22's fitted
 

Well I knew I was going to need 2 tyres shortly, so I decided to keep my eyes peeled for a deal... and this was it! 4 x 22" Kahn wheels with 4 almost-new tyres for a bit of a bargain! Plan was to clean them up and sell them on, but I'm starting to warm to them...

http://www.soloartist.co.uk/public/X5/carpark/02.jpg
http://www.soloartist.co.uk/public/X5/carpark/04.jpg

http://www.soloartist.co.uk/public/X5/carpark/01.jpg

http://www.soloartist.co.uk/public/X5/carpark/03.jpg

Surprisingly the ride's not bad at all — about 1/3 or my journey to work is on cobbled streets, and it's doesn't seem to crash or bang at all. In fact, she seems to handle a lot better. A lot less wallowy, the turn-in feels tighter, and the steering is a nice weight.

So I think I may keep them... :dunno:

Steering and suspension should feel ok for a few more miles, then things start too break tremendously quicker than normal. Start saving now for maintenance costs.

They look really nice. Jst, is there a huge difference between wear and tear on 20s vs 22s?

If you're worried about wear and tear, go look for some 20 inchers. Maybe style 87, I love mine.

can you please expand on that comment about wear and tear, i have 19 inch wheels and am wanting to go to 20,s not sure i want to accelerate the tear on suspension components thou

more info please!!!!!

I snapped a drop link after fitting these.

However, that was to do with it being knackered and the stress of me jacking the X5 up in the air — the second I drove off it was knocking.

I can understand wider wheels putting more stress on suspension/drive parts, but not larger diameter wheels? My tyres are slightly wider, but the rims themselves are 10J, the same as the OEM 19s.

19" wheel = 482.6mm diameter
285.45.19 tyre = 128.25mm sidewall (rear)
482.6 + 128.25 + 128.25 = 739.1mm overall diameter

22" wheel = 558.8mm diameter
295.30.22 tyre = 88.5mm sidewall
558.8 + 88.5 + 88.5 = 735.8mm overall diameter

:dunno:

Yeah I agree mate, I can't see why the variation in wheel diameter shoud make much of a difference, if any. But then again, I'm no mechanic or engineer.

In regards to the wheels, they look great. Very nice looking car. I have just bought my E53, and was looking at one with the same wheels as what you are running and it looked like puss, but yours looks great. Very strange. I ended up going for one with standard 2002 SP 19" however will be putting 20's on soon.

This is what she looked like when I bought her about a month ago:

http://www.soloartist.co.uk/public/X5/X5_1.jpg

Anyone know how to remove the amber from the headlights?

Yeah they are the same as what's on mine, except mine arent painted. I have the amber too, ugly huh. (The amber bits I mean) I'll leave mine the way it is until I change the headlights over.

You are right mate!Dont see any issues with your 22" ,only if they are heavier but even then that would be only a negligible difference.In the case of Kahns being an upmarket wheel,I wouldnt be surprised if they even lighter than oem!
Also ,this site been going almost 6 years and I dont see a lot issues or complaints from members using 22",except the ride confort but then again I also lost confort from oem 19s to oem 20s...but gained on handling .
Your wheels look nice and not too out of character with the car...enjoy them:thumbup:

If you want to remove the amber, you could bake open the headlights which is hard and time consuming, or you could just get a can of tail light tinting spray and tint or black out the reflectors, this is what I did to my E53 before I got projector headlights. It is a very cheap and easy mod :thumbup: It only took about 5 minutes, and thats to mask up the reflectors.