Tires for staggered 20" wheels?

DaveNW · #1 02-18-2008, 12:34 AM

I posted a few questions the other day in the Tire Rack forum, and realized afterwards that wasn't the best place for my questions. So now I'll try it here:

First of all, I know virtually nothing about tires and wheels. Please help educate me about this stuff.

I'm interested in getting 20" Beyern 5 wheels and suitable tires for my 2003 4.4i. I'm seeing very similar pricing between vendors on the wheels, so I've pretty well decided on a local tire shop. Their price is about the best I've seen, and there are no extra shipping costs involved. Plus mounting and balancing is built into the price.

The quote I've gotten from them includes Toyo Proxes tires. Someone said there may be a better choice than that.

So here are my questions I'm hoping you guys can help me with:

1. Is there a better tire choice than Toyo Proxes for 20" wheels? (Please name names, so I can get specific price quotes on them.)

2. What would you consider the best tire/wheel sizes for staggering? Someone said 9.5" on front and 10.5" on rear, but Beyen wheels come in 8.5" and 10". Does the tire size follow the wheel size, or is there a different number I should be looking at.

3. I have OEM mudflaps. Will they interfere with 20" wheels?

4. Is there aything about getting 20" wheels and a staggered tire placement that I need to be aware of?

I'm looking forward to getting these wheels and tires within the next week or so. Any advice you'd care to share?

Thanks,
Dave

FSETH · #2 02-18-2008, 01:17 AM

[quote=ex-jeepguynw]I posted a few questions the other day in the Tire Rack forum, and realized afterwards that wasn't the best place for my questions. So now I'll try it here:

First of all, I know virtually nothing about tires and wheels. Please help educate me about this stuff.

I'm interested in getting 20" Beyern 5 wheels and suitable tires for my 2003 4.4i. I'm seeing very similar pricing between vendors on the wheels, so I've pretty well decided on a local tire shop. Their price is about the best I've seen, and there are no extra shipping costs involved. Plus mounting and balancing is built into the price.

The quote I've gotten from them includes Toyo Proxes tires. Someone said there may be a better choice than that.

So here are my questions I'm hoping you guys can help me with:

1. Is there a better tire choice than Toyo Proxes for 20" wheels? (Please name names, so I can get specific price quotes on them.)

I have the Toyo's and love them. You can also try Michelin Diamaris

2. What would you consider the best tire/wheel sizes for staggering? Someone said 9.5" on front and 10.5" on rear, but Beyen wheels come in 8.5" and 10". Does the tire size follow the wheel size, or is there a different number I should be looking at.

BMW typically uses a wheel that is one inch wider in the back for it's staggerd setups. If you really like the Beyern wheels go with them. They will just be little larger difference between the front wheels and the back wheels compared to the BMW staggerd setup. Tire sizes are different than wheel sizes. For example a tire measurement of 285/45 R19 has a width of 285, a sidewall height of 45 and a wheel size of 19. I personally think the standard size wheels and tires on a 4.6 X5 look the best. They are 9.5 front width wheels with 275/40 R20 tires and 10.5 width rear wheels with 315/35 R20 tires.

3. I have OEM mudflaps. Will they interfere with 20" wheels?

I don't think the mud flaps will interfere with the new wheels. Not 100% sure though.

4. Is there aything about getting 20" wheels and a staggered tire placement that I need to be aware of?

Braking distance may be a little longer due to the extra weight of the wheel. You may also notice a difference in handling depending on the size of yor current wheels. Also, with staggerd set up you will not be able to rotate the tires at all.

I'm looking forward to getting these wheels and tires within the next week or so. Any advice you'd care to share?

Good luck.

Krunk Man · #3 02-18-2008, 01:43 AM

Another vote for the toyos.. I have about 1000 miles on mine, very happy with the look and ride quality.

2002Silver4.6is · #4 02-18-2008, 11:08 AM

I run 10.5 inch rims front and back with no issues what so ever. The benefit of the setup is you can rotate the wheels from front to back.

villajoe · #5 02-18-2008, 11:25 AM

I have Continental 4x4 Sport Contacts, they're quiet and have plenty of grip.

