The BMW X5 is one of the most popular ‘premium’ SUVs on the market, with a range of engine and style choices. With all that variety, you get a wide range of tires for the X5, from 19 inches all the way to 22 inches. Combined with the different styles of tire, it can be impossible to know which tire is best for your X5.
In this article, we’ve covered all the available tires for the BMW X5 and our favorites in each section. You can find our picks for everything from 22-inch performance tires to winter tires just for snow & ice.
Let’s get started!
What tires are available on the BMW X5?
The BMX X5 range comes with a handful of different tire options. Standard X5 models include 19 to 22-inch tires, with X5 M models fitted for either 21 or 22-inch options. Aftermarket alloys might also be fitted to your X5, so it’s vital to check tire specs.
A list of the standard specs for each X5 model is below. Like most BMW models, your rear tire size may differ from your front tire, so check both:
| Model | Front Tire Specs | Rear Tire Specs |
| X5 45e / 40i | 265 / 50 / 19 inch | 265 / 50 / 19 inch |
| X5 45e / 40i / M50i | 275 / 45 / 20 inch | 275 / 45 / 20 inch |
| X5 45e / 40i / M50i | 275 / 40 / 21 inch | 315 / 35 / 21 inch |
| X5 45e / 40i / M50i | 275 / 35 / 22 inch | 315 / 30 / 22 inch |
| X5 M | 295 / 35 / 21 inch | 315 / 35 / 21 inch |
| X5 M | 295 / 35 / 21 inch | 315 / 30 / 22 inch |
How Do I Check My Tire Specs?
Along the edge of every tire, you will find the specs. They are usually shown like in the image below, with three numbers and a letter:
- Width (the larger number, usually between 200-400)
- Profile (often between 30-100)
- Tire Construction (a single letter)
- Rim Size (the size of your wheel, often between 15-25)
There may be extra details after the rim size, which can include:
- Load Rating (a number between 90-120)
- Speed Rating (a single letter)
What Do My Tire Specs Mean?
Tire specs provide information on your tire dimensions and performance:
- Width: measured in millimeters, this is the width of the tire from side to side
- Profile: this is the height of the tire’s sidewall, as a ratio against the width. In simple terms, the larger this value, the ‘thicker’ the tire
- Construction: The structure of the tire. Most modern tires are radial (shown with an R), but some run-flat tires will have a different designation.
- Rim Size: the diameter of your wheel, measured in inches
- Load Rating: How much weight the tire can support. This number is from a load index chart, and the higher the number, the more weight a tire can cope with
- Speed Rating: A letter designating the maximum safe speed a tire can handle. Common speed ratings are H (130mph), V (149 mph), W (168 mph), and Y (186 mph)
What tires are best for a standard X5?
Below we’ve covered our favorite tires for BMW X5 models at each size. As we mentioned, it’s important to compare your current tire specs to the tires below to make sure you get the perfect tire for your X5!
19 Inch Tires
We’ve broken down our choice of 19-inch tires into the following:
Performance Tire
High-performance tires are there for any driver wanting the best performance from their X5. With a sacrifice in tire lifetime and fuel economy, the increased grip in dry and wet conditions makes up for those shortcomings.
For X5 models with a 19-inch tire size, our choice for performance tire is the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season. This isn’t as strong as ‘summer only’ tires like the Pilot Sport 4S, but it has the maximum speed rating and excellent wet grip.
All-Season Tire
All-season tires aren’t as effective as performance specs when it comes to handling at higher speeds, but they are the best option for all-around use. Our choice in the 19-inch tire category is the Pirelli Scorpion All-Season Plus 3.
With fantastic handling in the wet, and a tire lifetime that’s better than all its rivals, this is a great option for annual use. The speed rating is just under the maximum, but a max speed of 149mph will be more than enough for drivers.
Run Flat Tire
Most X5 models come with run-flat tires as standard from BMW, and although most drivers prefer standard options, the extra safety of a run-flat is still a good choice. For 19-inch models, our favorite tire for your X5 is the Pirelli Scorpion Zero AS Run-Flat.
With a lower speed rating than the other tires on this list, you don’t get everything with this tire, but the grip and fuel economy are above average in the run-flat category. If you want the reassurance of a run-flat option, this is one of the best tires available.
Winter Tire
The final tire style we want to cover for 19-inch X5 models is the winter tire. These tires are ineffective in dry and even mildly wet conditions, but they are incredible on snow and icy surfaces. Our choice for this category is the Michelin X-Ice Snow.
