2f2f

My BMW dealer told me chains should go on both rear and front wheels.
Spider Spikes dealer told me only rear wheels.
Manual says only rear but it does not make any differential between 2WD and 4WD case.
Anyone used snow chains for xDrive car and willing to share the thoughts?

phelix

What does the owner's manual say? I would all 4 wheels are better but there may not be room in the front for chains or if there is room then only low-profile chains and not for something like the Spider Spikes. What snow tires will you be running?

2f2f

Manual says only rear wheels but it does not specifically refer this advise to 4WD.
I am running on Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 225/50 R17 runflats.

andy535xi

Why would you need snow chains? Is the weather so severe? xDrive is pretty good in the snow

abcsworld

Did French Alpes roads in snow last year. It is true that for most case driving carefully in 530xd went fine and i did not need nor used the chains.

Think of using HDC when going down though if slope is stiff and snow is thick!

Yet if you put chains you should still put them on the back.

i personally bought the BMW recommended chains very easy to mount, yet expensive, and they worked well in thick fresh snow on back wheels.

Yet buying snow tires might in fact be a better investment.

abc

Westcoast M5

In some mountain passes here, there are "chain up" areas and when they post the sign "chains required" you are not allowed through without them, even if you are driving a Humvee. And without snow tires you won't even make it to the "chains required" sign......

I use the chains on the rear tires of my X3 (with snows of course)...works great but remember they are only for low speed.

2f2f

Well the mountains in Austria and Italy are covered with heavy snowfall this season. Some of the folks I hear couldn't get thru to skiing areas this month. I am going to Val di Sole after Christmass and it is located 1880m above the see. Plus there are areas in Apls where the use of chain tires is mandatory.