Wheels - 20" or 21"

[NERVOUS]

I just got rid of a 2012 X5 M... Looking for a new one. Curious to hear which size wheels you went with and why?

Initially, I was leaning towards the 21" wheels, but I've been to a couple dealerships and it seems like everything in-stock has the 20" wheels.

[AwesomeM3]

I got the 21s because I think they look nicer, they come with Michelin Pilot Super Sports, and there was no additional charge over the 20s.

[UrbanExtant]

I went with the 21" wheels, and couldn't be happier. I thought the size, and style fit the X5 M better than the 20" option.

[hamh]

Go for 22s all the way, you'll be surprised how well it fit, it's like the car is made for 22s

[NERVOUS]

Originally Posted by hamh

Go for 22s all the way, you'll be surprised how well it fit, it's like the car is made for 22s

Are you referring to aftermarket wheels, or is there a 22" OEM option I'm not aware of?

[twelve535i]

The design of the 20's make the wheel look small. Go for the 21's.

22's are aftermarket only

[hamh]

Originally Posted by NERVOUS

Are you referring to aftermarket wheels, or is there a 22" OEM option I'm not aware of?

Yup, 22s have to be aftermarket. Unless you really dig the OEM wheels, otherwise 22s look a lot better, in fact one of the member got an aftermarket 22s with the OEM look.

[NERVOUS]

Originally Posted by twelve535i

The design of the 20's make the wheel look small. Go for the 21's.

22's are aftermarket only

Unless I'm mistaken, both of the wheel options for the 2016 X5M (i.e. 611M and 612M) have the same design, just different sizes - 20" vs 21"... Right?

[twelve535i]

Originally Posted by NERVOUS

Unless I'm mistaken, both of the wheel options for the 2016 X5M (i.e. 611M and 612M) have the same design, just different sizes - 20" vs 21"... Right?

Pretty sure you're right but 1" of wheel makes a big difference.

[NERVOUS]

Unfortunate! A local dealership has an X5M configured exactly the way I want, except for the 20" wheels... It's Long Beach Blue too!

[mswaz]

Originally Posted by NERVOUS

Unless I'm mistaken, both of the wheel options for the 2016 X5M (i.e. 611M and 612M) have the same design, just different sizes - 20" vs 21"... Right?

The design pattern is slightly different on the 20's verses 21's On the 20's the spoke has a notch to the inside and on the 21's the spokes have a notch to the outside of the spoke. Slight variation including the 1 inch in diameter.

[AwesomeM3]

Here are photos of the 20" 611M and 21" 612M wheels:

[AlexLou1222]

I would only go with 20' if I live where roads are filled with potholes. 21' looks way better

[hamh]

Keep two set of wheels, 20s for the pothole season , and 21 or 22 for summer :-)

[JNoSol]

Tire cost on 20s are lower. These X5M/X6Ms go through a set of MPSS every 12k miles if we're lucky. 21s do look better.

[NERVOUS]

You guys are awesome... Thanks for all the help! ��

[LastLong]

For the X5M/X6M, go with the OEM 21" ! They make the X5M/X6M look better! Just WOW!

[Wildcharlie]

I ordered mine with the 21s and pick it up at the end of the month. I went back and forth on the decision because of the horrible roads here in the tri-state area. I finally got to see the 20's and 21s in person tonight and I have to say the 21s look better. The 20s still look good and if you weren't given the option no one would clammer. Supposedly, the 20s were put up specifically for the NE and Chicago markets with more significant road quality issues.

I'm hoping my 20" winter setup will help "weather the storm" of potholes.

Of another note, I believe the 21s are forged whereas the 20s are cast. Can anyone verify?

The 21s come with Michelin rubber vs Pirelli for the 20s.

[r33_RGSport]

Since the day I got my F15, this discussion was in my head all day long.
After looking at the specs and tire choices, I have decided on the 22".
Here are my reasonings:

- 21" and 22" tires cost about the same
- 22" looks better than the 21"
- 22" more wheel options
- 22" tires always in stock

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

Since the day I got my F15, this discussion was in my head all day long.
After looking at the specs and tire choices, I have decided on the 22".
Here are my reasonings:

- 21" and 22" tires cost about the same
- 22" looks better than the 21"
- 22" more wheel options
- 22" tires always in stock

+1

[hamh]

Originally Posted by LastLong

For the X5M/X6M, go with the OEM 21" ! They make the X5M/X6M look better! Just WOW!

Yup, if you think 21s look better, 22s will make it look even better

[Luca42]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

Since the day I got my F15, this discussion was in my head all day long.
After looking at the specs and tire choices, I have decided on the 22".
Here are my reasonings:

- 21" and 22" tires cost about the same
- 22" looks better than the 21"
- 22" more wheel options
- 22" tires always in stock

This is good (and true), but the dilemma for me is the following:

I think the 21s look better than 20s
but to date, no one is making a really viable winter option for the 21s (or I haven't found it).
So do you: (1) run a dual set up, like AwesomeM3 and Urban, with 20" OEM winters; or do you (2) get the 21s and try to find another all season/winter option?

I'm waiting anxiously for JNoSol's solution with the 20" BC Forged with Contis DWS. I think it's going to look amazing.

Of course, I saw somewhere on the X5 board where someone had 22" with studded Hakkapeliittas. If that's really possible for the X5 M, the options are endless!