[MySport]

I have a M-Sport 520d on order. I also have gone for the sports auto box.
But living in Kent, and having to deal with the weather we've had over the last week, I'd really like to know what it's like in the snow?
Are you able to lock it into a higher gear and pull away? Can you stop it changing up or down while driving?
Be pleased to hear from anyone who has had experience with this setup.

[rich1068]

As already pointed out elsewhere I think your problem (and everyones elses) won't be so much the auto box but rear wheel drive and fast road tyres.

Give serious thought to winter tyres or snow socks. A bit of weight in the boot will help too.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by MySport

I have a M-Sport 520d on order. I also have gone for the sports auto box.
But living in Kent, and having to deal with the weather we've had over the last week, I'd really like to know what it's like in the snow?
Are you able to lock it into a higher gear and pull away? Can you stop it changing up or down while driving?
Be pleased to hear from anyone who has had experience with this setup.

From experience can't see it being any better/worse than most BMW setups. Winter tyres are the only way to really get decent snow performance, on any car.

A lot will depend on the wheel/tyre package, if you have opted for a wheel set with 275's on the rear, then it will likely be even worse than the lesser setups.

The gearbox can't be dissimilar in snow to any other steptronic box used by BMW. Just two more gears (which works well, BTW). So you only have the manual control that the software allows. But to be fair, I drive the 6-speed and it is pretty good for control in the snow. You just have to think ahead and ensure you are holding the gear you want, and have revs to keep in that gear.

HighlandPete

[rich1068]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

You just have to think ahead

That's the best bit of advice regardless of car. And sadly lacking from what I've seen over the last few days. Tailgating on snow and ice anyone?

[pietiagoras]

Originally Posted by MySport

I have a M-Sport 520d on order. I also have gone for the sports auto box.
But living in Kent, and having to deal with the weather we've had over the last week, I'd really like to know what it's like in the snow?
Are you able to lock it into a higher gear and pull away? Can you stop it changing up or down while driving?
Be pleased to hear from anyone who has had experience with this setup.

After heavy snow falls this week (and 2 previous winters with E61) I see rwd setup of my E61 is not an issue for me. TC is working as differential lock, breaking the wheel which is sliding. This is hiding auto gearbox issues on snow or ice. On higher speeds ESP is supporting on turns or line changes.

But... winter tyres is a must. Not only for 5er, for ANY car equipped with high speed index tyres.

Of course 4wd is better option. I'm configuring F11 to be ordered soon, and I do not consider xDrive. This is connected to my budget - xDrive = bigger engine = higher taxation. I prefer 5er rwd than cheaper competitor 4x4.

[Touring]

IM very satisfied with my 520d. Its weight distribution is almost 55% on the rear wheels, I have no trouble beating frontwheel drives in "green-light grandprix" in snow and ice.

I use the "traction" function in the winter to allow some wheelspin, or switch all the stability features off by pressing the "traction" button for three second if I want some fun in the snow.

I use winter tyres, Nokian R 225/55-17.

[svdb]

To all F10/F11 drivers : which brands of winter tyres do you guys have ?

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by svdb

To all F10/F11 drivers : which brands of winter tyres do you guys have ?

Dunlop Wintersport 225/x/17" F+R plus styling 327, the 19" 331's are at my dealer until march.

[svdb]

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

Dunlop Wintersport 225/x/17" F+R plus styling 327, the 19" 331's are at my dealer until march.

How do they drive in the snow ?

[dada23]

Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 245/45R18 100V
handles very well in the snow yet!

[egokbulut]

Cooper Weathermaster 225 55 R 17; they are good i suppose (Geneva under snow, -10C currently)

[Shake n Bake]

My first BMW doesn't arrive until Feb (520d) and I am currently struggling on the snow in my A4 auto which doesn't have a winter mode and insists on pulling away in 1st

Does the 520 have a winter mode?
Thx

[Touring]

You can use the traction-button. Allows some wheel-spin.

[rpmoore]

Having endured the last week or so of snow and ice on the M62 going from Leeds to Manchester every day, I can safely say my F10 530D is horrific.

I have never felt so unsafe in a vehicle on snow or icy roads. Any touch of the steering, accelerator or brake is often enough to send the car into an unpredicatable skid.

Interesting to read the info on winter tyres, but do most drivers really go through the hassle of swapping out tyres every winter?

Swapping it next year for an X5....

[juztinl]

rpmoore. what tires are you on? if they are summer tires you can't blame the car.

[svdb]

Originally Posted by rpmoore

Having endured the last week or so of snow and ice on the M62 going from Leeds to Manchester every day, I can safely say my F10 530D is horrific.

