[Gaffer_H]

25e owners, how do you find your motor in the snow?

Interested in people’s thoughts seeing as though we are having a ‘flurry’ of snow which will almost certainly bring our county to a grinding halt 😂

I’m in Yorkshire.

Other countries that have proper weather must cry with laughter at our inept ability to be able to cope with nothing more than a frost.

[Hartside]

I’m interested know as well, would love to go out in mine but I’ve hurt my back and I’m struggling to get in it.

I do wish they had fitted or at least optioned all season tyres for our car as that would have made a world of difference. On previous cars I’ve had a set of winters and it transforms the car in this sort of weather. Only issue is the other numpties on the road that don’t seem to recognise the hazards of snow and ice.

Must admit that our country is hopeless at dealing with this type of weather and as I type I’m looking at the news on tv which is hyping up the weather situation. I’m just about to turn 64 and I can remember this happening every year - it’s winter!

[Gaffer_H]

Originally Posted by Hartside

I’m interested know as well, would love to go out in mine but I’ve hurt my back and I’m struggling to get in it.

I do wish they had fitted or at least optioned all season tyres for our car as that would have made a world of difference. On previous cars I’ve had a set of winters and it transforms the car in this sort of weather. Only issue is the other numpties on the road that don’t seem to recognise the hazards of snow and ice.

Must admit that our country is hopeless at dealing with this type of weather and as I type I’m looking at the news on tv which is hyping up the weather situation. I’m just about to turn 64 and I can remember this happening every year - it’s winter!

I’d go out but the floor rail on my sliding gate thing is covered with snow and I can’t be arsed to remove it all so it’s stuck shut 😂

I have used mine before in the snow, but it was only a light dusting, it’s my first AWD car so was interested to read others opinions.

Mines running on summer tyres too and are due for changing soon so about 1mm above the 1.6mm depth indicator so they won’t help.

I’m 38 and only have a few short memories of ‘proper’ weather from when I was a kid.

Agree with you about other numpties on the road, around my area it’s the lunatics in the Mitsubishi L200s, Ford Rangers and the odd Range Rover driver who think they are invincible.

[boupas]

I'm also wondering what is the proper mode for driving in the snow with a PHEV.

[Gaffer_H]

Originally Posted by boupas

I'm also wondering what is the proper mode for driving in the snow with a PHEV.

I went down to our local Starbucks this morning and I have to say it was brilliant on the untreated snowy/hilly roads near my house, it worked well however what hasn’t worked well is my driveway is full of compacted ice/snow and it’s now stuck, if the car wasn’t so close to the fence I could get it out I’m sure, but what I don’t want to happen is either the front end or rear end slide out and hit the fence or my Mrs motor.

So to summarise, yeah it’s decent enough on the road in the snow, but woeful at reversing left, on the tiniest of inclines into my garage 😂

Oh and if someone knows how to turn off the traction control in ‘personal’ mode that would be helpful to me, I know how to do it in sport but the throttle response is obviously quicker, in the snow I’d like to feed the power in more gentle at times but with the traction control not kicking in as early as it does do.

It also doesn’t help that I’m about 1mm of the wear markers on summer tyres, also probably my lack of talent doesn’t help too 😂

[fueledbycaffeine]

Originally Posted by Gaffer_H

I went down to our local Starbucks this morning and I have to say it was brilliant on the untreated snowy/hilly roads near my house, it worked well however what hasn’t worked well is my driveway is full of compacted ice/snow and it’s now stuck, if the car wasn’t so close to the fence I could get it out I’m sure, but what I don’t want to happen is either the front end or rear end slide out and hit the fence or my Mrs motor.

So to summarise, yeah it’s decent enough on the road in the snow, but woeful at reversing left, on the tiniest of inclines into my garage 😂

Oh and if someone knows how to turn off the traction control in ‘personal’ mode that would be helpful to me, I know how to do it in sport but the throttle response is obviously quicker, in the snow I’d like to feed the power in more gentle at times but with the traction control not kicking in as early as it does do.

It also doesn’t help that I’m about 1mm of the wear markers on summer tyres, also probably my lack of talent doesn’t help too 😂

Per the BMW Assistant. I assume this would work in other modes (as you’re not accessing it through sport mode), but I don’t know.

[fueledbycaffeine]

FWIW, there’s also drive-off support but I’m guessing that’s more of a driving forward thing than a driving in reverse thing.

[Gaffer_H]

Originally Posted by fueledbycaffeine

FWIW, there’s also drive-off support but I’m guessing that’s more of a driving forward thing than a driving in reverse thing.

Yeah it is, I’ve not played about with that so much to be honest.

Thanks for your input 👍🏻

[Puffinrock]

Originally Posted by Gaffer_H

I find that the traction control suffers on wet muddy ground and inclines and even tight turns at junctions - Drive off Support does help but it's not a Land Rover so I no longer use it to go off road.

I am in East Anglia and we're more likely to have wet roads than snow but when I need to I am changing to All Season tyres.

[MontyB1]

I think drive off support can help with the engine to offer FWD a little sooner than it might as the car in EV is actually RWD and kicks into AWD via the engine to the front wheels.

Either way winter driving is all about tyres and FWD, RWD or AWD if you want traction you need winter tyres. But remember getting going is one thing, it’s the lack of ability to stop going too quickly that creates most accidents not the getting going bit.

[Gaffer_H]

Originally Posted by MontyB1

I think drive off support can help with the engine to offer FWD a little sooner than it might as the car in EV is actually RWD and kicks into AWD via the engine to the front wheels.

Either way winter driving is all about tyres and FWD, RWD or AWD if you want traction you need winter tyres. But remember getting going is one thing, it’s the lack of ability to stop going too quickly that creates most accidents not the getting going bit.

