Currently have stock wheels on '01 3.0...what needs adjusting if I get bigger wheels?

[khelms_98]

I know it's hard to believe, but I currently have the stock wheels on my new-to-me '01 Pearl Beige 3.0. A friend of mine has a silver '04 3.0 Sport and I like her wheels, but I also like the Sport wheels on the older 4.4s. Nevertheless, I would possibly like to get some bigger/better wheels but I'm worried about the speedometer and odometer calibration. Would bigger wheels affect the on-board computer as far as miles/gallon and miles to empty too? This is my only apprehension about getting bigger wheels. Also, if I get the older 19" 4.4 Sport wheels, will I need spacers? I don't really know what that is, but I've just heard ppl mention them when getting bigger wheels. I'd really appreciate your advice. Thanks.

[LeMansX5]

You probably have 17" style 57 wheels. (see all wheel styles here) You do not need any adjustment /calibration to get new wheels. Your ride will get stiffer if you move to bigger size wheels but not change the mpg. Spacers in your X5 3.0's case will not matter. Its up to you if you want the wheels push forward for appearence sake.

[dkl]

The bigger tires/wheels combo should not affect anything other than the slight sacrafice in ride quality as LeMans has pointed out. BMW has already figured out the formula to give you the same overall rolling diameter regardless whether you go 17, 18, 19, or 20" wheels. The bigger the wheels, the less tire sidewall you'll get, thus keeping the same overall diameter. So, your speedometer or computer won't be affected at all. Also, each OEM wheel already have the proper offset built-in so that it'll clear the wheel well properly...so no need for spacer, unless you want some extra clearance either for looks or for snow chains/cables.

[khelms_98]

WOW! Thanks guys, I really feel better now. And yes, I still have the style 57 wheels. So now let me ask what wheels do you guys recommend? I personally am leaning towards the older 4.4 Sport wheels, style 63 I think.

[dkl]

If you can find the newer style 132, those would be much easier to clean than the 63. The bigger chunk of the spokes of the 132 also gives it a more muscular look than the 63. Either way, you will definitely like the new improved handlings as well as the looks of the bigger 19s. I did the same upgrade on my '04 a couple of years ago and will never want to go back to the 17s. Good luck finding your new wheels!

[motordavid]

I went from 18" stock/oem style 69s, (come std on
Sport), to 19" staggered style 132s.

No change necessary for you from the 17s to
any "oem" X5 wheel size.

Tooting my own horn, here's a link I put up
a while ago, with pics of Oem 19" staggered,
style 132s:
http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...pile-pics.html

Hang on this site and ask anything you wish: It is an Outstanding
info site for X5s/X3s and about anything else, topic-wise, you
could wish for, imo.
GL,mD