20"s with a little meat?

[RuskiE39]

Time for new tires, is anyone running the factory snowflake 20's (staggered) with tires that are a little beefier than sport/street tires?

I can't seem to find much and am leaning towards the Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra's.

Post up some pics if you got anything that works with these wheels.. would love to see what everyones running.

Thank you,

[AVB-AMG]

Winter vs. Summer Tires

I am firmly in the camp that believes that in order to get the best performance, enjoyment and safety from your vehicles, whether they are daily drivers or used on occasion, (i.e. long road trips, utility, etc.), one should switch between summer performance tires and winter (snow) tires. This is especially true for cars that are rear-wheel drive, but is also important for vehicles with all-wheel drive. Living in the northeast U.S. has taught me that we can expect snow on our roads intermittently each winter but for usually at least 7-14 days in total. Even when roads are plowed the remaining snow turns to slush and refreezes at night or when daytime air temps are below freezing, making driving potentially very challenging.

While it may seem easier and less expensive to go with all-season tires, keeping them on your vehicle all year, if you do you are compromising your vehicle’s performance, something that most of us enthusiasts do not want to do. Therefore, I switch out my summer performance wheels/tires to my winter wheels/tires usually around Dec. 1st and keep them on the vehicles for approximately. five (5) months and switch back around May 1st.

It is a misconception that winter tires are really only needed for driving on snow covered roads. Studies have shown that at about 40-44 deg. F, and below, the softer rubber compounds in high-performance summer tires AND all-season tires change by becoming much harder. This results in reduced contact with the road and thus reduced traction and stopping distance. Winter tires are designed with special rubber compounds that will remain softer at the lower temperatures and with a tread groove geometry design that increases surface contact and therefore your traction in cold winter conditions. Therefore, winter tires should seriously be considered for all locations where the air temperature will be below approx.. 40 deg. F. for days/weeks/months on end, (i.e. – the northeast U.S.)

As far as my experience, I tend to go with the summer and winter tries that are either OEM or recommended by the manufacturer, in my case BMW. For my 2016 BMW X5M (F85) that I leased new back in 2016 and then purchased at the end of its lease, I bought the recommended BMW Winter Wheel/Tire Package to get a significant discount. I have the wheels/tires swapped out at my local BMW Dealership. During this transition, they take my summer wheels/tires and shrink-wrap them, put them on a pallet and store them in a central warehouse facility during the winter months, all for a nominal fee. For those of us who do not have extravagant garage storage space for these wheels/tires, this option makes quite a bit of sense.

Ultimately and despite the large width of these tires, they have proven their dependable performance during the cold winter months and have been more than adequate to get me through snow covered roads. Also, I have been pleased with the performance and longevity of these summer and winter tires, considering my greater than average spirited driving habits….. FYI, these are the tires I have used:

2016 BMW X5M, (F85) (all-wheel drive) - Tires
Summer: Michelin Pilot Super Sport (21” non-run flats)
Winter: Pirelli Scorpions Winter (20” – non-run flats)

Specifically, in more detail:

2016 BMW X5M (F85) - Summer Wheels/Tires:

Summer Wheels:
21” M Light Alloy Double Spoke Wheels – BMW Style 612M
Front Summer Wheel Size: 21 x 10.0
Rear Summer Wheel Size: 21 x 11.5

Summer Tires:

Summer Performance Non Run-Flat Tires (Front):
Michelin Pilot Super Sport - 285/35 ZR21
Serv. Desc.: 105Y XL
(Load Index 105 = 2,039 lbs/tire & Speed Rating “Y” = 186 mph/300kph; XL: Max 50 PSI)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG): 300 AA A [Treadwear: 300, Traction: AA(Highest),
Temperature Resistance: A(Superior)]
BMW Part No. 36-11-2-408-820

Summer Performance Non Run-Flat Tires (Rear):
Michelin Pilot Super Sport - 325/30 ZR21
Serv. Desc.: 108Y XL
(Load Index 108 = 2,205 lbs/tire & Speed Rating “Y” = 186 mph/300kph; XL: Max 50 PSI)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG): 300 AA A [Treadwear: 300, Traction: AA(Highest), Temperature Resistance: A(Superior)]
BMW Part No. 36-11-2-408-821

2016 BMW X5M (F85) – Winter Wheels/Tires

Winter Wheels:
BMW Front Winter Wheel: 10x20”
Style 611M Orbit Grey Front Winter Wheel
(SKU:36-11-2-365-424)
BMW Rear Winter Wheel: 10.5x20”
Style 611M Orbit Grey Front Winter Wheel
(SKU:36-11-2-365-425)

Winter Tires:
Winter Performance Non Run-Flat Tires (Front):
Pirelli Scorpion Winter 285/40R20
Serv. Desc.: 108V (BMW Part No. 2378300 – 2 284 654)

Winter Performance Non Run-Flat Tires (Rear):
Pirelli Scorpion Winter 285/40R20
Serv. Desc.: 108V (BMW Part No. 36 11 2 365 425)

[RuskiE39]

Originally Posted by AVB-AMG

Winter vs. Summer Tires

I am firmly in the camp that believes that in order to get the best performance, enjoyment and safety from your vehicles, whether they are daily drivers or used on occasion, (i.e. long road trips, utility, etc.), one should switch between summer performance tires and winter (snow) tires. This is especially true for cars that are rear-wheel drive, but is also important for vehicles with all-wheel drive. Living in the northeast U.S. has taught me that we can expect snow on our roads intermittently each winter but for usually at least 7-14 days in total. Even when roads are plowed the remaining snow turns to slush and refreezes at night or when daytime air temps are below freezing, making driving potentially very challenging.

