As we approach the snow season here in the Eastern U.S., I was looking for some feedback from Xi owners on handling and performance on snow covered or icy roads, with their e60's. My car has the OEM Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires.

 

Well i had my car for 5 days and it snowed already. So i still had the original "bmw tires" and i have to admit the car held wonderfully on those snow covered roads. Even mounting a little hill (156 m but steap) with cobble stones covered by snow went without any problems...

 

Really? So are you going to get winter tires? I was on the verge of buying Blizzak LM-25's for the car.

Hmmm....now you got me wondering if I should dump $1000 for tires or do some mods .

Although, my 18" wheels are going to become my winter set-up, as I'm looking to buy 19's for summer. I guess the more traction, the better, so maybe I'll still buy them. Thoughts?

 

Try nokian hakkapalitta snows, on our 530XI they are great.

 

Aren't those the studded tires? Is there a version without studs?

 

Yep used them on my E30 M3s before on a staggered size w/ studs on the back, great stuff! When I ordered them I can have w/ or w/o studs but the tires are studs ready.

 

I think it depends on when you expect to drive your e60 and the type of driving. When I was in eastern PA, I used Blizzaks on the A4 (which is quattro) becuase I wanted to get through any level of snow, have good braking and handling on the rural twisties that often were not plowed, and used the car to get to ski areas. Since moving to KC, I don't put on winter tires as mostly I have city/ suburban driving, it's flat as a pancake, and the number of days of snow and average accumulation is lower. I'm not getting winter tires for my e60, and if it snows too much that I'm worried, I'm sure my daughter will be home from school so I'll just use the Audi.

 

I live in Iowa and have 18" LM-25's for the winter (on knock off rims), and 18" summers that came with the sport package and optional Style 123's. You can see pics in the gallery (search for "Shoes"). My '99 528i with Dunlop M3's (17") would not make it up the steepest hill in my neighborhood in the snow. My 530xi laughs at the challenge.

Winter:
http://forums.e60.net/uploads/1141447280/g...6_623_70315.jpg

 

The 530xi with stock tires works great in winter conditions. One good test was while in the Eastern Sierra snowboarding last year it snowed just short of four feet in two days. Between snow plows there was plenty of snow on the roads and easily charged through it as needed. Great up hills and in the corners. In a mix of ice and slush at lower elevations car handled very well.

 

Stock 17's seem to handle a few inches of snow fairly well here in NJ although I have to admit, I usually work from home when the white stuff flies or use the SUV