Running bigger tires?

[Jimdevx5]

Hello, I’m new to the X5 game! Just bought a 2004 X5 4.4i, and I would like to run a slightly bigger tire, like a 265 60 18 will I need to run spacers or will they fit with my stock wheels? Thanks for any input!

[PeterM88]

Hi,

In my 3.0D on front have 255 50 19 on rear 285 45 19 and it is oem size .Looking nice and driving well.

[Gregory891]

The specific sizes for factory 18" wheels (18 x 8" wide - I run these in the summer) are in your owner's manual. It will show 255/55R18.

Overall diameter for the 265 may be too tall BUT there is a simple calculator in Excel on the web that a Candian fellow put together. For width and profile, I don't think this be the right diameter. There is a additionally a relationship of wheel width to tire width - you'll find tables on the net.

My 2 cents worth, stick with 255/55R18. I don't know what MA state inspection requires, in Europe you need to use mfr authorized sizes - which is rather generous for the E53. 17" is great for winter tires and budget all around. 18" is great for affordable performance (you can also rotate front to back). 19" is a another price range and comfort, the car will be more prone to tramming.

[audiophool]

Here's the deltas.

[Jimdevx5]

Height wize, there plenty of room I will check behind the tire tomorrow, but it looks like it will clear fine!

[audiophool]

And your speedo will actually read truer.

[Jimdevx5]

I got a killer deal on some general grabber apt on Amazon, 265 60 18 $588 after the rebate

[Schiller]

So did you ever get the tires on?

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Schiller

So did you ever get the tires on?

Like I mentioned on the other thread... I think larger tyres are a bad idea - at the very least, you'll have no spare tyre, since the factory 235/65-R17 that has the same rolling diameter as the 255/55-R18 tyres won't match the larger 265/60-R18 and you'll munt your transfer case if you have to drive on the spare (>5% difference in diameter)...

It also interesting to note that many of Jimdevx5 other posts are about transfer case problems...