thanks for the feedback guys. i'll try to get some pics of my 3.0 up here soon. it rides great on the highway, and even on dirt roads when i go deer hunting in south texas (carrizo springs). best experience in the x5 so far...i loaded a deer and a hog in the back with seats folded down and the entire vehicle was covered with a layer of light brown dirt. wish i had taken a pic. it was priceless.

:confused: :whistle:

I just went from the stock 18' set up to staggered 19's with Diamaris. Not thrilled with the ride. :tsk: I love the look but I feel everything now. Ride was much smoother and car like with the 18s.

You don't carry your beagles and fox carcasses in the back of your X5? :D

I am really glad to see this post. My wife is driving our '01 3.0 non-SP with 17's and when I find her a 330cic, I will be driving the X. I was wanting to change out the wheels immediately, thinking maybe 19's or 20's. But I must say I really do not want to lose the cushy ride, especially after driving a 2001 F150 Supercrew (that has been lowered) for a few years now - you want to talk about a stiff ride!!!

18's are starting to look a lot more attractive. I really just want a wider wheel/ tire setup - the 17's look too small from the rear.

2003 4.4 Sport chimes in (staggered 19's)
 

This thread is very thought provoking.
The X5 is a bit too stiff around town, pot holes, rough roads the way it is. Excellent on the highway though!
I always marvel at the difference between this and my X3 with 17's (non-sport)
I drove the 4.4 non sport with 18's and it was very luxurious albeit sloppy around the corners.
I wonder how the truck (mine with no air suspension) would ride with 18's all around and my current sport package. (Dealer said they didn't have this setup for a test drive)
Anyone out there with this setup in the Long Island area?
Mike

Granted...the X5 is not your typical off-road SUV of choice during hunting season, but is nice to know that if you need to drive through seasame fields for a dove hunt, or tall grass to get to a deer blind, the X5 is certainly capable of getting you there. What's more, the X5 rear cargo area was perfectly designed to hold three coolers of ice cold beer.

If you're not getting your X5 a little dirty from time to time, you're missing out. Probably a little difficult to do on 20" wheels.

I agree with Mike's comment. The X5 ride is rough around town. Houston's roads are notorious for being marginal at best. Highway driving is excellent. I prefer driving my wife's MB E500 around town for that very reason, despite the 235x45x17 wheels.

Yeah, I too am happy with the ride I have in my non-sport, 18 in setup. I will stay happy with it, no matter how much you guys brag about your big wheels!!

Well, I'd have to say that I agree with most people here in this thread. I am also a Houstonian (Go Texans), and im on a 4.4 with stock 19's. Needless to say, it rides like a sport's car (in regards to bumps n jumps). But, being that this is a true "Sports Activity Vehicle", I am not at all surprised at what the suspension outputs...

And just to make matters worse :confused:, Im putting 22"s on today :thumbup:

22"s in Houston? Are you nuts? Most of my driving is in the West U/River Oaks/Galleria area. 22"s would be painful.