New Christmas Shoes for the 2005 X5 4.8is

[StephenVA]

Gave my X5 a birthday present and a Christmas present... New Shoes and socks too.

New front wheels from BMW
Reconditioned rear wheels (Steam Rollers) Man those wheels are BIG!
Michelins from Tirerack.com

Reasons for the change: Front wheels had never been properly cleaned by the "detail dept" at the dealer where this one was serviced for its first 6 years, too pitted, and one wheel had a crack that extended into the bead area. My life is worth more than a re-weld wheel, so it went into the trash bin. Now we can not have mis-matched wheels, so I went with two fronts wheels from BMW. The rear wheels condition was one curb rash and a some "I cleaned the wheel with a brush I found on the floor", by the dealer detail shop in an attempt to remove the brake dust. (This is why in the auto world, new car prep is referred to as "New Car Shake a Rag" as they do such a poor job compared to anyone with half a brain and a little professionalism. Just look on the detail forum to see what a pro can do to a neglected vehicle).

Details:

Front wheels 20x9.5 PN 36116766068 cost $474.15ea
Rear wheels 20x10.5 Reconditioned cost $150ea
Tires 275/40 fronts, 315/35 rear Michelin Latitude Tour HP $356 front and $378 for the steam rollers in the rear
New chrome ring center caps
New BMW valve stem with those little stainless caps

Those who are in the Wash DC area, I will recommend leveraging Gary Martin MotorSports in Alexandria, VA for wheel reconditioning. National Wheel Repairs out of Fredericksburg (handles most of the BMW dealer work in No VA) comes by and picks up and returns the wheels in better than new look and appearance. Takes a while but they are cleaned, hand finished, painted, clear coated, and baked so the finish can handle those who use a car washes after driving 3 hrs. No, I do mine by hand when the wheel is COLD to the touch ONLY.

All these images are at 7:30 am this morning just after installing the wheels.

Follow up note: After a 15 miles run to make sure all is OK, here is my report. There is NO tire noise compared to the OE Michelins Latitude Diamaris, which had been over inflated in the rear when I purchased the vehicle 1 year ago, so there were some abnormal wear patterns. Rear tires had 6,000 mile on them and the center rib was down to the wear indicators. You have to love dealers and owners who do not double check common details, oil level, tire pressure, etc, etc. Now I have to do something about the OE brake pad dust...they must use carbon pencil fillings for pad material. Great cold bite but that dust!

This X5 has 48k now...

Merry Christmas 2013!