20" Tire Choice Revisited

[bmwarg]

Originally Posted by PAX5

bmwarg,

Here's what you should do:

- keep what you have (RFT on the staggered 20 inch wheels). Why? Because you cannot have a spare with the 3rd row. Your RFT are new and should serve you well for the first 10K miles or so, as long as you maintain a proper alignment. IMPORTANT! If the shop did an alignment just before you bought it, post the alignment results and I'll tell you if the tires will last 10K miles. If not, go back, or have it redone at another shop ... about $100! You also don't want to get involved in mounting and re-mounting of RFT tires. Very bad for the sidewall and tire bead and they can/will damage the TPMS. Plus it will cost you up to $200 each time you mount and balance tires!

- then buy a second set of 18 or 19 inch wheels (OE or aftermarket) for winter use, with a good set of snows or all season (Conti DWS, Pirelli, Michelin or Bridgestone Blizzak). Why? Much better selection of tires and OE wheels in 18" or 19" are readily available and affordable. You should be able to get a complete set for around $1,000 to $1,500. Takes just as much time to switch wheel sets, no mounting and balancing invilved and you preserve your 20" set. Remember to get a set of TPMS for your winter wheels!

And don't let anyone tell you that the 18" or 19" wheels will look funny with your wheel flares. Safety is more important and it's only temporary ... If you must, you can always buy a set of $100 spacers (plus bolts!) for the rear if the look bothers you ... http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E70-X5_...ers/ES2550798/

See, problem solved!

That is convincing argument. I might just keep the RFT tires and wear them out. However, I can't see myself buying an set of 19" wheels for the few times I go up to Tahoe.

I'm also not concerned about not having a spare because it is pretty safe out here (minus a few bad neighborhoods that are easy to stay away from) and we have AAA roadside assistance. I may get a slime kit or something to be extra safe.

Unless I am missing a key piece of info: can the non-RFT tires blow out and cause a much more dangerous driving situation?

[bmwarg]

bump

I'm debating between the Nitto Motivo and Vredestein Ultra Vorti. Any thoughts between these two?

Others I don't know anything about are ContiSportContact 5, Nitto NT421Q, Nitto NT05, Nitto Invo (low tread life?).

[Capnhook]

I just replaced the factory RFT Bridgestones (got 22k miles out of the rears, down to the wear bars, the fronts still had almost 50% tread!) with Nitto Motivo, staggered 20's. Main reasons are, here in Texas we don't need snow tires, the cost out the door was just over $1,100, and they're much more quiet than the RFTs. Plus, the 60k mile tread wear warranty is a nice addition the RFTs don't come with. I can't really tell the difference on ride quality between either brand, though.

[bmwarg]

Originally Posted by Capnhook

I just replaced the factory RFT Bridgestones (got 22k miles out of the rears, down to the wear bars, the fronts still had almost 50% tread!) with Nitto Motivo, staggered 20's. Main reasons are, here in Texas we don't need snow tires, the cost out the door was just over $1,100, and they're much more quiet than the RFTs. Plus, the 60k mile tread wear warranty is a nice addition the RFTs don't come with. I can't really tell the difference on ride quality between either brand, though.

Thanks! So Nitto Motivo is equally stiff over bumps and as good cornering?

[Capnhook]

Originally Posted by bmwarg

Thanks! So Nitto Motivo is equally stiff over bumps and as good cornering?

I really don't drive the X5 much, it's my wife's car. And when I do, I don't push it much. I have a Viper for extreme driving. That said, I do drive it harder than she ever will, and haven't noticed any less, nor more, cornering ability. But they're, just guessing, 5-10 dB more quiet than the RFTs! Plus, the added savings in less unsprung weight at each corner does seem to help in acceleration and especially fuel economy in the diesel. We are seeing almost 27 mpg now, where she was seeing only 24-25 mpg with the RFTs.

