X5M wheels - 20 or 21 inches?

[Coelho]

I live in NYC, where the roads are awful. THe land of potholes... I really like the 21 wheels and the michelin tires, but I am afraid if I go with there I will spend the rest of my life repairing tires and rims...

How much better off will I be ordering 20s instead of the 21s? My impression is that it will be a huge improvement in driving comfort and peace of mind compared to the 21s, is this true? Or the difference is negligible, in which case I would prefer the 21s?

Thanks for opinions!

[jcfay]

20s. 20s. I live in Westchester, and anywhere in the NY/NJ region, but especially in NYC (lived there in the past too) I'd go 20s. The 21s are great, and not as risky as other aftermarkets that I've had on other vehicles in the past, but the 20s are a much safer bet. And I've found the ride to be very, very good on them. Yes, the 21s are a bit better handling probably, but the reward vs. risk ain't worth it where we live.

You should also ask about wheel/tire insurance, as they'll surely offer it to you. Many have gone for it, but they'll try to gouge, and I think many have found it a reasonable deal if priced low enough and if cosmetic work is included.

[PatrickC23]

I would think the 20s are better handling, but I could be wrong. Im in NY/NJ and Im getting the 21s, they just look that good. Get the 21s, and a cheaper set of 20s with snows for winter.

[Roundown]

Ride is better on he 20s- noticeably so, but really depends on your tolerance.

If you're worried about a higher probability of damage, just get the W&T insurance.

[cmyx6go]

I would also recommend 20s. The ride is better and our roads suck, especially this time of the year. I know where every damn crater is on my daily commute, but new ones pop up every day. My brother just blasted one Wednesday in that torrential downpour and drove on the flat to get home. Needless to say, none of us would do that without the wheel and tire insurance. It's a must have. .

[jcfay]

Full disclosure, I've got the 21s too which I'll slap on in another month or so. But the good thing about the insurance is it covers ANY wheels on your vehicle (at least that's what I was told by the stealership). When the cool months hit again, however, I'll put back on the 20s. With any snow the PSS are super sketchy. But I think 21 Winter tires for our wheels are now available again.

[Coelho]

Thanks for all the input! Will go with the 20s.

Regarding Wheel and Tire insurance, my dealer quoted me a ridiculous amount, something like 3700 for 3 years.

I don't pay that amount in 3 years for my full insurance including collision and comprehensive!!!

Totally not worth it for that price. If it was around 1k I would do it.

[jcfay]

Originally Posted by Coelho

Thanks for all the input! Will go with the 20s.

Regarding Wheel and Tire insurance, my dealer quoted me a ridiculous amount, something like 3700 for 3 years.

I don't pay that amount in 3 years for my full insurance including collision and comprehensive!!!

Totally not worth it for that price. If it was around 1k I would do it.

The dealer should be willing to bargain. I overpaid but can't remember by how much. If you do a search you'll see some folks got a really good deal. And some folks are for it, some against. But here in the Northeast, I think it's well worth it as long as the coverage is solid.

[cmyx6go]

The cost sure has gone up. I remember when it was $795 for 3 years. I think I paid $1700 this time around. I replaced 4 or 5 tires on my '13 and a rim. It pays for itself and then some.

Good luck.

[brainblade]

I would have chosen the 20s but my car came with 21s. I think the Michelin is a far superior tire to the Pirelli on the 20s...granted, the 20s have a larger sidewall but the 21s are no different in price and the rim looks better. I opted out of wheel insurance since the package my dealer offered was 2800$, did not cover cosmetic and did not cover sidewall damage...even more, rims are only covered if rim cannot hold air. I can buy almost 2 sets off tirerack before I hit the $2800 breakeven

[PatrickC23]

W & T insurance, these all vary by dealer correct, since they are third party? How do you guys find coverage for claims? I have heard some of them repair the rim if possible rather than replace, I for one wouldnt want a wheels repaired unless it was just simple curb rash.

[PatrickC23]

Is there a difference in the design of the 20 and 21"? Or is it just a size difference?

[Coelho]

Lots of members in the NYC area, thanks for all the opinions! I will order with the 20s, hopefully better peace of mind...

If the dealer can negotiate a good price on the insurance (for me the insurance should cost no more than 1 tire and 1 year for the 3 years), then I will go with it.

My current X5 50i has 19" wheels and I've been through monster potholes. Not 1 flat or any other issue in 3 years due to the potholes. On the other hand, I picked a monster nail on its first month. Would have affected any tire... I just went to a certified Bridgestone repair shop and got it fixed there. They even gave me a warranty for the repair. Total cost of tire related expenses for 3 years = about 50 bucks.

[Coelho]

Anyone having bad experiences with the 20" wheels? Or are they holding together fine (no flats, etc)?

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by PatrickC23

W & T insurance, these all vary by dealer correct, since they are third party? How do you guys find coverage for claims? I have heard some of them repair the rim if possible rather than replace, I for one wouldnt want a wheels repaired unless it was just simple curb rash.

There are many options, not sure if they vary by dealer or if dealers choose which to offer based on their margin.

My brother has blown through I can't tell you how many wheels and tires on his B7. Dealer replaces no questions asked. I blame him for the price increase over the years. On his last lease they replaced over 10 rims and he is careful, not the clueless type. I just love when he calls me and tells me he did it again.

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by Coelho

Anyone having bad experiences with the 20" wheels? Or are they holding together fine (no flats, etc)?

I pickup nails like crazy on the monster rears. I had a flat on the 50i right before I traded it for the M. I thought it was a nail again but this time it was a tire weight (not mine) that punctured and got stuck in the tread. And those were my 19s for winter.

I find the 19s were more forgiving than the 20s as far as blowouts go. I ran 19s for winter and 20s for summer on my '13 M but regardless of size, my rears always pick up nails. I had one blowout on the 20s in 3 years on the '13 which cracked the rim and was replaced with the insurance. I think there is a $50 deductible.

[PatrickC23]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

There are many options, not sure if they vary by dealer or if dealers choose which to offer based on their margin.

My brother has blown through I can't tell you how many wheels and tires on his B7. Dealer replaces no questions asked. I blame him for the price increase over the years. On his last lease they replaced over 10 rims and he is careful, not the clueless type. I just love when he calls me and tells me he did it again.

I blame the people that don't fix our roads (properly). When I was in Germany for ED, I didn't see a single pothole.

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by PatrickC23

I blame the people that don't fix our roads (properly). When I was in Germany for ED, I didn't see a single pothole.

It's a joke. At least they seem to show up in the same place every year so I know where to avoid. It's like driving through a mine field dodging these damn craters.

[jcfay]

Originally Posted by PatrickC23

Is there a difference in the design of the 20 and 21"? Or is it just a size difference?

Slight design or color difference. I've attached a crappy pic I took a while back. 20s on the left, 21s on the right. HTH

[PatrickC23]

Originally Posted by jcfay

Slight design or color difference. I've attached a crappy pic I took a while back. 20s on the left, 21s on the right. HTH

Attachment 1371736

Thanks, really difficult to tell on the BMW site. I have to go 21s and 20s for winter, swapping the tires back and forth over three winters and springs will cost a pretty penny also.

[SuddenDebt]

welcome to nyc roads

SD

[jcfay]

Originally Posted by PatrickC23

Thanks, really difficult to tell on the BMW site. I have to go 21s and 20s for winter, swapping the tires back and forth over three winters and springs will cost a pretty penny also.

plus it's a pain in the ***. I'd just rather shell out the cash for another set, which I store in my garage, and swap out when I want (of course I'm out in the burbs...).