[BMW Rolls]

Thanks in advance for reading and giving feedback.

2011 535 xDrive Base Model, Space Gray & Black Dakota, Convenience, Cold Weather, Premium packages with 237 style wheels. Purchased with 9k miles about 2 years ago for a very good price (original MSRP $63,325), had to go with this one, even with the stock suspension set up.

Wife’s daily driver so I can’t mod as if it was my own, so limited in the things I will do.

Installed H&R Sport Springs (spec says 1.5” lower in front and 1.3” in the rear) and 5mm spacers a while ago, huge difference in handling performance. Stock dampers but feels like the bump stops could be a bit shorter or softer, seems to crash just a little bit too hard on harsh bigger bumps. Next step is to upgrade from the 237’s and go with staggered set up like my other BMW and other performance cars we have. Have to get rid of the narrow rear tire look but want to protect the ride quality if possible.

Have to use all seasons and am leaning towards Continental ExtremeContact DWS, 245/40/19 & 285/40/19’s. Want to go to a summer tire and snow tire set up but that’s not in the cards. I do that with my X5 4.8is and am really like the benefits.

I want to stay away from the weaker type of gravity fed cast wheels. As most everyone knows and I found out, the 237’s (among others) bend way too easy. I also want to protect the budget and want to keep the total package at or below $3k if buying new wheels along with the tires.

Considering Avanti Racing HY Hybris SDC 19x8.5 & 19x9.5 set up with the ExtremeContact’s. Tire Rack has a total shipped to me along with TPMS & 4 tire totes of $2,359. I like the wheels and the set up is right in my budget. Am willing to look at other combo’s but taking my time to make an informed decision.

I’ve like 351’s, 281’s as well as the Avant Garde M580 Silver wheels too.

Need some help/advice:

1. Confirming that this tire set up (O.D. front and rear 26.7 & 26.9) is ok for xDrive.

2. Thoughts on BMW OE wheel strength (237’s are too soft and not wide enough or staggered – I bent 2, none of my other cars with alloy (997, Viper, X5, Shelby GT500) wheels have every had this issue.

3. Which BMW OE wheels to stay away from or which ones are strong enough to select?

4. I’d prefer to stick with 18” wheels but having difficulty finding the right widths. 19”s will be ok but would rather avoid 20” wheels if possible, want ride quality and with the H&R’s, the unsightly gap is gone. How much ride degradation will I have going from 18” to 19” or 20”?

5. Going to keep one mounted 237 in the trunk (along with a jack and a lug wrench) so I can run the non-flats with confidence (my wife will be driving most of the time) and not have to worry. Any issues with this ? The OD of the 18” wheel and tire set up of the OE will be different from the new set up, in an emergency, how long can I drive without screwing up anything on the xDrive?

Thanks!

[Mr.skytech]

Try Rohanna RC-10

[Nitrous Garage]

Take a look at my site. If you see anything you like let me know and I can help you with fitment and pricing

[Jeanny5]

Doing a lot of research myself as I'm looking to go from stock 19's to HRE staggered 19s or 20's.

Stock 19s ride comfortable, even with with the 245 40 19 RFTs. Almost soft. In sport mode, still not firm like my 335i sport. Just to let u know, for staggered 19 fitments, wheel distributors are telling me 245 35 19 fronts and 275 30 19 rears for HRE and Vorsteiner wheels.

[fmohajer]

Do NOT do a staggered set up with an X-Drive.

[Nitrous Garage]

Originally Posted by fmohajer

Do NOT do a staggered set up with an X-Drive.

A staggered setup is okay to go with, just make sure the tire diameter difference is less than 1%

[BMW Rolls]

Staggered is fine on x-drive, just have to get same diameter, no issues.

Still looking at wheels, the good news is lots of solid choices. I like the OEM look of M5 but am totally open to other wheels but want to keep silver or close to stock finish, nothing against black wheels on some cars, but not on this one for me though.

Here are a few driveway pics, lowered and with calipers painted. I also painted my X5 wheels but found a blue Dupli-color with some metallic closer to the M color used in calipers that I like.

[BMW Rolls]

Tried to edit quote and change pic from iPad, NOT.

Here is the profile pic.

The spacers make stock rims better for sure, can't wait to figure out new wheels and get the mounted with new tires.