Upsizing wheels

[elb1999]

2007 X3......go from 17" wheels with standard 235/55/17 to an 18" wheel and was thinking 245/45/18 tire. I know the standard 18' tire size on the X3 is 235/50/18....should I stick with standard size or go wider and lower? Any experience?

[AzNMpower32]

You're better off going to what BMW uses for the 18", that's what I did when I bought a set of 18" summer wheels/tires, and I still use the 17" for winter tires.

There are more tire choices in the P235/50 R18 size and proportionally that size looks proper as well.

[Naz24]

it's really all about personal preference.. i know on my X5 i love the 315/30/R20s but then again, you have a much smaller car. I love the staggered look, maybe go with wider in the rear? I'm sure it would look great

[Griza]

I have the 20" wheels off of my sold 4.6iS on my wife's X3. They look amazing, 275front/315 rear.

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by Griza

I have the 20" wheels off of my sold 4.6iS on my wife's X3. They look amazing, 275front/315 rear.

they fit?! can we see a picture? thats an interesting combo

[amacman]

pics please
any spacers required , any mods or are they a straight fit .

[shadowless]

Originally Posted by elb1999

2007 X3......go from 17" wheels with standard 235/55/17 to an 18" wheel and was thinking 245/45/18 tire. I know the standard 18' tire size on the X3 is 235/50/18....should I stick with standard size or go wider and lower? Any experience?

there is no real harm in going with a tire size for 18" wheels that is different from bmw's standard size. however, in this case, 235/50/18 is closer to the total radius of the 235/55/17 than 245/45/18. this means that your speedometer will read closer to the way it did before.

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

You're better off going to what BMW uses for the 18", that's what I did when I bought a set of 18" summer wheels/tires, and I still use the 17" for winter tires.

There are more tire choices in the P235/50 R18 size and proportionally that size looks proper as well.

+1

OP, unlike the recs of others who have replied, i do not recommend staggered setup f/r on an awd car especially if the radius difference between front and rear wheels is significant. the reasoning is the same for why it is strongly recommended that you replace all 4 tires (or have replacement tire shaved) when you get a flat if the tread depth is signifcantly less than the brand new tire depth.

[Griza]

I will post pics this weekend of the 20"s. No spacers, direct fit, same lug bolts even. The rear sticks out just a bit because of the massive width of the rims and tires, some might not like that. It looks mean though and I get nothing but compliments. People even think that is an X5.

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by Griza

I will post pics this weekend of the 20"s. No spacers, direct fit, same lug bolts even. The rear sticks out just a bit because of the massive width of the rims and tires, some might not like that. It looks mean though and I get nothing but compliments. People even think that is an X5.

i bet it looks pretty cool. anxious for pics