new oversize tires today

[latenightflyby]

Nitto Terra grappler g2 265/50r20. It's very tight.

[ard]

All Balls.

(not JV)

[Lambeau]

Looks great. The factory tire size is too small and greater diameter tires fill the wheel well more making it look much better. Your new tires are 30.4" in diameter compared to 28.7" which the factory tires were. Your speedometer is probably much closer to accurate now also.

How close is the tire to hitting the front suspension piece above the front tire? What's the width & offset on those wheels? What year is this X?

[latenightflyby]

It is a 2008. the front upper balljoint is less than 1/4 inch away it is very tight but spacers will fix it. I don't remember what backspace The wheels and tires ended up being just under 2k at discount tire. If it does start to rub I'm sure I will here from her right away but as of yet no complaints

[Lambeau]

Thanks for the response. If you ordered the wheels to specifically fit the X5 they probably gave you offsets that are close to the factory offsets which are in the 40's. I'm about to order 8" wide 18" wheels with a 20 offset which will bring the wheels out and away from the front upper ball joint. I was hoping to go to a 265/65/18 tire but am not sure on the clearance. 265/60/18's are the same diameter as what you have now. The 265/65/18's are another 1.2" larger in diameter than the 60/18's and what you have now. But, with only an 8" wide wheels (compared to 9.5" stock) and the offset bringing the wheel out another 7/8 inch I'm hoping the 65/18's will clear the upper ball joint. Are your tires close to rubbing anywhere else besides the upper ball joint? Are they within 5/8" of rubbing anywhere else even when turning?

The reason I'm going to 18" and away from my current 20" is so I have more sidewall and will go to an on/off road tire for a long trip to Alaska on many miles of gravel roads. The Michelin Lattitude's probably wouldn't resist cutting on gravel roads like an on/off road tire would.

Thanks for any insight you can give me on your tire clearance.

[SMOKEY53]

If you're going to run a lower offset to clear the inner suspension components, don't forget this will push your steering radius out and you may find the larger tyres catches on the front and rear section of the inner arch on full steering lock. Maybe OP can show you how much clearance he has on full lock

[latenightflyby]

Sorry I don't get on this part of the forum much mostly the e53 part here are so more pics of the front up close

[SMOKEY53]

Tight like a tiger!

It looks like the inner shoulder is rubbing the splash gaurds based on the clean scuffed areas on the plastic.

Should be an easy fix, just grab a heat gun and heat up the plastic, press in to mould. Have done this before when I put 32's on my Pathfinder.

[Suge206]

its been 20 years since I've driven the Alcan but there is no way in HELL I would take my X5 on that drive. I remember another forum guy did and did alright. BUt the thought of being at a dot on the map in the yukon that literally has one building that s a gas station and a bar waiting for a European part is a nightmare. Thant and it's going to sandblast the shit out of your paint.

It is beautiful. Word of advice. Stay away from Indian biker bars.

[Lambeau]

Thanks suge but that's why I've now changed the trans fluid/filter, transfer case fluid, rear diff fluid, and will be changing the front diff and fuel filter next weekend. Preventive maintenance. Getting on/off road tires and am installing mudflaps. I bought it to drive it, not baby it. I'll also be taking it to the mountains for elk hunting in Idaho in October. It'll be 9,000 miles round trip form Tyndall AFB FL and I'm gonna do it in comfort because I can.