Shall I swap my 19's for 18's?

225_AB · 02-24-2015, 06:04 PM

My wife has inherited my e92. It is on 19" wheels and since I changed from RFT to non RFT the ride has improved a lot but it is still pretty firm. I wonder if I should change to 18" wheels? I am not confident that she looks out that well for potholes. 18" wheels won't look as good as 19's but I wonder how much the ride might be improved so I am after anyone who has experience of both 19 and 18 wheels and what you thought of the difference in ride quality. My e92 is a pre LCI that I think rides firmer than the LCI's. Thoughts and opinions welcome.

basim07 · 02-24-2015, 06:14 PM

I've had 19s and 18s both with non rft tyres on my current m sport and previous SE E90 with sport suspension
Tbh I didn't notice much difference at all, can barely tell if at all

Hypotheically, benefit of 18s is you can afford to use larger profile tyres which I guess should make it better e.g 40 and 35 as opposed to 35 and 30

gibbon7000 · 02-25-2015, 01:13 AM

On my previous car i changed from 19's to 18's and put a bigger profile on and the ride comfort difference was worlds apart.

doe · 02-25-2015, 01:56 AM

Like gibbon said, if you want the ride comfort you have the shrink the wheels and go bigger profile tires but It's going to change the looks of the car

Sparky68 · 02-25-2015, 01:57 AM

18s do seem to be a lot more comfortable. Although 19s always look better as there is less tyre visible if that makes sense. I am running 18s at the moment but looking at 19s for the summer.

tbenn1 · 02-25-2015, 02:28 AM

I'd be interested in swapping my 18 for 19s

E90325iM-SPORT · 02-25-2015, 03:56 AM

16" (talking about car wheels

is perfect for my partner

I personally used on e90 17"/18"/19 18" wheels are the best overall but if I park my car next to the car which is on 19" than all changes and 19" looks best!

cb · 02-25-2015, 04:38 AM

@tbenn1
I have currently 19" BMW LA wheel, star spoke 230. I am looking for 18" at the moment.
Which ones do you got?

jimborae · 02-25-2015, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gibbon7000

On my previous car i changed from 19's to 18's and put a bigger profile on and the ride comfort difference was worlds apart.

Ditto, I'm running 18" with winter tyres atm and compared to my 19" 313's with low profiles the ride is much improved. Looks, handling & feedback however is not.

tbenn1 · 02-25-2015, 06:11 AM

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b53/tbenn1/245.jpg

There what I have

cb · 02-25-2015, 08:37 AM

Are you interested in my wheels?
Are you looking for a straight swap?

tbenn1 · 02-25-2015, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb

Are you interested in my wheels?
Are you looking for a straight swap?

Yea I'd be interested in a straight swap, where are you from?

I'll dig them out the shed (winters on at the moment) and check the tread on the tyres.

What are your tyres like?

cb · 02-25-2015, 12:41 PM

I will take some pictures for you tomorrow and check the tread too.
I am living in Portsmouth area. What about you?

Sparky68 · 02-25-2015, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimborae

Ditto, I'm running 18" with winter tyres atm and compared to my 19" 313's with low profiles the ride is much improved. Looks, handling & feedback however is not.

Get the suspension sorted and it isnt as bad

tbenn1 · 02-25-2015, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb

I will take some pictures for you tomorrow and check the tread too.
I am living in Portsmouth area. What about you?

Shrewsbury post code sy2 5sb.

jimborae · 02-25-2015, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparky68

Get the suspension sorted and it isnt as bad

Eibach Pros, Koni Yellows & M3 arms bushes etc, so it's already pretty sorted mate.

Pacman83 · 02-25-2015, 05:51 PM

It depends what you've been used to.
My 2 previous cars had modded suspension and they were a bit rough, but I'm amazed just how good the e92 is with 19" rims. Granted,like all cars with big wheels and rubber band tyres, if you're not on a smooth surface, it's bumpy, but the way in which this car handles as standard is simply incredible. If I were to choose a feature of this car (and there's many) that I love, it's without doubt the ride. I'm leaving mine as is

225_AB · 02-25-2015, 06:05 PM

Thanks guys gonna think about this a while, I drive it today with its 17" winters, handle not great but a much more compliant ride. The 19" look good though.

cb · 02-26-2015, 03:48 AM

Here are the pictures of my wheels.
The left back wheel has some scratches but apart from that they are in good condition for 7 year old wheels. I think the tyres need to be replaced soon.

