xi definitely does not make me feel safe and confident while driving in snow.

Yes, I do have proper RFT pressure and no alignment issues.

[bubbahead]

You on those amazing GY all-season tires?

[mryakanisachoad]

Burn your tires for heat.

[mryakanisachoad]

I live in New York too. Brooklyn and Madhattan to be exact.


Remember 2 winters ago? I put a nice set of winter tires on my little 135 and was trucking around town like a boss.

I remember driving out to Morris County, NJ in a middle-of-the-night blizzard and plowing past all sorts of 4 wheel drive vehicles. Most likely those vehicles came equipped with the same shitty Goodyears we get as stock.
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[TT3 iN NyC]

My suggestion would be to throw on a set of Blizzacks and try again.

I think you'll have a different experience.

[sanf]

yea man, x-drive still needs a decent set of winter tires. it's sad but true.

[COBodom]

Originally Posted by mryakanisachoad

I live in New York too. Brooklyn and Madhattan to be exact.


Remember 2 winters ago? I put a nice set of winter tires on my little 135 and was trucking around town like a boss.

I remember driving out to Morris County, NJ in a middle-of-the-night blizzard and plowing past all sorts of 4 wheel drive vehicles. Most likely those vehicles came equipped with the same shitty Goodyears we get as stock.
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.
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I sure do remember two winters ago. I was driving LIE east in a middle of that storm. Lincoln Town Cars were stuck on the right lane and whoever could was driving behind the city plow/salt trucks as they were plowing their way through.

I was in my S4 and the car handled great. Not sure what tires I had back then, but they definitely were stock, all-season tires.

You guys might be right it could be the tires. Still disappointing though especially that I lease cars and change them every 2-3 year I definitely do not plan on getting a set of winter tires for this car. 24 months from now this ride will be just a distant memory…

[Amleto63]

Originally Posted by COBodom

We got a bit of snow last night here in NY. I decided to take my 528xi for a spin and finally compare the xDrive against Quattro. What a big disappointment that was! Driving on local unplowed streets at 30/40 mph the car felt tail happy almost all the time. Driving on a highway felt very wobbly, the car did not feel planted on the road at all. Instead of going straight it felt like the car was trying to find its path on the road and was not able to. It was slightly swerving to the left and right all the time requiring manual corrections from me.

Not sure if we get more snow this winter to test it out a bit more, but so far this xDrive is a one big joke compared to Quattro. My previous Audis felt like they were on rails when I drove in snow (on all season tires). My 528xi definitely does not make me feel safe and confident while driving in snow.

Yes, I do have proper RFT pressure and no alignment issues.

Have you compared the two cars fitted with same tyres set? If no, your test has no value

[mryakanisachoad]

Originally Posted by COBodom

I sure do remember two winters ago. I was driving LIE east in a middle of that storm. Lincoln Town Cars were stuck on the right lane and whoever could was driving behind the city plow/salt trucks as they were plowing their way through.

I was in my S4 and the car handled great. Not sure what tires I had back then, but they definitely were stock, all-season tires.

You guys might be right it could be the tires. Still disappointing though especially that I lease cars and change them every 2-3 year I definitely do not plan on getting a set of winter tires for this car. 24 months from now this ride will be just a distant memory…

Good choice of a word: disappointing. It's exactly how I feel about the OEM tires.

It's like BMW does it on purpose just to mess with us. "Lets make the best car in the business and then ruin it with xxx tires!".

[omaralt]

Why are we blaming the tires? BMW is to blame. They chose which tires to put on the car. To ask somebody to buy a new car and then immediately replace them with new ones is absurd. It may make sense with a lease however since you have to turn in the car with good tires. Get new ones and then put back the crappy oem ones before turning it in

[TheGr8Swami]

I agree! The GY LS2's are terrible! I switched to Toyo Proxes 4 Plus after my experience with them on my Audi's and I'm really pleased with their dry performance and in light to moderate snow.

All the major auto manufacturers utilize inexpensive OE tires on their cars. I know BMW wanted to save space and weight by using a RunFlat, but I'll drop $630 and bag a spare in the trunk for peace of mind!

[Ballzilla]

You could probably get by on the LS2 for the first winter but get winter tires for the following year.

[Alan l.]

I have on blizzaks on my 535xi and my experience couldn't be anymore opposite compared to yours. My car is lowered on ACS springs and has the 19" M351's too.

Car felt like a tank and the traction control barely went off. Obviously if you are hooning around with the throttle the car will lose traction.

