2007 BMW X5 tire question

leafsrule531 · #1 01-03-2022, 03:05 PM

I have a 2007 BMW x5 3.0. The stock tires on there are 255/55-18. I had researched on this forum and was under the impression that I can put a higher sidewall tire on them so i purchased a set 255 65 18 tires. The tire shop is now saying that the tires are the wrong size and they are hitting the shocks. Is there anything I can do about this ? I really want to be able to use these tires even if it means I'd have to put spacers on them.

I'd really appreciate any advice or suggestions.

Thanks

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josiahg52 · #2 01-03-2022, 04:11 PM

Guess it depends on the wheel you're using. You might get by with a spacer. Guess it depends on exactly where and how much the tire is hitting. Spacer will affect the scrub radius, will probably change the steering effort. Spacers also change the bearing loading force. Spacers might just change where the tire hits or make it hit when you cut the wheel. I use 255/55R18XL tires on Style 210 wheels with zero issues.

TriX5 · #3 01-03-2022, 05:23 PM

Those tires are quite a bit larger diameter (31") than stock (29"). From what I recall about the e70 suspension I think the tire shop means the tire is touching the upright hub carrier where it attaches to the upper triangle. To avoid that it would require quite a wide spacer. I used 20mm spacers on the front of my E70 and that was fine but I think it would need more than that.

leafsrule531 · #4 01-03-2022, 06:07 PM

I use style 209 rims. Here is a link to them below :

BMW wheel style 209 | BmwStyleWheels.com

Would I be able to use say 25mm or 30mm spacers all around to fit the tires on them? I mainly bought them because I wanted a smoother ride so I purchased something with a taller side wall.

Is there a downside to using spacers that are 25mm or 30mm all around?

josiahg52 · #5 01-03-2022, 07:05 PM

I wouldn't run spacers that big but sure, people do it. You're definitely going to have to get to ET 25 or less. Even then, 265/65 is a huge tire for the X5. I think I've read of people fitting 265/60 in the past but not a 65 aspect tire. To get the tires out where they probably need to be with spacers, unless you have fender flares, those things are going to be sticking out more than an inch.

Not sure what tires you're running but even my heavy diesel X5 with the heavy springs rides fine on 255/55 tires.

leafsrule531 · #6 01-03-2022, 07:20 PM

UGH...so what options do i have now esp if I can't spend more money?

i'm down close to 600 bucks with tires that may not fit and $150 that i just paid to install them only to realize that they rub. At this point I'd really want to just use them even if it means putting 25mm to 30mm spacers where the tires stick out.

My other option would be to pay another 150 to have the older worn out tires mounted and balanced or dish out more money to buy the correct size, wait for them to be delivered and then pay another 150 to have those mounted which would probably mean another week with no vehicle.

Sorry i'm not very well versed with this topic but what does this mean:

"You're definitely going to have to get to ET 25 or less"

leafsrule531 · #7 01-03-2022, 07:37 PM

Also just to clarify the the tires are 255 65 18 not 265.

josiahg52 · #8 01-03-2022, 08:27 PM

The Style 209 is ET 46 (or 45?). I'm saying a 20mm spacer MINIMUM is going to be required. I don't really know. I don't know what tire you're trying to use, where they're hitting, or how hard they're fouling so I can't even say for sure what spacer you're actually going to need. Only that I'm guessing you have to get down to an effective ET 25 MINIMUM to have any hope of the new tires fitting. 20mm also happens to be the thinnest spacer that is still hub-centric. As a reminder, you're also going to need them to have a 74.1mm hub diameter which is not the most common BMW diameter. I think. I think it was only the E71 X6 that had mixed axles and hub diameters. Truthfully, I don't think you're hopes of a better ride will be realized with these tires and the required spacers.

leafsrule531 · #9 01-03-2022, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by josiahg52

The Style 209 is ET 46 (or 45?). I'm saying a 20mm spacer MINIMUM is going to be required. I don't really know. I don't know what tire you're trying to use, where they're hitting, or how hard they're fouling so I can't even say for sure what spacer you're actually going to need. Only that I'm guessing you have to get down to an effective ET 25 MINIMUM to have any hope of the new tires fitting. 20mm also happens to be the thinnest spacer that is still hub-centric. As a reminder, you're also going to need them to have a 74.1mm hub diameter which is not the most common BMW diameter. I think. I think it was only the E71 X6 that had mixed axles and hub diameters. Truthfully, I don't think you're hopes of a better ride will be realized with these tires and the required spacers.

I’ll be honest with you - the only reason I even went for a taller side wall tire was because I want more ride comfort. I changed all the struts and shocks on my suv and currently run 255 55 18s with Michelin latitude x tires that are known to be a little rough. I live in NJ and the roads are really bad but if I ever go over a pothole it feels like the car is about to break.

Either way, if you don’t think I’ll achieve a smoother ride with these tires and spacers I guess I’ll take the installation hit and try to go back to stock if that’s what you recommend.

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josiahg52 · #10 01-03-2022, 11:26 PM

I do recommend stock but it could be because I'm generally adverse to spacers. I think when you start considering a 25mm+ spacer, there's definitely a trade off. I'm on my second set of Michelin Premier LTX and absolutely love them. I will by a third when it comes time for another set of tires in another 65,000 miles. I don't know what you're feeling and don't know what you're trying to get to. I just know what I would do.

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