New wheels for BMW X5 E70 - Advice needed

[Shez1878]

So all 4 tyres need changing on my M-Sport X5. Currently they have RFTs all-round and I am looking to change to normal tyres.

I have no idea what to go for but am looking to improve the ride and make it even more smoother if at all possible. I dont know what size, ratings to go for etc.

Any advice gratefully received!

[Don Coffey]

Depending on what size wheels you have will dictate how much of an improvement you may get. Bigger wheels means thinner side wall so less difference in ride between run flat and non run flat. As for size rating etc. go with the same as on the car at present.

There has been talk of insurance companies having issues with non run flat so ring them first and make sure it won't effect your cover.

Don

[X5Sport]

The approved sizes are on the pressures data plate on the B pillar.  They are normally the same size regardless of RFT or not.  As Don said, you must match the weight and speed rating shown in the plate, or go higher, NEVER lower.

Richard

[Shez1878]

Thanks chaps, will take a look!

[Raj]

You need to stick to the same tyre sizes, etc even if going to non-RFT's as mentioned above.

[leosayer]

What will you do if you get a flat tyre with non run flats? You can buy a spare wheel kit from BMW which costs £270 but there's only space for it under the boot floor if you don't have the 7 seat option.

If you've got 20" wheels then consider 19" wheels instead, with non-run flats. The wheels come up on ebay from time to time.

In my experience non run flats do improve the ride quality especially on bumpy b-roads with no downsides in handling or performance, although this was on 18" wheels.

[Shez1878]

315 35R 20
275 40R 20

These are the tyres I need. Thanks for advice of switching to 19s but that would mean changing the alloys, another expense!

So I'm assuming the bill will BIG!

[Shez1878]

Acclera's coming in at £120 a tyre! These any good?

[huck]

Conflicting views. Often the people who buy them, rate them. Unsurprising I guess. I have read that dry performance is pretty good but have read numerous reports of people saying that the wet performance is wanting.

[Hoppy_70]

There are a couple of ebay sellers doing accelera for £100 - run a search (every little helps  )

[Avtar]

I have the same size tyre and changed to Michelin (BMW Approved) non run flats, cost was a touch over £1000 £400 front £618 rear, now that the tyre pressure are correct the ride difference in my opinion is huge, it feels like a different, much smoother, car, should have done it ages ago. I am sure there are cheaper tyres but considering this is keeping 2.2 tonnes connected to the road I do not think it is an area for skimping on.

[MaXX99]

Currently also looking into a new set of rears. I have had 55.000 kms in total, and I am guessing I drove about 70% of these kms on the summertires ... approx. 40.000 km.
My rears look fine from the outside, but on the inside there is no thread left on them at all.
I am hesitating to replace them when I will switch back on my summer set or drive for another season on them.

If I would replace them, I am looking at following tires (also on a staggered 20" setup 275/40 & 315/35)

Atturo AZ800 (Cheap, mixed reviews, Nice thread pattern, not too sure about their performance in the wet)
Hankook Ventus S1 Evo (Everyone seems very positive about those)
Vredestein Sessenta (Very good reviews, but what about wear ?)
Vredestein Vorti (Very new tire which gets very good results in ADAC tests)
Toyo Proxes (there are quite some Toyo affecionados)
others (Michelin, Pirelli, Dunlop, Falken, Kumho, Marshal, Nankang, Pace Azura, Sonar, Yokohama) ???
The OEM bridgestones ?

My gut feeling goes out to the Hankooks or the new Vredestein Vorti's ... but any personal experiences of any alternative tires would be very appreciated of course

[Shez1878]

Nankang looking favourite at the moment. £600 plus fitting, balancing etc.

Thoughts?

[Shez1878]

Help needed chaps. Do I go Nankang or Aturo? Both in at £600. Thanks!

[X5Sport]

It's a personal choice for you.  But ask yourself this question...If you life depended upon it, would you go cheap just to save a bit of money rather than stay safer and spend a bit more?  The only thing between your car and the road is that strip of rubber.  Two tonnes of car needs good rubber to stop safely ALL the time.

Richard