[TacosRule!]

Originally Posted by Reneglect

Anyone consider running X5 tire sizing? 275/315 ?

I'm in your exact same dilemma.

See this

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2105341

Personally I cant see how in the hell I can fit a 20x11 in the rear haunches and not have a mile of tire sticking out. Not aiming for this aesthetic

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by Reneglect

I honestly feel that the 265/295 handles better than the 255/265 but the 295 I got (PS4S) MO1 spec they run narrow on the OEM - Pre-LCI 21" comp wheels, the rear stance still leaves much to be desired IMO.

Anyone consider running X5 tire sizing? 275/315 ?

This is nothing new. The style 892 wheels on the LCI X3 M Comp are the SAME EXACT DIMENSIONS as the style 465 wheels on the pre-LCI X3 M Comp. The sidewalls (because of the aspect ratio of the tire size) + the width of the rear wheels do that a little. Don't mess with the balance of the 265/295 front to rear combo unless you want to buy wider wheels for the whole vehicle, then you'll probably need spacers too & you'll end up going down the rabbit hole by spending lots lots more dough on things you don't really need. Just enjoy the machine & those nice factory wheels.

[spucktacular]

Its the god damn DECIMAL point!!

265/40/21f with 275/40/21r pics coming up.. a little extra width, rim protection and comfort... should be best of all worlds I hope, with ZERO diff reliability concerns.. its a 1.1% rolling diff, same as factory setup, up and down the width, as long as they fit and are only 10 apart

[spucktacular]

265/40/21 105Y front
275/40/21 107Y rear

My goal is to maximize comfort without switching to 20" and of course still be able to enjoy the car in Sport+ that other 5% of the time. I do have dedicated winter tires for canadian winters, so that's not a factor.

If you're willing to switch to all seasons, this seems like the best path no? I'm not sure why so many people went straight to the 295/35 rears.

Will post pics when installed. Btw, should I have a 4 wheel alignment done?

[knali8]

I would definitely get a wheel alignment done. Especially if you haven't done it in a while and the road are not smooth.

[spucktacular]

They fit and ride so much better than I could have hoped for.. 275/40/21 out back is perfect

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by spucktacular

They fit and ride so much better than I could have hoped for.. 275/40/21 out back is perfect

Looks great man. Happy that the results paid off.

[TacosRule!]

Originally Posted by spucktacular

They fit and ride so much better than I could have hoped for.. 275/40/21 out back is perfect

Looks really good.

[TacosRule!]

For all you experts, whats the smallest width rim that can accommodate a 295 tire? 10.5 inch?

The calculators online are all over the place. Some say 10 in, some say 11 in.

[ttx3m]

Originally Posted by TacosRule!

For all you experts, whats the smallest width rim that can accommodate a 295 tire? 10.5 inch?

The calculators online are all over the place. Some say 10 in, some say 11 in.

Well, stock width is 10in and everyone runs the 295 on those just fine. I think 10.5 is more ideal but it works on both.

FWIW I ran a 305/35/18 drag radial on my 04 mustang 10 inch wheel without issues. It had some bulge. In hindsight I wouldn’t do that again without at least a 10.5 in.

[95wildtt]

Originally Posted by TacosRule!

For all you experts, whats the smallest width rim that can accommodate a 295 tire? 10.5 inch?

The calculators online are all over the place. Some say 10 in, some say 11 in.

In my experience of fitting after market non-OE size tires for over 30 years, it's not an exact science, but it's gotten easier... and you really have to look at the manufacturer of the specific tire.
Yes, I'm old

As you probably have realized not all 265/275/295 size tires are the same exact dimensions, and they fit wheels differently, even though they are pretty close.
Generally staying in the middle of a wheel width/tire range gives the best results, but it really depends what look you are going for... some like a beefire bulge in the sidewall, some like the stretched low look, OEM is typically in the middle somewhere...
It also depends on the tire construction, purpose and sidewall height.

I usually use Tire Rack to look for the wheel widths by type and size of tire, as that seems to be the easiest source to search lots of tires to see what the different manufacturers say.

