To Spare or not to Spare...

[dwathen]

I'm considering upgrading from stock 17's to 20's...Does that mean I need to buy 5 tires?...Do I really need the spare...what have you guys done..I have a 17inch spare..

[vinuneuro]

Nothing bigger than your current spare will fit in there. Also consider that the rolling diameter of the 18s and 17s is the same, just diff tire sizes; the 4.6/4.8 also use the same rolling diameter.

[dwathen]

so I could use the 17 with the 20's in case of a flat? Just drives a lopesided i guess..

[vinuneuro]

Most cars don't even come with full-size spares like the X5. You'll be fine driving with a slightly smaller wheel at one corner for a few miles.

[BruinMan]

Spare!


You will never need to spare another thought if you get a flat.

[dwathen]

Comforting to know....now should i buy the replica wheels and tires off ebay?

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

Nothing bigger than your current spare will fit in there. Also consider that the rolling diameter of the 18s and 17s is the same, just diff tire sizes; the 4.6/4.8 also use the same rolling diameter.

As long as you stay OEM in sizes, it shouldn't matter.

[noncom23]

Originally Posted by dwathen

Comforting to know....now should i buy the replica wheels and tires off ebay?

A lot of posts on this. Do a search, but I have not read specific c/o ebay wheels, tires. Size is critical if you stagger though and poss need for spacers.