18" vs. 19" vs. Potholes

isimokov · 08-17-2010, 02:47 PM

I bought a used '07 328i e90 with the sport package a few months ago. I have stock 17" rims with fairly new Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 all season tires. I am debating whether or not to buy some cheap wheels for winter tires and keep using the Pilots in summer, or to get rid of the Pilots, use the OEM rims for winter, and buy my self a set of either 18" or 19" rims with good summer tires. I have been reading the forums and found out for example that the 225M style is prone to cracking because low profile tires, pot holes and run-flats put a lot of stress on the rim. Also, I live in Toronto, and there is a fair amount of potholes on some of the roads. What do you guys recommend? 18's, 19's or keep it stock?

MassBimmer · 08-17-2010, 02:53 PM

I went with 18" VMR V710 with all season tires last year and run them year-round near Boston...absolutely love them, no issues so far

I would put winter tires on your stocks and get a summer wheel set-up

isimokov · 08-17-2010, 04:00 PM

Other then I guess looks and price, were there any other factors you considered berfore you went with 18s?

Mookie469 · 08-17-2010, 04:06 PM

Like MassBimmer said. Stock winter setup and get some 18" with good summer tires.

chromisdesigns · 08-17-2010, 08:11 PM

Don't go to 19 inch wheels with runflats if you value your dental work!

froz_v · 08-17-2010, 08:32 PM

im in toronto too and running 19" with general UHP so far its not bad just got to try to avoid bad potholes =D

Wake27 · 08-17-2010, 08:37 PM

Just ordered some 19s. Hoping it doesn't come back to bite me in the ass with all of the potholes around here...

isimokov · 08-17-2010, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chromisdesigns

Don't go to 19 inch wheels with runflats if you value your dental work!

Thanks.. I plan to go with regular tires.. Most likely Bridgestone RE050A Pole Position or something simillar in that class

MassBimmer · 08-18-2010, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isimokov

Other then I guess looks and price, were there any other factors you considered berfore you went with 18s?

It wasn't really about price, I just wanted a versatile wheel that I could feel comfortable running with awful roads in Boston and not have to worry about every little crack in the road

ctgazer · 08-18-2010, 08:10 AM

potholes can damage any size of wheel..ive seen bent 15" rims on mazda 3's before...just gotta be careful

mithiral67 · 08-18-2010, 08:24 AM

First, drive careful and avoid potholes. Second, drive careful and avoid potholes.

I run 19s for my winter and summer sets in Chicagoland (not great roads) and its generally OK. Summer is generally fine, cause you can see them from a mile away and new ones arent popping up all the time.

Winter is a bit worse, but again, try to avoid them the best you can. I have cracked one rim in the winter on the 19s, but insurance paid for 100% of it, which happened to be the exact cost of the insurance.

I feel like my oem wheels are a lot stronger than my breytons, then again, after I bought them, there have been several posts questioning thier strength.

For size, i went with the 19s cause they just look better, and the extra vibrations from them is just a cost.

ryanful · 08-18-2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MassBimmer

I went with 18" VMR V710 with all season tires last year and run them year-round near Boston...absolutely love them, no issues so far

I would put winter tires on your stocks and get a summer wheel set-up

My setup exactly.

I'm running 18" VMR 710's with new AVID ENVigor (235 f/265 r) that I love, super quiet, great grip, not afraid of standing water/rain.

AND running my stock 16" wheels with cookie cutter 205/55's in the winter. The narrow tires are MUCH better in the snow and ice. (check what rally cars run for ice rallies)

isimokov · 08-23-2010, 10:20 PM

Thank you for all the advice. I ended up buying a set of 18" VMR VB3s. Now I need to figure out which tires to put on, but that will be a different thread

mithiral67 · 08-23-2010, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isimokov

Thank you for all the advice. I ended up buying a set of 18" VMR VB3s. Now I need to figure out which tires to put on, but that will be a different thread

good size choice, nice balance of comfort and looks.

