BMW X5 and snowchains - where would *you* fit the chains?

[Orangecurry]

so, you have one of Munichs monsters, and you are going skiing, so the question is

snow chains:
Front
Rear
Both

Your thoughts please.

[carl_w]

Front

[Orangecurry]

carl_w said:

Front

do you have one, or are you using common sense?

[carl_w]

Common sense

[phelix]

Rear. Haven't got a Spartanburg stomper but I'd rather have understeer than oversteer. Same logic as putting new tyres (assuming sizes are the same) on the back of the car.

[cptsideways]

If it has winter spec tyres you pretty much bet you wont need em Unless its on on 100% summer/road spec tyres in which case it'llbe useless on 255 tyres in snow In which case the chains go on the front!

[StuB]

Rear! If you check the buying/applications guides, that's all you'll find isn't it?

We went to Tignes at Christmas 06 fully loaded and 4 up in our X and it didn't actually need the chains fitted, even during a huge dump, the gendarmes waved us straight though.

[phelix]

And they would need to be super snug chains to fit on the front without fouling on something at full lock.

[Chippers54]

I drove to Megeve in the Alps for Christmas in my E70 X5 and took chains just in case but I didn't need them. It was pretty hard to find chains to fit the 315/35 R20 wheels but thanks to some good advice from DoctorD went for Spikes Spyders. These are pretty good because you attach a hub to the wheels before you leave and then if you do need to put the chains on they just clip onto the hub so you don't have to mess about. I hired them for the week for about £70.

Fitted them on the rear wheels only as per the manual

Edited by Chippers54 on Tuesday 8th January 22:50

[Pork_n_Beem]

The Police can insist you fit chains if you have a 2WD Vehicle but are happy to let 4WD's through on road tyres as they expect you have winter tyres on already which are more than good enough.

If i had a 4WD i would not bother, i generally get there in my 530D and only put chains on when the local police refuse to let me through.

That includes Chamonix, Arc 2000 etc....

In Austria the locals bomb about just on winter tyres and 4WD, quite scary to be in a taxi when they are on it.

If you are going to use chains, suggest, good torch, some old gloves, plenty of Marlboro's maybe an old sack to sit on, flask of coffee... etc you get the drift...

[Orangecurry]

From your answers, and the answers on the GG thread, the (almost) universal answer to where *should* chains go is on the front, but clearly if this will damage something on the X5, then you would have to put them on the rear.

I wanted to know why the manual says ONLY fit chains to the rear, and now I do.

Thanks for your thoughts.