Thanks for your reply.

Absolutely agree that the easy bit is getting going and the hardest thing is to stop, people think that because they are in an AWD car they are invincible at times, they seem to forget no matter whether its RW, FW OR AWD they ALL slide very well.

[Gaffer_H]

Originally Posted by fueledbycaffeine

Per the BMW Assistant. I assume this would work in other modes (as you’re not accessing it through sport mode), but I don’t know.

I don’t have the section called ‘traction’.. I cannot turn it off in personal mode it would appear.

[Taylor66]

I drove around in North Yorkshire Yesterday. As long as you drive gently its all very predictable. Standard tyres, so they were no help but as long as you anticipate it was fine on new snow, packed/rutted snow and slush. In the past I have found the PHEV EV RWD disconcerting when pulling out of junctions, a bit of a lag then a rush of power to the back wheels causes them to step out a little then it all comes back into line. Previous car was a 330e, that was a much smoother delivery so you felt more in control, even when the back end drifted.

[Lantirn]

Parked the other day in a ski area with summer tires (winter tyres not obligatory here, only chains required on board) and ice was present on the parking spot. It was slightly sliding on the electric mode and forward wheels were not turning the car due to ice and frost, then turned on the "drive off support". ICE kicks in, all wheels drive, worked like a charm. Keep in mind this works for speeds up to 40km/h

[fueledbycaffeine]

Originally Posted by Lantirn

Parked the other day in a ski area with summer tires (winter tyres not obligatory here, only chains required on board) and ice was present on the parking spot. It was slightly sliding on the electric mode and forward wheels were not turning the car due to ice and frost, then turned on the "drive off support". ICE kicks in, all wheels drive, worked like a charm. Keep in mind this works for speeds up to 40km/h

It is extremely dangerous to use summer tires in temps below 45°F/7°C. The rubber hardens and can crack which essentially turns your tires into ice skates. You might not need to have winter tires, but all-season tires + AWD should give you enough traction not to make you a major safety hazard.

[Gaffer_H]

Originally Posted by fueledbycaffeine

It is extremely dangerous to use summer tires in temps below 45°F/7°C. The rubber hardens and can crack which essentially turns your tires into ice skates. You might not need to have winter tires, but all-season tires + AWD should give you enough traction not to make you a major safety hazard.

In the UK there is no legal requirement to change tyres during the winter.

My X1 was supplied new to me by BMW with continental summer tyres.

[fueledbycaffeine]

Originally Posted by Gaffer_H

In the UK there is no legal requirement to change tyres during the winter.

My X1 was supplied new to me by BMW with continental summer tyres.

Whether it’s legally mandated or not, please consider this info from the tire manufacturer about using summer tires in the winter. This is the last thing I will say on the matter.

Post from Continental about summer tires in winter

[Gaffer_H]

Originally Posted by Lantirn

Parked the other day in a ski area with summer tires (winter tyres not obligatory here, only chains required on board) and ice was present on the parking spot. It was slightly sliding on the electric mode and forward wheels were not turning the car due to ice and frost, then turned on the "drive off support". ICE kicks in, all wheels drive, worked like a charm. Keep in mind this works for speeds up to 40km/h

This really does work like a charm thanks for telling me about this feature, I thought it would be a bit gimmicky but it actually does help get you moving.

[jimma_uk]

Originally Posted by fueledbycaffeine

It is extremely dangerous to use summer tires in temps below 45°F/7°C. The rubber hardens and can crack which essentially turns your tires into ice skates. You might not need to have winter tires, but all-season tires + AWD should give you enough traction not to make you a major safety hazard.

Whilst summer tyres do become less effective in temperatures below 7C, it is not "extremely dangerous" unless the temperature is much lower than that. Don't get me wrong, I believe strongly in the right gear for the right conditions, but tyres don't become magically dangerous at 6C and fine at 8C.

As Gaffer said, the UK does not have rules regarding winter tyres and the vast majority of people use summer tyres all year round with no issues.

[Fish Fingers]

UK owner (30e) here just after a bit of generic advice on driving in wintery conditions.

Its my wife car which I seldom drive, so don't know these answers.

What's the best general setup for winter (ice, snow, slush) driving to ensure x drive is fully functioning etc.

She normally drives in Personal mode, electric most of the time, with very occasional long journeys on maintain battery.

Any help appreciated thanks.

[DaveMc]

Not an 'e', purely an ice M35i, but the wheels and tyres are pretty much the same.
I'm afraid I bit the bullet and bought some second hand (refurbished) 19" X1 wheels off ebay and fitted some Michelin CrossClimate 2's to replace the 20" Pirelli P-Zero shod originals.
245/45x19 vs 245/40x20. Not been out in any snow yet though.
A couple of reasons really. Although I have to say the Pirelli's are outstanding, but I for the last 15 years or so, have fitted 'Allseason' tyres to most of my cars, after getting stuck outside my house in a half inch of snow on 'summer tyres'. I vowed never again, even though apart from I think one year, we have barely had any snow where I live since. I've had the original (1st gen) crossclimates before on another car and until they cracked on the shoulders due to age, were OK. The second reason is because the 20's are diamond cut and the salt just eats away at them. They are stored in the loft now in bags until Spring/Summer.
One observation was how heavy the BMW wheels are, compared with others I have had in the past. The 20's with the Pirelli's weighed in at over 59lbs and the 19's just a tad over 56lbs each. They are within a mm of each other on overall diameter.
The snow will probably melt this week and that will be it for this year.

[Hartside]

It’s a real pity that BMW don’t offer all seasons as an option in the UK when buying new. I would have taken them even if it cost a few hundred more on the price of the car. Cross Climate 2’s would be the ones I would have chosen as they get a great review.