2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
 

2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum xDrive and first snow
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      01-26-2013, 04:39 PM   #1
COBodom
Lieutenant
COBodom's Avatar
547
Rep
443
Posts

Drives: 2024 540i
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: US

iTrader: (0)

xDrive and first snow

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.
__________________
Current: 2024 540i MSport
Prior: 2021 540i MSport, 2018 540i MSport, 2015 BMW 528i MSport, 2012 BMW 528i
Appreciate 0
      01-26-2013, 05:03 PM   #2
bubbahead
Captain
Canada
185
Rep
852
Posts

Drives: 2022 G05 40i Msport
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

You on those amazing GY all-season tires?
__________________
2018 540ix msport
2015 X5 msport
2013 750ix msport
2011 550ix msport
2009 e92 335i msport
Appreciate 0
      01-26-2013, 05:42 PM   #3
mryakanisachoad
Lieutenant
mryakanisachoad's Avatar
31
Rep
527
Posts

Drives: '13 550xi + '09 M5 + '10 135i
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Brooklyn, NY

iTrader: (0)

Burn your tires for heat.
Appreciate 0
      01-26-2013, 05:48 PM   #4
mryakanisachoad
Lieutenant
mryakanisachoad's Avatar
31
Rep
527
Posts

Drives: '13 550xi + '09 M5 + '10 135i
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Brooklyn, NY

iTrader: (0)

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.
.
.
.

Last edited by mryakanisachoad; 01-26-2013 at 08:55 PM..
Appreciate 0
      01-26-2013, 08:45 PM   #5
TT3 iN NyC
Colonel
TT3 iN NyC's Avatar
United_States
247
Rep
2,567
Posts

Drives: F80 M3CS
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: nYc

iTrader: (9)

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

I think you'll have a different experience.
__________________
07 e92 335i - Retired
18 F80 M3CS - Retired
21 G20 330i M-Sport - Current
Appreciate 0
      01-26-2013, 10:35 PM   #6
sanf
Second Lieutenant
21
Rep
261
Posts

Drives: F10 535XI
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: East Coast

iTrader: (1)

yea man, x-drive still needs a decent set of winter tires. it's sad but true.
Appreciate 0
      01-26-2013, 11:59 PM   #7
COBodom
Lieutenant
COBodom's Avatar
547
Rep
443
Posts

Drives: 2024 540i
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: US

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mryakanisachoad View Post
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.
.
.
.
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…
__________________
Current: 2024 540i MSport
Prior: 2021 540i MSport, 2018 540i MSport, 2015 BMW 528i MSport, 2012 BMW 528i
Appreciate 0
      01-27-2013, 03:58 AM   #8
Amleto63
Commander
Amleto63's Avatar
Italy
14
Rep
210
Posts

Drives: F10 520d Sedan
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Pisa

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
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
__________________
Stay Ahead!
E46(00-03) - E46 Touring (03-06) - E90(06-10)
Appreciate 0
      01-27-2013, 03:59 AM   #9
mryakanisachoad
Lieutenant
mryakanisachoad's Avatar
31
Rep
527
Posts

Drives: '13 550xi + '09 M5 + '10 135i
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Brooklyn, NY

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by COBodom View Post
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!".
Appreciate 0
      01-27-2013, 07:44 AM   #10
omaralt
Major
761
Rep
1,061
Posts

Drives: 22 M3
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: FL

iTrader: (0)

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
Appreciate 0
      01-27-2013, 08:38 AM   #11
TheGr8Swami
Private First Class
TheGr8Swami's Avatar
United_States
15
Rep
186
Posts

Drives: 2012 550i M-Sport w/XDrive
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Washington, DC

iTrader: (0)

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!
__________________
2012 550xi MSport - everything but TV's in the head rests!
Appreciate 0
      01-27-2013, 09:46 AM   #12
Ballzilla
Tommy Boy
Ballzilla's Avatar
Canada
21
Rep
167
Posts

Drives: 2022 M340 Msport XDrive
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

You could probably get by on the LS2 for the first winter but get winter tires for the following year.
Appreciate 0
      01-27-2013, 10:16 AM   #13
Alan l.
Major General
Alan l.'s Avatar
5341
Rep
8,772
Posts

Drives: 2020 F95 X5M Competition
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: United States

iTrader: (9)

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
__________________
Appreciate 0
      01-27-2013, 10:39 AM   #14
Lee
Lieutenant
Germany
64
Rep
411
Posts

Drives: '17 X5 50i/'01 Z3
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Germany

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan l. View Post
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.
Appreciate 0
      01-27-2013, 11:03 AM   #15
The X Men
Colonel
99
Rep
2,323
Posts

Drives: 2013 X3 35i
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: MA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by COBodom View Post
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.
Appreciate 0
      01-27-2013, 12:37 PM   #16
COBodom
Lieutenant
COBodom's Avatar
547
Rep
443
Posts

Drives: 2024 540i
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: US

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Amleto63 View Post
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.
__________________
Current: 2024 540i MSport
Prior: 2021 540i MSport, 2018 540i MSport, 2015 BMW 528i MSport, 2012 BMW 528i
Appreciate 0
      01-27-2013, 01:44 PM   #17
Amleto63
Commander
Amleto63's Avatar
Italy
14
Rep
210
Posts

Drives: F10 520d Sedan
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Pisa

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by COBodom
Quote:
Originally Posted by Amleto63 View Post
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 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
__________________
Stay Ahead!
E46(00-03) - E46 Touring (03-06) - E90(06-10)
Appreciate 0
      01-27-2013, 03:16 PM   #18
F10CarlitoNYC
Registered
0
Rep
4
Posts

Drives: 2012 F10
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
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.
Appreciate 0
      01-27-2013, 04:31 PM   #19
woderd
Private
14
Rep
91
Posts

Drives: boat
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: home

iTrader: (0)

what tires do you have on it?
Appreciate 0
      01-27-2013, 09:15 PM   #20
COBodom
Lieutenant
COBodom's Avatar
547
Rep
443
Posts

Drives: 2024 540i
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: US

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Amleto63 View Post
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.
__________________
Current: 2024 540i MSport
Prior: 2021 540i MSport, 2018 540i MSport, 2015 BMW 528i MSport, 2012 BMW 528i

Last edited by COBodom; 01-27-2013 at 10:13 PM..
Appreciate 0
      01-27-2013, 09:26 PM   #21
woderd
Private
14
Rep
91
Posts

Drives: boat
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: home

iTrader: (0)

what tires do you have on it?
Appreciate 0
      01-27-2013, 09:50 PM   #22
COBodom
Lieutenant
COBodom's Avatar
547
Rep
443
Posts

Drives: 2024 540i
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: US

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by woderd View Post
what tires do you have on it?
GY 225/55R17
__________________
Current: 2024 540i MSport
Prior: 2021 540i MSport, 2018 540i MSport, 2015 BMW 528i MSport, 2012 BMW 528i
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:26 AM.




5post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST