Mercedes nut got an 05 4.8is and loves it!

[Turbo_Bimmer]

Nice truck

I don't know if you drive in snow, but with bigger brakes, you won't be able to install smaller wheels (18-19) for winter tires.

[MB_Fahrer]

Originally Posted by Turbo_Bimmer

Nice truck

I don't know if you drive in snow, but with bigger brakes, you won't be able to install smaller wheels (18-19) for winter tires.

The 355 4 pots generally fit under 18's, but I doubt I'll run wheels that small. Snow around here just isn't an issue--generally speaking anyway. I would imagine that a set of Conti EC DWS's in the 275/315 fitment would do just fine for winter. Pirelli Winter Sottozero's seem to be another option, perhaps.

I would be more concerned about finding a true "snow/ice" tire, save for the fact that I made it through an entire winter in an SL500 running 255/275 MPS2 summer tires. I even managed to get around with over a foot of snow on the ground. The X5 does have wider tires, but then it is 900lbs heavier than the SL.

If I felt so inclined to go with a snow oriented set of wheels and tires, would you have any suggestions? TSW N-rings, Enkei's, ... ?

Cheers,
Ricky

[Turbo_Bimmer]

Originally Posted by MB_Fahrer

The 355 4 pots generally fit under 18's, but I doubt I'll run wheels that small. Snow around here just isn't an issue--generally speaking anyway. I would imagine that a set of Conti EC DWS's in the 275/315 fitment would do just fine for winter. Pirelli Winter Sottozero's seem to be another option, perhaps.

I think it will depend a lot on the shape of the caliper. If the 355 refers to the diameter of the rotor, it is the same as the stock 4.8is ones, which are 356mm. But the difference is in the caliper. The BMW ones are curved on the edges (I don't know if I say it correctly in english) compared to a race caliper / 4pot like a Wilwood for example, that is square and takes more space. I have 18'' for winter, and my stock calipers barely clear.

Originally Posted by MB_Fahrer

I would be more concerned about finding a true "snow/ice" tire, save for the fact that I made it through an entire winter in an SL500 running 255/275 MPS2 summer tires. I even managed to get around with over a foot of snow on the ground. The X5 does have wider tires, but then it is 900lbs heavier than the SL.

If I felt so inclined to go with a snow oriented set of wheels and tires, would you have any suggestions? TSW N-rings, Enkei's, ... ?

Cheers,
Ricky

I don't know where you live and how much snow you get, but for a real winter, I would suggest strongly to have a set of snow or ice dedicated tires. Wide winter tires look nice, but will float on snow. They won't dig into snow as a 255 would. If you do more city driving with more asphalt and ice, then a ice tire will be better for you. If, like me you live in the subburbs, go to ski in remote locations, then a snow tire is the best choice.
Right now I have Pirelli Scorpion on my X5, they came with the truck, they are good tires, but I switched to Nokian Hakkapellita tires 10 years ago, and I even put a set on my daughter's Corolla. When my Pirelli will have more wear (next winter) big chances I will go with a set of Hakka.

[MB_Fahrer]

Originally Posted by Turbo_Bimmer

I think it will depend a lot on the shape of the caliper. If the 355 refers to the diameter of the rotor, it is the same as the stock 4.8is ones, which are 356mm. But the difference is in the caliper. The BMW ones are curved on the edges (I don't know if I say it correctly in english) compared to a race caliper / 4pot like a Wilwood for example, that is square and takes more space. I have 18'' for winter, and my stock calipers barely clear.

I don't know where you live and how much snow you get, but for a real winter, I would suggest strongly to have a set of snow or ice dedicated tires. Wide winter tires look nice, but will float on snow. They won't dig into snow as a 255 would. If you do more city driving with more asphalt and ice, then a ice tire will be better for you. If, like me you live in the subburbs, go to ski in remote locations, then a snow tire is the best choice.
Right now I have Pirelli Scorpion on my X5, they came with the truck, they are good tires, but I switched to Nokian Hakkapellita tires 10 years ago, and I even put a set on my daughter's Corolla. When my Pirelli will have more wear (next winter) big chances I will go with a set of Hakka.

I understand what you mean about the Brakes. I checked the caliper on the kit I ordered; it's the ST40. Should fit under 18's just fine. I'm curious to see what offset wheel I'll need with the 35mm wide rotor. Most 355's are 32mm wide. Here's a link to the stoptech's I have coming: Product Details

Good point about the floating on snow. Certainly food for thought. Gives me an excuse to just throw the MPSS's on the current wheels. BMW dealer says they need to be replaced. So with those wheels (the oem 20's) on summer tires, I suppose I should find a set of 19x9.5's or something like that anyway...

Nice to hear some good feedback about the Pirelli Scorpions. I was looking at those. They seem to be rated fairly well. Colorado winters are made up 99% of 45F and sunny. The last 1% is divided up between <2" of snow and a foot and a half getting dumped out of the sky--when that happens, I tend to just hide out at home until the roads clear the next morning.

My best uneducated guess would be that Pirelli Scorpions (ice and snow) and Blizzak LM60 seem to be my best choices around the 265-285 19/20" range.

There is rarely any ice here. Never on the roads. Only very occasionally in my housing development, but it's never enough to be an issue (even with summer tires).

Thoughts?