[mtlcruisin]

Well there was some report on the Auto Bild test where the x3 came in 10th (last) out of small suvs in snow tests. But I'd like to hear from current owners who've driven their vehicles in the snow. I live in Montreal, so I really hope the new X3 is good in cold weather conditions. Can anyone comment on the driving/handling/braking in snow conditions and the snow tires they are using?


Thanks

[bluesmachine]

Isn't the 'is this car good in snow' argument really down to

1) if the car has summer, all season and then the best, snow tires

2) what size they are - narrower the better

3) and then, if the car has rear, front or all wheel drive.

My father had a rear drive BMW years and years ago - 1976 3.0 si - and it was downright dangerous in even 1/4 inch of snow. With snows, it was of course totally different and better than a front wheel drive car without snows.

Am I right? I know modern cars have more driving aids to keep you on the road however...

[Alpine tourist]

Article was from 8th January, but I did not see it. Would be interested to see the article if someone can find it.

I can tell you that with Nokian winter tyres (no studs) the handling is just fine in snow (50mph in 6 inches is stable), slush & ice.

[sfax]

Originally Posted by bluesmachine

Isn't the 'is this car good in snow' argument really down to

1) if the car has summer, all season and then the best, snow tires

2) what size they are - narrower the better

3) and then, if the car has rear, front or all wheel drive.

My father had a rear drive BMW years and years ago - 1976 3.0 si - and it was downright dangerous in even 1/4 inch of snow. With snows, it was of course totally different and better than a front wheel drive car without snows.

Am I right? I know modern cars have more driving aids to keep you on the road however...

Very true in my (very limited) experience. I have quite wide low profile 18" summer tyres and front wheel drive on a VW Golf GTI and in the rare event that we get any snow in the south of the UK, it can barely even get out of my driveway, and if you do manage to get out, it's very dangerous on any untreated roads.

That youtube video of winter vs summer tyres on the X3s demonstrates the difference well.

[ando]

I live in the snow covered state of Iowa and my x3 35i with standard 18 p7 all seasons tires and it is very good. I compare it to my 2011 a4 Quattro with p6 all season tires and the x3 is much better.

[X5plug-in]

My Merc is hopelessly scary in snow, a major factor in my migration to X3 as for these few days each year the risks to person and property are just too high. That said, I had to push a stuck Range Rover in our street at Xmas, so no 4x4 can defy gravity.

[ktjernstrom]

Hi,

I had the chance to drive the new X3 in some 6-8 inches of snow here in Sweden before Christmas.

Handling, with 18" Pirelli SottoZeros, was excellent. It takes off like it was on tarmac, with no hint of wheelspin. In corners, it's typically BMW, i.e. with a hint of RWD "taildance", but very easy to control. Significantly more fun to drive in snow than e.g. an A4 Allroad or any other Audi. Also, more predictable than Haldex cars like Volvos or smaller Audis.

I tried it a bit "off road" in some 6-8 inches as well, and that was loads of fun!

Karl

[rd450]

I support what Karl is saying. I have 19" Dunlop snow tyres on mine and the traction and handling are excellent. Very little wheel slip.

[ktjernstrom]

Originally Posted by rd450

I support what Karl is saying. I have 19" Dunlop snow tyres on mine and the traction and handling are excellent. Very little wheel slip.

What size snows are you running on the 19":s?

Thanks,

Karl

[acey81]

Well, I'm getting a loaner X3 over the weekend, and just like that we've had about had about 10 inches of snow, and more is falling. The perfect weekend to try out the new X3! I'll take some pictures and write down my impressions.

[ktjernstrom]

Originally Posted by acey81

Well, I'm getting a loaner X3 over the weekend, and just like that we've had about had about 10 inches of snow, and more is falling. The perfect weekend to try out the new X3! I'll take some pictures and write down my impressions.

Damn, I'm jealous right now...

Karl

[Bimmer65]

The article is downloadable from:

http://www.autobild.de/heftarchiv/he...l_1553595.html

The article is in german, the X3 was 2.0d and manual transmission, running on 225/60 R17 Pirelli Sottozero Runflat tyres. What I can understand from the article, the result of the test depends a lot on the engine in combination with the manual gearbox, and the runflat tyres. Are you really good in german, please translate the parts of the article that concernes the X3.

[mtlcruisin]

Originally Posted by acey81

Well, I'm getting a loaner X3 over the weekend, and just like that we've had about had about 10 inches of snow, and more is falling. The perfect weekend to try out the new X3! I'll take some pictures and write down my impressions.

Please do, also note the tires/size. Also, since it's a loaner, give it a real test in some open areas

[acey81]

Well, having completed around 300 km in the new X3 under heavy snow conditions I must say that I’m very pleased with the X3. The car was the 2.0 diesel with the 8-speed auto and 17” 225/60/17” Nokian hakkapelitta 7 winter tires.

Generally the traction was very impressive. Ploughing trough big snowbanks and walls was no problem, nor was going trough very deep snow on a football field. Getting off the line, even on a very ice surface was no problem. Very impressive.