I have never felt so unsafe in a vehicle on snow or icy roads. Any touch of the steering, accelerator or brake is often enough to send the car into an unpredicatable skid.

Interesting to read the info on winter tyres, but do most drivers really go through the hassle of swapping out tyres every winter?

Swapping it next year for an X5....

My current E91 also skid all over the place, that's why I'm putting winter tyres on my new F10 in Febr.
Although I always have chains in the back if the snow really gets to skiddy. Only had to use them once last winter.

But this does not make me love my BMW less

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by rpmoore

Having endured the last week or so of snow and ice on the M62 going from Leeds to Manchester every day, I can safely say my F10 530D is horrific.

I have never felt so unsafe in a vehicle on snow or icy roads. Any touch of the steering, accelerator or brake is often enough to send the car into an unpredicatable skid.

Interesting to read the info on winter tyres, but do most drivers really go through the hassle of swapping out tyres every winter?

Swapping it next year for an X5....

Winter tyres are the answer. Wide summer tyres with RWD is not a recipe for the snow. Wide summer tyres are not much good on a FWD car either.

Don't forget AWD is still no better for steering and stopping, if you are on summer tyres. Some of the wide tyred X5's still can't get going. So the standard setup X5 is not the perfect solution. How many X models run 'all season' tyres in the UK, let alone winter tyres?

PS: AWD vehicles still 'ditch' up here the same as 2WD cars. The AWD 'invincible' approach causes more diasasters, than driving a car to the road conditions.

HighlandPete

[eripers]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Winter tyres are the answer. Wide summer tyres with RWD is not a recipe for the snow. Wide summer tyres are not much good on a FWD car either.

Don't forget AWD is still no better for steering and stopping, if you are on summer tyres. Some of the wide tyred X5's still can't get going. So the standard setup X5 is not the perfect solution. How many X models run 'all season' tyres in the UK, let alone winter tyres?

PS: AWD vehicles still 'ditch' up here the same as 2WD cars. The AWD 'invincible' approach causes more diasasters, than driving a car to the road conditions.

HighlandPete

Agree, a Norwegian insurance company found 20% increased risk for causing serious accidents with 4wd. Both 4wd and 2wd is then on winter tyres. Driving a big suv like X5 on summer tyres on snow here would probaly put you in prison for reckless driving...

[HighlandPete]

To be fair to many drivers in the UK, we have had many mild winters and forgotten (or for some never even experienced 'real' winter driving), so it's been a eye opener to many folks, who are driving cars with RWD and wide summer tyres.

Just 4-years back I asked BMW about winter run-flat tyres for my 330d. They didn't import them, didn't see the need for them in the UK. Bridgestone were much the same, had no stock and didn't intend to support winter run-flats in the UK, 2006/07. I was told by both BMW and Bridgestone I'd have to import them myself, and I'd be on my own if I had punctures. This year, for the FIRST time, BMW have introduced the winter tyre program.

We are now on a fast learning curve, since last winter. Even insurance companies in the UK see winter's as a mod' and want to charge a hefty premium for changing. Some have had to work hard at explaining they are making the car 'safer' for winter driving. Shows how far back we've gone due to mild winters.

I'm sure many will be reviewing the car and wheel options before next winter.

HighlandPete

[Calgary Agent]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

To be fair to many drivers in the UK, we have had many mild winters and forgotten (or for some never even experienced 'real' winter driving), so it's been a eye opener to many folks, who are driving cars with RWD and wide summer tyres.

So much for global warming

I've got Dunlop winters all around on my 550i but the truth is the car is poor in snow and ice (perhaps I should have waited for the Xdrive model - my previous 335xi was a great car no matter what the road conditions).

As the member from Norway noted, extreme weather calls for appropriate tires. "All season" tires should really be banned - they give drivers the impression their vehicles are all season ready when in reality they're hardly much better than summers

Aloha from Calgary Canada (where it's been winter for nearly a month now)

[Touring]

Originally Posted by rpmoore

Interesting to read the info on winter tyres, but do most drivers really go through the hassle of swapping out tyres every winter?

Swapping it next year for an X5....

X5 in winter conditions with summer tyres? Must be like Bambi on ice.

[dada23]

Originally Posted by Calgary Agent

So much for global warming

I've got Dunlop winters all around on my 550i but the truth is the car is poor in snow and ice (perhaps I should have waited for the Xdrive model - my previous 335xi was a great car no matter what the road conditions).

you can't say that the car is poor in snow and ice, you're comparing a xi vs i... I always drove RWD BMWs in canadian winters and the F10 535i is doing a great job, you just need to get used to it, but that said, driving a RWD car in snow isn't for everybody