[Merlin82]

Well i figured I would quickly post here to see what everyone reccomends. Im starting the hunt for a set of new summer tires for the X3 since these ones will likely be done at the end of this year. Ive been looking around and am not sure what tire size I should be running. Currently on it there are 245/45/19's on all 4 of the factory wheels. Now when Ive been out shopping, most places are saying that what comes up is 245/45/19 for the front, and 275/40/19 for the back. Can I use either? I do like the idea of some wider tires in the back to give it a bit meaner look, but dont want to screw up the xdrive or anything. Just wanted to get some thoughts.

[TEF]

Unless Canadian X3's are very different, it's understood that Xdrive vehicles use the same sized wheel/tire combination on all four corners. A difference in tire diameter from front to back will cause havoc with the drive line. Therefore, changing the width and probably the diameter of the rear tires will lead to problems and that is why you currently have 245/45/19's on all four corners. To verify this, look up your model on Tirerack.com to see if it recommends anything but a square (same tire on all wheels) setup.

[JE_335i]

Originally Posted by TEF

Unless Canadian X3's are very different, it's understood that Xdrive vehicles use the same sized wheel/tire combination on all four corners. A difference in tire diameter from front to back will cause havoc with the drive line. Therefore, changing the width and probably the diameter of the rear tires will lead to problems and that is why you currently have 245/45/19's on all four corners. To verify this, look up your model on Tirerack.com to see if it recommends anything but a square (same tire on all wheels) setup.

This is not entirely true. The m-sport model is staggered. 245 front, 275 rear on 20" wheels. You can fit up to 325's in the back with the correct offset and wheels. I am running 21" 310m (x5 wheels). Front are 285.

The tires need to have the same circumference front to back. Wheel width is not an issue.

[TEF]

Yes, I recognize that wheel width and tire diameter are different measurements, but getting the diameters of two tires of different widths to match exactly is not easy. In fact, diameters in same sized tires can vary slightly by brand. Moreover, why did BMW, in this instance, sell his car in a square configuration?

[brissim]

Originally Posted by TEF

Yes, I recognize that wheel width and tire diameter are different measurements, but getting the diameters of two tires of different widths to match exactly is not easy. In fact, diameters in same sized tires can vary slightly by brand. Moreover, why did BMW, in this instance, sell his car in a square configuration?

I would assume it was sold in the square configuration because it (I'm guessing) is not an M-Sports model. As JE-335i said, for M-Sports models with 19in wheels it is a staggered setup 245/45-19 front and 275/40-19 rear. This is how BMW sells it. So there is absolutely nothing wrong with running this setup as the difference in rolling diameters front-to-back are within tolerance.

However to the OP, I would suggest you stay with the original square setup (ie 245/45-19 all around) as I suspect your rear wheels/rims will not be adequately wide to safely accept the 275 wide tyre. I recall for M-Sports models which have the staggered setup, the rear wheel rims are wider to accommodate the wider tread tyre.

Tony

[JE_335i]

Originally Posted by brissim

I would assume it was sold in the square configuration because it (I'm guessing) is not an M-Sports model. As JE-335i said, for M-Sports models with 19in wheels it is a staggered setup 245/45-19 front and 275/40-19 rear. This is how BMW sells it. So there is absolutely nothing wrong with running this setup as the difference in rolling diameters front-to-back are within tolerance.

However to the OP, I would suggest you stay with the original square setup (ie 245/45-19 all around) as I suspect your rear wheels/rims will not be adequately wide to safely accept the 275 wide tyre. I recall for M-Sports models which have the staggered setup, the rear wheel rims are wider to accommodate the wider tread tyre.

Tony

Rear wheels are wider. I forget the widths. Don't put a staggered tire size on square wheel widths. The rear wheel needs to be wider.

[Tjalle]

For X3/X4 STD rim/tyres are square= same size.

As option, there are both 19" (staggerd and square) and 20" staggered: Obviously rim sizes are different front/rear if staggered.

