Looks like he gave up ride quality over aethetics:dunno:. 335/25/22 :tsk:

Overall diameter is what is important with regard tire sizes front and back. For example, the Yokohama tires that would fit my X are the Advan S/T's. Fronts are 255/50/19 and rears are 285/45/19. Although both have different side wall numbers, the tires have the same exact diameter of 29.1 inches. You can check that on Yokohama's website.

However, my e36 runs M3 reps with sizes 225/45/17 front and 245/40/17 rears. In this case, my Toyo Proxes 4's have an overall diameter of 25.1 front and 24.7 rear.

For comparison, my front tire (225/45/17) does not have the same overall diameter as the same tire in size 245/45/17 even though their sidewall number is the same.

I was just trying to let the OP know that just because two tires of different widths have the same sidewall number, does not mean that they have the same overall diameter.

Also, keep in mind that a tire from manufacturer A may not have the same overall diamter as the same size tire from manufacturer B.

The ride quality dropped more due to suspension travel (or lack there-of) with the Hartge lowering springs..

But looks are important!

Since the non-sport model comes with 19" non-staggered wheels you can't really compare. So a more realistic comparison would be with the staggered 20" setup which comes with 275/40/20 front and 315/35/20 rear.

The idea is to keep the same over all dimensions. So obviously the larger the wheel, the smaller the sidewall tire size! There are several 'tire calculators' online where you can plug in the 20" tire sizes and your new tire sizes you are looking to buy. I did a quick claculation with your option 1 sizes and as you can see below, they are completely out of whack!!

Original tire
Sidewall: 4.33 in
Radius: 14.33 in
Diameter: 28.66 in
Circumf: 90.04 in
Revs/mile: 703.67

New Tire
Sidewall: 4.87 in
Radius: 15.87 in
Diameter: 31.74 in
Circumf: 99.73 in
Revs/mile: 635.33


Speedometer reading with new tire is 10.76% too slow.
When your speedometer is reading 60mph you are actually traveling 65.83mph.

Finding a tire size that will work is one thing, actually finding a tire that size that someone makes is almost impossible! I gave up trying to find 22" tires and throw everything out of whack...decided to go with the recommended 21" staggered setup instead.

How about option 2?

Looks like option 2 may work for you. It's very close...but do you really want to ride on 22" wheels with a 25 profile sidewall?? Take a ride in a wheelbarrow first to see what it feels like...:rofl:

Here's a link to the tire size calc...
Tire Size Calculator

FRONT

Original tire
Sidewall: 4.33 in
Radius: 14.33 in
Diameter: 28.66 in
Circumf: 90.04 in
Revs/mile: 703.67

New Tire
Sidewall: 3.37 in
Radius: 14.37 in
Diameter: 28.73 in
Circumf: 90.27 in
Revs/mile: 701.93

Speedometer reading with new tire is 0.25% too slow.
When your speedometer is reading 60mph you are actually traveling 60.15mph.

REAR

Original tire
Sidewall: 4.34 in
Radius: 14.34 in
Diameter: 28.68 in
Circumf: 90.10 in
Revs/mile: 703.18

New Tire
Sidewall: 3.30 in
Radius: 14.30 in
Diameter: 28.59 in
Circumf: 89.83 in
Revs/mile: 705.31

Speedometer reading with new tire is 0.30% too fast.
When your speedometer is reading 60mph you are actually traveling 59.82mph.

Yes, I am also inclined towards option 2.
Haven't sat in a 'wheelbarrow', but I have tried a bullock-cart with wooden wheels...if that helps :rofl:
I believe the 22" Hartge Classic 2 wheels for X5 use the same 335/25/22 tires. Is anyone using these?

Excellent pictures! Are those 22" Classic 2? Which tires are you using and how is the performance/comfort?

I doesn't look too hot to me, looks more like a station wagon now vs SAV.:dunno: But if hes happy with it, he's writting the checks.

It's my buddies SAV...But I was researching wheels and found those and he pulled the trigger faster (deeper pockets). They are Hartge 22" Classic II with Continentals on them in sizes as previous post...again, ride as compared with 20" run flats is comparable, there is NO sidewall flex in Dunlop RFT...the ride changed when the car was dropped..the clips in the back REALLY reduce suspension travel...the back end has NO give and is a little too rough for my taste, but the reduction of space between wheel arch and top of wheel looks great....


Tambabolong, lets be honest...this is my third X5 and while I love them, they are hardly the most utilitarian offroad vehicles around..My Range Rover LR3 would eat this alive offroad and holds 5 times the volume of cargo (I've loaded 53 bags of mulch in it, piled to the roof and it just rolled along like nothing), but handles like a truck. I bought (my 4.4 in 2001) X5 because it drives more like a sports car than an SUV....sadly it holds less cargo than a 5 series wagon, but offers the ride height and SAV/SUV look that many of us like (though I would drive an M5 or E63 wagon in a heartbeat)...but in reality it is something between a station wagon and SUV....and like you said..he paid the bill he can do as he pleases...

Baskin and Robbins had made a lot of money selling different flavors over the years, because everyone likes variety.:beerchug: