[ObsidianX]

i've been considering going with Enkei Tuning wheels for my 2006 X3 3.0i M54B30. In particular, I think black matte Raijin wheels would be nice on my all black X3. I'm debating between a conservative 18x8.5 ET38 with 245/45R18 or going with the 19x9.5 ET35 with 255/40R19.

How do you think these black wheels would look on my black X3? Do you think the 19x9.5 wheel is too aggressive for proper fitment?

[C ///M]

Originally Posted by ObsidianX

i've been considering going with Enkei Tuning wheels for my 2006 X3 3.0i M54B30. In particular, I think black matte Raijin wheels would be nice on my all black X3. I'm debating between a conservative 18x8.5 ET38 with 245/45R18 or going with the 19x9.5 ET35 with 255/40R19.

How do you think these black wheels would look on my black X3? Do you think the 19x9.5 wheel is too aggressive for proper fitment?

First, black wheels on black car is no good. Contrast is what makes wheel setups look good. That said, this is my opinion and if you really like black wheels, don't listen to some stranger on the internet, definitely get what you think looks good. Different people like different things.

Next, the X3 has a TON of space. I don't think the 8.5 et38 will look good unless you prefer the wheels to be sunken into the wheel well like stock.

Also, I always recommend people use the F25 X3 overall tire diameter as it fills out the wheel wells much better.

[ObsidianX]

Very interesting on the F25 sizing recommendation. I read elsewhere about trying to choose wheel sizes that won't confuse the x-drive system. The setups I mentioned were listed as viable European Domestic sizes for the 2006 X3. 19x9.5 ET35 with 255/40R19 would fill out my wheel well the best. This shows me an inner clearance of 8mm less and the tires would extend 30mm on the outside. I want the tires to look full, but not stick out of the wheel well. This is why the 18x8.5 ET 38 with 255/45R18 is currently in my shopping cart on Tirerack.

I see you have much larger tires with F265 and R305. How did you determine these would work without causing issues with fitment?

[C ///M]

Originally Posted by ObsidianX

I see you have much larger tires with F265 and R305. How did you determine these would work without causing issues with fitment?

About 17 years modifying BMWs.. Aside from that, simply measuring.

I just realized I'm responding to you too in the other suspension thread and not the OP...

Anyway, just with my X3, I've run 5 different wheel setups, all completely different specs. After doing this so many times with different cars and wheel sizes from 14x6 to 20x11, you get a pretty good feel for what works. Have you actually measured how much clearance you have to your front struts and rear shocks? The X3 has got quite a lot of room.

Regarding x-drive, you just need to keep the overall diameter within 1.5% front to rear difference. Though I recommend even closer because uneven wear front to rear can cause problems if you start with rear wheels that are already 1.5% smaller. Case in point, my 20s started with 275/35s up front with 305/30 rears and the setup was amazing until the rears got down near the wear bars slightly faster (apparently x-drive still has enough rear bias to wear the rears slightly faster at least with how I drive) and sometimes the transfer case would feel a little grumbly. 265/35s and 305/30s are within 0.4% whereas the 275s were 1.4% larger. So all is well now. If you're running a square setup, you can run whatever tire size you want as long as it's the same. I run narrow 245/40-20 square snows for snow heavy Chicago winters.

Regarding your speedo question from the other thread, consider using the F25 X3 rear tire size of 275/40-19. It's 1.5% larger than your 235/50-18. So at 60mph, you'll "actually" be going 60.9mph. And at 120 indicated, you'll "actually" be going slightly under 122. I say "actually" because BMW factory speedos are a bit optimistic anyway so a larger tire will truthfully make your speedo more accurate. Sounds stupid, but try it. When I use GPS apps, my speedo is now actually close to being accurate to GPS read speed with my oversized tires. My point is, its not a big enough difference to be a problem.

You want my honest to god opinion, run a square 19x10 et38 with 275/40-19 tires and you'll be thrilled with an aggressive looking setup. Combined with your new suspension setup, the front will be at the edge of the fender and the rear will still have a ton of space. First, 19x10 et38 is the super common aftermarket rear wheel size for the E9x cars so you'll have more options than you know what to do with and from the link you included of the matte gray X3, you like aggressive looks.

If the wide front scares you, then run 19x8.5 et35 fronts with 245/45-19s, then the front wheel will be about 3/4" sunken inside the front fender edge just like the 19x10 rear will be with the rear fender and everything will look the same. Plus the 245/45 and 275/40 tires are pretty much identical overall diameters.

Pretty much any aftermarket wheel setup advertised for the E9x will fit the X3 perfectly. I suppose I could have led with that, but a little education goes a long way. That's basically everything I can say about E83 wheel setups.

[ObsidianX]

Thank you for your insight. I very much appreciate it. I'm going to do some searching on the 19x10 ET38 setup with 275/40R19.

[ObsidianX]

I ran the numbers and see 275/35R19 is still slightly larger diameter over the stock. As I looked back at Sunny's thread, that is what he is running square.

The Raijin rims come 19x9.5 ET 35. That should work. My only question is whether I need a tiny spacer in the rear? I haven't found anything that lists the X3's wheel well dimensions for front versus rear. The car is in the shop right now so I don't have it handy for measurements. I'd like the tires to appear even on the outside.

[elf8888]

Did any of you guys go with 275/30/19x10 et38 square set? Just curious. I am thinking of the same setup.