Ultimately, the store/dealer/shop that installs the tires typically will typically only do what the manufacturer states for sizing, for liability and safety, as well as just being able to "do it" and balance them...

All of that said, here are my tire and wheel sets.
I'm more of a proper fit, OE kind of look type of person, so all of the sets are what I consider "proper" fitment with no bulge and no stretch to them.

Summer Wheels:
Vossen HF-5s in Satin Silver, Deep Concave
21x9.5 ET16 with 275/35-21 PS4S
21x11 ET35 with 315/30-21 PS4S

Winter Wheels:
Asanti ABL-31 in Satin/Gloss Black, Deep Concave
20x9 ET25 with 265/45-20 Pirelli Scorpion Zero AS
20x10.5 ET38 with 295/40-20 Pirelli Scorpion Zero AS

[TacosRule!]

Originally Posted by 95wildtt

In my experience of fitting after market non-OE size tires for over 30 years, it's not an exact science, but it's gotten easier... and you really have to look at the manufacturer of the specific tire.
Yes, I'm old

As you probably have realized not all 265/275/295 size tires are the same exact dimensions, and they fit wheels differently, even though they are pretty close.
Generally staying in the middle of a wheel width/tire range gives the best results, but it really depends what look you are going for... some like a beefire bulge in the sidewall, some like the stretched low look, OEM is typically in the middle somewhere...
It also depends on the tire construction, purpose and sidewall height.

I usually use Tire Rack to look for the wheel widths by type and size of tire, as that seems to be the easiest source to search lots of tires to see what the different manufacturers say.

Ultimately, the store/dealer/shop that installs the tires typically will typically only do what the manufacturer states for sizing, for liability and safety, as well as just being able to "do it" and balance them...

All of that said, here are my tire and wheel sets.
I'm more of a proper fit, OE kind of look type of person, so all of the sets are what I consider "proper" fitment with no bulge and no stretch to them.

Summer Wheels:
Vossen HF-5s in Satin Silver, Deep Concave
21x9.5 ET16 with 275/35-21 PS4S
21x11 ET35 with 315/30-21 PS4S

Winter Wheels:
Asanti ABL-31 in Satin/Gloss Black, Deep Concave
20x9 ET25 with 265/45-20 Pirelli Scorpion Zero AS
20x10.5 ET38 with 295/40-20 Pirelli Scorpion Zero AS

from one old fart to another,






I'm on the stock 764M, which I think is a 10" wide rim. There is also a 10.5" wide rear rim, in the exact same style, so I don't know what size I have. I'll dismount one and verify.


I want a bit of tire over the rim to protect it. I absolutely hate the stretched look, which I kind of sort of have OE. I am running (and will probably continue to run) Mich PSAS4.

[TacosRule!]

Originally Posted by ttx3m

Well, stock width is 10in and everyone runs the 295 on those just fine. I think 10.5 is more ideal but it works on both.

FWIW I ran a 305/35/18 drag radial on my 04 mustang 10 inch wheel without issues. It had some bulge. In hindsight I wouldn’t do that again without at least a 10.5 in.

thank you for chiming in, appreciate the info.

[ttx3m]

I’m with you - don’t like the stretched look at all! a little bulge is perfect

[spucktacular]

To the fellow tire nerds.. a few bits I want to share after having a chance to test the 265/40/21 front and 275/40/21 rear michelin pilot all seasons.

The look is 10/10, they look perfect, the sidewall height, the stretch, the increased bulk and beefiness of the tire.

The ride comfort improvement is 10/10, best you could possibly expect while staying on 21" rims.

However, I always try to be fair so a few negative comments..

My suspension in comfort mode on the summer pilots feels maybe as stiff as the sport + mode on the all seasons. Handling response loss is noticeable over 70mph... at 90 or 110mph, I've lost 40-60% of the confidence the summer pilots had.

What I didn't really expect is the noticeable difference in drivetrain response.. acceleration and braking are obviously offset by 4%, but you feel it! What I notice even more is the RPM/Boost ratios seem different... I really didn't expect this and I'm very glad I didn't mess with the front/rear diff in rotational speeds. I was expecting the loss in high speed handling confidence.. but not the RPM/gear ratio changes.

