The Q's first snow...
 

finally! as expected, it handles awesome. i hope everyone has a safe and fun new year!
<img src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f225/silvrbullett/Q7008copy.jpg" border="0">

And I'm reminded how crappy an '01 X5 handles in the snow even with snow tires!

really??

do tell me how it rides, i am looking to replace my BMW this summer and love the audi!

like an avant...
 

there is minimal body roll and the steering and handling is very sporty. i love it, i don't realize i am driving such a long and heavy vehicle.

until you go to park it.

Sad, but true.
 

It breaks loose far too easily and boy does it understeer. Sometimes I feel the steering wheel is just there for a suggestion.

I've done over 20 track days and 2 Audi winter driving schools, so I have an idea of vehicle dynamics, but the X5 just scares me. Maybe I'm spoiled by Audis.

Given that I don't have snow tires for the S4, our MINI is the snow vehicle of choice. The MINI is super fun in the snow. Even when I had snow tires for the RS6, I'd pick up the keys to the MINI when I knew roads would be snow covered. It's not as capable in terms of getting going, but so much more manageable when it comes to turning and stopping, which is the fun stuff.

I should probably bite the bullet and get snows for the S4, but it is more of a track queen than anything else for me.

wow, Im surprised to ehar that
 

my dads X5 handles pretty well in the snow, yes it does understeer when it cuts loose, but it never really cut loose that easily.

But if it has the rear camera and parking assist then it would be easier than an Avant to park. =)

sure, but try leaving one in a Best Buy parking lot during holiday shopping season without cringing.