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  #1  
Old 07-27-2006, 08:12 PM
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Switch 18-20 Wheels

Pros? Cons?

Loss of performance? Better handling? Less MPG?
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  #2  
Old 07-27-2006, 09:51 PM
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You can expect better steering response, but you get a stightly stiffer ride, both due to the lower sidewall profile. Also, 20's need pricey new wheels (good time to upgrade anyways), but look much better IMO. 20's will get dings easier too, so watch out for potholes.
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Old 07-28-2006, 05:24 AM
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Are U married? Will your wife drive the car? Would love 20's but my wife's parking is shite!!!! sticking with 18" 58's
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Old 08-01-2006, 12:00 PM
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Besides looks - is there any advantage of bigger wheels over smaller? I a lot of post indicate that you need 17"s for the snow. So are 17s "better" wheels all around - or do 20"-22s" have some advantages in dry/normal driving? I would like to hear from anybody who knows about wheels that can provide guidance here. I currrently have 19" and thinking about upgrading but want to understand real "benefits" of bigger wheels - beyond looks.
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Old 08-01-2006, 12:13 PM
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Definitely. Would bigger wheels make it slower??
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Old 08-01-2006, 12:54 PM
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If the bigger wheel/tire package is heavier (often the case but not always), then both acceleration and braking will suffer. The more the weight increase, the bigger the performance decrease. Also, larger diameter wheels are often wider....which requires wider tires. Wider tires tend to track ruts more which makes the X5 feel more "twitchy"...especially under braking. Wider tires and increased unsprung weight both result in reduced fuel economy.

Having said that, I often look for +1 and +2 sizing for most of my vehicles....hell, I even did it for my minvan when I upgraded to 18" Acura A-spec wheels with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires! The good news was that this wheel/tire package actually weighed the same (if not a bit less) than stock...so it performs better all around...

Good explanation here:

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/...currentpage=97
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Old 08-01-2006, 01:34 PM
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If you like people turning their heads when you drive by get the 20's...if you like people turning their heads and saying "ohh damn" get 22's!
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Old 08-01-2006, 01:35 PM
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Bigger wheels and tire are not generally an improvement in much of anything. Some owners find them better looking, but from a performance and wear and tear perspective you gain nothing and potentially accelerate wear on the steering and suspension systems and well as the transmission, rotating mass requires more energy to accelerate and decelerate, so anything heavier that is rotating will not have any positive results.
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Old 08-01-2006, 01:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gregwx5
If you like people turning their heads when you drive by get the 20's...if you like people turning their heads and saying "ohh damn" get 22's!
I went from 19 to 20's and love it, even the ceo loves as it steers and handles much better. I haven't a noticed a difference in the stiffness of the ride at all but godamn, I love seeing facial expressions when I drive by especially from the other SUV drivers: that to me is priceless
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Old 08-01-2006, 02:15 PM
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so you went from 19s to 20s and got improved handling? which weels/tires did you start from? sonds contradictory to what everyone else says. the head turning aspect seems nice but not my biggest motivator. i'm starting to feel that other mods that increase the look but don't hurt the performance make a lot more since. why pay for a mod (e.g. bigger tires) if ultimately all you get are head turns but a 'worse' vehicle? doesn't make since.
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