Alan

[Lee]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

I have on blizzaks on my 535xi and my experience couldn't be anymore opposite compared to yours. My car is lowered on ACS springs and has the 19" M351's too.

Car felt like a tank and the traction control barely went off. Obviously if you are hooning around with the throttle the car will lose traction.

Alan

I have Blizzaks too and zero issues thus far.

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by COBodom

We got a bit of snow last night here in NY. I decided to take my 528xi for a spin and finally compare the xDrive against Quattro. What a big disappointment that was! Driving on local unplowed streets at 30/40 mph the car felt tail happy almost all the time. Driving on a highway felt very wobbly, the car did not feel planted on the road at all. Instead of going straight it felt like the car was trying to find its path on the road and was not able to. It was slightly swerving to the left and right all the time requiring manual corrections from me.

Not sure if we get more snow this winter to test it out a bit more, but so far this xDrive is a one big joke compared to Quattro. My previous Audis felt like they were on rails when I drove in snow (on all season tires). My 528xi definitely does not make me feel safe and confident while driving in snow.

Yes, I do have proper RFT pressure and no alignment issues.

My wife had the non runflat version of the Good Year Eagle LS on her Q5 Quattro, they were terrible in the snow. I think it has more to do with the tires than the AWD system. Although I do think the Quattro is a bit better than in the snow, but not by much. That is one of the main reason I had my dealer swap out the GY runflats to the Conti runflats when I bought my 535xi. The Conti is much better in the snow and less side wall bubble problems as well.

[COBodom]

Originally Posted by Amleto63

Have you compared the two cars fitted with same tyres set? If no, your test has no value

This is not a Car & Driver lab test we are talking here about. My point is that an average Joe (like myself) gets into a brand new 60k+ car and the car’s handling turns out to be a big disappointment compared to its major competitor.

Yes, I can change the tires and blow all that money on borrowed car, but that’s not the point here. I drive off the lot and I expect a vanilla xDrive setup to handle just like it is advertised; the same or better than vanilla Quattro. BMW fails miserably here. How about a disclaimer – “Yes, our ultimate driving machine will handle in snow like Audi or better, but here’s what you need to buy before you compare against a vanilla Quattro…..”.

Overall I do like the car and recognize its refinement.

[Amleto63]

Originally Posted by COBodom

This is not a Car & Driver lab test we are talking here about. My point is that an average Joe (like myself) gets into a brand new 60k+ car and the cars handling turns out to be a big disappointment compared to its major competitor.

Yes, I can change the tires and blow all that money on borrowed car, but thats not the point here. I drive off the lot and I expect a vanilla xDrive setup to handle just like it is advertised; the same or better than vanilla Quattro. BMW fails miserably here. How about a disclaimer Yes, our ultimate driving machine will handle in snow like Audi or better, but heres what you need to buy before you compare against a vanilla Quattro...

Overall I do like the car and recognize its refinement.

Sorry, but driving in winter requires proper tires expecially with performing and heavy cars like the F10. Try googling your issue and the answer will be the same

[F10CarlitoNYC]

Originally Posted by COBodom

We got a bit of snow last night here in NY. I decided to take my 528xi for a spin and finally compare the xDrive against Quattro. What a big disappointment that was! Driving on local unplowed streets at 30/40 mph the car felt tail happy almost all the time. Driving on a highway felt very wobbly, the car did not feel planted on the road at all. Instead of going straight it felt like the car was trying to find its path on the road and was not able to. It was slightly swerving to the left and right all the time requiring manual corrections from me.

Not sure if we get more snow this winter to test it out a bit more, but so far this xDrive is a one big joke compared to Quattro. My previous Audis felt like they were on rails when I drove in snow (on all season tires). My 528xi definitely does not make me feel safe and confident while driving in snow.

Yes, I do have proper RFT pressure and no alignment issues.

You kind of have a point. I had a A6 Quattro and it felt more stable than X drive. Well it was the first snowfall and it's usually more slippery than normal. Guess gotta wait til the next large snowfall to really see.

[woderd]

what tires do you have on it?

[COBodom]

Originally Posted by Amleto63

Sorry, but driving in winter requires proper tires expecially with performing and heavy cars like the F10. Try googling your issue and the answer will be the same

Sorry, but you completely missed my point. I am very much aware of what rubber is required if you live in regions with heavy winters.

528xi or 520d are not performance cars by any means, S4 on the other hand, very much so.

[woderd]

what tires do you have on it?

[COBodom]

Originally Posted by woderd

what tires do you have on it?

GY 225/55R17