[bmwarg]

Originally Posted by Capnhook

I really don't drive the X5 much, it's my wife's car. And when I do, I don't push it much. I have a Viper for extreme driving. That said, I do drive it harder than she ever will, and haven't noticed any less, nor more, cornering ability. But they're, just guessing, 5-10 dB more quiet than the RFTs! Plus, the added savings in less unsprung weight at each corner does seem to help in acceleration and especially fuel economy in the diesel. We are seeing almost 27 mpg now, where she was seeing only 24-25 mpg with the RFTs.

Good info, thanks! Do you know if absorbs the bumps a little better?

[Capnhook]

Maybe a little softer, as the non RFTs will have, by design, less stiff side walls.

[troymi]

Here's a couple pics of the Motivo on 299M wheels. You won't be disappointed. Quiet, handle well, and were more than adequate in the rain and snow. THey are supposed to wear like iron but I didn't keep this set very long.

FWIW, keep and eye on eBay seller discounttiredirect. They have promotiions for $100 off every $400 purchase 2 times per year. I got the set of Nitto Motivos for less than $800 including shipping.

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by troymi

Here's a couple pics of the Motivo on 299M wheels. You won't be disappointed. Quiet, handle well, and were more than adequate in the rain and snow. THey are supposed to wear like iron but I didn't keep this set very long.

FWIW, keep and eye on eBay seller discounttiredirect. They have promotiions for $100 off every $400 purchase 2 times per year. I got the set of Nitto Motivos for less than $800 including shipping.

Wow, thanks for the tip

[bmwarg]

I ended up going with Continental DW (not DWS) and they have been wonderful. Softer over bumps and same great handling.

[Flying Ace]

FYI, the Nitto Motivo is now on sale thru Discount Tire direct. The sale is $100 off $400 if you buy through ebay.

I just ordered a complete 20 inch set for $746, free shipping, no tax. You need to split your order up into two, a front set and a rear set to get this price.

Alternatively, the rear DWSs were not in stock (front was). So you can also buy a set of front DWS from Discount Tire, and buy a set or rear ones at regular price from Tire Rack and still save $100.

here's the sale info:

http://slickdeals.net/f/7703065-disc...-free-shipping

[BMWNTHZST]

Why doens't Michelin make a PSS tire that fits the front of our SUV

I decided to go with Falken FK453CC. It's a very simular tread design to the PSS. I'm getting them mounted this week.

I must say I'm looking forward to pulling my ugly narrow winter set up off and fluhing up that rear wheel well again

[MRV99]

Originally Posted by PAX5

bmwarg,

Here's what you should do:

- keep what you have (RFT on the staggered 20 inch wheels). Why? Because you cannot have a spare with the 3rd row. Your RFT are new and should serve you well for the first 10K miles or so, as long as you maintain a proper alignment. IMPORTANT! If the shop did an alignment just before you bought it, post the alignment results and I'll tell you if the tires will last 10K miles. If not, go back, or have it redone at another shop ... about $100! You also don't want to get involved in mounting and re-mounting of RFT tires. Very bad for the sidewall and tire bead and they can/will damage the TPMS. Plus it will cost you up to $200 each time you mount and balance tires!

- then buy a second set of 18 or 19 inch wheels (OE or aftermarket) for winter use, with a good set of snows or all season (Conti DWS, Pirelli, Michelin or Bridgestone Blizzak). Why? Much better selection of tires and OE wheels in 18" or 19" are readily available and affordable. You should be able to get a complete set for around $1,000 to $1,500. Takes just as much time to switch wheel sets, no mounting and balancing and you preserve your 20" set. Remember to get a set of TPMS for your winter wheels!

And don't let anyone tell you that the 18" or 19" wheels will look funny with your wheel flares. Safety is more important and it's only temporary ... If you must, you can always buy a set of $100 spacers (plus bolts!) for the rear if the look bothers you ... http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E70-X5_...ers/ES2550798/" rel="ugc" target="_blank">http://<a href="http://www.ecstuning...ES2550798/</a>

See, problem solved!