which wheels do you like better for snow, option 1 or 2?
 

i need to get 18" wheels/tires for the snow.

which wheels do people like better out of these two options from tire rack:

EDITED: I had the pictures flipped, but now corrected, sorry.

OZ Canyon:
http://www.tirerack.com/images/wheel...n_st_ci3_l.jpg
or

OZ Sardenga
http://www.tirerack.com/images/wheel...a_bs_ci3_l.jpg
I'm leaning towards Sardenga... but wanted to make sure it didn't have a "bling" type of look, which i normally don't like. I just thought these looked cool.

thoughts?

:)

i'd go with the Sardenga myself...there's something about the other ones that i just don't like....they look like old bonneville wheels...my 2 cents.

Don't forget the OEM winter tire setup. I ended up paying $700/corner, $2,800 total for this setup. A bit more but OEM quality, OEM sensors, roundels, etc.

Just worth consideration, IMO.

id go for option 1

For where you live Sardenga will be easier to maintain. Canyon will have snow and slush in those spokes.

Quite a few E53 owners have used OEM replicas for winter setup without any problems. Not sure how many E70 replica wheels are out there.

You have the pics flipped - Sardenga is the top picture...:thumbup:

:iagree:

The bottom picture ftw

Ugh, I guess if forced I would select wheel 2 as the option. Both are :thumbdown IMO. But it isn't my ride, if it were I'd looks for BMW OEM 17's or 18's and put snows on them.

sorry, i had the pictures flipped, argh, but just corrected the original post.

what is the downside to buying aftermarket rims instead of paying nearly $1000 more for OEM??

Replicas are slightly heavy but otherwise just fine. They are mostly made in Italy. I have used them for 2 winters and no issues. Several on E53 forum have them.
Here's one by LW&T: http://www.lakeshorewheelandtire.com...-catalog.shtml

http://www.lakeshorewheelandtire.com/wheels/71169.JPG

Depending on the manufacturer, quality... alloy used, fit, finish, weight.

You can get OEM replicas (which are generally very good) for far less.

Some links to OEM and reps:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-X...ayphotohosting

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/19-9-...spagenameZWDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/20-9-...spagenameZWDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/19x9-...spagenameZWDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/20-9-...spagenameZWDVW

hmmm, those are nice looking wheels also.

i thought the x5 used abs/wheel spin to determine tire pressure loss.... i didn't realize they were using these sensors. if they have the sensors, why can't they show us the pressure on the screen???

Even 19" with snow tires will be fine, unless you drive in 6" of snow unploughed roads all the time. Its the rubber which makes big difference.
More:
http://stores.ebay.com/Wheels-and-Ca...QQftidZ2QQtZkm

These will be tough to clean and more so in winter. Trust me. Remember the winter wheels are covered with salt and sand most of time, so picture that look mixed with brake dust. ;)

http://accessories.bmwusa.com/Assets...oke239_621.jpg

agreed, but when it's covered with snow, it just looks 'good and rugged' to me... so i don't care then.... and otherwise i'd hope to give it a wash or spray it off once in awhile... and i just don't like having a cool looking vehicle with ugly wheels for 3 months out of the year... so thought maybe something like this would be more fun.

the OZ canyons are very nice..... i've been looking at them myself...

for a winter pkg i would opt for the OEM or replicas listed above... (less expensive, durable, and still looks nice)

the OZ should be your summer gear!

marc - the picture in that link is WRONG - those are not the wheels that go with that set-up

Guys - for the record, the current OEM set-up is style 209 wheels, the ones in this photo are 21" style 239.

Follow this link and look at style 209 for the $2800 winter set up referred to above in this thread:

http://zoouz.free.fr/e70_wh.htm

Cheers,
KEF

:iagree:

Thx for the update KEF. I have the 209 winter setup, but I haven't even unboxed them yet. I would have wondered if I got the right wheels, if not for your post.

why is there so much confusion on which style number is which design? doesn't BMW have a web page that clearly shows the style's and their appropriate number??

THIS IS WHY WE NEED A FREAKING UPDATED BROCHURE..... if they ever come out with the 2008 brochure.... geez. i can't believe i'm buying such a great vehicle that has such a bad website and marketing department.

I know - there is some much mis-information in this thread I am starting to get confused myself!

You're welcome

Sardenga