Lowered or Not Lowered

[EKS PYB]

I recently got an '04 CPO Silver and upgraded to 20" staggered style 168s. I can definitely see a huge space between tire and lip of the X5 on both the front and back. The front especially but not too noticeable on the back.

I used to have an '03 Black and that one I lowered but even with the black color and the color of the tires, I couldn't see much difference but I followed the advice of a few members here and lowered it. But now that I have silver I can see how high it is now.

I just wanted to see if any of you guys who upgraded to 20's lowered your ride or kept it stock.

Pics would be nice to see as well...

[Wagner]

if you kept the tire dimensions correct, there was no change in wheel gap. If you put on tire sizes other then OEM you would see an increased gap.

Use the search on the site, or check out the gallery, there are a few that have lowered them. Most who move to 20's don't lower the ride.

[EKS PYB]

REALLY? the ones who moved to 20s don't lower theirs huh...hmmmm, interesting. i will check out the gallery

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by Blk03X5

REALLY? the ones who moved to 20s don't lower theirs huh...hmmmm, interesting. i will check out the gallery

Not generally, if you keep oem dimensions there is no change in gap.

[EKS PYB]

which dimensions are you talking about? i upgraded from 17 stock to 20 stock with the dimensions of a 4.8i. is that what you're talking about?

[Brit6]

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalcold.html

Plug in your stock size and the new size and compare them

[Panoz]

Originally Posted by Blk03X5

which dimensions are you talking about? i upgraded from 17 stock to 20 stock with the dimensions of a 4.8i. is that what you're talking about?

What people are referring to is the overal diameter of the tires. If you stayed with the OEM tire sizes for 20" wheels, then the overal diameter of your 17" set-up will be the same as your 20" set-up. As a result, the gap between the top of the tire and the fender will be the same.

Hope this clarifies it for you.

[Islands52]

The color is likely contributing, but its an optical illusion of the low profile tires. A lot of guys with Z3s and 3 series seem to claim this, when moving to lo-pro tires, the wheel gap seems to grow, hence why most modded 3s, 5s and Zs have are lowered.

[jst2878]

Nothing looks better than a lowered x with twenties. do you have full air suspension...if so get intrax module and lower it. if you don't than get ac schnitzer coilovers for a 2" drop.

[EKS PYB]

i dont have air suspension so I have to get lowering springs or the coilovers just like you suggested