Originally Posted by omodos (Post 705304)

Kev what did you do in the end?I am wondering too what I can and can't do it terms of ditching for the winter at least my staggered setup 285/45 19" rear 255/50 19" front(on a sport 2004 3.0d) I will stick 17" alloys on all round if possible and the fattest tires possible whatever they maybe?

Originally Posted by Kev (Post 683520)

Hi,

As much as I'd love to replicate the current setup of 20" 275 front 315 rear on the X5 with the Winter setup on Snow tyres, I just cant justify the cost for a once a year journey.

I have about 2500 miles to cover over Europe - including the Swiss Alps and deep Poland, so I need to have the right running gear.

The plan is to fit 235/65/17 Goodyear Ultra Grip snow tyres to four OEM (brand new) 17" five spoke wheels (I already had one as a spare so I just bought the other 3).

Will I notice any appreciable deteriation in the drive quality/road holding by going from the 20's to this 17 inch wheel tyre combination.

Not planning any 100mph+ runs on the German Autobahn - just wanna be safe at 85. Is this a bad setup?

I was considering putting 25mm spacers at the rear to maintain the staggered look (the X has the arch extensions all round). Bad idea? TPI or H&R?

From the research I did so far, this wheel/tyre combo - whilst not looking he best - is the most effective in Snow/Ice. Not sure if this advice applies to a car the size of the X5. Did BMW fit this wheel tyre combination as standard on any of the E53 X5's?

The car is a 2003 E53 3.0d Sport so no problem with brake clearance.

Thanks for any advice. Cheers. Kev

Originally Posted by Fraser (Post 691231)

17s with 235/65 tyres were standard on all non-sport six cylinder (petrol and diesel) E53s both pre and post (04) upgrade here in Australia. I have no trouble with mine at high speeds (+140km/h) even with mild off-road tyres (Pirelli Scorpion ATRs in that standard 235/65 size).

Originally Posted by omodos (Post 843941)

Fraser Hi, so if i put these on a 2005 e53 3.0d sport, they will go straight on no complications?i know my spare is that size at least, car came factory equipped with staggered setup 19" 288/45 rear and 255/50 front, so i guess putting on the other rim sizes will throw out my odometer readings!

Originally Posted by powers1 (Post 843947)

Hope Frazer doesnt mind me answering!
Omodos,not at all!By putting the OE 235/65/17 ,you will riding on EXACTLY the same rolling diametre as the 19"s you car came with,so no odometer difference.

Originally Posted by omodos (Post 843948)

powers thanks for the reply, and sorry to all for hijacking this post, I NEED a softer ride in Cyprus the roads have got so many potholes that the stiff suspension on my set-up currently is enough to loosen your fillings....! out to look for the 17's alloys now.....

Originally Posted by Fraser (Post 843987)

Omodos,
17s are just want you want for shitty roads. Better ride and less chance of damaging a sidewall via pinching. 17s are also cheaper and tend to wear more evenly than wider tyres on bigger rims. On dirt/gravel roads you also get more 'bite through'. It also means that your spare will be a full match for your road wheels...