If you have Dunlop run-flat tyres and you get a nail in it you can get them repaired as long as you don't let the air pressure get below 15lbs, otherwise the sidewall gets damaged.

All the other brands are non-repairable.

I am getting 20" wheels and they come with Dunlops, by the way my car arrives this Sunday, ordered it 11th Dec 2006.

What tyres do the 19" come with do you know ? Is there any problem replacing the run flats with "normal" tyres when they need replacing (I will have the spare !!)...My vehicle hasn't left US yet.. some slight delay as it wasn't produced until 21 May... !!:rolleyes:

Hi, I have seen Dunlop 19" as runflats so I hope you get them. There are couple of things you need to consider when changing the tyres from runflats. Firstly the X5 E70 suspension is tuned to runflats as they have a thicker sidewall on the tyre. If you are getting a Diesel and not the V8 then you won't have the self-leveling rear suspension which has also been tuned for runflats, also are you getting sports suspension which again gives you harsher ride.

So overall if you wanted to go away from runflats and you had 19" wheels my opinion would be you would need to go to a 20" wheels with a lower profile tyre to give you the firmness. I would say that overall the suspension is softer on the E70 to offset the firm runflats.

The X5 comes with a range of 18" wheels to 21" wheels, as you go up in wheel size the profile becomes lower. Also I have not checked but I would say the BMW rims on the X5 are only designed to have runflat tyres fitted so you need to buy new rims anyway.

If it was me I would go up a rim size which gives you lower profile tyre and keep the pressure around 40-42lbs. You also need to check if the E53 wheels still fit if you want BMW oem.

In Melbourne there was alot of 20" wheels for sale because as you could not put snow chains on 19" & 20". Remember the E70 has larger disc brakes so the old 20" wheels if the offset and stud locations are ok may fit or a similar wheel to them.

I know alot of X5 (E53) who took there BMW wheels off, bought new larger wheels and then put the original wheels back on when they sold there car. I would have had all my 19" rims touched up at least 2 times ($1,000) and I still had to buy a new set of Michies as well($2,400), so buying another set of wheels & tyres if you are keeping a car for more 3 years is not half smart, especially now the runflats are $200 dearer that normal tyres.

I could probably buy a set of 20" lookalikes for under $1,900 and a set of tyres for $2,400, because in 3 years I will have to buy 4 new 20" runflats at a cost of around $3,200 and I bet I will have to repair at least 2 rims a years at a cost of $150 each. This way after 3 years you have new rims and tyres.

I've been quoted "approx" $1500 fitted from the dealer.

I have the sport pack with the wider 19's at the rear and I got Bridgestone Duelers, the side walls are not as well finished as the Michelins I had on my E53 but they seem to handle OK and are not noisy.

diesel fuel
 

Hi,

I am going off tyres/wheels for just a sec, with a quick question guys.

Regarding the 3.0 Diesel & fuel.

Whats some of the better fuels for the diesel e70, mobil / shell ...??

I just caught the fact that the NZ model, does 172kw / 520Nm .... that sounds great, but do they get the same engine as us, or is it slightly tuned diff. due to their fuel.

could we achieve these figures ...?? are their any chip options yet, i am guessing .... tooo tooo early ??

If any one can help me out that would be great, I am no expert in this area

Thanks guys

ps - sorry to chnge the subject from tyres/wheels..

Check a post by watrob earlier in this thread regarding NZ diesels and also diesel quality...:thumbup:

Just did a deal on an E70 X5 4.8 yesterday, and my wife was choosing between the standard 19 inch wheels of the 4.8 and the 19inch that come with the sports kit (213's).

It appears that the rear wheels of the 213's are wider than the 211's. No big deal if you don't want to rotate tyres but something to keep in mind when looking for replacements/alternatives.

Not sure if offsets are much different....

Cheers

Any update on the date you can take delivery of your car ? My partner joked on the weekend when the ship ran aground in Newcastle (I was in another room and she was watching the news) ...."Hey , what ship was your car supposed to be on ?".. she loves stirring me as I can't wait for the car to get here !!!!:rofl:

Hi Mate,

My car landed on the 10th June, the ship was the TARAGO. The dealer tells me I will get the car by the end of next week. As for diesel fuel I use BP as it has less sulphur particals per million than Shell fuel. Not sure if any on the other fuel companies make a low sulphur fuel.