E60 M5 with winter tyres & snow chains .. or an X3
Discussion
Got the 2007 M5 2 months ago as my preferred long trip family car doubling up as weekend toy. Now, we are planning to drive to the alps for some family ski action in Feb half term next year and I had planned to take the beast. However, the wife has subsequently decided its a good time to sell the Grand Picasso seeing as the 3 kids don't need booster seats any more (4 years of ownership so no real gripe with that!) and replace it ... so after some 'hunting' we pick up our new family car on Saturday (a 2008 X3 3.0SD SE with all the trimmings). It has also been suggested that the X3 is the weapon of choice for the holiday trip (it has all season tyres btw) and the beast will have to wait another day for its holiday!
Can't really disagree but even with winter tyres & chains on the M5 (which I planned to purchase) would I be mad to not take the X3 on that trip?
Can't really disagree but even with winter tyres & chains on the M5 (which I planned to purchase) would I be mad to not take the X3 on that trip?
I drove to Switzerland in January in my X3 35d (same as yours), on 18" winter tires, and it really performed perfectly! I would have been equally happy in my M5 on the OEM 18" winter tyres, but the X3 would certainly have been the choice if conditions in the mountains were not ideal (i.e. new snow and/or wind). The X3 would also have been half price in fuel but that is maybe secondary.
On all seasons, the X3 may not be perfect but if I were you I would still take it, especially if you would only get winter tyres and snow chains for the M5 to drive to the Alps.
On all seasons, the X3 may not be perfect but if I were you I would still take it, especially if you would only get winter tyres and snow chains for the M5 to drive to the Alps.
rassi said:
I drove to Switzerland in January in my X3 35d (same as yours), on 18" winter tires, and it really performed perfectly! I would have been equally happy in my M5 on the OEM 18" winter tyres, but the X3 would certainly have been the choice if conditions in the mountains were not ideal (i.e. new snow and/or wind). The X3 would also have been half price in fuel but that is maybe secondary.
On all seasons, the X3 may not be perfect but if I were you I would still take it, especially if you would only get winter tyres and snow chains for the M5 to drive to the Alps.
What mpg did you get on that Journey - curious as I know I'll get about 22 mpg in the M5 on the autoroutes at decent speed. I have already worked out that the fuel cost difference is one I'll happily bear as long as some fun can be had somewhere somehow! 5 fill ups in 2 days the weekend before last on an extended trip through Wales taught me that On all seasons, the X3 may not be perfect but if I were you I would still take it, especially if you would only get winter tyres and snow chains for the M5 to drive to the Alps.
I plan to keep the car for a while though so I expect winter tyres would get used a few times so will go on that premise and realistically I'll get them anyway (not got them yet though).
Nice choice of cars btw!
jon- said:
Depends what sort of all seasons they are. The modern all seasons are essentially winter tyres, the old fashioned all season tyre are almost as rubbish as summer tyres.
I would 100% take the M5. What car is more perfect for that drive.
Don't know exactly what boots it has but can see that the X3 would be pretty capable with decent winter tyres. And having seen demos online of winter tyres on RWD BMWs I would feel the M5 could cope.I would 100% take the M5. What car is more perfect for that drive.
Just booked the accommodation so first step done ... !
In Belgium and France I stay around 155-160 kph cruising, which translates into 20 mpg on the M5 (13l/100 km) and was about 30 mpg on the X3 (9 l/100 km).
If you are planning to buy the winter tyres/wheels for the M5 in any case and not just for this specific trip, then it makes sense and the M5 should be more than up for it, especially if the X3 is on all seasons and not dedicated winter tyres.
If you are planning to buy the winter tyres/wheels for the M5 in any case and not just for this specific trip, then it makes sense and the M5 should be more than up for it, especially if the X3 is on all seasons and not dedicated winter tyres.
Take the X3. Much less likely to get stuck if the weather closes in, much less juicy, swallows more clobber and just much better suited to a family ski schlepp. It's after all mostly motorways and then sitting in resort traffic jams, so the M5 is a bit wasted...unless you intend to go off driving while everyone else skis....
