4.8is Winter Setup
 

Hi,

I am still searching and looking for a nice setup for my wife's car. I was informed by the dealership that the only wheel/rim that will fit on this car is style99. Previously, I was told by the same dealership that style 58 would fit the 4.8is. Well, they could not more incorrect/wrong. I purchased a set of style 58 and dropped it off at the dealership this week to swap out the 20's and I was informed that it would clear the front brakes; extremely pissed. So, now back to square. I don't REALLY car for the look of the style 99; so I was just wondering if any other style would fit the 4.8is. I really like the look of the following style:
1. style 132 19x9 ET48
19x10 ET 45
2. Style 128 19x8.5 ET46
19x9 ET 51


Any advice/input would be greatly helpful and appreciated.

I picked up a set of 19x8.5" ADR wheels for $600 from a local shop and put on 265-50-19 Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snows. I think it looks pretty good - better than a 18" rim would look with the "is" bodywork. You could also just as well run 255-50-19 which is the stock front tire size for the 4.4i sport package. the 265's are slightly taller and maybe a few mm wider, but not very noticable.

They drive really nice and work great in the rain. I have not had them up to the snow yet.

My wife has taken over the X5 for now since her Mazda engine bit the dust. I am looking for a replacement car and will also replace the motor in the Mazda to keep as our spare car which our oldest daughter will start using next year. Wow - how time flies, seems like she was just starting first grade...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2573/...45a5af47_o.jpg

Style 58 fits fine. If dealer does not do than take it to some other tire place.

http://margraves.net/toys/x5/snows/DSCF0080.JPG

show this pic to the dealer and tell them to do the job.

It clears the brakes.

http://margraves.net/toys/x5/snows/58wheel.JPG

If you like 20's they work great with the right tires (and look fantastic too). Check out my new thread showing my winter set up!

with some 18" BMW wheels you may need to balance them only on the surface outboard near the tire. Normally the weights are split between there and the inside surface near the hub mounting - those weights may not clear the caliper.

I tried 18" from an X3, but they were so tight they had less than 2mm of clearance and that just didn't seem like a great idea where I take my vehicles in the winter...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/...b8e44c37_o.jpg

Yes, that's what the dealer told me; less then 2mm of clearance. That's not the chance that I would willing to Risk. Remember, my wife drives this truck back and forth to her office.

Ok, I have decided to go the same route as Seige87 did. I am buying new tires for current 20's and get a new set of 87 during the Spring time. I always wanted/liked the look oh the style 87 over the style 168.

20s are nice but will not be as good as 18s. Keep in mind its the rear width of 20s which will make your car slide if you are driving in 6" of snow, specially in CT.

I did 20x9 style 87s with 275/40 Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow tires all around