E53 4.6 question..

[Themoog2]

Recently I was eyeing up 4.6 X5's as a potential purchase and I noticed that on some cars the rear wheels were inset in the rear arches and some were almost at the edge of the arch flare.
Were there different options of wheel size on the 4.6 or is the wheel offset different?
Just interested.

[marti]

Different wheel sizes, ET's (offset's) For X5 (e53)

Front Wheel size / ET / tyre size / Rear wheel size / ET / tyre size / Manufacturer



17x7.5 40 235/65R17 17x7.5 40 235/65R17 BMW
18x8.5 48 255/55R18 18x8.5 48 255/55R18 BMW
19x9 48 255/50R19 19x10 45 285/45R19 BMW
20x10 40 295/40R20 20x10 22 295/40R20 Hartge
20x9.5 45 275/40R20 20x10.5 30 315/35R20 BMW
21x10 50 285/35R21 21x11.5 28 325/30R21 Alpina
21x9.5 40 285/35R21 21x10.5 22 285/35R21 Hartge
22x9.5 35 265/35R22 22x10.5 28 295/30R22 Hartge

[Greydog]

My E53 4.6is came as standard with 20" LAW Star Spoke 87 Wheels. Front 91/2 J ET45 Rear 101/2 J ET 30. As far as I am aware these were the standard wheel fitted to all 4.6is variants. The spare is a stupid space saver bicycle wheel so I carry a can of tyre goo and a small compressor for emergencies. (touches Wood) So far I have only needed it to rescue others.
My wheels fill the arches and look right.

[henrym3]

None of the listed wheels above are for the 4.6 greydogs sizes are same as mine with 315x35x20 rear and 275x40 x20 front tyres ,

[sleepyfolk]

What you’ve seen is a tight arse like me running around on a square set up, my rears don’t fill the gap but my tyres last for ages

Everyone enjoying the 99.9p petrol, V8 owners never had it so good!

[Greydog]

Having a staggered set up has more effect on your wallet than wear, fat back tyres are a bit more expensive. Mind having to payout for spacers might offset that a bit?
As long as the suspension, tracking and tyre pressures are right a staggered set should last as well as a square set.

[marti]

None of the listed wheels above are for the 4.6 greydogs sizes are same as mine with 315x35x20 rear and 275x40 x20 front tyres ,

Yes they are listed 20x9.5 45 275/40R20 20x10.5 30 315/35R20 BMW.

[Greydog]

I think Henry was pointing out that the 20" LAW Star 5 Spoke type 87 wheel was specific to the 4.6is and while the 20" size was in the list the type wasn't

[Themoog2]

It’s the 20” 5 spoke star design I was on about. Not those that were on a 4.8.

[Greydog]

Maybe a previous owner had fitted the 9 1/2 Front wheels all round ? Cant think why other than they thought it would be better?
I have a set of 18" winter wheels fitted with Wintrac extreme tyres they need spacers at the rear to fill the arch. They haven't been on the car for 3 years at least due to us seemingly not having winters any more. Must get around to selling them one day

[henrym3]

As soon as you sell you just know we’ll get the worst winter in 50 years

[Greydog]

That's why they sit in the shed, the thought of waking up to 1ft of snow !! (suppose I should have said 30cm)
Mud on the shoot tracks has been about as "winter" as I have had to cope with.

[henrym3]

A ft is good for me, I’d have had to put some thought effort in if you’d just said 30cm