E70 MSport Winter Wheel/Tire Package

[WCM3]

Hi everyone,

Currently shopping around for a pair of winter wheel/tires for my wifes 2011 X5 35i MSport. This suv came with the huge 20" MSport wheels with 20x10 275/40R20 and 20x11 315/35R20. I don't think regular E70 wheels/tires will end up fitting this package but wanted to check in with you all. When I look at tire rack, I see normal 35i Sports Activity can fit 18" and 19" wheels but when i check 50i MSport, it only fits 19" wheels. They recommend 19x8.5 wheels with 255/50R19 blizzaks. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

[Qsilver7]

What tire sizes are listed on your tire inflation chart on the driver's door/door jamb and/or your owners manual? What ever is there...will fit your X5.

The V8 M sport pkg probably has larger brakes which is why the recommendation is for 19" tires. This usually doesn't apply the the 6 cylinder models.

{tires with the M+S (mud + snow) designation is what BMW recommends for winter tires}

[ryan5034]

18’s work fine on the 50i X5. Driving with them right now w/ Blizzaks.

I would get 18 or 19’s to use. Be aware you need to check the offset because factory 18’s will set the tire pretty far in the fender. Fine to use but looks funny. Or replace the fender trim every season.

[Entropy]

I found a cheap set of 18” OEM wheels and threw on some Nexen Winguards in 255/55R18. Total cost all in was $750. The tires drive great on snow and ice. I only put them on when I need them since I prefer the look of my 20x11s.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by ryan5034

18’s work fine on the 50i X5. Driving with them right now w/ Blizzaks.

I bet dollars to donuts...WCM3 conflated the X5M with the X5 50i M-sport when looking on Tirerack's website and only saw the 19" & 20" winter tire recommendations.

Originally Posted by WCM3

...When I look at tire rack, I see normal 35i Sports Activity can fit 18" and 19" wheels but when i check 50i MSport, it only fits 19" wheels. They recommend 19x8.5 wheels with 255/50R19 blizzaks. Any feedback would be appreciated.

[the_ulf]

i just put michelin x-ice2 on 18" for my 4.8 and couldn't be happier

[MaverichX5E70]

Any idea what the recommended offset would be to have the 18" snows sit nicely in the wider sport fender flares?

[Entropy]

Like +15 to +25. But good luck finding that. I have the same sport rear fenders. I run a 30mm rear spacer and 3mm front spacer (for my 20x11 square setup) and keep them on with the 18x8.5 +48 offset E53 winter wheel setup. It still is very sunken-in but looks acceptable.



P.S. E53 wheels don’t fit you less you bore the hub bores 1.5mm (which I did).

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by MaverichX5E70

Any idea what the recommended offset would be to have the 18" snows sit nicely in the wider sport fender flares?

Just go to any of the online part databases or BMW wheel sites and look up what the offsets are for the 19" & 20" rear wheels. Then do the math (include the difference in wheel width, too) that would make the offset of the 18" wheels match the offset of the 19"/20" rear wheels and that's the size spacer you'd need to make it "look" the same within the wheel well.

• BMW Parts Catalog (part database)
• BMWfans.info (part database)
• www.etk.cc (part database)
• All BMW wheel styles X X5-E70 | BmwStyleWheels.com (BMW e70 X5 wheels)