I just hope it doesn't break anything, and I know I'll get used to it quick like anything.. and still do most of my driving at low speeds.. but its something to be aware of, and does make me a little sad to think I've lost 20-30% of this cars personality by messing with all that german optimization. One plus is that it kinda revs a little higher just to get going, which is nice for the growl... without jolting out too fast.

Anyway, good fun.. I'm happy with the upgrade.. and the look, I can't stop staring when I leave the parking lot. They look GREAT!!!! I don't know why BMW labcoats didn't optimize the ratios for this tire size... or get Michelin to produce a 275/40/21 summer pilot for the rear.

[Th3Walrus]

Originally Posted by TacosRule!

I'm on the stock 764M, which I think is a 10" wide rim. There is also a 10.5" wide rear rim, in the exact same style, so I don't know what size I have. I'll dismount one and verify.

764M are 20", with 9" front and 9.5" rear. I'm not sure where you're getting 10" and 10.5" from.

[TacosRule!]

Originally Posted by Th3Walrus

764M are 20", with 9" front and 9.5" rear. I'm not sure where you're getting 10" and 10.5" from.

You're right, I have 9 and 9.5. However there are 10s. The 10.5 was me having a brain fart and thinking of 789M

https://parts.bmwoforlandpark.com/p/...118059718.html 9JX20

https://parts.bmwoforlandpark.com/p/...118059722.html 10JX20

https://parts.bmwoforlandpark.com/p/...118059724.html 9.5JX20


I may just get 20x10 for the rears, throw 295 tires on them and call it a day.

[Th3Walrus]

Originally Posted by TacosRule!

You're right, I have 9 and 9.5. However there are 10s. The 10.5 was me having a brain fart and thinking of 789M

https://parts.bmwoforlandpark.com/p/...118059718.html 9JX20

https://parts.bmwoforlandpark.com/p/...118059722.html 10JX20

https://parts.bmwoforlandpark.com/p/...118059724.html 9.5JX20


I may just get 20x10 for the rears, throw 295 tires on them and call it a day.

Oh weird. Didn't know there was a 10" option. It lists all of them as just for the X3M/X4M. So I wonder what came stock if you ordered with 20"?

[TacosRule!]

Originally Posted by Th3Walrus

Oh weird. Didn't know there was a 10" option. It lists all of them as just for the X3M/X4M. So I wonder what came stock if you ordered with 20"?

very weird indeed. I got 9.5 rear stock so I got shafted. I dont know whats the criteria to get the rear 10s instead.

[Th3Walrus]

FYI you can't put the 9.5 on the front unless you run a spacer. The tire will rub the strut and destroy the tire.

I had an X3M before my X3MC, and I bought it in the winter. It had the summers on as it was a showroom car. As part of the deal they included 764M orbit grey winters, and the dealership techs installed one of the rears on the front. For a few days we kept wondering why we smelled burning rubber, until I figured it out.

[TacosRule!]

Originally Posted by Th3Walrus

FYI you can't put the 9.5 on the front unless you run a spacer. The tire will rub the strut and destroy the tire.

I had an X3M before my X3MC, and I bought it in the winter. It had the summers on as it was a showroom car. As part of the deal they included 764M orbit grey winters, and the dealership techs installed one of the rears on the front. For a few days we kept wondering why we smelled burning rubber, until I figured it out.

I printed your original post about that cus I was thinking of doing the exact same thing at the time.
I'll leave the OE 9" in the front and do 10s. I guess I'll have a pair of spare 9.5s lying around...

Thanks for the reminder

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by Th3Walrus

FYI you can't put the 9.5 on the front unless you run a spacer. The tire will rub the strut and destroy the tire.

I had an X3M before my X3MC, and I bought it in the winter. It had the summers on as it was a showroom car. As part of the deal they included 764M orbit grey winters, and the dealership techs installed one of the rears on the front. For a few days we kept wondering why we smelled burning rubber, until I figured it out.

That's horrible. It seems that BMW occasionally hires some pretty clueless techs now-a-days. I definitely wouldn't want someone with that clueless attention to detail working on my X3 MC. Make sure to tell your SA that you want a master tech only wrenching on your nice F97.