kguarnotta

Hi Guys. I've got a 2008 BMW 535xi. I have been running all-season tires, but was thinking of getting some winter tires. I've seen some used ones - only had one or two seasons on them - in different sizes. They are BMW rims - but this size - 235/55R17. Pretty inexpensive.

The original tires are 225/50r17. I sort of understand the difference in size. And it appears to be minimal - I was wondering your thoughts on this...

Thanks

rice_rocket88

Yes.. and you should also make sure the rims will fit your car... offset etc. I assume you have xdrive since you're in MA.. so those have different fitment wheels than RWD

JayArras

With winter tires, you want the narrowest tire with the highest sidewall that you can get that will accommodate the load rating of your car. For the E60, that generally means a 225 width and a 55 sidewall. You are most likely to find that in a 17" tire. 17's are cheaper too.

I have seen people post that they have gone down to a 215, but that is simply too narrow and will make your car handle wonky on turns and perhaps not meet the car's load rating requirements. A 50 sidewall is fine, but 55 is better because the higher sidewall will provide better pothole protection, not to mention a smoother ride.

With that said, the 235 you're looking at is not optimal, but will work. Like rice rocket said, you also have to be careful of the wheel offset (and the center bore hole if the rim is not OEM) on an AWD E60. Find out what model they came off of before you decide.

kguarnotta

Thanks. I believe they came off a 2010 BMW X3. So if I understand the numbers correctly - based on what you are telling me - the 235 is a little wider, and the 55 means they are a little taller. The extra height will help with potholes road bumps. They are BMW rims - how do I check the offest compatibility? IE does and X3 have the same rim as a 535xi?

yes I do have all wheel drive, and I believe an X3 is AWD as well, right?

JayArras

A quick search online says that the wheel offset for a 2010 X3 ranges between ET 38 and 44. Those are well within an acceptable range for an E60 AWD car. If they are OEM rims, there should be an offset stamping on the back of the rim, although there are exceptions.

jriggs

235/55R17 is a hair taller than I run in the summer (255/40R19, so 27" vs 27.2" diameter), height shouldn't really be an issue.

Use BMW style wheels (LINK) to figure out which X3 wheels they are and what the specs (width and offset), most X3 wheels are pretty high offset just like the AWD E6X so you might be good to go.

-Riggs

kguarnotta

Wow - you guys are great with info. The rims appear to be Style 111.

THANKS.