E70 Winter Wheel suggestion?
 

I just picked up a 2011 X5 35i and am looking for a winter setup. The X5 came with 255/55/19s (correction 255/50/19) right now, as I'm looking to downsize to 18" wheels, what tire size should I consider (correction 255/55/18)? I'll probably pick up a set of Blizzarks or Michelin X ice.

From the bit of research I've done, I think the E70 uses rim mounted TPMS sensors, so I'll need those installed. Does the center bore size change between generations (74.1mm for E70, and 72.5mm for E53)? I'll probably get a set of OEM rims used and go that route.

I guess my question is, what generation rims should I look for [E70]?

Thanks,

Ming



I found some info on TPMS sensors:

You want E70 rims to get the correct hub bores. E53 are different.

WINTRAC 4 XTREME 235/60 R 18
 

These are not easy to find, I bought at a local metro Boston Direct Tire store - Direct Tire & Auto Service: The top name in Tire & Auto Service in Boston

I decided to try out the narrower profile and I had no problems during a few very heavy snows last season. Very quiet and smooth ride on dry roads. I do a mix of highway and city driving every day in my job.

As stated in the prior post, E53 wheels bore size is 72.5mm but the E70 hub requires a 74.1mm bore. I bought some 19" E53 wheels a few years ago and had the bore enlarged at a performance tire place. But one member here did the job by hand because he wanted X6 wheels on his E70. He said there is just a small lip at the opening of the bore which can be removed.

What about TPMS sensors? I thought there is a difference between E70 pre-LCI and E70 LCI. Mine is a LCI model with a build date August 2010.


I do have access to a machine shop, but I'm a bit worried about the TPMS sensors. I guess the worst case scenario is that I go without the sensors, and live with a light on a dash.

Assuming I step down to 18" wheels, what tire profile should I shoot for? I see a lot of 255/55/18s for sale, but they are smaller than the 255/55/19s that my X5 came with.

Don't go without the sensors, that would be silly IMO.

They are around $80 each. There is a new part number for the LCI E70, but it supercedes the original part number in the 2007 E70 parts book, so I suspect they are the same spec, just a design or manufacturing improvement.

Look on realoem to see the part numbers.

Sure your 19 inch wheels aren't shod with 255/50 19? That is the OE size. 255/55 18 for the standard tire, or winter tires.

You're absolutely right about the tire profile. I found a chart, and have since corrected the original post.


I'm thinking of grabbing this set. Are these the 209 style wheels? My X5 has a build date of August 2010, so it looks like I"ll need the older TPMS sensors. From this picture, can you tell if the wheels have TPMS sensors installed? I'm leaning towards not.

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzUwWDEwMD...-(!~~48_20.JPG
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzUwWDEwMD...vCg~~48_20.JPG

Thanks,

Ming

Yes, those are the style 209 wheels. You can buy your TPMS from here: BMW TPMS Tire Pressure Monitor Sensors BERU

Not, since there's a rubber valve.
TPMS uses metal valve like this:Attachment 56226

BTW, if you're in Ontario, Canada, and have a canadian BMW X5, you don't need TPMS, since the canadian system's like in Europe, where they use ABS sensors as TPMS replacement.

Since ABS sensor "counts" the wheel rotation when braking, the same system's used when driving.
A wheel completing a rotation more rapidly than the other's deemed as deflated.

Thanks for the info! My Canadian E46 M3 uses a hub mounted TPMS system, but (un)fortunately, I have a US spec 2011 X5 (build date Aug 2010).

I'm in the US a lot for my MBA program, so I'll get much more out of the free maintenance program vs the Canadian version.

It looks like I'll either need to look outside of Canada or just buy some TPMS sensors myself down the road. It's just shipping on bulky items is just painful.

I do wonder why the US design uses extra sensors when the ABS sensors can work in its place. :dunno: