Optional Tire Size questions

[puckybadger]

I'd like to fill up the wheel well a bit and replace the RF's but keep the OEM 19" rims. Can I safely go up a size or 2, from 255 to 265/275 and from 50 to 45/40 w/o anything touching the wheel well area while turning? Thanx.

[Doanster]

You can in terms of zero rubbing issues, BUT, you'll be going in the opposite direction in terms of your goal. Stock 255/50/19 setup equates to 29.04" total diameter (wheel and tire). Going 275/45/19 is actually shorter (28.74") so not only is this not recommended since your speedo, etc. will be off, you've actually accentuated the wheel gap because you now have a shorter sidewall.
At a minimum, you should go with 285/45/19, which is the stock rear size for EU cars so no issues with the speedo. It's almost a perfect match from stock rolling diameter wise (29.09").
No one has run a square 285/45/19 setup AFAIK.
If you want to reduce the wheel gap with just tires, you could probably get away with 265/50/19, but the speedo would be off. There may be concerns with other sensors, but I don't think it'd be a big deal. I remember on my B5 Passat, recommended +2 upgrade size was 225/45/17. Stock A4s with 17s ran with 235/45/17, hence my statement above.
Either way, all depends on how much the gap bothers you w/o lowering. Remember, we drive SAVs...

[puckybadger]

Originally Posted by Doanster

You can in terms of zero rubbing issues, BUT, you'll be going in the opposite direction in terms of your goal. Stock 255/50/19 setup equates to 29.04" total diameter (wheel and tire). Going 275/45/19 is actually shorter (28.74") so not only is this not recommended since your speedo, etc. will be off, you've actually accentuated the wheel gap because you now have a shorter sidewall.
At a minimum, you should go with 285/45/19, which is the stock rear size for EU cars so no issues with the speedo. It's almost a perfect match from stock rolling diameter wise (29.09").
No one has run a square 285/45/19 setup AFAIK.
If you want to reduce the wheel gap with just tires, you could probably get away with 265/50/19, but the speedo would be off. There may be concerns with other sensors, but I don't think it'd be a big deal. I remember on my B5 Passat, recommended +2 upgrade size was 225/45/17. Stock A4s with 17s ran with 235/45/17, hence my statement above.
Either way, all depends on how much the gap bothers you w/o lowering. Remember, we drive SAVs...

Thank you. I have read many of your posts, always well thought out. If I do the 285/45/19 rears, what would YOU do for the front?

[Doanster]

Honestly? Stock up front and 285/45s in the rear. Doesn't help with wheel gap, but def helps with the demeanor of the back end, especially if you add small spacers.
Have to keep the car visually balanced, so going with a taller sidewall tire up front and a shorter tire out back may not look right.

[viperdoc]

A follow on question....will 285 width tires fit on the OEM 19x9 wheel? I thought that would be too wide. I found a site selling used OEM wheels for a decent price and they list 19x9 M sport wheels that are for the front and 19x10 rears. I didn't know there were staggered fitments for 19 inch OEMs. Anyone know?

[viperdoc]

The only issue I just saw with this setup are the available tire choices (if you want all the tires to match). On tire rack there is only one tire that isn't a summer tire that has both sizes and it isn't rated well. Of course tire rack doesn't have every maker. Any suggestions?

[Doanster]

Min rim width for a 285/45 tire is 9" so you should be fine. Available tire choices, however, are a different story as you said. I have a dedicated winter setup so when I eventually go to this staggered config, I'll be getting summer tires, not all-seasons.
Sounds like you should just stick with the square 255 setup. Don't want to choose a lower quality tire for minimal aesthetic gains.

[viperdoc]

Yeah, I love the look of the wider tires, but it's not worth getting bad tires to do it. I could go up to 20s, and go 275 all around with wheels that have a lower offset so they are pushed out a bit, but I worry about ride quality.

Has anyone here gone from 19 OEMs with run flats to 20s with NON run flats? I wonder what kind of comfort hit I will take. Right now I have 19 inch run flats on and the ride is actually quite good.

[fooit]

Originally Posted by viperdoc

Yeah, I love the look of the wider tires, but it's not worth getting bad tires to do it. I could go up to 20s, and go 275 all around with wheels that have a lower offset so they are pushed out a bit, but I worry about ride quality.

Has anyone here gone from 19 OEMs with run flats to 20s with NON run flats? I wonder what kind of comfort hit I will take. Right now I have 19 inch run flats on and the ride is actually quite good.

Why not to take a test drive on X5 with 20" OEM RFTs?
Personally I don't think you'll notice any difference going from 19" to 20", maybe you'll even like 20" more as they are wider.

[viperdoc]

I was thinking of doing just that. Although I am a little nervous going back to the local dealer. I bugged them with numerous test drives for weeks and then purchased from another dealer in Denver. But in my defense, the sales gal who was trying to help me didn't know squat about the cars. At one point she even tried to convince me that to get navigation in the X5, you had to select a specific navigation package. And when I asked to test drive an x35i, she brought out a fully loaded 50i.

[fooit]

Originally Posted by viperdoc

I was thinking of doing just that. Although I am a little nervous going back to the local dealer. I bugged them with numerous test drives for weeks and then purchased from another dealer in Denver. But in my defense, the sales gal who was trying to help me didn't know squat about the cars. At one point she even tried to convince me that to get navigation in the X5, you had to select a specific navigation package. And when I asked to test drive an x35i, she brought out a fully loaded 50i.

Do they know you got the car? If not, then play it still undecided and ask to test drive any X5 on 20", just make sure it has the same suspension as yours, otherwise it won't be apples to apples comparison.

[viperdoc]

Yeah they do. I went in to get some touch up paint and the moron spotted me. She insisted on coming out to see the car too.

[fooit]

Originally Posted by viperdoc

Yeah they do. I went in to get some touch up paint and the moron spotted me. She insisted on coming out to see the car too.

Well, in this case just tell them you are thinking about getting 20" set of rims and tires, can they order it, how much will it cost, how long will it take and if they have it mounted on any of demo cars, you want to test drive it.