02-24-2015, 06:04 PM	#1
225_AB Major 65 Rep 1,377 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: May 2010 Location: buckinghamshire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 M235i [0.00] 2009 BMW 330D [0.00]	Shall I swap my 19's for 18's? My wife has inherited my e92. It is on 19" wheels and since I changed from RFT to non RFT the ride has improved a lot but it is still pretty firm. I wonder if I should change to 18" wheels? I am not confident that she looks out that well for potholes. 18" wheels won't look as good as 19's but I wonder how much the ride might be improved so I am after anyone who has experience of both 19 and 18 wheels and what you thought of the difference in ride quality. My e92 is a pre LCI that I think rides firmer than the LCI's. Thoughts and opinions welcome.
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02-24-2015, 06:14 PM	#2
basim07 First Lieutenant 26 Rep 358 Posts Drives: E93 330i & E90 330D Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Manchester iTrader: (0)	I've had 19s and 18s both with non rft tyres on my current m sport and previous SE E90 with sport suspension Tbh I didn't notice much difference at all, can barely tell if at all Hypotheically, benefit of 18s is you can afford to use larger profile tyres which I guess should make it better e.g 40 and 35 as opposed to 35 and 30 __________________ E93 Carbon Black 330i M Sport Auto E90 SG 330D M Sport Auto
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02-25-2015, 01:13 AM	#3
gibbon7000 Private First Class 6 Rep 115 Posts Drives: e92 coupe Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Lincs iTrader: (0)	On my previous car i changed from 19's to 18's and put a bigger profile on and the ride comfort difference was worlds apart.
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02-25-2015, 01:56 AM	#4
doe Private First Class 7 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 335i Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Bmw [0.00]	Like gibbon said, if you want the ride comfort you have the shrink the wheels and go bigger profile tires but It's going to change the looks of the car
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02-25-2015, 01:57 AM	#5
Sparky68 Brigadier General 676 Rep 4,260 Posts Drives: 2016 M2 Alpine White Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Cambs UK iTrader: (11) Garage List 2016 BMW M2 [0.50] 2017 BMW F30 330D [0.00] 2014 M135 [0.00] 2007 BMW 335i [0.00]	18s do seem to be a lot more comfortable. Although 19s always look better as there is less tyre visible if that makes sense. I am running 18s at the moment but looking at 19s for the summer. __________________ OG M2 7sp DCT Masata FMIC - Masata Boost Pipe - Cobra Catless DP - Powervalve Exhaust - Devilsown Methanol Injection BM3 Stage 2
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02-25-2015, 02:28 AM	#6
tbenn1 Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 293 Posts Drives: f31 335d Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: shrewsbury iTrader: (0)	I'd be interested in swapping my 18 for 19s
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02-25-2015, 03:56 AM	#7
E90325iM-SPORT Captain 20 Rep 784 Posts Drives: E90 325i m-sport Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: EAST MIDLANDS iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i M-SPORT [6.66]	16" (talking about car wheels is perfect for my partner I personally used on e90 17"/18"/19 18" wheels are the best overall but if I park my car next to the car which is on 19" than all changes and 19" looks best!
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02-25-2015, 04:38 AM	#8
cb Private First Class 34 Rep 111 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: England iTrader: (0)	@tbenn1 I have currently 19" BMW LA wheel, star spoke 230. I am looking for 18" at the moment. Which ones do you got? Attached Images
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02-25-2015, 06:11 AM	#10
tbenn1 Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 293 Posts Drives: f31 335d Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: shrewsbury iTrader: (0)	http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b53/tbenn1/245.jpg There what I have
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02-25-2015, 08:37 AM	#11
cb Private First Class 34 Rep 111 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: England iTrader: (0)	Are you interested in my wheels? Are you looking for a straight swap?
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02-25-2015, 12:41 PM	#13
cb Private First Class 34 Rep 111 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: England iTrader: (0)	I will take some pictures for you tomorrow and check the tread too. I am living in Portsmouth area. What about you?
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02-25-2015, 05:51 PM	#17
Pacman83 Lieutenant 25 Rep 405 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Cumbria iTrader: (0)	It depends what you've been used to. My 2 previous cars had modded suspension and they were a bit rough, but I'm amazed just how good the e92 is with 19" rims. Granted,like all cars with big wheels and rubber band tyres, if you're not on a smooth surface, it's bumpy, but the way in which this car handles as standard is simply incredible. If I were to choose a feature of this car (and there's many) that I love, it's without doubt the ride. I'm leaving mine as is Last edited by Pacman83; 02-25-2015 at 05:51 PM.. Reason: spelling
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02-25-2015, 06:05 PM	#18
225_AB Major 65 Rep 1,377 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: May 2010 Location: buckinghamshire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 M235i [0.00] 2009 BMW 330D [0.00]	Thanks guys gonna think about this a while, I drive it today with its 17" winters, handle not great but a much more compliant ride. The 19" look good though.
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02-26-2015, 03:48 AM	#19
cb Private First Class 34 Rep 111 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: England iTrader: (0)	Here are the pictures of my wheels. The left back wheel has some scratches but apart from that they are in good condition for 7 year old wheels. I think the tyres need to be replaced soon.
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