BMW X3 Sport Pkg Wheels.... OK for snow?

Question

Dealer told me this past weekend that you absolutely cannot put chains on the 18 or 19" sport wheels that the BMWX3 Sports Pkg comes with. Any truth to this? We want this to be our SUV for our Snowboarding trips, etc. Does getting the sports pkg make it more of a sports car rather than a functional SUV? :(

Thanks Jeffy! I looked at the RDX and while it's a much better looking car on the inside (plush leather & tech gadgets)... it's not as appealing on the outside :( I went back and forth on this... trust me! Also, I'd love to get the X5 but I'm just not in the mkt for a 50-60k vehicle yet ;) Thanks again!

Answer 1

The dealer is correct. However, it's not so much the sport wheels as it is the tires that comes with BMW sport packages. They are usually summer-only tires, and the vehicle would not even move in snow with those. So do not get the sport package. Also keep in mind that that X3 is not exactly BMW's best vehicle. For the same money or less you would be better off with an Acura RDX or MDX. Both handle better, ride better, have more room (MDX), nicer interior, and will be great in snow. That's my two cents. Good Luck.

Answer 2

I believe there's a misunderstanding in the meaning of "sport". In BMW lingo (and any performance car manufacturer for the matter), "sport" does NOT mean you take the car out off-roading...etc. In fact, quite the reverse!

It means being able to perform better when you drive in a "sporty" manner... (ie; taking curves at higher speeds...etc). So you are right, the sports package makes the X3 a more aggressive handling vehicle, like a sports car.

You should not have chosen BMW (or any of these luxury "car-like" SUVs) if you wanted a real "functional" SUV. That's why BMW named their X3 and X5 "SAV" because they have trouble justifying the "Utility" in SUV. Anyway, too late for that... so...

My advice, get yourself a set of steel wheels with winter tires. Go to tirerack.com, they have very good tips on choosing winter tires (like why you SHOULD go for smaller wheels and thinner tires in the winter). You can then put chains on this second set of wheels if you wish. It would also saveyour nice sport wheels from damage due to harsh winter use.

Answer 3

I suggest swapping for soft compound snow tires in the winter with your existing wheels. That's the most common approach I see. I drove a sport X3 this past winter and it slid down a hill backwards. Not a good feeling. I use soft compound tires on my ix and can safely go anywhere and stop in the snow.

Answer 4

I would suggest getting a set of winter/snow tires. Not that expensive - get steel rims with hubcaps - not so wide, maybe 16's or 17's. Well worth specializing from summer to winter. I use 15's winter and 16's summer on my 3 series - and 16's winter and 19's summer on my Z3. Try www.bavauto.com for some ideas, try www.TireRack.com for tires and rims.