wheel size Q?
 

Hello everyone,

This is my first time posting, on X5World.
I have a white 2005 3.0i with 17" wheels. I like the ride but I only wish the car looked more aggressive. Especially from the back profile it looks narrow. I was thinking of changing up to 18 or 19" and adding spacers to give it a wider stance. I would like to here your thoughts and or experiences? Suggestions?

Thanks.

I would consider the E70 looking 19's on here... but then they also got the staggered 20" 4.6is/4.8is style wheels, tempting?

http://www.lakeshorewheelandtire.com...s/bmw-X5.shtml

I can vouch that the OEM style BMW rims from this site fit the center hub perfectly, and the small holes between the lug bolts do fit the BMW dealers alignment heads perfectly as well.

AFS Style 87's all the way!!!! Search on my username to find my horror story.

hey thanks guys, we350 I looked you up man, 87's are nice I 've seen similar ones a couple of days ago on the road. My concern is changing from 17 to 20's you think that would slow down my small 3.0i?

not sure why you think it would slow you down. All these rims are heavy and 20's will get you wider tires hence bigger tire contact surface patch and better grip and handling. It's more or less what your prefer stylisticly / aesthetically.

I can see what your saying, but my thinking here was - the 17 is smaller and will turn faster then the larger 20" .
To move the 20" the same speed you would need to apply more gas. In return spending more at the gas pump and loosing some power as the car will need to work harder to turn the larger wheels.
Do you see what I"m saying?

yeah, but the difference in gas/throttle is so minuscule you wouldn't really notice, unless you go with some 24" rims with 10 lbs of chrome each...dawg!

But the real difference you will notice is handling! You would be able to take those interstate on ramps about 10 mph quicker, and stop shorter. I see 3.0i X5's with 4.6is wheels often at the dealer, and they just handle soo much better than the narrow 17's. But it is a bit rougher over bumps... but wortht it to me.

Thanks for the input, I'm starting to see things your way.
I'm thinking now if I go up in size maybe I'll stick with 19" / 20" are not out of the picture yet. Now I have seen the rear wheels are larger then the front do you think that will screw with the auto leveling rear suspension in the 3.0i? Also, you think I would need spacers?

You see I'm really impressed with the ride the way it is now and I really dont want to screw with that, but again I cant stand the whimpy look of the narrow 17".

My understanding is the only thing that will benefit your acceleration/top speed is by reducing unsprung weight which means getting a light weight rim. I think my rims weight 50lbs a peace, but they sure are pretty :)

As for ride quality reducing sidewall size (i.e. going to a low profile) will get you performance but at the slight expense of rougher ride. Although I must say my pops loved the handling when I went to 20" he always had 18" skinny tires on while he owned the vehicle.

I don't think it has anything to do with self leveling suspension. i have that and haven't noticed any problems.