E70 4.8 Winter Tire Help

[maximus16v]

Hi all! I purchased a 2009 4.8 with sport package a few months ago. It came with the 20" wheels and the previous owner had just put on a new set of Conti rubber. I did some quick research and from what I saw they were decent rubber for winter as well so I didn't bother looking for winter tires

Today we had our first snowfall and quickly found out these tires are not good in snow. So now I am looking for a set or winter tires

I came across a set of used Sport rims with 275/40/20 on all 4 rims so not the factory staggered size. My question is will these work on the staggered rims? Won't the rear be stretched a bit and thus throwing off the overall diameter? I had an M3 years ago and I recall being told staggered rims need to keep the staggered tires.

Also the other option is a set of 18"s from a non sport. Can anyone confirm if 18" rims will clear the sport package X5?

Thanks!!

[JDAURIA]

It'll be stretched in the rear but 275/40/20 is an option. That's probably the route i'll be going in the very near future if I can find a set.

I am torn between:
- Finding a 19in dedicated wheel set to run 255/50/19 all around
- Stock 275/315 winter tires (20in)
- Stretched 275 all around winter tires (20in)

I wasn't sure about the 18in possibility, but I would be curious as well if they fit with sport package vehicles, I don't see why not unless the brakes are different sizes? Finding a set of 18in wheels would be easy.

[T-Dubbs]

There are always cheap oem 18's from the more basic e70's.
Winters are cheap for the size.
255/55/18

that's what i have for winter

[JDAURIA]

Originally Posted by T-Dubbs

There are always cheap oem 18's from the more basic e70's.
Winters are cheap for the size.
255/55/18

that's what i have for winter

18s fit with vehicles equipped with sports package?

Which style oem 18s are you running?

[T-Dubbs]

Originally Posted by JDNY516

18s fit with vehicles equipped with sports package?

Which style oem 18s are you running?

just the boring style 209's

[JDAURIA]

Originally Posted by T-Dubbs

just the boring style 209's

Thanks!

If I can find a cheap set of 209s with 255 winter tires I may just run a dedicated winter set.

[T-Dubbs]

Originally Posted by JDNY516

Thanks!

If I can find a cheap set of 209s with 255 winter tires I may just run a dedicated winter set.

it made sense to me!

[maximus16v]

Originally Posted by T-Dubbs

just the boring style 209's

Ya that's the other option. There have been 3 or 4 sets of the style 209 in my local classifieds for real cheap. I guess it was pretty common and good to know they will fit!

I called a local tuner shop and they said the non staggered figment is not ideal and suggest 19 or even the 18 square setup.

[nyceric03]

Also confirming stock square setup 18s work on the 4.8 X5 I run dedicated set of 18 winters and for summers the stock sport 275 fronts 315 rear 20s

[maximus16v]

Just thought I would post an update. I bought a used set of 18" style 210 with some decent rubber (of course no TPMS even though seller said they had them ). I had bought some 20mm spacers for the rear and 12mm front and was going to use them for the 20"s so thought I would throw them on now. I would highly suggest if you go this route to use spacers. The clearance in the rear is minimal and the offset looks horrible with sport package. I have attached some pictures so others can see what the rears look like with 20mm spacers. If you are planning on doing this I would probably go 25mm or more

Also, The 18s seem close to the 20s in weight but after install it definitely felt quicker and seemed as though the tranny shifted smoother. Probably just all in my head but the ride was much smoother with all the sidewall

[nyceric03]

Not in your head, the winter setup is probably 10 pounds lighter per wheel and helps with the acceleration and ride with the thicker sidewalls and smaller rims but i have the same problem as you the 18 winters just dont look nice with the flares

[T-Dubbs]

Originally Posted by nyceric03

i have the same problem as you the 18 winters just dont look nice with the flares

I'm not THAT concerned with fitment for my winters haha