I've done the journey to the Alps in prior generation X5, E60 535d, E90 M3 and F10 M5.
I really enjoy the occasion of a long trip and enjoyed the journey more in the M cars. Even though most of the trip is motorways, they make good GT cars and there is enough non-motorway driving to have some fun.
A tip I got from someone and have used to good effect for winter travel is to buy the Vaccuum Storage Bags (less than £20 for a set from Argos) for the bulky ski gear. Reduces saloppettes and base layers to less than half the size of being packed regularly and means that you don't end up with bags inside the car. Even in the M3, we had one set of boots, four ski helmets and luggage for four full sized people all in the boot.
I really enjoy the occasion of a long trip and enjoyed the journey more in the M cars. Even though most of the trip is motorways, they make good GT cars and there is enough non-motorway driving to have some fun.
A tip I got from someone and have used to good effect for winter travel is to buy the Vaccuum Storage Bags (less than £20 for a set from Argos) for the bulky ski gear. Reduces saloppettes and base layers to less than half the size of being packed regularly and means that you don't end up with bags inside the car. Even in the M3, we had one set of boots, four ski helmets and luggage for four full sized people all in the boot.
Interesting idea that vacuum thing. Last time I went to the Alps skiing by car was in an E91 330d Touring, four-up with four pairs of skis, four sets of ski-boots and assorted luggage. Even though the skis went on the roof, it was a real squeeze to get everything in - thank God for the separately-opening rear window in the tailgate - a boon when packing a car to the absolute gunwales! All hatchback cars should have one.
What was the fuel consumption like?
I went once in a 135i coupe and once in the aforementioned 330d. On both occasions, the cars were heavily laden with a full rack of skis on the roof and being driven "at speed" on winters.
The 135i managed something like 19mpg and we were stopping for fuel every 200 or so miles, which was faintly ridiculous. The 330d managed nearer 35mpg and made it most of the way to Chambery before needing to stop.
My M5 managed 23-24mpg at typical UK motorway speeds with just me in it. I never took it to the Alps but I would hate to think what it would realistically achieve in the above circumstances, especially given it has such a small fuel tank, relatively speaking.
I went once in a 135i coupe and once in the aforementioned 330d. On both occasions, the cars were heavily laden with a full rack of skis on the roof and being driven "at speed" on winters.
The 135i managed something like 19mpg and we were stopping for fuel every 200 or so miles, which was faintly ridiculous. The 330d managed nearer 35mpg and made it most of the way to Chambery before needing to stop.
My M5 managed 23-24mpg at typical UK motorway speeds with just me in it. I never took it to the Alps but I would hate to think what it would realistically achieve in the above circumstances, especially given it has such a small fuel tank, relatively speaking.
I have a few miles on the X3 now and we are well pleased with it as the daily hack hopefully for the next few years ... in fact, I think it is so good that unless its dry, or I really need the fix the M5 may be staying undercover over winter with the odd weekend in France to keep it loosened up! It is simply awesome round town ... that auto box with that torque is luurvely. The low down grunt is great for daily to day use, returns 22 mpg with spirited driving, is roomy etc ...
However, now the not so good bit ... the tyres are not all seasons, they are sports tyres and on Sunday when we had to park in a muddy field it showed its true colours and slithered its way through the mud to the exit, little better than the M5 would! More damming is that after a couple of hours in the X3 generally having a play and then getting back into the M5 there is an obvious difference regarding the ambience and comfort level! It is strange, but even though I like the X3 the transition back to the M5 shows me where without doubt I would like to spend my time on a long trip ... winters on the M5 it is and heres me hoping for some good road conditions so I can have a play in the alps whilst the family have a few skiing lessons
However, now the not so good bit ... the tyres are not all seasons, they are sports tyres and on Sunday when we had to park in a muddy field it showed its true colours and slithered its way through the mud to the exit, little better than the M5 would! More damming is that after a couple of hours in the X3 generally having a play and then getting back into the M5 there is an obvious difference regarding the ambience and comfort level! It is strange, but even though I like the X3 the transition back to the M5 shows me where without doubt I would like to spend my time on a long trip ... winters on the M5 it is and heres me hoping for some good road conditions so I can have a play in the alps whilst the family have a few skiing lessons
Well, just got back from France with the X3 (needed to get at least chains & a roof rack for the M5 so went with the X3) that has Dunlop SP Sport 01 fitted and a set of chains for the rear. Overall the car performed well and I was generally happy although the weight of 5 plus being packed to the gills and topbox made itself felt at times!
