Winter:1 550i:0 BMW Assist:0

Was driving my new 550i yesterday (day after snow/ice storm) up a long remote driveway yesterday. Engaged the DTC function and was able to make it most of the way up this (paved) drive successfully. The DSC/DTC was working hard to keep me moving. I was really quite impressed with how well it did (this is a steep curving uphill driveway) until I hit a shady spot with thick ice. At this point I slid sideways everytime I tried to move forward - here is where rwd just can't compete with Xdrive or awd - and found myself half off the drive, into the dirt on the side, sloping towards a large ravine and getting a bit worried.

So I stopped making it worse, and decided to call BMW assist using the SOS button a get a tow truck. Immediately I got a nice operator in Texas who offered to call for a tow. She put me on hold and after THIRTY MINUTES on hold, in my car, she kept tellimg me that the tow scheduler is a national company and since there was a lot of 'bad weather' in the US that day they kept her on hold and/or not answering her call.

Enough is enough, and I said I'd would walk to a nearby house and call via landline. Called the 800 number and waited another TEN minutes of on-hold music, no operator.

Gave up and call my local AAA service. They answered immeidately with a live person, who got me a tow truck to show within 30 minutes.

The local tow guy was awesome... this is a very narrow sloping iced up road, and he had to pull around in front of me to hook up the tow. I swear he came within 2 inches of sliding right into my car as he also slpped on the ice (4wd truck) but he was professional and careful. Took him three tries to get around me but he finally did so and in a few minutes I was back on the road. No damage of any kind to my car, no charge to me as a current AAA members.

So there you have it -- winter:1 550:0 (wish I had X-drive that day) and BMW Assist:0
-steve

Reply » Winter:1 550i:0 BMW Assist:0

I hope you realize my friend that you probablly damaged the frame of your car by having the tow hook pull your car. The OWNERS MANUAL specifically says not to do this. There have been a number of posts telling us why. The front of the E60 is made of a aluminum material that is easily damaged with towing. Hope your car is well. Next time get a couple of people to push. And put on snow tires for winter driving, you will be very happy with the traction they provide. GOOD LUCK

Reply » Winter:1 550i:0 BMW Assist:0

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And put on snow tires for winter driving, you will be very happy with the traction they provide. GOOD LUCK

My thoughts exactly. I lived in WI for a winter and know first hand how bad summer performance tires are when the temp drops below freezing and how good winter tires are in the same conditions.

Reply » Winter:1 550i:0 BMW Assist:0

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My thoughts exactly. I lived in WI for a winter and know first hand how bad summer performance tires are when the temp drops below freezing and how good winter tires are in the same conditions.

I had a 330Ci with Sport Package, and here in Ohio, we got 6" a few weeks ago. I wouldn't be posting here if I made it home. I got about halfway when someone pulled out in front of me, I stopped (and lost any momentum I may have had), and the car wouldn't budge from that spot. A friend and I pushed it off the road in to an O'Charley's parking lot where it spent the night.

I went to the dealer a few days later determined to get a 530xi, to ensure this never happened again. I'm not always the brightest, and I left 8 hours later with a 550i with Sport Package. What can I say, I'm a sucker for a little oomph.

The Client Advisor set me up with a tire shop down the street, and stated that Bridgestone Blizzaks on 17" wheels will handle anything Ohio weather might happen to throw at me. I'm suppose to get these put on Monday, which ironically is right before our next snow.

So the reason for my post: Anyone have any experience with these specific tires?

-jd

Reply » Winter:1 550i:0 BMW Assist:0

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The Client Advisor set me up with a tire shop down the street, and stated that Bridgestone Blizzaks on 17" wheels will handle anything Ohio weather might happen to throw at me. I'm suppose to get these put on Monday, which ironically is right before our next snow.

So the reason for my post: Anyone have any experience with these specific tires?

-jd

If you are getting the WS-50s, they are awesome. I had them on my non X 5er and it was like driving a snowplow.

Reply » Winter:1 550i:0 BMW Assist:0

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I'm pretty sure a proper hook (i.e. one with a flat or wide flange) on the lower suspension arm is okay. Been there, done that, no problem. The tow eye that you screw into the bumpers is worthless for anything other than maybe getting on to a flatbed and it's qestionable for that. It's really intended for use with a tow bar or a rope, as a last resort. The tow eye can't handle any lateral load and I would be much more concerned about damaging the frame using it than a hook down under. The owner's manual doesn't say anything about not using a hook other than like with the tow eye the car shouldn't be lifted using using the tow eye or any body/chassis part. Pulling isn't lifting, much less of a load when there is only rolling resistance or a bit more, a lot less than gravity. This doesn't mean that an improperly used or positioned hook won't do damage, it will, especialy if attached to a sway bar or the headlight level sensor arm.

Edit: Oops, failed to mention that the E60 should have slots in the front lower suspension cross-member that are meant for towing hooks. I admit I've never looked under mine but many post-80s cars have these.

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