E39 handling on snow/ice

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Lars - 22 Jul 2004 07:19 GMT

Hi Guys,

I am moving - and am about to get a new car as well. Am quite hooked on the
E39 530d Touring due to many reasons.

Actually, I only have one doubt. That is, that from the new place that I am
moving to there are about 4-5 kilometres of road leading to the house, that
are likely to get quite slippery from snow and ice during the winter in some
periods.

The doubt is then, how the E39 behaves on that? Anyone who knows?

Of other options I got one on my list - an Audi A6 2.5tdi Quattro Avant -
which provides all-wheel-drive, that as far as I can read provides quite
good handling on slippery as well as dry road.

But... Any comments on the E39 combined with snow? ;-)

** Lars

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Sammy Dalva - 22 Jul 2004 12:31 GMT

Hello there,

Living in Montreal we are quite used to snow, ice and poorly maintained
roads; my E39 with four snow tyres does very well and I would say even
better than my ex Volvo S-70.

Good luck

Sam

> Hi Guys,
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> ** Lars

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Jess Englewood - 22 Jul 2004 18:18 GMT

> But... Any comments on the E39 combined with snow? ;-)

The E39 has very effective TC and works nicely on snow and ice if you fitted
your car with appropriate tires for the season.

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Tim H - 23 Jul 2004 05:01 GMT

> > But... Any comments on the E39 combined with snow? ;-)
>
> The E39 has very effective TC and works nicely on snow and ice if you fitted
> your car with appropriate tires for the season.

I'd second that, and add that you *Really Do* need snow tires on an E39 if
you're going to be driving in snow. I left the stock ContiTouring tires on
my car the last couple of winters, and it was positively dreadful in snow.
I generally take my Jeep when the forecast is snow, but even with that to
fall back on, I'll have good snows on this winter for sure!

Tim/
1999 540iA

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Lars - 24 Jul 2004 12:54 GMT

Hi guys,

> > > But... Any comments on the E39 combined with snow? ;-)
> > The E39 has very effective TC and works nicely on snow and ice if you
> > fitted your car with appropriate tires for the season.
> I'd second that, and add that you *Really Do* need snow tires on an E39 if
> you're going to be driving in snow.

Thanks for the comments guys.

I think I will go for the 530 and forget about the A6 for now... In Sweden,
where we are going to live, it is not only a good idea, but actually law
that you must fit the car with M&S tires for the winter.

** Lars

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GT - 23 Jul 2004 20:51 GMT

My 535i behaves well on snow with snow tires only as long as the road is
flat. In steep slopes it is very poor and every year I must leave it once or
twice on the road side and walk the last 200 yards to my house.
Hope this helps

Signature

Best regards.
Giovanni Tarantino
Bevaix (NE)
Switzerland
1997 Audi A4 2.8 Q 224,000 km (137,000 miles)
1997 BMW 535i 223,000 km (134,000 miles)

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Lars - 24 Jul 2004 12:58 GMT

Hi Giovanni,

> My 535i behaves well on snow with snow tires only as long as the road is
> flat. In steep slopes it is very poor and every year I must leave it once or
> twice on the road side and walk the last 200 yards to my house.

Okay... Thanks for that comment. I was actually considering to carry a set
of snow chains (not sure if that is the right word - the chains that you fit
outside the tires that allows you to drive, although only very slow).

But good to know that all seems to think that handling in general on snow is
good - I think it should be fine then. The access road leading to the house
is very flat and should hopefully not give too much trouble.

** Lars

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