Drove 620 miles back yesterday on free flowing roads with cruise set to 100 mph or 90 depending on traffic and got out of it feeling not too bad (my old scooby Sti V broke me after about 4 hours for comparison!). I was very impressed with it as a family car - maybe a bit more space would be useful but it will do just fine till they are all teenagers (which aint that long away!). Got 21 mpg @ 100 on cruise control and 27 mpg if I stayed around 85 with some pre-emptive accelerator manipulation .... real world mpg with a full car & top box Fill up when leaving, fill up in between and had to do a splash & dash just before St Malo. Car felt really capable and unstressed as did the wife who even encouraged making progress which was NOT the case with the grand picasso so there you go, she even liked my toll booth exit strategy (as in full throttle to cruise speed where appropriate)
Chalet was on a steep hill and first day was great with clear roads ... the second day and all but one subsequently saw overnight snow up to 5 inches which was pretty much sorted on the main roads and village access roads by 10am but my one to the chalet was still bad until about midday ... I tried the chains to descend the first time but the front kept sliding and that road exited onto a steep bend so no way was I gonna chance meeting anything there that I had to brake for so ended up parking in the village itself which was about 300 meters away. Car in fresh snow and slush not on the steeper inclines was fine too. Locals on snow tyres seemed fine on almost everything but on occasion used chains so will get some winters on the X3 for any repeat trip, with the chains as insurance. Not a major impact this time as kids were booked on afternoon lessons but will do morning next time and need to get out early so winters are insurance.
Oh, came back battered and bruised due to being effing useless on the skis, so grateful for what was a pleasant journey!
Drove 620 miles back yesterday on free flowing roads with cruise set to 100 mph or 90 depending on traffic and got out of it feeling not too bad (my old scooby Sti V broke me after about 4 hours for comparison!). I was very impressed with it as a family car - maybe a bit more space would be useful but it will do just fine till they are all teenagers (which aint that long away!). Got 21 mpg @ 100 on cruise control and 27 mpg if I stayed around 85 with some pre-emptive accelerator manipulation .... real world mpg with a full car & top box
Fill up when leaving, fill up in between and had to do a splash & dash just before St Malo. Car felt really capable and unstressed as did the wife who even encouraged making progress which was NOT the case with the grand picasso so there you go, she even liked my toll booth exit strategy (as in full throttle to cruise speed where appropriate) Chalet was on a steep hill and first day was great with clear roads ... the second day and all but one subsequently saw overnight snow up to 5 inches which was pretty much sorted on the main roads and village access roads by 10am but my one to the chalet was still bad until about midday ... I tried the chains to descend the first time but the front kept sliding and that road exited onto a steep bend so no way was I gonna chance meeting anything there that I had to brake for so ended up parking in the village itself which was about 300 meters away. Car in fresh snow and slush not on the steeper inclines was fine too. Locals on snow tyres seemed fine on almost everything but on occasion used chains so will get some winters on the X3 for any repeat trip, with the chains as insurance. Not a major impact this time as kids were booked on afternoon lessons but will do morning next time and need to get out early so winters are insurance.
Oh, came back battered and bruised due to being effing useless on the skis, so grateful for what was a pleasant journey!
Thanks for the follow-up. The X3 on winter tyres would have been unstoppable (mine was) and much safer than on summer tyres, but good to hear that you still managed.
As Zod stated, winter tyres are equally important for being able to steer and brake safely, not just avoiding to get stuck, where a 4WD car may be able to set off but with no steering or braking ability.
As Zod stated, winter tyres are equally important for being able to steer and brake safely, not just avoiding to get stuck, where a 4WD car may be able to set off but with no steering or braking ability.
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff