m5 and winter

[**335i**]

Hello guys

i was wondering to ask, do you often drive into a mountains with your beloved m5, how does it act on snow, do you use chains or not?

Thanks

[skioutwest]

I have a set of winter wheels and tires. Even with these I hesitate to drive long distances in the snow.

Not sure if you can get chains for these cars, or if you'll risk damaging the wheels, however I did come across something called a tire sock or something like that.

[bobblehead]

for winter driving on mountain range, do bring a shovel, extra clothing and survival kit for the 'just in case'. After all, even with good winter tires, the M is only good to drive up to around 25cm of snow and anything beyond this with sloping elevation may mean trouble of being stuck or stranded.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by **335i**

Hello guys

i was wondering to ask, do you often drive into a mountains with your beloved m5, how does it act on snow, do you use chains or not?

Thanks

Proper winter tyres are a must. Last winter on summer tyres I almost got stuck in 1" of slush and a 2% gradient. This happened on a major freeway off-ramp leading onto a mega roundabout. I went to pull onto the roundabout and the car moved so slowly thanks to wheel spin I thought I was going to get nailed by a truck. Chains probably don't fit on summer wheels due to clearance isssues.....check with BMW if the all square winter wheel set up will accept snow chains. Snow chains are only good for roads covered in snow. And they provide a very uncomfortable ride so don't expect to drive far with chains mounted

[WJSM5]

Over the winter I tried to pull my car out of the garage to move it and center it. There was less then an inch of snow and well the wheels just spun and spun. Traction control activates and well three hours later with salt and sand we got the car back in the garage.

Don't be that guy with the fancy sports car who drives in sub freezing temperatures with summer tires and crashes into a telephone pole.

[Bönz]

Of course you cannot drive in snow with summer tires. Seriously, anyone who tries should have their head examined.

But with a proper set of winter tires and rims, a reasonable amount of snow and slush can be safely navigated. Twisty mountain roads are certainly more trying. Personally I wouldn't do it, but if you know the roads and conditions, it can be done. Drive carefully.

You cannot use chains on an M5.

[WJSM5]

Originally Posted by Bnz

Of course you cannot drive in snow with summer tires. Seriously, anyone who tries should have their head examined.

But with a proper set of winter tires and rims, a reasonable amount of snow and slush can be safely navigated. Twisty mountain roads are certainly more trying. Personally I wouldn't do it, but if you know the roads and conditions, it can be done. Drive carefully.

You cannot use chains on an M5.

It's ironic because I was centering the car to put on winter wheels. I will go get my head examined and let you know the results. I am sure they will find an extremely large and functioning brain

[Bönz]

Originally Posted by WJSM5

It's ironic because I was centering the car to put on winter wheels. I will go get my head examined and let you know the results. I am sure they will find an extremely large and functioning brain

Okay. You're forgiven. Good thing you didn't slide sideways into your garage. (I was really talking to Steve:lol)

Seriously, how did you do on your winter set then?

[WJSM5]

Originally Posted by Bnz

Okay. You're forgiven. Good thing you didn't slide sideways into your garage. (I was really talking to Steve:lol)

Seriously, how did you do on your winter set then?

Well winter wheels will only get you so far. The 500 lb/ft of torque doesn't help your case. The car is good in lower temps but in snow it's bad but not nearly as bad as with PSS. The ground clearance won't let you drive in anything more then 4 inches of snow. I use my X1 every time it snows.

[Bönz]

I can imagine with more than 4" of snow the M5 becomes a plow. I drove my 650 thru 3 winters on a good set of winter wheel/tires, but I am vacillating between a set for my M5 or just getting a winter vehicle.

[WJSM5]

Originally Posted by Bnz

I can imagine with more than 4" of snow the M5 becomes a plow. I drove my 650 thru 3 winters on a good set of winter wheel/tires, but I am vacillating between a set for my M5 or just getting a winter vehicle.

Winter vehicle. The new X1 looks great IMO. I'm actually pondering an X5M. I wonder if I could use it in the winter with winter wheels?

[IANNUZZI]

It goes well in the snow with winters....

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by Bönz

Of course you cannot drive in snow with summer tires. Seriously, anyone who tries should have their head examined.

But with a proper set of winter tires and rims, a reasonable amount of snow and slush can be safely navigated. Twisty mountain roads are certainly more trying. Personally I wouldn't do it, but if you know the roads and conditions, it can be done. Drive carefully.

You cannot use chains on an M5.

I think you'd find that here in the UK, most of the population would be queuing outside psychiatrists offices as practically no one drives with winter tyres. Indeed its only recently that insurance companies stopped charging an extra premium for changing wheels to the winter format.

I drove a car all winter on winter tyres. It didn't snow once. In March I refitted my summer tyres. It snowed in April

[WCH]

Snow tires will be OK on flat plowed roads.

Hills (even small ones) are problematic. I had trouble getting up my driveway with snow tires on the M5 this past winter and am considering studded tires for next year.

[Lual]

I have a set of winter wheels and it is ok, but I have not driven with heavy snow.

You can also put some snow chains for 245 tyres sold at bmw dealers.

I try however not to drive with snow to avoid corrosion of salt.

[Bönz]

Originally Posted by SteveC

I think you'd find that here in the UK, most of the population would be queuing outside psychiatrists offices as practically no one drives with winter tyres. Indeed its only recently that insurance companies stopped charging an extra premium for changing wheels to the winter format.

I drove a car all winter on winter tyres. It didn't snow once. In March I refitted my summer tyres. It snowed in April

I lived in the UK for 2.5 years. Didn't use dedicated winters. I remember only 2 or 3 snow falls, perhaps 1/4 inch accumulation each, that melted within hours. Just not that cold. You should be good. I was in a position where I could work from home or I could have driven my wife's car that was fitted with all seasons.

But seriously, and I mean this to all readers, do not drive on snow or slush with performance summer tires. They have no sipes and cannot grip snow or slush. The also become rock hard at temps below 40 F (give or take). It is very dangerous. You're my forum family. We need to look out for one another. Besides, I cringe at the thought of a wrecked M5.

[**335i**]

Thanks guys for all answers....

[phil_]

If you can do studded winters tires go for it. Even in mountains traction won't be a problem.

[M5ZRH]

Winter should generally not be a problem.
But some points to take into consideration:
. winter tires are a must
. to get better traction, the owner's manual recommends MDM to allow for some wheel slip:
the standard traction control setting cuts in too early to be able to gain momentum
. depth of snow: no the M5 is not a SUV : ) so a certain depth of snow is ok but not deep snow
. instead of chains, the Autosock(.com) can be an alternative
. for winter I have the 409M wheels with Dunlops: works very well
. in Switzerland, have driven in snow without problems
. And remember the first promotion video clip for the M5: it was on snow...
maybe they wanted to get a message through
. and once you get the car gently sliding it is very controllable
Hope this helps

[**335i**]

okay i hear u guys one more thing do u guys think that e60 m5 v10 sound was better than f10 m5 v8?

[IANNUZZI]

Originally Posted by **335i**

okay i hear u guys one more thing do u guys think that e60 m5 v10 sound was better than f10 m5 v8?

Yes v10 was music, but v8tt has cracks from exhaust that are mean sounding

[**335i**]

Originally Posted by IANNUZZI

Yes v10 was music, but v8tt has cracks from exhaust that are mean sounding

i see, somehow i v8 sounds more deeper

i think its stock

and v10 like more f1