With a speed rating of H and below-average fuel economy, the X-Ice makes up for these areas with an impressive tire lifetime and an average Tire Rack customer rating of 4.5/5.
20 Inch Tires
Next up are the choices for 20-inch tires. With similar specs to 19-inch X5 models, we have some familiar names on the list below.
Performance Tire
For 20-inch X5 models, the Continental Extreme Contact DWS is our top choice. There are limited options at this tire size, but the Extreme Contact range has great all-around stats, especially in the dry.
This was one of our favorite performance tires on X3 models, and it’s the same story here. With almost 2,000 reviews at 9/10 on Tire Rack, this is one of the best tires available from Continental.
All-Season Tire
Just like the 19-inch version, for all-season tires, our favorite here is the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3. Like its smaller sibling, this 20-inch version performs well in almost every condition, with impressive fuel economy. Combined with a long tire lifetime, the Scorpion AS Plus is a fantastic all-season tire.
Run Flat Tire
Another comparison to the 19-inch options, one of the best run-flat tires available for your 20-inch BMW X5 is the Pirelli Scorpion Zero AS Run Flat. This option has slightly worse fuel economy but still with a capable amount of handling in wet conditions.
Like all run-flat tires, as a BMW owner, you’ll have your own opinion on run-flat tires in general. Still, if you want that safety, you can’t get much better than these tires for your X5.
Winter Tire
Like all winter tires, our choice of the Pirelli Scorpion Winter isn’t the best all-around option. The max speed and fuel efficiency can’t compete with all-season options, but in the snow and ice there’s nothing better.
21 Inch Tires
None of our current favorite tires are in stock, in the 21-inch spec for X5 models. We’ve added links to see all available tires for your X5 below:
22 Inch Tires
The largest tire size available for standard X5 models, there are limited options for 22-inch tires. Fortunately, a couple of our favorite tires are available, and we’ve included the links below:
Performance Tire
Our pick for the best performance tire on your 22-inch X5 is easy – it’s the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. With a full-speed rating and the handling, you’d expect from this tire, even X5 M50i owners will be impressed by how well the Pilot Sport 4S handles.
As with every Pilot Sport, there are some sacrifices in fuel economy, and at 22 inches this isn’t a ‘budget’ tire. Even so, there’s nothing else that comes close for your X5.
Winter Tire
Winter tires aren’t usually available for 22-inch wheels, but Pirelli has introduced a new model to their Scorpion Winter line. Like the 20-inch option, this is a great tire for snow and ice, although we’d avoid using this in summer conditions.
The Best X5 M tires
X5 M models include a couple of different tire setups to the standard X5 model. They are only available with 21 and 22-inch options, and the power of the X5 M requires advanced tire specs. We haven’t had an opportunity to test these tires on the latest X5 M model, but you can check out all the available X5 M tires using the link below:
The Best Tire Accessories
If you’re looking for a new set of tires for your X5, you’ll want to make sure you look after them too. Keeping your tires clean, inflated, and stored safely is vital, so I wanted to share a few of the items I keep to make sure my tires are in the best condition.
These accessories include places to store and protect your tires when they are not in use, which is ideal if you have a set of winter and summer tires. You’ll also need a tire inflator kit, and it’s important to keep tire sealant in case you end up with a puncture.
Finally, keeping your tires clean is overlooked by so many drivers. I’ll see people spend hundreds on keeping their car paint and interior surfaces in top condition, but you need to make sure your wheels and tires are in the best shape too!
- Holds up to 35kg per bag
- Machine Washable
- Holds up to 400 lbs
- Adjustable for different tire widths
- Includes different nozzles for various tires
- Available in four colors
- Includes a 20V battery for portable use
- Automatic shutoff valve
- 24 fl.oz spray
- Suitable for up to 100 miles on damaged tires
- Eco-friendly
Summary
It’s important to make sure that your X5 has the right tire for your needs. Depending on your driving style, your climate, and annual usage, the best tire for you could be any of the options we’ve covered. Always remember when selecting a new set of tires to check they fit your wheels too!
For more info on all things BMW, check out our other articles:
Which BMW Models Have Heads Up Display?
The 5 Best Accessories for the BMW X5
Comparing The BMW X5 vs The BMW X6
The Most Fuel-Efficient BMWs in 2023
BMW Dynamic Handling Package Explained
