bmwtoronto

Hi, im new to this having just landed my first BMW is a few years......ended up with an xi version only due to value and understand there are certain specifics related to rims/tires if I wanted to go 19s or 20s.....ie cant stagger or go to big....I currently have OEM 18s and trying to decide whether to keep and buy 17s for the winter or consider 19s-20s, sell the 18s and get 17s for the winter.

Wondering if anyone can offer some help and possibly pics of an xi with bigger wheels.....im not crazy about the gap between the wheel and fender on xi's so that might be a problem since I believe that must stay.

Any comments/help/suggestions would be appreciated as I continue to search the forum for info....

Cheers,

ps. pics to follow soon.....

BlaSTiWi

Who claimed you can't go staggered or too big? There's an OEM 18" staggered option available not only that the X5 uses staggered.
Have a look at http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=72512

Joe06

Well thats not true... You could do 20's if you wanted to. You might not get as big of a lip as a RWD due to the difference in offset but thats about it. Also with the awd you will want to keep the overall diameter of the tires as close as possible between the front and rear. Many have done it with no problems and you can also get some H & R sport springs which will lower the car to close up that gap.

-Mike-

Welcome to forum! I have an xi with 19" staggered setup. My only suggestion is be sure to do your research. Ensure you go with a higher offest of ET +40 wheel, and go with a proven setup of tire sizes as well. Good luck!

Here is a link to a recent post of spring pics I took so you can see the ride height. It is (no question) higher. I chose the 19's for comfort, but you may want to research 20's to fill the wheel well a little more.

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...mp;#entry896778

bmwtoronto

Thanks!!!! Some sweet rides incl yours.......ok, so are these cars lowered or what since they def sit lower than traditional xis...? There must also be some special mods needed to allow for a staggered set.....? and lastly, is one able to simply switch back to 17/18s for the winter when necessary without major changes?

btw, a couple of the tire places locally have said with 530xis, you need to go with the same size tires all around....

JeRZee XiE60

It doesnt necessarily have to be the same size all around .. I have an Xi and I have a staggered setup as well.

Check out my thread .. http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=80575

BlaSTiWi

Tkx!

Yes, I lowered mine w/ H&R Sport Spring.

No modification just to fit staggered set, and yes you can swap them around all day long ... I swap to my OEM 17" during winter.

Take a look at this http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?mo...hg=36&fg=15 and pay attention on the sizes you'll be able to find same exact info w/ your dealer (easy to verify take the part # & chk w/ the dealer) unlike tire shops they may have no specific info.

GL!

08white

how is the ride on H&R spring? comfortable?
i have XI, and i am thinking to lower the car with H&R, but i live in NYC, alot of bumps

BlaSTiWi

It rides great! Family verified ... Comfortable? Depends... just like the stock ... of course not ... probably tighter than OEM Sport Pkg ... So far been very happy w/ the outcome as the next best thing is KW v3 ...

bmwtoronto

what does the car lose by lowering it? Why wud BMW make the xi such that it has more of a gap as compared to say an audi quattro that looks the same as non-quattro? BMW would have to know that the car looks better natural than with a bigger gap....