E39 M5 snow chains
Discussion
Hi all,
Has anybody got real-world experience with snow chains on a E39 M5?
Mine is a 2002, on the standard 18" alloys, and manual says that chains should not be used.
This is annoying as I was planning to take it for a ski trip, and chains can be required for the last couple of miles.
I came across some chains specific for low profile tyres, e.g. the Thule K-summit. Would these work ok?
Thanks!
PS: I know the simplest option is a set of winter tyres, but I live in Southern California, where snow is unheard of, so it seems a lot of trouble/hassle for just one trip a year. And I could not locate style 66 rims (apparently the only 17" that fit the M5) at a good price around here anyway.
Has anybody got real-world experience with snow chains on a E39 M5?
Mine is a 2002, on the standard 18" alloys, and manual says that chains should not be used.
This is annoying as I was planning to take it for a ski trip, and chains can be required for the last couple of miles.
I came across some chains specific for low profile tyres, e.g. the Thule K-summit. Would these work ok?
Thanks!
PS: I know the simplest option is a set of winter tyres, but I live in Southern California, where snow is unheard of, so it seems a lot of trouble/hassle for just one trip a year. And I could not locate style 66 rims (apparently the only 17" that fit the M5) at a good price around here anyway.
Not a direct answer to your question - but I have snow chains for my E90 M3.
I have some 'Weissenfels Clack & Go pro Tech' chains which I have used in Europe where there can also be a legal requirement in certain countries.
General problem I found in the UK was to get chains in the size for the wheels due to their width.
One of the problems with the M3 that you may have with the M5 is limited clearance between the tyre and wheel arch as you need to get your hand behind the wheel as you fit them. Consequently I have to jack the car up a couple of inches (still with wheel on the ground) to fit. They can still be fitted pretty quickly though, I can get both on in less than 15 minutes and off in less than half that time.
As a relative novice in these matters, these were perfect for what I needed.
I have some 'Weissenfels Clack & Go pro Tech' chains which I have used in Europe where there can also be a legal requirement in certain countries.
General problem I found in the UK was to get chains in the size for the wheels due to their width.
One of the problems with the M3 that you may have with the M5 is limited clearance between the tyre and wheel arch as you need to get your hand behind the wheel as you fit them. Consequently I have to jack the car up a couple of inches (still with wheel on the ground) to fit. They can still be fitted pretty quickly though, I can get both on in less than 15 minutes and off in less than half that time.
As a relative novice in these matters, these were perfect for what I needed.
StefV said:
Well, Mammoth actually. From San Diego, it is 6-7 hours, and only the last part might see some snow. Probably just the last mile or so. Seems a shame (and expensive) to sit the whole way in a rental just for that one last mile...
So if it's only the last mile or so, surely they won't be checking for chains, and why not snow socks?Most of the time I have been there it has only been the last few miles, maybe 1 or 2. But that doesn't mean they won't enforce it.
I have seen it once when there was snow on about the last 15 miles, and they had a checkpoint. It would be nice to be able to drive that, even if it is at 15mph... Otherwise options are limited, after a 400-mile drive.
I have seen it once when there was snow on about the last 15 miles, and they had a checkpoint. It would be nice to be able to drive that, even if it is at 15mph... Otherwise options are limited, after a 400-mile drive.
phelix said:
Sorry but I question the logic of fat wide summer tyres on the front and snow chains on the rear. You might have the ability to accelerate but what's the point of being able to pick up speed if you have extremely limited ability to steer and brake?
With snow chains you have a low maximum speed - as stated above, effectively they will be used to travel the last few miles into or around the resort, so limited ability to steer and brake is not an issue. I have had snow chains in my car for the past five years and only had to use them once, and they probably travelled less than two miles.Sods law says that if you didn't have them you would really need them, or the time that you took snow socks, you would be stopped by the police and get a whacking fine or refused entry to resort
- can anyone advise what snow socks they use for their M5's - E60 ideally.Quick update: in the end I ordered the Thule K-Summit in K33 size.
I did try them on the M5 at home, they seem to fit with plenty of clearance. And super easy to fit too.
But I have not tried them on snow yet: went skiing twice since, but no snow on the road, so they stayed in the trunk.
I still got to drive a few hundred meters on a path covered in snow. It is amusingly easy to lose traction! Ok, I admit it, M5 + 18" + michelin sport sp2 is not really a snow car. On the other end, if the road going up to the ski resort is clear, it is fun
I did try them on the M5 at home, they seem to fit with plenty of clearance. And super easy to fit too.
But I have not tried them on snow yet: went skiing twice since, but no snow on the road, so they stayed in the trunk.
I still got to drive a few hundred meters on a path covered in snow. It is amusingly easy to lose traction! Ok, I admit it, M5 + 18" + michelin sport sp2 is not really a snow car. On the other end, if the road going up to the ski resort is clear, it is fun
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff