Quick (Belated) Intro

[J.Belknap]

Originally Posted by BimmerM3inGA

I agree that aesthetically, the Sport package with big wheels/tires is the way to go. If I were shopping for an X5 to keep, that is what I would seek out. This car needs a set of tires, and the upside to the 17's is that it won't cost me $1200+ to replace them. I have an E85 Z4 and an E39 528iT with the Sport package on each one, and they are tire eaters. Both also have staggered tires and the rears wear twice as fast as the fronts.

I have worked on an X5 4.4 Sport for a friend and she was stunned by how much a set of 20" tires cost for that car, and by how often they had to be replaced. She "knew a guy" who worked at a tire distributor who supposedly got her a deal and it was still over $1500 for the set. Plus, they still had to be mounted/balanced. So I'm okay with 17" wheels on this one!

FYI, a square set of (4) Bridgestone Dueller HP Sport 315/35/20's from Roadway is $1091.44. So I imagine the traditional staggered set is even less. Food for thought if you do end up going the 20" route.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by J.Belknap

FYI, a square set of (4) Bridgestone Dueller HP Sport 315/35/20's from Roadway is $1091.44. So I imagine the traditional staggered set is even less. Food for thought if you do end up going the 20" route.

very true JB, and remember OP, the Duelers are a high end tire as well! So i don't know where the $1500 comes from, thats ridiculous dealer retail pricing in my opinion.

FWIW, a traditional staggered set of Toyo Proxes STII (what I run and what several members run on their 20s, great mid-priced all season tire!) will run you around 850-900 bucks.


Good luck with the oil leak, I hope its not the rear main, definitely switch to 5w-40 though, i have been seeing reduced consumption with it. And you're absolutely right, if the VCG and OFH gaskets have not been changed with that age and mileage you very well might have those leaking and it might be tricking you!