Snow chains on X5

[Glenn McMenamin]

I was flicking through the owners manual the other day, and reading the Snow chains part, noticed that it sadi that chains should be fitted to the rear tyres ????

I would understand this in a 2wd car, but with 4wd, i would have certainly thought to put them on the front ???

Anyone recommend good chains for an X5??

Also, while i have some X5 owners attention, the monitor has just gone blank in the centre console, the radio plays, but nothing comes up on the screen, so i can't access te computer/hifi/ sat nav etc.

Anyone had this before ??


Thanks

Glenn.

[DoctorD]

Hi Glenn, I have used the Weissenfels snow chains that I obtained from here.. www.roofrackshop.co.uk/snowchains/snowchains.htm

But last year I chose to fit the Spikes Spider chains that I hired from here www.roofbox.co.uk/. These were only £35 for the week and were very practical. They allowed me to keep the 275/315 tyres on my 4.8is rather than change to my 255/R18 tyres.

The reason why the manual suggests fitting chains to the rear wheels is due to the lack of clearance at the front (between tyre and suspension links) and the danger of an poortly fitted chain becoming caught in the steering with inevitable consequences.

I moved my Spikes Spiders around (rear to front) in particularly diffcicult conditions last year, when I needed to maintain control in a tight space, but it didn't drive far with them on the front.

As for the blank NAV screen, I've had it before and it required a software upgrade (is your s/ware up to date?).

[Glenn McMenamin]

DoctorD said:

Hi Glenn, I have used the Weissenfels snow chains that I obtained from here.. www.roofrackshop.co.uk/snowchains/ But last year I chose to fit the Spikes Spider chains that I hired from here www.roofbox.co.uk/. These were only £35 for the week and were very practical. They allowed me to keep the 275/315 tyres on my 4.8is rather than change to my 255/R18 tyres. The reason why the manual suggests fitting chains to the rear wheels is due to the lack of clearance at the front (between tyre and suspension links) and the danger of an poortly fitted chain becoming caught in the steering with inevitable consequences. I moved my Spikes Spiders around (rear to front) in particularly diffcicult conditions last year, when I needed to maintain control in a tight space, but it didn't drive far with them on the front. As for the blank NAV screen, I've had it before and it required a software upgrade (is your s/ware up to date?).

Thanks for the info bud....

Why do you hire these chains rather than but them ??, or are they that expensive ?

Are the spike spider ones any good ?

As for the screen, it's a 54 car, so only coming up for a year old, haven't heard/read anything about software upgrade ????

Cheers

Glenn.

[DoctorD]

Glenn, the Spiders are nearly £300 for a pair, so I felt it worthwhile testing them out by hiring them first. Hiring is really easy, the RoofBox Company arrange to have them sent to you a week before your holiday and they arrange collection after you return. I preferred the Spiders because they're much easier to attach when in cold conditions, you attach the hub before you travel then the chain just snaps on in under a minute. Traditional chains are still better (and more robust) but they only fit narrower tyres and can be problematic to fit on wider wheels. I used the Weissenfels on my 285/40x19 X5 Sport tyres even though BMW suggest the largest wheels to fit chains to are 18" wheels.

You can read more about the Spiders on a thread I posted on Bimmerfest earlier in the year > www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86802.

As for the Nav screen, BMW are releasing software upgrades all the time (sometimes as often as every week) and your dealer usually upgrades your software without telling you at the next service visit. If you have a particular problem they will be required to upgrade the software anyway before pursuing further investigative work.

[Zod]

I have SpikesSpiders for my CSL. I can recommend them.