Stagger tire sizes ?

[Daka]

I am about to replace 2 tires on my X (06 3.0 Sport)
Would it be a problem for the drive system if I put larger (originals are 255/50x18) say 275's or? on the rear?

[Daka]

NO ONE HAS DONE THIS?

[DrBobOh]

I'd imagine the drive-system would be fine as a lot of the other X5's run a staggered setup.

[dkl]

It depends on what the staggered sizes are. The OE staggered setup are only found for 19" and 20". I haven't seen anyone attempted to do this with 18" setup since the OE 18" rims are squared (all the same width).

If you want an answer, then you'll need to post the exact tire sizes that you're trying to run. You'll get no or incomplete answers with an incomplete question.

[TriX5]

You could well stagger a set of 18s. On the back you would need 285/50/18, provided the fronts are 255/55/18. Not sure you could find such a set but that is the theoretical set-up you'd need.

[dkl]

I think the OE 18" wheels are only 8" wide. I don't believed that you can mount a 285 on an 8" wide wheel.

[motordavid]

I agree with TriX5's arithmetic and matching...
though previous comments on 'staggered' are a bit misleading, as staggered wheel/tire combos have a wider rear wheel and tire, vs stuffing a wider/lower profile tire on 'square sized wheels'.
For the OP: B'stone and Pirelli both show that 285/50R-18 tire available, though Bring Money With you, as they are ~$375-400 a tire.
GL, mD

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by dkl

I think the OE 18" wheels are only 8" wide. I don't believed that you can mount a 285 on an 8" wide wheel.

285/50-18s are recommend to be on 9" rims but have a range of 8"-10".

However, if you try 285 in a lower proflie (like 35) then you should go to a wider rim.

Big problem is as stated before. Will be hard to find a matching staggered set using the same exact tires. Maybe could find a front set from one mfgr and rears nother from a different mfgr.

To me that's all too much trouble. Just go buy a cheap set of replica 20" and get the proper tires. Done.

[Daka]

On the vehicle now are 4 255/55x18 Michelin MXV 4 PLUS
fronts are at 5/32" Rears are 8/32", I am thinking to put the rears on the front and get 2 larger tires (wider looking) for the rear, then when the tires on the front are gone get 2 more of the same as rear ones.....
I just want a beefier look.
So what would work

[dkl]

Ahhh...if that's the case, then 285/50R-18 as "motordavid" had recommended is the only size that could work with your current 255/55R-18. But note that your wheel width is on the minimum end recommended for a 285/50R-18 tire as "TwinsPoppa" had pointed out. One other issue you may run into is that the 285/50R-18 may "rub" in the front when you eventually go to the all 285/50R-18 squared setup...Something to think about.

IMHO...having a wide tire on a skinny wheel will look horrible. Handling will suffer as well since the sidewall of the wider tires are rolled to compensate for the narrower wheels. I would just either (1) stick with the OE size on the OE wheels or (2) spent the money on wheels and go with the proper tire/wheel setup if you want wider/beefier look.