XSeries-forum

Hi Gents,

I had in interesting chatter with a few owners the other day... re wheels & the huge cost of a new set of tyres & wheels etc...

So, a couple of conclusions to share with you.... my thoughts only.... obviously we all have our own ideas..

Having built MONSTER trucks before & liking upgrades with POWER & STRENGTH ... with discreet cosmetics to keep the vehicle less likely to be stolen as possible, but feel good...

So,
1- I learned that the wheel upgrades generally have a matching set of 285/295 tyre width on all 4 wheels...

2 - Additionally, the aftermarket wheels "tend to be" spindly & rather thin & fragile - even tho they look fantastic, they appear week compared to the OEM wheels...

3 - The 22" rims also have a very low profile height, risking damage to an already possibly weak wheel rim..

4 - The fancy 22" rims, actually have a total tyre diameter a couple of inches LESS than the 19" rimmed tyres...

5 - So, conclusion, 22" rims & tyres will likely cost over £1,000, will lower the vehicle, with smaller diameter tyres, lower profile & higher damage risk, side wall damage risk due to pinching the walls over a road rutt etc..

6 - I found two OEM 19" wide rear rims off E-Bay @ £100 each delivered, Continental Tyres from Kwik-Fit for £160 each and have solidly safe wheels, sexy looking tread width on the front with easy to find wheels...

7 - Importantly, The rubber is wide & nice safe drive over rough roads.... AND the West Midlands Chavvys wont see them as desirable to steal every 10 minutes !!

My personal conclusion . .  saved a fortune, tough wheels, tall tyres a safe drive.

Regards to all

GB

The rolling circumference of the tyres will be correct if you maintain '*' marked tyres as these are modified to meet the BMW standards.  There should be no change in ride height with the correct profile.  If you get the profile wrong you will destroy the transmission!  These cars are very sensitive to tyre/wheel size ratios it seems. Of course the OEM 22" wheels are very expensive.....around £4k for new.

If you stay with any of the OEM fits for wheels then they should be the correct staggered fit.  As you say though, the cheaper 'copy' wheels tend to be a common dia/width.

Like you, I have concerns about the quality of 'copy' alloys - especially as the size increases due to the appalling state of many of our roads now. Vthese are heavy vehicles and 'delicate' wheels might be fine for a concourse/motor show, but not every day use on back roads.

I think I paid something over £650 for a full set of 19" Michelin Diamaris on my E53.  For my X6 on standard 20" wheels that cost will be almost doubled by using RFT.  I prefer the RFT ride which seems better for the X6 than the E70 X5 for some reason - no air susp on mine - but RFT do come at a price and limited fitment suppliers.

Richard