[bubbleboy]

Hi guys,
new to the site. new bmw owner. 2008 X3 M-sport.
Love it so far except for a few small things.

Major thing is that I live on a dirt road and it is rough much of the time. I am told that switching from the 19s with low profiles to 17s is at least the first thing to do.
I talked to the tire dealer (discount) and they are suggesting going with the 17 stock wheels and tires in size 225/60/17 to equal the diameter of my current ones.
This sounded reasonable but wanted to run it by this obviously experienced group first.
I know that they are less wide, will that look odd? Is there an alternative size that might work/look better? Any thoughts appreciated.
Thanks

[Tom Wiedeman]

I have a set of 17s off my 328 that I mounted snow tires on. They're "buried" under house and look but the size sound right. I've seen sizing chart at tire rack. You loose wheel caliper clearance, watch for trapped rocks on the front. There should be a lot of used wheels out there. The look is more rugged, esp with snow grips.

Tom

[bubbleboy]

bit the bullet and went with the recommendation. turned out really well.
I lost some of the cool-factor and handling of the 19s but the road so much more tolerable now.
Went with the black look. Much better for a mountain town.



19s are for sale. I'll post them when I have them cleaned and photo-d

[gds52]

Originally Posted by bubbleboy

bit the bullet and went with the recommendation. turned out really well.
I lost some of the cool-factor and handling of the 19s but the road so much more tolerable now.
Went with the black look. Much better for a mountain town.



19s are for sale. I'll post them when I have them cleaned and photo-d

Sorry for bumping an old thread.
What tire size did you put? Did you go for broader tires?
I'm considering an 06 X3 for winter driving, the one I saw has base suspension with 17'' wheels. I want to keep these wheels for winter tires.