Stuck in the snow....
12-06-2009, 06:43 AM
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My driveway has a slope to that runs between about 20 degrees and as much as 40 degrees. As soon as I get about an inch and a half of snow on the ground, my 550 can't make it up the hill 
Even for a light snow, I have to plow and salt the driveway otherwise I am not getting out....
I had the same trouble with my e39. My wife's SUV drives right up, my old Acura RL (with super handling all wheel drive) made it right up, but the 5 series just spin their wheels. Now...I will state that I am not using snow tires. My e39 had all season and I have to check what the e60 has. Looks like I may have to break down and buy a set of snow shoes for the car....
Below is a photo of the driveway last year. When we bought the home in 2005 I purchased the biggest snow blower they had at the Home Depot. I learned when it comes to tools, not to skimp on underpowered or cheaply made - It was money well spent. The thing is a beast.....the BMW V8 of snow blowers! It is so powerful that I typically spend more time getting dressed and cleaning up than I do plowing the drive - as a result, I typically do my neighbor's drive since I am already out...
Even for a light snow, I have to plow and salt the driveway otherwise I am not getting out....I had the same trouble with my e39. My wife's SUV drives right up, my old Acura RL (with super handling all wheel drive) made it right up, but the 5 series just spin their wheels. Now...I will state that I am not using snow tires. My e39 had all season and I have to check what the e60 has. Looks like I may have to break down and buy a set of snow shoes for the car....
Below is a photo of the driveway last year. When we bought the home in 2005 I purchased the biggest snow blower they had at the Home Depot. I learned when it comes to tools, not to skimp on underpowered or cheaply made - It was money well spent. The thing is a beast.....the BMW V8 of snow blowers! It is so powerful that I typically spend more time getting dressed and cleaning up than I do plowing the drive - as a result, I typically do my neighbor's drive since I am already out...
12-06-2009, 06:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Anzafin' post='1068639' date='Dec 6 2009, 10:48 AM
What were you expecting with summer tyres 
?
?It's the price we pay for the incredible driving experience the other 98% of the year!
12-06-2009, 06:59 AM
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For those that have separate snow tire/wheel set ups, what size wheels did you use? Did you say with your factory sizing (18''+) or did you go smaller?
Or....do you simply have another set of tires that you put on your normal rims? Given I have run flat this poses a bit of a dilemma. If I get an extra wheel/tire combo there is the issue of the spare. If I stay with run flat I might as well put them on my current rims. However, I think they tend to be much more expensive.
I am curious what others have done....
Or....do you simply have another set of tires that you put on your normal rims? Given I have run flat this poses a bit of a dilemma. If I get an extra wheel/tire combo there is the issue of the spare. If I stay with run flat I might as well put them on my current rims. However, I think they tend to be much more expensive.
I am curious what others have done....
12-06-2009, 07:18 AM
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My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Originally Posted by wolf' post='1068642' date='Dec 6 2009, 09:56 AM
It's the price we pay for the incredible driving experience the other 98% of the year!
12-06-2009, 07:23 AM
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Originally Posted by wolf' post='1068643' date='Dec 6 2009, 10:59 AM
For those that have separate snow tire/wheel set ups, what size wheels did you use? Did you say with your factory sizing (18''+) or did you go smaller?
Or....do you simply have another set of tires that you put on your normal rims? Given I have run flat this poses a bit of a dilemma. If I get an extra wheel/tire combo there is the issue of the spare. If I stay with run flat I might as well put them on my current rims. However, I think they tend to be much more expensive.
I am curious what others have done....
Or....do you simply have another set of tires that you put on your normal rims? Given I have run flat this poses a bit of a dilemma. If I get an extra wheel/tire combo there is the issue of the spare. If I stay with run flat I might as well put them on my current rims. However, I think they tend to be much more expensive.
I am curious what others have done....
12-06-2009, 08:13 AM
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My Ride: G30 M550i
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I have a 17" setup for winter with good snow tires and I'm willing to bet with my setup, I'd make it up that driveway in my 550i...
There is a ton of information about sizes, etc. in the parts, accessories, and mods forum (where this thread now lives.) Also, if you still need help choosing sizes, etc., go to the Tire Rack's website and plug in all the pertinent information...
There is a ton of information about sizes, etc. in the parts, accessories, and mods forum (where this thread now lives.) Also, if you still need help choosing sizes, etc., go to the Tire Rack's website and plug in all the pertinent information...
12-06-2009, 08:28 AM
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Originally Posted by wolf' post='1068637' date='Dec 6 2009, 10:43 AM
My driveway has a slope to that runs between about 20 degrees and as much as 40 degrees. As soon as I get about an inch and a half of snow on the ground, my 550 can't make it up the hill Even for a light snow, I have to plow and salt the driveway otherwise I am not getting out....
Even for a light snow, I have to plow and salt the driveway otherwise I am not getting out.... I have 17" wheels (ASA) and Dunlop M3 snow tires (recommended by BMW) and I have made it up worse hills than that. Got the whole set up from Tirerack. Works like charm. Today's snow tires are amazing. If you keep your car four years its about $250/yr not to risk your life and car every time it snows. And your summer tires last longer.
12-06-2009, 08:37 AM
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I have to add one more thing...
I see that wolf hasn't listed his location in his profile but I have to wonder how someone who owns a multi-stage snowblower (which implies that they live in an area prone to snowfall) doesn't think that snow tires would be immediately needed on a rear-wheel drive car...
I see that wolf hasn't listed his location in his profile but I have to wonder how someone who owns a multi-stage snowblower (which implies that they live in an area prone to snowfall) doesn't think that snow tires would be immediately needed on a rear-wheel drive car...
12-06-2009, 09:03 AM
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My Ride: 2007 530d M Sport Automatic, Le Mans Edition.Le Mans Blue Individual Paint Special, Syrah Blue Individual Leather, Piano Black Individual Interior Trim, Front seat heating,M Double Spoke 172 19
Have you tried my solution ,reversing up your drive ? 
P.S. Plenty of weight in the boot (trunk) helps.
P.S. Plenty of weight in the boot (trunk) helps.