I HAVE A 2006 525XI, IF I WAS TO GO WITH 18IN. OR 19IN. WHEELS CAN I DO SO WITHOUT LOWERING CAR??? (shocks/springs) and ANY SUGGESTIONS ON WHEELS FOR MY 525XI (ALL WHEEL DRIVE)...

 

yes you can

but with the xi model, you will have much higher offsets compared to the non-xi e60s. btw, PM coming your way

 

These 19" CSL reps worked for me, but I lowered mine. If you do NOT want to lower your car, then don't go higher than 18", and if you do go 18", I'd recommend the OEM 124's made esp. for the xi in a staggered setup.



This is what 19's look like on a NON-dropped xi (same rims in pic 1)...needs lowering or looks like SUV:

 

Thanks for the response, i dont know if im ready to lower vehicle... looks like 18in. is the way.
Ur 5 looking good

 

OMG Doc.....you might as well been driving an H3....It takes alot of guts to admit you were riding that high!!!

 

Actually I don't see a point (other than visual) to lowering your car. Yes I've had some of my cars lowered in the past, but I was young back then. Right now, I have no problems with how my E61 sits on stock suspension. If you ask me, I find it convenient not to crawl over speed humps, and enter sloped driveways on a rediculous angle ... not to mention getting through a snow storm without losing my bumper.

 

Well aside from the obvious looks factor, it enhances the the performance/handling of the ride when you lower the car, so there are benfits. Honestly I have a toyota 4 runner that I use when it snows. Althought the E60 Xi is a great handling car in bad weather im sure, IMHO BMW's were made to perform at hight speed and high G's. Things you really can do in the snow, save the snow for your jeep.

 

no it doesn't enhance your performance by lowering the car, you simply get less body roll. To say that by lowering your car, you automatically get more performance is ignorant. I'm sure your 4Runner is a great car for snow, but I think BMW didn't design the "X" drive for high speed high G manuevers. BTW, the E60 is a family sport sedan, not a high G sports car. I like to be ridding in comfort all year around, so I drive my e61 in winter as well. I see no point to swtich to a winter car because my summer car can't pass through 5" of snow.

 

Well lets see here, by lowering your car you car has a lower center or gravity...I dont know how race cars are designed in Canada, but here in America a lower center of gravity is prefered. On top of that by lowering your car there is less wind resistance going under your car and forcing more air on top creating more down force, which also enhances performance. Pardon me for my ignorance!

 

I was NOT riding that high. Only the first pic was my car, lowered as stated in the post. Those other pics were of some other fools' cars.