New wheels; tire recomendations

[slimm]

i just got a new to me set of 21" style 128s. I hate the tires. way too noisy for my liking. i know the brand i want, but now i need size recommendations. they are currently wearing 245.35.21 and 285.30.21. i'm thinking of going with a meatier tire for a coupla reasons:

1: i think it would look better
2: slightly better ride

i also lowered her on eibach prokit springs. they haven't settled yet, as you can see in the pix. the sizes im referring to are 255.40.21 and 285.35.21. considering the drop, should i stick with the lower profile or go ahead and step up a little.any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Mr.Wrong]

Those sizes are way far from what is suggested and safe to run.
I would stay within factory specs and wouldn't deviate from that much if at all.
Front: 285/35/21
Rear: 325/30/21

Considering what you have on you car is indeed OEM X5/6 style 128

[four.8is]

There are 2 types of style 128
The ones that came on the 7 series and the ones for the X
The tire size he is running now with no stretching shows that they might be 128's from 7 series.
And you must sell one of those 5 series in your driveway to source the money for a set of 21" tires in 325/285...if I'm right, only 2-3 manufacturers make tires in that size
But a wide look like that is something we all drool after...

[Joshdub]

Originally Posted by four.8is

There are 2 types of style 128
The ones that came on the 7 series and the ones for the X
The tire size he is running now with no stretching shows that they might be 128's from 7 series.
And you must sell one of those 5 series in your driveway to source the money for a set of 21" tires in 325/285...if I'm right, only 2-3 manufacturers make tires in that size
But a wide look like that is something we all drool after...

You aren't joking. A set of 325/30/21 Pzero's are 3k. No thanks.

[four.8is]

yup, hard one to swallow...I'm in need of a new set of tires after only 15k miles (Michelin Diamaris summers)
They go way too fast and theyre almost 2k a set...
Will aim for a set of all seasons although a good brand will cost just as much but last much longer...
I heard Conti DWS are cheap (a little over 1k for a set of 4) and some like them but you can actually get flat spots but they go away after the tire has warmed up?can someone confirm this?
OP, sorry for thread jack!

[Joshdub]

I really liked my DWS'. I never got flat spots in them, but the car never sat for very long. Supposedly flat spots from sitting go away after a few heat cycles, and is more common with summer tires. I let my E30 sit too long this summer (about two months), and the tires have some flat spots that I haven't been able to beat, but I haven't really had to opportunity to get some serious heat in them.

[four.8is]

might give the DWS a shot then.

[BigBlack48is]

I've been running the DWS's for close to a year now. I am happy for the $$

They do not handle like the Diamaris and are not a "track day" tire. BUT... for normal driving they are great! quiet and seem to be wearing very nicely, plus they are great in the rain

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by four.8is

yup, hard one to swallow...I'm in need of a new set of tires after only 15k miles (Michelin Diamaris summers)
They go way too fast and theyre almost 2k a set...
Will aim for a set of all seasons although a good brand will cost just as much but last much longer...
I heard Conti DWS are cheap (a little over 1k for a set of 4) and some like them but you can actually get flat spots but they go away after the tire has warmed up?can someone confirm this?
OP, sorry for thread jack!

I am running Conti extreme contact tires. Best overall I have had and I have tried a lot of different brands since I purchased my X5 new. They also carry a 40,000 mile warranty. I had a similar experience with Diamaris summers.

[Ricky Bobby]

JEALOUS of the OEM running boards. Personally I think 21" too big for E53, plus the tire sizes are ridiculously expensive. I'd swap for a set of 20" OEM's