20" snow solution

scottyv · 11-17-2009, 04:53 PM

Well after much consternation I have decided to go with a 20" winter tire solution.

I just don't like anything smaller than a 20 on my X6 5.0 beastie.

Yes 18 & 19 wheels are better for winter but by how much and what price do you have on looks??

What I came up with on wheels is four 9.5 x 20" type 214 y spoke replica wheels.

These are 1/2" narrower than stock by my design.

The 10" stock 20" front rims are right at the limit of the 275 rubber whereby you have no rubber over the face of the wheel, by going 1/2 narrower the wheel will be pulled just enough to center to give you a little margin for safety on nicks (not much but better) and you'll be able to go through the car wash with with it.

These wheels ($899 a set) look identical to stock BMW 214's and while I would not run replicas year round, they are way better quality and looking than a cheapo tire rack special wheel. So you can run this look just without the extra wide rear wheels and a tad narrower overall for better fitament in a winter application.

The skins will be Pirelli Scorpion Snow and Ice 275/40/20's which is the stock size in the stagerred setup (fronts) so identical to stock diameter & circumference(s) overall.

I chose the Scorpions because they are a great all around choice for good winter traction while still being decent on dry/wet conditions, and they are the only snow tire in that exact stock size.

I can do the wheels and tires for under 2k with a much better handling and look than any other winter solution I have researched. To me the extra dough is well worth three winters of a good looking car vs a cheapo tire rack winter special look on 18/19's.

A Blizzak LM-25 was my second choice since it offers better winter traction but has less dry road handling and is not a availble in that size (you can get it in a 275/45/20 which is taller but is a choice if you want to go this route).

I need to post pictures of my new ride still, I'll try to do photos of the stock star spoke staggered 20's & then the replica 214 20"'s to show the contrast & what the replicas look like. Should have my wheels in a week or so.

ChilliWilli · 11-18-2009, 01:42 PM

I'm running replica style 87's 275/40/20 all around with 30mm spacers in the rear as my winter setup...on Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme rubbers. I visit a variety of northeast mountains for snowboarding and they handle great in snow!

xcfloyd · 11-24-2009, 11:25 AM

Scotty, thats a great idea! I agree that most of the 18" or tire-rack options just don't look good. I was looking for a similar solution for my X5.

Can you point me in the right direction as far as where you got your Replica's? Please be sure to post pictures, I look forward to seeing the results.

spmd11 · 12-19-2009, 10:08 PM

Yes! Where can we find Replicas? I've looked all over the net. Cant find a single vendor

ChilliWilli · 12-20-2009, 10:12 AM

Got mine from Finish Line wheels...

pmeloche · 12-20-2009, 05:36 PM

Why is this in the X5 section and not the X6 section?

Not that I don't like the X6 people.

11-17-2009, 04:53 PM	#1
scottyv Modding Master 13 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 2010 X6 5.0 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	20" snow solution Well after much consternation I have decided to go with a 20" winter tire solution. I just don't like anything smaller than a 20 on my X6 5.0 beastie. Yes 18 & 19 wheels are better for winter but by how much and what price do you have on looks?? What I came up with on wheels is four 9.5 x 20" type 214 y spoke replica wheels. These are 1/2" narrower than stock by my design. The 10" stock 20" front rims are right at the limit of the 275 rubber whereby you have no rubber over the face of the wheel, by going 1/2 narrower the wheel will be pulled just enough to center to give you a little margin for safety on nicks (not much but better) and you'll be able to go through the car wash with with it. These wheels ($899 a set) look identical to stock BMW 214's and while I would not run replicas year round, they are way better quality and looking than a cheapo tire rack special wheel. So you can run this look just without the extra wide rear wheels and a tad narrower overall for better fitament in a winter application. The skins will be Pirelli Scorpion Snow and Ice 275/40/20's which is the stock size in the stagerred setup (fronts) so identical to stock diameter & circumference(s) overall. I chose the Scorpions because they are a great all around choice for good winter traction while still being decent on dry/wet conditions, and they are the only snow tire in that exact stock size. I can do the wheels and tires for under 2k with a much better handling and look than any other winter solution I have researched. To me the extra dough is well worth three winters of a good looking car vs a cheapo tire rack winter special look on 18/19's. A Blizzak LM-25 was my second choice since it offers better winter traction but has less dry road handling and is not a availble in that size (you can get it in a 275/45/20 which is taller but is a choice if you want to go this route). I need to post pictures of my new ride still, I'll try to do photos of the stock star spoke staggered 20's & then the replica 214 20"'s to show the contrast & what the replicas look like. Should have my wheels in a week or so. __________________ 2010 Alpine White X6 5.0 with Oyster Leather / Dark Wood Trim -- Sport Package with 20" Style 259 Wheels, Premium Pkg, Premium Sound, 7RR Performance Pkg, Active Steering, Running Boards, Rear View Cam & Top view, Cold Weather Pkg, Rear Climate Pkg, Comfort Access, Space Saver Spare, Sat Radio, Smartphone Integration Last edited by scottyv; 12-17-2009 at 09:46 AM.. Reason: mistake
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11-18-2009, 01:42 PM	#2
ChilliWilli Chillin' like a villain 2 Rep 50 Posts Drives: Like i stole it Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: International member iTrader: (0)	I'm running replica style 87's 275/40/20 all around with 30mm spacers in the rear as my winter setup...on Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme rubbers. I visit a variety of northeast mountains for snowboarding and they handle great in snow!
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11-24-2009, 11:25 AM	#3
xcfloyd Private 19 Rep 67 Posts Drives: X5, X6, X5M, M2, M3, M4 Comp Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rochester, NY iTrader: (1)	Scotty, thats a great idea! I agree that most of the 18" or tire-rack options just don't look good. I was looking for a similar solution for my X5. Can you point me in the right direction as far as where you got your Replica's? Please be sure to post pictures, I look forward to seeing the results.
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12-19-2009, 10:08 PM	#4
spmd11 Major 290 Rep 1,079 Posts Drives: 2020 X3MC Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (4)	Yes! Where can we find Replicas? I've looked all over the net. Cant find a single vendor __________________ 2020 X3MC, 2018 Porsche Macan, 2019 X3 3.0i, 2016 981 Cayman S
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12-20-2009, 10:12 AM	#5
ChilliWilli Chillin' like a villain 2 Rep 50 Posts Drives: Like i stole it Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: International member iTrader: (0)	Got mine from Finish Line wheels...
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12-20-2009, 05:36 PM	#6
pmeloche Lieutenant Colonel 24 Rep 1,604 Posts Drives: 2013 F25 X3 xDrive35i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Montréal, Canada iTrader: (0)	Why is this in the X5 section and not the X6 section? Not that I don't like the X6 people. __________________ Patrice 2013 F25 X3 xDrive35i Vermillion Red
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