[ezmaass]

For all the recent bashing of the 550, I thought I'd provide a counter point of view - where this car really shines. In the midst of snowstorm "Mars" this evening, I had to make a run to a local pharmacy. I decided to take the 550xi instead of the wife's Q5... which I'm very familiar with in terms of snow performance.

Let's just say, the 550xi did wonderfully! The roads were still pretty well covered in snow (still coming down). It's heavier and much more sure-footed than the Q5. The xDrive performance is considerably better than the wife's quattro. In fact, where the Q5 would typically lose traction, I had to really push the 550xi just to encourage it to find its limits. The weight of the car really helps to plant it, and the power of the engine really provides tons of torque if you find yourself in need.

All in all, I have to say, this car is wonderful in the snow. It really gives you a sense of confidence that all four wheels are working optimally to find traction, and that 4300+ lbs of weight... well, it finally pays off.

[cooticooti16]

I wouldn't have guessed that the rwd based xdrive would outperform the fwd based q5.

Interesting...

[Gpfarrell]

Our '08 535xi wagon fitted with Blizzaks is insanely capable. I'm thrilled my wife has a car like that!

[ezmaass]

Originally Posted by cooticooti16

I wouldn't have guessed that the rwd based xdrive would outperform the fwd based q5.

Interesting...

Yeah, no competition between the two in the snow. But in fairness, I think a big part of it is the size and weight of the 550xi in comparison to the Q5, which is based off the A4 chassis. The Q5 just feels light on the snow, and it slides pretty easily. The 550xi had to be pushed to actually get it sliding... harder than I'd otherwise drive it if the objective was simply to stay on the road safely.

Likewise, the ABS kicks in relatively easily on the Q5 when coming to a stop on the snow. In comparison, even jabbing the brakes on the 550xi, ABS didn't kick-in MOST of the time... and not to say it needed to, either... the car just stopped normally.

I suppose a more fair comparison, for weight reasons, would be a 3-series or x3 - but regardless, just pretty nicely surprised at what a capable car the F10 is in the snow.

[Pimpsy]

Originally Posted by ezmaass

Yeah, no competition between the two in the snow. But in fairness, I think a big part of it is the size and weight of the 550xi in comparison to the Q5, which is based off the A4 chassis. The Q5 just feels light on the snow, and it slides pretty easily. The 550xi had to be pushed to actually get it sliding... harder than I'd otherwise drive it if the objective was simply to stay on the road safely.

Likewise, the ABS kicks in relatively easily on the Q5 when coming to a stop on the snow. In comparison, even jabbing the brakes on the 550xi, ABS didn't kick-in MOST of the time... and not to say it needed to, either... the car just stopped normally.

I suppose a more fair comparison, for weight reasons, would be a 3-series or x3 - but regardless, just pretty nicely surprised at what a capable car the F10 is in the snow.

Agree 100%. My 550ix feels very solid in the snow. You really can feel the weight of the car gluing it to the road. This is one of the primary reasons I went this direction rather than an M5. Driving in the rain produces a similar sensation. It's possible to break the wheels loose but not easy to do it unintentionally, which is exactly what I want.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by ezmaass

Yeah, no competition between the two in the snow.

Gotta say I'm surprised too, that it'd be "that much" better.

I think the 5 is great in the snow don't get me wrong, and I especially like that it "communicates very well" any hint of loosing grip to the driver, so that you can quickly adjust. But few Audis I tried (granted not Q5 with 5 back to back) were fantastic winter cars too.

[remmib]

I think tires have a lot to do how well a car handles the snow.

[ezmaass]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

Gotta say I'm surprised too, that it'd be "that much" better.

I think the 5 is great in the snow don't get me wrong, and I especially like that it "communicates very well" any hint of loosing grip to the driver, so that you can quickly adjust. But few Audis I tried (granted not Q5 with 5 back to back) were fantastic winter cars too.

Most Audis are very capable in the snow, don't get me wrong - it's just that the difference between the Q5 and 550xi feels like a mile to me. The Q5 will do what you ask of it, but it's constantly about to slip and slide, with the quattro system pulling the car back in check. Where the 550xi just feels planted, and traction control rarely kicks in where it would have in the same scenarios on the Q5. But as I said, it feels like a big part of it may just be coming down to weight.

I'm just really happy with how this thing performs in the snow. When I went out the other night, my wife was about to throw me her keys (thinking I'd want the SUV for the snow)... I just politely declined.

Trying something like this may be next...

[drmlee]

Originally Posted by cooticooti16

I wouldn't have guessed that the rwd based xdrive would outperform the fwd based q5.

Interesting...

most audi Quattro cars are rear wheel biased, 60R/40F split. the only car that's fwd bias is the a3/s3/tt because it uses a haldex system.

[mko9]

Originally Posted by Gpfarrell

Our '08 535xi wagon fitted with Blizzaks is insanely capable. I'm thrilled my wife has a car like that!

Just about anything fitted with Blizzaks is going to be insanely capable. Most people who don't live in snow country have no idea the huge difference in capability between an all-season time and a full up snow tire.

[wheresmy5]

Originally Posted by mko9

Just about anything fitted with Blizzaks is going to be insanely capable. Most people who don't live in snow country have no idea the huge difference in capability between an all-season time and a full up snow tire.

This. Tread always more important than drivetrain, all else held constant. Put solid winters even on an M3 and it will be planted.

[EL Jeffe 5]

Buddy of mine have 2010 535xi that thing is the beast in the snow.

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by ezmaass

this vid is just CRAZY! i could never drive my RWD in snow like that. but like Remmib said maybe with snow tires but still

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

this vid is just CRAZY! i could never drive my RWD in snow like that. but like Remmib said maybe with snow tires but still

Especially since you're not even willing to try .

I'm still very impressed with 535 RWD performance and handling on snow, of course not as capable as xDrive (really can't get off the line as quick), but I expected a lot worse. Good tires are the key, no matter the drive-train.

One that impressed me a lot personally is Subaru's symmetric AWD, with great winter tires, I found it moves around less than what I experienced with xDrive.

[Boulder Bill]

Great video. Snow tires and RWD seem to work very well for me in this car. Clearance is really the bigger issue.

Seemed like a good day to post a snow photo!

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by Boulder Bill

Seemed like a good day to post a snow photo!

Already posted this one in another thread, but here you go.

[Boulder Bill]

Now THAT'S a snow pile!

[lsturbointeg]

Lol the front of your car looks like it's teeth is chattering from the cold