Staggered Wheels - Necessary on the X5?

[mrbmwx5]

if you dont want to do the Stagg.you can do 20x10 around thats even better, you can rotation when you need it to give the tires more life .Many one onboard here had done that way too.

[cmyX6go]

Bruinman...

I think it's personal preference. The staggered look more aggressive and the handling is better on the twisties. If you're not interested in the handling aspect and you like the look of non staggered, you answered your own question.

[BruinMan]

Not really answering my own question as I am no expert in the field.
All I know is that BMW put on a staggered set-up on my X5. Must be for a reason other than looks?
I am looking for advise from a great community that knows more than me.
That's all.

[LeMansX5]

Better handling and summer performance with staggard setup.

[Islands52]

Has anyone done testing with a staggered vs. non-staggered? On almost all other BMWs a nonstaggered setup will help balance out the inherent understeer of the car and has the added benefit of rotation. Now I too love the look of staggered setups, 3 of my bimmers run this way, including my X, but if you look at the setups of the FAST guys at auto X, usually they either run same sizes all round, or try to minimize the size differential.

[Eds05X5]

Go with the staggered 20s. If it makes the handling better, great, but I did it strictly for the looks. I don't regret it one bit.!! looks great IMO

[BruinMan]

Originally Posted by Islands52

Has anyone done testing with a staggered vs. non-staggered? On almost all other BMWs a nonstaggered setup will help balance out the inherent understeer of the car and has the added benefit of rotation. Now I too love the look of staggered setups, 3 of my bimmers run this way, including my X, but if you look at the setups of the FAST guys at auto X, usually they either run same sizes all round, or try to minimize the size differential.

Very interesting stuff you wrote; but isn't staggered giving more understeer?

Safety wise I just want to make sure I am not going against what the X5 sport package is set-up to do. I seen some SUV's roll over in the news.

I sure like these rims, V Spoke M 227. 11 x 20 in the rear - shish not so sure.

Thanks to all that posted. Even to Creamy.

[Islands52]

Correct, a staggered setup contributes to more understeer.

Guys auto X'ing the Z3 usually try to run the same size all around, and the hot setup for the E39 M5 to dial out understeer is to run 4 rear wheels with 275 rubber. The old E30 M3 runs all the same size on all 4 corners, and the matching tires on the 95' E36 M3 were changed to a stagger setup in 96' to dial in more understeer when a few customers crashed and complained handling was too "lively".

[2002Silver4.6is]

I run 10.5 all the way around and love the look and the handling. I can also rotate my tires. Go with the 20 x 10's you will dig it!!

The 9.5's up front were too narrow for me.

The 10.5's or 10's will throw some additional dirt on the sides of the X due to sticking out a wee bit.....

[phil47]

Yup...rear-drive V8 with plenty of torque. Staggered wheel setup helps reduce snap oversteer when cornering...particularly when applying power when exiting the corners.