E60714

I was looking for wheels for my 535xi and was wondering what is the thing that I need to look for when ordering wheels from Modbargains, tirerack, etc.? Is it spacers/spacing? I think I remember hearing I had to choose specific wheels made with special dimensions and that most probably I would have a smaller selection to choose from as a result.

Also, I guess it's kinda related, but I don't know "Type" wheels I have. It's a 2008 xi with cold weather but no sport package. If I remember correctly, the center is slightly indented in a pentagonal shape. Any idea?

luigi524td

One big difference is offset. Different than other e60 models.

It is important so you don't buy wheels that are not appropriate for an xi. This topic is covered in many posts - too many to list - use search. That said, wheels from other BMW models are fit-able - wheels designed for some e39's for example will work.

Check out xi resident experts like http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showuser=5233

ENstig8or

Your stock wheels have offsets of ET 43. The OEM 166 and 167 wheels that you see a lot of guys pick up won't fit your car. In fact, most of the wheels you see here, especially the deep dish type won't fit your car. With that being said, there are quite a few really nice choices that will work perfectly for you. VMR makes a few stlyes that look great. You can check those out HERE.

When you finally decide what wheel to go with, then you will be faced with another XI dilemma, whether to lower or not. Your choices here are also more limited with an XI. Until recently H&R was the only one who made springs for the XI I think. Now there are also KW V3 coilovers to choose from. They are expensive though, probably over the 2k mark. If you do decide to lower your XI at some point, you might want to read this thread. It's why I'm still on the fence. http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=52664&st=0

E60714

Alright, so it's offset that I'm supposed to be looking for. I knew spacers sounded wrong because members without AWD were still talking about those.

As far as lowering the car goes, I had a friend suggest that I may not need to change springs because the wheels would be bigger than the stock (possibly 19's or something) and that I should get a set of low-pros along with it.

Also, I checked the sites out that were suggested in here, but I'm still not sure if those are for xi models since they don't explicitly say so. Does that mean stuff off of TireRack is out of the question for me? Does the market really hate AWD models and not worry about the offsets on the wheels?

DrLev99

If you don't lower the car, anything bigger than 19's won't look right. You have 2 options: 1) H&R Sport Springs 2) KW coilovers. Option 1 is cheap while option 2 is not.

The ride on H&R's is quite harsh IMHO, and I hated the way my 530xi rode as a result. The KW coilovers cost over $2K but they recently became available as the only ones for the xi.

Your choices for rims include the 3-series rims and some of the X3 rims. Or you can buy replica rims from Velocity Motoring which are hubcentric or Miro which are not, but they are the only 2 makers I'd recommend for reps.

You will need offsets of around ET30-40 in front and ET35-45 in rear if you got with staggered rims.

jrsamps

the pros and cons of owning an XI

ObD

There is no benefit to an Xi unless you need the extra ground clearance or need a quick start on hills. RWD with winter tires is just as good in 99% of normal winter driving.

100:1 against an Xi.

DrLev99

+1

C's Bimmer

Did someone call my name again? Hahahahaha! I can't even go into my elaborate explanations anymore. LOL! Search my name and wheels and you will find EVERYTHING you need to know, including all the tools and offset calculators.

PS - The keyword for this thread is OFFSET.

RobertB

I disagree completely - I lived in Iowa with a '99 528i. I had 16" Dunlop WinterSport M3's and could not get up the hill into my neighborhood when it had 4" of fresh snow (no one else had preceded me up the hill - I was making fresh tracks). I even tried it with a 40 mph head start. No go. Traction control on/off/whatever. That's when I got the 530xi. Lest you think I was climbing a mountain, remember the location: Iowa. The hill descent control came in darn handy going down that same hill in the ice. Now I live in Alabama and really wish that someone would buy my 530xi (anyone interested can check the classifieds).