TurnAround · #6 02-18-2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex-jeepguynw

I'm interested in getting 20" Beyern 5 wheels

Toyo Proxes tires. Someone said there may be a better choice than that.

1. Is there a better tire choice than Toyo Proxes for 20" wheels?
2. What would you consider the best tire/wheel sizes for staggering? Someone said 9.5" on front and 10.5" on rear, but Beyen wheels come in 8.5" and 10". Does the tire size follow the wheel size, or is there a different number I should be looking at.
3. I have OEM mudflaps. Will they interfere with 20" wheels?
4. Is there aything about getting 20" wheels and a staggered tire placement that I need to be aware of?

Compare wheel weights, when you can. BMW won't publish weights, but generally their rims are lighter. BBS makes some rims that are lighter still, but the cost is way up there. Replica (insert any reseller name here) wheels will weigh a little more. Weight matter because of centrifical spin up. Heavier wheels = more sluggish feel to the car. I researched Beyern wheels and felt ok about them. Going with their narrow rime widths may save some weight and be well worth it for you. X5's have a ridiculously high amount of traction anyway, so extra wheel width is really just about looks (wider = cooler looking). Wide front wheels will drive more sluggish when the tires wear down.

1) Toyo Proxes tires look very cool imo. Nice looking tire. They have a rep for providing good 3 season traction, but.. also the rep of not being a very quiet tire or smooth ride tire. I'm totally sold on the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx. Only available in 20" on up. I use them on my Z3's. They are amazing tires. Super quiet. Fantastic smooth ride qualities. And yet, their cornering performance is outstanding (better than the Toyo). Amazingly, they actually have decent winter traction. I was just out on the frost / ice with my Z3 Coupe 15 minutes ago, and with a nearly bald set of SP Sport Maxx's, my Coupe has almost as much traction as the X5 with Micheline snow tires on it. Not kidding... So, downside = They are expensive. But, every time you drive your X you'll be glad you spent the coin.

2) Your choice. BMW's staggered widths look the best imo. Tire sizing is based on a tire calculator (see TireRack.com). The outside diameter of the tire must match the required spec from the manu, or the speedo will be off. See the post on wheel sizes and speedos. Changing wheel width or wheel diameter, means recalculating the correct tire size. An important point -> A given tire width can fit a range of wheel widths. But keep in mind that on a wheel at the outside edge of the tires range, you will "pucker" the center of the tire and it will wear funny. You want to be in the middle of the range if you can. All these stats are on TireRack for any given tire. Wheel stats, you have.

3) Shouldn't be a problem. The wheel arches of our cars are huge.

4) With staggered, you can't rotate wheels. Since all BMW's have negative camber in the rear to help cornering, the inside edge of the tires wears fast. Without rotating, you're looking at replacing rear tires at almost a two to one ratio to the front. If you're like most of us, you push it and live with semi bald tires in back for as long as possible (hence, Coupe comment above). If you can rotate your tires it make a huge difference in tire life and cost.

But personally, a person should not be hesitating over tire cost imo. Performance cars like BMW's and Porsches that have negative camber, go through tires. That's life. One should not own a BMW if yer not prepared to feed it tires. I'm not wealthy by any means. I'm just saying.. if cost is a driver, get non-staggered wheels and "moderately priced" tires. I'm only describing the ideal setup for quiet, comfort, and performance. Cost comes in last. (Then again.. my Coupe's tires are bald right now! hahahaaa).

2002Silver4.6is · #7 02-18-2008, 03:58 PM

FWIW... The BMW Type 87's, 9.5 inch, weigh about 41 lbs....

I have over 6,000 miles on my Toyo's with no noise issues. Nice & quiet!!

DaveNW · #8 02-18-2008, 09:06 PM

Thanks, guys. I appreciate all the replies, both in this thread and in the first one on the Tire Rack forum. I'm going to review all the answers, and make some choices. I'll let you know what I end up getting.

Dave