OP has square - must remain square if not new rims.

[dreamspeed]

Originally Posted by brissim

I would assume it was sold in the square configuration because it (I'm guessing) is not an M-Sports model. As JE-335i said, for M-Sports models with 19in wheels it is a staggered setup 245/45-19 front and 275/40-19 rear. This is how BMW sells it. So there is absolutely nothing wrong with running this setup as the difference in rolling diameters front-to-back are within tolerance.

However to the OP, I would suggest you stay with the original square setup (ie 245/45-19 all around) as I suspect your rear wheels/rims will not be adequately wide to safely accept the 275 wide tyre. I recall for M-Sports models which have the staggered setup, the rear wheel rims are wider to accommodate the wider tread tyre.

Tony

Actually there are at least 2 different 19" Msport wheels for the F25.

The pre LCI style 369s are staggered and the LCI style 622s are square.

Not sure if the xdrive/traction control is configured differently between pre LCI vs LCI Msports.

If the car has square tires on them now then that means the wheels are probably also square. Technically you COULD put staggered wheels on a square wheel setup but that's not really the proper way to do it.

In this specific case, 622s are 8.5" wide and 275mm tires would be too wide for that size wheel

[Merlin82]

So for checking tire rack and everything, that is where i started wondering since those are the places that say i should be running staggered tire sizes. Mine is a 2011 with all the M-sport packages, and it would be going on the 369M wheels (19"). Basically every place that looks up the vehicle, whether its tirerack.com or the local costco tire shop, they have all said it has staggered tires even though the vehicle currently has a square setup. This is why i figured i would ask here since i dont know what i should be doing.

[nyalpine90]

are you orginal owner?

[Tjalle]

What is the problem?

OP has square set of wheels= same tyres and rims front/rear. Rational thing to do is maintain rims and buy new tyres - same size!

Some crazy people - like myself - spend lots of money for a staggered 20" set up, but that is our problem.

[dreamspeed]

Originally Posted by Merlin82

So for checking tire rack and everything, that is where i started wondering since those are the places that say i should be running staggered tire sizes. Mine is a 2011 with all the M-sport packages, and it would be going on the 369M wheels (19"). Basically every place that looks up the vehicle, whether its tirerack.com or the local costco tire shop, they have all said it has staggered tires even though the vehicle currently has a square setup. This is why i figured i would ask here since i dont know what i should be doing.

Well the 369s only come in staggered so it's possible the tires on there now are incorrect.

There might be markings on the wheels indicating the size. Double check to see if the rear wheels are wider.

[Merlin82]

No i purchased it around 5 months ago. As said, i know i could always stick to a square setup, but i kind of like the idea of wider tires in the back as it will give it a more agressive look. But i will likely do as some have said and try and measure the rim width in the back. And what fun is the rational choice lol. I may even just take it by the dealer and ask them what size i should be getting. Maybe im wrong too, but im pretty sure these are the 369's.

[hardparker]

I plan on running 275/40/19 Firestone Indy 500s on all 4 corners on those wheels shortly. With spacers 15mm front and 20mm rear, not that they're needed. Not some folks ideal fitment? I don't give a shit. I expect I'll love it.

Originally Posted by Merlin82

No i purchased it around 5 months ago. As said, i know i could always stick to a square setup, but i kind of like the idea of wider tires in the back as it will give it a more agressive look. But i will likely do as some have said and try and measure the rim width in the back. And what fun is the rational choice lol. I may even just take it by the dealer and ask them what size i should be getting. Maybe im wrong too, but im pretty sure these are the 369's.

[///MPECABL]

Originally Posted by JE_335i

This is not entirely true. The m-sport model is staggered. 245 front, 275 rear on 20" wheels. You can fit up to 325's in the back with the correct offset and wheels. I am running 21" 310m (x5 wheels). Front are 285.

The tires need to have the same circumference front to back. Wheel width is not an issue.

Do you have picture of your setup with your 285/325's?