[YolkyPalky]

Hey, just curious if anyone has ever had to install and drive their X3/4M with chains?

Mammoth Mountain is a popular ski destination where I’m from, and mostly you have to drive to get there, and sometimes during storms roads will be closed except for chains-only. Would all the sensors etc even let the car run with chains on?

[thestimp]

Cant do it on the M's due to suspension and clearance you'd be pushing your luck hard for damage.

The solution others have found is :

https://shopautosock.mcgeecompany.co...from=245-45r20

[YolkyPalky]

Originally Posted by thestimp

Cant do it on the M's due to suspension and clearance you'd be pushing your luck hard for damage.

The solution others have found is :

https://shopautosock.mcgeecompany.co...from=245-45r20

You think clearance would be an issue for chains for un-lowered X3M's? Certainly those that use lowering springs might have problems, but stock ride height would seem adequate for chains, no?

[YolkyPalky]

[JB20DGM]

Originally Posted by YolkyPalky

You think clearance would be an issue for chains for un-lowered X3M's? Certainly those that use lowering springs might have problems, but stock ride height would seem adequate for chains, no?

Height really isn't the issue, it's more clearance between the wheel/tire and suspension components. If you reach behind your front tire/wheel and stick a finger between the strut and wheel/tire you find there isn't a whole lot of room there.

[thestimp]

Originally Posted by JB20DGM

Height really isn't the issue, it's more clearance between the wheel/tire and suspension components. If you reach behind your front tire/wheel and stick a finger between the strut and wheel/tire you find there isn't a whole lot of room there.

Exactly, you risk catching and rubbing on the backside of the hub, not the top. Technically its possible, but I wouldnt take the risk since its meant for high performance, not a f350.

[DBU]

At delivery ('22 X4MC), I believe I had to sign a piece of paper saying something to the effect that "I recognized that this car can not be driven with chains."

[Steadyhand]

I'm pretty certain that if my X3M had chains installed, depending on what direction I was pointed, the Earth's rotation would slowly reverse...just saying. M Power.

[lagunablue1]

Originally Posted by YolkyPalky

You think clearance would be an issue for chains for un-lowered X3M's? Certainly those that use lowering springs might have problems, but stock ride height would seem adequate for chains, no?

I'm assuming you wouldn't be putting snow chains on the stock 21s anyways.

If you are already running a dedicated winter setup, you should just measure the clearance between your winters and the strut.

The x3m has basically the same suspension layout as a normal x3 so if snow chains can be used on an x3 (with the proper wheel/tire setup and offset) then it should be no different on the M.

[YolkyPalky]

https://ownersmanuals2.com/bmw-auto/...78233/page-296

2021 X3M owners manual page 296 clearly references using snow chains, with manufacturer approval. Not sure why some here think it’s taboo on an M car versus any other SUV.