[pdxxx3]

I saw on the manual that this is an optional tire size. 235 55 17 is a little hardcore for me.
I think this a great option if X3 is too harsh for you. Add:thumbup:s comfort a less performance barely. Stick with an H rated tire and yes the air tire monitor went on.

 

[06BMWX3]

I think i'll go with that size for my winter tires. I actually LOVE the harsh ride from the X3, but 215/60 will give me better performance in snow.

 

[codog2]

I saw on the manual that this is an optional tire size. 235 55 17 is a little hardcore for me.
I think this a great option if X3 is too harsh for you. Add:thumbup:s comfort a less performance barely. Stick with an H rated tire and yes the air tire monitor went on.

Do they fit on the same wheels? What tires did you end up getting? Any pics?

Also what do you mean the air tire monitor went on? Were you able to reset it?

 

[Zeke77]

Yes, please post pics!

 

[Supercourse]

... and yes the air tire monitor went on.

I believe pdxxx3 has a 2005 X3 so would have the indirect FTM as opposed to direct TPMS.

No sensors in the wheel/tire valve, so after fitting new tires initializing the FTM is no different than when routinely adjusting pressures at the gas station.

So the light would go on briefly while initializing for the new tires.

I too would be interested to see how the narrower tires look on the rim, and hear longer-term observations of the improved ride.

 

[X3-terrestrial]

In Europe X3's came standard with 215-60/17 tires, with the 235's being an option. We are spoiled in the USA receiving some goodies as standard (235-55 tires, pano sunroof, among others).
I imagine they can look a little stretched, not much. It's just 2 cms narrower, but being a higher-profile tire, that's where the improvement on ride comes. I would guess it takes away part of that "fat look" that the X3 has from behind.
Please update us on the quality on ride of everyday driving, I wouldn't be interesting in downgrading but I know some people here that would.

 

[enamoured]

I have put on 235/55-17 blizzak lm-22 as winter tires (great deal on tirerack), the car used to have 235/50-18 as it has sports package. The immediate difference in ride was very noticeable, car rides much softer now. It could be a mixed effect of softer tires and higher profile but it sure is a lot softer on road and much less noise. The tires haven't broken in yet but I like them already. I am sure 215/60-17 will definitely be softer yet.

Just one thing though the 235/55 kinda stick out a bit from the rim (standard X3 17" rims). The tire pressure light did come on but 3 days after putting the tires on and when I was doing 100 kmph on highway. Stopped and reinitialized it after checking pressure and hasn't come back since.

 

[pdxxx3]

I try to post a pics soon.
Looks: from the side. The tires have higher sidewall so you'll see the difference from 55, but the car looks better from the rear like you said it doesn't have the fat look.

Comfort: this is my reason for going 215 60, big difference on potholes and bumps, there is definitely extra cushioning there.

Performance: ofcourse less contact on the road 235 to 215 so cornering and accelerating suffered a bit, not very much though.

Noise: I have old tires so this new tires are a world of difference. The tires are definitely quieter.

Overall subjective: I love this set up better balance between sporty but liveable

Tires are yoko 520 from America’s tire $560 installed 2005 x3.
BTW Can we reset that tire pressure light? I want it off.

Just FYI: My other car is a Porsche boxster, upgraded very stiff Euro suspension with 255 40 17 rear so I know what a hardcore set up is.

 

[codog2]

yes the tire pressure monitor requires you manually reset it after correcting the tire pressure, or changing tires. I believe you hold the button down after you start the car before you drive off. Search this site, or download a pdf of the manual from Xoutpost

Are you going with the pressure recommendations for the 60 series profile tire of 32 psi for the front tires rather than the 29 psi for the 55 series?

 

[PimoX3]

Am I missing something in this thread? Several poster have referred to having higher sidewalls on the narrower tires, but this would be a marginal difference at best. Someone feel free to jump in and correct me, but my understanding is that the profile ratio of 55 vs. 60 is measured as a percentage of the tire width -- so we're talking 235/55 = 129.25mm sidewall vs. 215/60 = 129mm sidewall, a whopping quarter of a cm.

I don't doubt that the handling/feel of the new setup is different, but it's more likely due to tire brand/composition than the difference in the sidewall height.

 

[Supercourse]

Agreed. It is the relative height of the sidewall (relative to the tire width) that makes the difference in road feel.

And as you say, tire design/construction/material is just as big a factor, if not more so.

So 2 different tires in exactly the same size can feel completely different if one has a much more flexible sidewall construction and/or softer tread composition.

User reviews of the Yokohama YK520 suggest that quietness and comfort are its forte, at the expense of handling.

I think pdxxx3 had the Bridgestones originally, which are noted to be hard riding, so the difference could certainly be dramatic.

Going from a 55 series tire to a 60 series would only add to that effect - but maybe not by a great amount in this instance.

I have always been surprised when handling unmounted tires that in some the sidewall feels really soft and compliant,
whereas in another tire (of the same size) the whole thing feels more solid and unyielding.

The real story here is that those X3 owners who find the ride too harsh do have some options to counteract that,
although they will lose some handling performance as a trade-off.