18inch rims wont fit on x5 50i with sport package for winter tire setup

All,

What is the current prefered setup for Winter Tires for a 50i with sport package?
I just got a call from Tire Rack and they canceled my order for 18 inch winter tire package after confirming that the rims wont clear the larger brake rotors. Good thing they found out before they shipped them. Now I am looking for alternatives and mounting on my 20inch is not an option.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...066&highlight=

Check this post iron chef, your rep at TR must be an intern.

I worked with Gary and he mentioned this problem affects only the 50i with sport package or M package as they have larger brake calibers. The base model is not impacted by this wheel fit issue.

Just do 19's, better tire selection than the 20's and the 50i with sport or M package has optional 19's, so the 19's will clear the brakes.

I went with 20' rims with Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow RFTs. Didn't think I could stand looking at 19's for 4-5 months.

Any recommendations on where to get 19" besides getting lucky on eBay?
At least then I can get the tires and sensors at tirerack and have my local shop put them together.

when was your X built? They changed the sensors in October so you may be safer ordering the sensors from Tisher BMW. They will use your VIN to make sure you have the proper sensors. I did get lucky and bought a pair of 211's on ebay so I got lucky. Personally I would go with the 19's for your summer. On my E53 I had 20's and bought a set of 18's for my winter setup and I thought they were way to soft and made me feel uneasy. I sold them and went with 19's and found out there was little difference may be a bit softer but was still much better than the 18's

Originally Posted by Iron_Chef

Any recommendations on where to get 19" besides getting lucky on eBay?
At least then I can get the tires and sensors at tirerack and have my local shop put them together.

You can get refurbs from these guys - they have a couple of the X5 19 wheel sets 19 x 9.5" or 19 x 9" wheels that will fit - they fix any cosmetic issues and make sure they are straight and refinish the faces. I got a set of 20" 214's from them and the service was good, price was good and the wheels look mint.

https://www.wheelsandcaps.com/catalo...l=X5&year=2008

Why spend $250+ per refurbished rim when you can buy a brand spanking new set for $750- including shipping?

This is the set I am pulling the trigger on real soon. What cha think iron chef? http://www.usarim.com/bmw-wheels-sku...ms-p-1510.html

I put on 18" wheels (with all-seasons) style 209 for the winter driving on my 2011 X5d... Those 18" were take-offs from 2011 5.0... Perpaps TR's 18" wheels are different?

Originally Posted by 0428

Why spend $250+ per refurbished rim when you can buy a brand spanking new set for $750- including shipping?

This is the set I am pulling the trigger on real soon. What cha think iron chef? http://www.usarim.com/bmw-wheels-sku...ms-p-1510.html

This is what I have: 18" with Bridgestone Blizaks.

Originally Posted by alexmish

I put on 18" wheels (with all-seasons) style 209 for the winter driving on my 2011 X5d... Those 18" were take-offs from 2011 5.0... Perpaps TR's 18" wheels are different?

Why would you choose all seasons for a winter setup? That makes no sense. What was you logic behind spending the money on a second setup and put a tire which is really not good in the snow.

Originally Posted by MRV99

Why would you choose all seasons for a winter setup? That makes no sense. What was you logic behind spending the money on a second setup and put a tire which is really not good in the snow.

I had these for the past 3 winters, they did very well in the snow for my needs... Here in NJ the winter is not about the snow (we actually dont get a lot and roads gets cleaned up relatively fast). I dont do major off-roading, I just need to drive in cold weather and ocassionally on a light or very packed snow. I see no need for winter-only set. I had to get a set for winter time because my OEMs are 20" 214s with summer-only tires, which are horible (traction-wise) when it gets below 40F.

Thanks for all the good suggestions!! I pulled the trigger myself today will post pictures once I have them.

0428 those are nice ones!! Wish I'd seen your link earlier.

Got myself some MRR GT-7 flat black with Pirelli Scorpions RFT. I will post pictures once I got them swapped, most likely after thanksgiving.

where did you buy them?

Found them on ebay; its a store in LA they do entire packages with tires, sensors, mounted balanced including shipping

http://stores.ebay.com/Autosports-Wheels

Originally Posted by Iron_Chef

Found them on ebay; its a store in LA they do entire packages with tires, sensors, mounted balanced including shipping

http://stores.ebay.com/Autosports-Wheels

If don't mind sharing, how much?

Also, what size Scorpion winters are you getting 255/50/19? According to TR, the rim width range is 7-9. Would an additional .5" be a concern (9.5)?

Originally Posted by Iron_Chef

0428 those are nice ones!! Wish I'd seen your link earlier.

Got myself some MRR GT-7 flat black with Pirelli Scorpions RFT. I will post pictures once I got them swapped, most likely after thanksgiving.

Im looking to do the winter set up as well, how did this work out for you.
You stated you would post pics? lets see them!
Have you had a chance to do so snow driving? What results?

Let us know
Thanks

ah complete disaster!!

Was a 2 week ordeal until I gave up. Tires arrived local shop tried to install no go since they hit the calipers. Got 5 mm spacers and again no go still hit the calipers.
Got 8 mm spacers and still no luck. Additional now at that point the overall hub was running out so was getting to unsafe to put on 10mm spacers.

So had to ship the whole set back and I am running on BMW 209's
Not the best looking, but at least winter tires in this mad winter we got.

So make sure your rims will clear the larger brake calipers in the front if you go after market, only applies to the 50i with sport package from what I heard.
I guess BMW replicas should do the trick, but I ran out of time and patience.