Upgrading alloys from 19" to 20"

[GHV]

Hi guys

I'm contemplating getting bigger alloys. Will changing from 19 to 20 inches affect the ride quality? I'm getting BMW ones from a private sale (from an X5).
Other than ensuring I get the mechanic to put on my previous TPMS's is there anything else I need to be aware of or undertake?

All advice and pointers gratefully received!

Thanks

PS
changing from a silver 19" V spoke 450 to black 20" star spoke 591

[IvanLZ]

Never tried the 19". The 20"s have a nice ride quality, only having some road noise because of run flats.

[Kzang]

Go 22" with conventional tires...
I've driven on 19", 20", 21" and 22" there are little differences on ride quality unless you are riding on run flats.

[sssmokie]

I drive on summer run flat 20s and winter run flat 19s. The ride with the 19s is better and the noise is less. That said, unless you are driving non-stop on paved roads, you should not have a problem - the ride with the 20s is not too bad, plus they give more stability.

To be honest, however, in the first days after i switched to my summer tyres, I was thinking of trading them for 19s...

You can't ignore the looks though, 20s are much better looking.

Hope that messy post helps... lol

[toxic_bimmer]

It all depends on your esthetic preferences and practical aspect. If the roads you are driving on are littered with potholes, speed bumps and have generally uneven pavement, the larger the size, less rubber you get to protect your suspension and rims, and the higher your chances of a blow out and/or bent rims. Don't forget, it is still a 2+ tons truck and less rubber you get, more likely the shocks will go through into the cabin, and more stress on your rims and suspension. Curb rush is another thing to consider, but I think if you live in burbs version of UK you should be ok with 20+.

[Kzang]

2 X5 Msport with adaptive M suspension...

This one has 22" wheels on non-run flat all season tires.



This one is on 20" wheels with run flat summer tires..



Guess which one rides nice and smoother??

[IvanLZ]

Originally Posted by Kzang

2 X5 Msport with adaptive M suspension...

This one has 22" wheels on non-run flat all season tires.



This one is on 20" wheels with run flat summer tires..



Guess which one rides nice and smoother??

Non run flats one ?

[Kzang]

^^ Yup!

[GHV]

Hi folks
Thanks for all your help.
If I were to put the TPMSs from my existing wheels into the new wheels, would they require recalibration?
Also will a 20" tyre wear quicker compared to a 19" due to a firmer ride?

[toxic_bimmer]

Originally Posted by Kzang

^^ Yup!

seriously?! 22s on non RFTs are better than 20s on performance RFTs?

I haven't driven on non RFTs in a while, esp on SUV... I would need a test run.. must have forgotten what it feels like.

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by GHV

Hi folks
Thanks for all your help.
If I were to put the TPMSs from my existing wheels into the new wheels, would they require recalibration?
Also will a 20" tyre wear quicker compared to a 19" due to a firmer ride?

Tire wear depends on type of rubber and how aggressive you drive.
Summer performance tires are made from softer compound and therefore wear a lot faster than all season tires. According to some owners here Dunlop Summer tires last about 12K miles... For perspective, mine are at 10,500 miles and the treads look fine. I think I can get another 7K or 8K miles from it.

So, if you install summer tires on your 19" wheels the tread life will be similar as a 20" with same tires based on your driving habits.

If you used the same TPMS, of course.. you would have to reset it on iDrive if that is what you are asking.

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by toxic_bimmer

seriously?! 22s on non RFTs are better than 20s on performance RFTs?

I haven't driven on non RFTs in a while, esp on SUV... I would need a test run.. must have forgotten what it feels like.

Mine is the space grey in the above pics... I drove my friends white one with 22" last weekend and it drove smoother and softer than my 20" with run flats.

[98PoleCat]

Originally Posted by GHV

Hi folks
Thanks for all your help.
If I were to put the TPMSs from my existing wheels into the new wheels, would they require recalibration?
Also will a 20" tyre wear quicker compared to a 19" due to a firmer ride?

You can "recalibrate" any tpms sensors yourself in idrive. Steps are in your owner's manual.

[GHV]

Originally Posted by 98PoleCat

You can "recalibrate" any tpms sensors yourself in idrive. Steps are in your owner's manual.

So, I don't have to remove the TPMS from my old wheels to the new wheels, and can use the TPMS already fitted on the new alloys just by resetting in Idrive?
I thought the TPMS was car-specific! My bad. Thanks all for your help once again.

[Jdavuga]

They aren't car specific, but they aren't all interchangeable.
I know the 2009 e70 weren't compatible with the 2013 e70.
Not sure what year your 22s are coming off of ( or if there have been any changes on f15s).

[98PoleCat]

Originally Posted by Jdavuga

They aren't car specific, but they aren't all interchangeable.
I know the 2009 e70 weren't compatible with the 2013 e70.
Not sure what year your 22s are coming off of ( or if there have been any changes on f15s).

Yeah. Good point. I shouldn't have said "any" sensors.

[GHV]

Originally Posted by 98PoleCat

Yeah. Good point. I shouldn't have said "any" sensors.

Hi
Mine are UK 2014 F15, the new alloys are from a UK 2016 F16.

[spike5150]

Originally Posted by GHV

Hi
Mine are UK 2014 F15, the new alloys are from a UK 2016 F16.

Those should be compatible. Does your vehicle have the fender flares? If not, the 20" might protrude too far from the wheel well. Here in US we would need to retrofit the fender flares (so it looks like the above pics vs. flush with the fender) to accommodate the wider wheels & tires.

[GHV]

Originally Posted by spike5150

Those should be compatible. Does your vehicle have the fender flares? If not, the 20" might protrude too far from the wheel well. Here in US we would need to retrofit the fender flares (so it looks like the above pics vs. flush with the fender) to accommodate the wider wheels & tires.

I have the flares. Had to look up what a fender flare is, being a complete noob!!

[spike5150]

You will like the look of the 20" wheels. If 20" have performance (summer) tires, just keep your 19" for use during the winter.

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by spike5150

You will like the look of the 20" wheels. If 20" have performance (summer) tires, just keep your 19" for use during the winter.

+1. Good advice. I use my 20" summer tyres for most of the year then swap em over for 19" winter wheels and rubber. You do notice the difference when running the summers especially over potholes which are par for the course where I live and on motorways with the 'tram lines' left by LGVs.
They do however look 'the poddles'.
Tyre wear is not good on the 20s RFs when compared with all seasons. Shame you cannot get hold of any ☹️

[IvanLZ]

Originally Posted by Baunton

+1. Good advice. I use my 20" summer tyres for most of the year then swap em over for 19" winter wheels and rubber. You do notice the difference when running the summers especially over potholes which are par for the course where I live and on motorways with the 'tram lines' left by LGVs.
They do however look 'the poddles'.
Tyre wear is not good on the 20s RFs when compared with all seasons. Shame you cannot get hold of any ☹️

Continental dws06