Turning off all the electronics, the behaviour was very much RWD. I’ve had quite a few Audis recently and it was a huge difference. With DSC on there was some room for the rear to step before beting ordered back in line. My opinion is that the Audi ESP feels a bit more progressive compared to the BMW. A bit more sudden in the X3.

Overall I was very happy with the car. The Q5 I would say feels even more stable on the road, but the X3 is so much more fun and I felt very confident driving it. I was never affraid of getting stuck.

I would recommend getting servotronic for the X3.

The panorama roof had some ratteling and eeks after standing outside over night in -25c.

I had no wind noise from the mirrirs in speeds up to 160 kph.

The front brakes were squeaking at times when going slow.

But overall I'm very pleased and the car is head and shoulders above the Q5, GLK end the XC60 for me.

[rd450]

Originally Posted by ktjernstrom

What size snows are you running on the 19":s?

Thanks,

Karl

Karl, I've got 245/45 r19 right round. They fit the wider 9.5j rims on the back ok ( normal are 275/40 r 19) and has the same rolling radius so no problems. Just have to watch for kerbs as not much protection on the Walls for the alloys

[ktjernstrom]

Originally Posted by acey81

I would recommend getting servotronic for the X3.

Hi,

Have you driven it with and without Servotronic? Just curious what makes you recommend getting it?

Thanks,

Karl

[vulle]

Originally Posted by acey81

Well, having completed around 300 km in the new X3 under heavy snow conditions I must say that I’m very pleased with the X3. The car was the 2.0 diesel with the 8-speed auto and 17” 225/60/17” Nokian hakkapelitta 7 winter tires.

Generally the traction was very impressive. Ploughing trough big snowbanks and walls was no problem, nor was going trough very deep snow on a football field. Getting off the line, even on a very ice surface was no problem. Very impressive.

Turning off all the electronics, the behaviour was very much RWD. I’ve had quite a few Audis recently and it was a huge difference. With DSC on there was some room for the rear to step before beting ordered back in line. My opinion is that the Audi ESP feels a bit more progressive compared to the BMW. A bit more sudden in the X3.

Overall I was very happy with the car. The Q5 I would say feels even more stable on the road, but the X3 is so much more fun and I felt very confident driving it. I was never affraid of getting stuck.

I would recommend getting servotronic for the X3.

The panorama roof had some ratteling and eeks after standing outside over night in -25c.

I had no wind noise from the mirrirs in speeds up to 160 kph.

The front brakes were squeaking at times when going slow.

But overall I'm very pleased and the car is head and shoulders above the Q5, GLK end the XC60 for me.

acey81, good to hear this. I made my X3 order yesterday here in Finland (delivery in July/August) and in the end chose to order studded winter tires too in addition to summer tires. Sounds like you were happy with Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7s? Mine will also be 225/60/17”.

[ktjernstrom]

Originally Posted by rd450

Karl, I've got 245/45 r19 right round. They fit the wider 9.5j rims on the back ok ( normal are 275/40 r 19) and has the same rolling radius so no problems. Just have to watch for kerbs as not much protection on the Walls for the alloys

OK, thanks. That's what I figured. Unfortunately a bit too big to run wintertime over here, I'm afraid...

Karl

[acey81]

Originally Posted by ktjernstrom

Hi,

Have you driven it with and without Servotronic? Just curious what makes you recommend getting it?

Thanks,

Karl

Hi Karl,
yes this car was without, the last one I drove was with. I thought it was a bit heavy when doing tight manoeuvring, and I'd imagine if you plan to run wide 19" it will be even worse. But it didn't bother me that much, but you could see that it was a bit heavy for the wife. She noticed the difference within 50 meters of driving the car.

[acey81]

Originally Posted by vulle

acey81, good to hear this. I made my X3 order yesterday here in Finland (delivery in July/August) and in the end chose to order studded winter tires too in addition to summer tires. Sounds like you were happy with Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7s? Mine will also be 225/60/17”.

Excellent tyre I thought, not the most stable tyre if you are doing a lot of driving on dry high speed running, but for grip and traction it was really good. Also not too much tyre noise. The other car I drove had the same tyres so I don't have much to compare with regarding the X3.

[mstevens]

On our old E85 X3, the stock all-season tires were perfectly good during 7 New Hampshire winters. Based on all my visits to Montreal during the winter, we get noticeably more snow and ice than you do. My Z4 is hopeless in snow without its Nokian Hakkpeliitta R winter tires and I expected to need winter tires for the X3, but that hasn't been the case. We picked up the new F25 X3 last night and drove home in freezing rain with no trouble on the stock all-season tires.

[jijioben]

We have a lot of snow and cold in Saskatchewan - and I have to say that even with the standard 18" runflat Pirelli Cinturato P7 the X3 handles royally. I have had no problems at all at normal speeds. Yesterday night I was driving on a highway with drifting snow, high winds and low visibility: my X3 stayed firmly planted on the road and followed every control input I gave it. it is a car that inspires confidence and as long as one stays within one's comfort zone, it is one of the best performers I've driven.