I have a 2011 Sport Activity with the 19" style 335 wheels. I drove models with 19s and 20s on two separate occasions; I liked the looks of the 20s more, but the ride was definitely better on the 19s. With the 19s and run flats, I find the ride very comfortable. I traded in a Lexus IS 350, and though the X5 definitely has more of a truck/SUV feel in the suspension, I find that I don't notice the small bumps/joints/road imperfections the way I did in the Lexus with 18" wheels and much less rubber sidewall. Another advantage of the 19s is getting all-season tires vs summer tires on the 20s, but that shouldn't be much of an issue for you in Texas.

All that being said, I think the 19s were a more practical choice, but I now find myself pricing 20s online....

Thanks for the input! Just curious why you went with the Sport Activity with 19" wheels. Seems a little counter-intuitive to me, but what do I know (not much).

I liked the shadowline exterior trim, the anthracite headliner, and the sport seats/steering wheel. Also, I like the style 335 19s much better than the 19s on the premium package. The 335s weren't available for the premium package. Thus, the reasons were pretty much cosmetic, not functional.

I have never been a fan of the 214s; just personal preference. If I ever changed to 20s I would go with some other style.

Gotcha. Anywhere where u can actually see the different wheel options available with the different packages, actual photos?

You can configure it on the BMWUSA website with different wheel options. Also, on BMW.com (the international site, not BMWUSA.com), if you select X5, there is a brochure you can download in .pdf that has good photos of all the wheels. There may be better photos out there, but that is what I used. Additionally, I was able to see all the wheel styles on the lot right next to each other, and that helped a lot.

I have a 2011 35d, and you know what? When I was doing my build in March, there was much confusion over the "Sport suspension delete" that was in the 2010 order list for the ZAP, and then the lack of it in the 2011. His itemized version of the ZAP actually included a line that said "sport package". I had him go off and figure out if that car was going to have a sport suspension (ie stiffer) or not. I know that it wasn't going to have adaptive drive. They decided to tell me that it was going to have a sport suspension.

At the time, I had an E53+Sport that I had been driving for 7yrs. If I had ended up with a $70k car with a squishy suspension, I would have NOT been happy. I had driven several 2010s and the only one that I liked was an MSport. However, at the time, it didn't have to be adaptive, just sporty-stiff.

Anyhow, the "build your own" on the BMWUSA site has "sport suspension delete" on it now, unlike my pricing sheet. Interesting, eh?

Soooo -- its a good thing I ordered adaptive drive (because I thought it was cool), or else he'd be having his Second 35d from me sitting around on the lot (the first debacle being the cr*ppy sound system standard in a 35d -- their fault -- canceled just before it hit the paint booth -- don't even want to talk about it! -- Although it didn't sit on the lot very long, all his whining about the expensive build be damned!).

My CA actually tried to talk me out of ordering the adaptive drive. Said it was expensive and I wouldn't notice the difference. Well, I do. And I really like it. $3500 well spent.

I probably would have done the same thing as jcmd2003. Although I'm not such a big fan of the 335s (that's what I have), I Really don't like the 214s. There are also people who prefer to not have 20" wheels (harsher ride, easier to damage), so its reasonable that they offered an option to back off to the 19" wheels. Its also nice that they didn't Charge for it! (Wouldn't put it past 'em).

Gotcha. Thanks. Just found the brochure. I do like the 19" Y Spoke 335 wheels, BUT, it says available as part of Sports Package so I assume you need to get the sports package in addition to the Sports Activity Trim. Maybe I am wrong, but doesn't the Sports Package include a stiffer suspension resulting in a stiffer ride, which I am trying to reduce by getting 19" wheels? Sorry for all the questions.

Nevermind...I see they mean they are available with the Sports Activity Trim. I like that they are 9x19 and 10x19, correct? That extra width in the back really makes the stance look 'mean'. I wish they were available with Premium..oh well.

Me too -- I have the same 335s as you. I'm eyeing 300Ms myself (replicas of course; I don't want to pay over $3k for OEMs). With some Michelin Latitude Tour all seasons (non-RFT).