While it may seem easier and less expensive to go with all-season tires, keeping them on your vehicle all year, if you do you are compromising your vehicle’s performance, something that most of us enthusiasts do not want to do. Therefore, I switch out my summer performance wheels/tires to my winter wheels/tires usually around Dec. 1st and keep them on the vehicles for approximately. five (5) months and switch back around May 1st.

It is a misconception that winter tires are really only needed for driving on snow covered roads. Studies have shown that at about 40-44 deg. F, and below, the softer rubber compounds in high-performance summer tires AND all-season tires change by becoming much harder. This results in reduced contact with the road and thus reduced traction and stopping distance. Winter tires are designed with special rubber compounds that will remain softer at the lower temperatures and with a tread groove geometry design that increases surface contact and therefore your traction in cold winter conditions. Therefore, winter tires should seriously be considered for all locations where the air temperature will be below approx.. 40 deg. F. for days/weeks/months on end, (i.e. – the northeast U.S.)

As far as my experience, I tend to go with the summer and winter tries that are either OEM or recommended by the manufacturer, in my case BMW. For my 2016 BMW X5M (F85) that I leased new back in 2016 and then purchased at the end of its lease, I bought the recommended BMW Winter Wheel/Tire Package to get a significant discount. I have the wheels/tires swapped out at my local BMW Dealership. During this transition, they take my summer wheels/tires and shrink-wrap them, put them on a pallet and store them in a central warehouse facility during the winter months, all for a nominal fee. For those of us who do not have extravagant garage storage space for these wheels/tires, this option makes quite a bit of sense.

Ultimately and despite the large width of these tires, they have proven their dependable performance during the cold winter months and have been more than adequate to get me through snow covered roads. Also, I have been pleased with the performance and longevity of these summer and winter tires, considering my greater than average spirited driving habits….. FYI, these are the tires I have used:

2016 BMW X5M, (F85) (all-wheel drive) - Tires
Summer: Michelin Pilot Super Sport (21” non-run flats)
Winter: Pirelli Scorpions Winter (20” – non-run flats)

Specifically, in more detail:

2016 BMW X5M (F85) - Summer Wheels/Tires:

Summer Wheels:
21” M Light Alloy Double Spoke Wheels – BMW Style 612M
Front Summer Wheel Size: 21 x 10.0
Rear Summer Wheel Size: 21 x 11.5

Summer Tires:

Summer Performance Non Run-Flat Tires (Front):
Michelin Pilot Super Sport - 285/35 ZR21
Serv. Desc.: 105Y XL
(Load Index 105 = 2,039 lbs/tire & Speed Rating “Y” = 186 mph/300kph; XL: Max 50 PSI)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG): 300 AA A [Treadwear: 300, Traction: AA(Highest),
Temperature Resistance: A(Superior)]
BMW Part No. 36-11-2-408-820

Summer Performance Non Run-Flat Tires (Rear):
Michelin Pilot Super Sport - 325/30 ZR21
Serv. Desc.: 108Y XL
(Load Index 108 = 2,205 lbs/tire & Speed Rating “Y” = 186 mph/300kph; XL: Max 50 PSI)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG): 300 AA A [Treadwear: 300, Traction: AA(Highest), Temperature Resistance: A(Superior)]
BMW Part No. 36-11-2-408-821

2016 BMW X5M (F85) – Winter Wheels/Tires

Winter Wheels:
BMW Front Winter Wheel: 10x20”
Style 611M Orbit Grey Front Winter Wheel
(SKU:36-11-2-365-424)
BMW Rear Winter Wheel: 10.5x20”
Style 611M Orbit Grey Front Winter Wheel
(SKU:36-11-2-365-425)

Winter Tires:
Winter Performance Non Run-Flat Tires (Front):
Pirelli Scorpion Winter 285/40R20
Serv. Desc.: 108V (BMW Part No. 2378300 – 2 284 654)

Winter Performance Non Run-Flat Tires (Rear):
Pirelli Scorpion Winter 285/40R20
Serv. Desc.: 108V (BMW Part No. 36 11 2 365 425)

Very detailed and in depth. Thank you for the response!

I agree with your first statement, however I live in the PNW and it rains 3/4 of the year here. I also have (3) other vehicles that I need to put some miles on and this one is a dedicated wife hauler that she uses to commute to work which is not a short drive for her.

[richardb]

We have Bridgestone summer performance tires for our summer set, in the oddball 19'' size. Also have a second set of wheels with Vredstein winter tires, same size, oddball 19''. 285 45 19 in the rear I think.

Anyway, if doing it over again, would have opted for a 20'' wheel and used a Michelin tire. I've never been disappointed with Michelin products. Just my .02

[LEGUNA SECA X5]

My E53
285/40/22
325/35/22

[christoepurrr]

If you're looking for a little more sidewall height/meat, you can run 275/45/20 and 305/40/20