ModBargains.com · 08-24-2010, 12:19 AM

If your worried about potholes you definitely should consider an 18" wheel setup as you'll have the option of wrapping more tire for protection around the wheel to take the impact. I see that you've decided on the VMR VB3 CSL wheel and that is definitely an excellent choice! I'll shoot you over a PM with more details!

- Alan

lstoker · 08-24-2010, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by **********s.com

If your worried about potholes you definitely should consider an 18" wheel setup as you'll have the option of wrapping more tire for protection around the wheel to take the impact. I see that you've decided on the VMR VB3 CSL wheel and that is definitely an excellent choice! I'll shoot you over a PM with more details!

- Alan

This is exactly what I did. Went with 18's to replace the OEM's and then went +1 on the tire size. No more worries of scraping the lip of the wheel on a hole like with 19's. More rubber = more protection

I335 · 08-24-2010, 08:32 AM

I went with 17s and 225 Blizzaks all around here in the Boston area for my winter setup. The ride is very noticeably better with these in winter in comparison to my summer 19s and I don't have to cringe every time I get near a pothole with this setup. I figure for winter why not go as small and skinny as possible to get the best protection, best ride, and winter traction? Yes, handling is obviously affected too but you'd be surprised at how little and winter is not the time for 1.2g corners anyhow...

isimokov · 08-24-2010, 10:24 AM

I am going to be using my stock 17s for winter. Except I am going to probably put Nokians.

david @ eas · 08-24-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MassBimmer

I went with 18" VMR V710 with all season tires last year and run them year-round near Boston...absolutely love them, no issues so far

I would put winter tires on your stocks and get a summer wheel set-up

I agree with this as well... It seems to be the common practice to get winter tires for the stockies and then for your new wheels, run them during the summer.

OP: Let me know if you need help on those wheels, I can ship them to Canada no problem.

R12ax7 · 08-24-2010, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jurrian @ eas

I agree with this as well... It seems to be the common practice to get winter tires for the stockies and then for your new wheels, run them during the summer.

OP: Let me know if you need help on those wheels, I can ship them to Canada no problem.

+1 I am doing the same thing with 18" 189s for summers

bobbers114 · 08-24-2010, 11:37 AM

on my 2nd set of 19's, 3/4 are bent from potholes. and i dodge them like bullets.. except that 1 lucky one..

08-17-2010, 02:47 PM	#1
isimokov Private 2 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2020 X5M Competition Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	18" vs. 19" vs. Potholes I bought a used '07 328i e90 with the sport package a few months ago. I have stock 17" rims with fairly new Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 all season tires. I am debating whether or not to buy some cheap wheels for winter tires and keep using the Pilots in summer, or to get rid of the Pilots, use the OEM rims for winter, and buy my self a set of either 18" or 19" rims with good summer tires. I have been reading the forums and found out for example that the 225M style is prone to cracking because low profile tires, pot holes and run-flats put a lot of stress on the rim. Also, I live in Toronto, and there is a fair amount of potholes on some of the roads. What do you guys recommend? 18's, 19's or keep it stock?
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08-17-2010, 02:53 PM	#2
MassBimmer Major General 310 Rep 7,434 Posts Drives: 2023 i4 M50 Join Date: May 2009 Location: MA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2009 BMW [9.24]	I went with 18" VMR V710 with all season tires last year and run them year-round near Boston...absolutely love them, no issues so far I would put winter tires on your stocks and get a summer wheel set-up
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08-17-2010, 04:00 PM	#3
isimokov Private 2 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2020 X5M Competition Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Other then I guess looks and price, were there any other factors you considered berfore you went with 18s?
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08-17-2010, 04:06 PM	#4
Mookie469 First Lieutenant 15 Rep 299 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Sedan Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Williamsburg iTrader: (2)	Like MassBimmer said. Stock winter setup and get some 18" with good summer tires. __________________
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08-17-2010, 08:11 PM	#5
chromisdesigns Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,753 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i sedan Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	Don't go to 19 inch wheels with runflats if you value your dental work!
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08-17-2010, 08:32 PM	#6
froz_v Lieutenant 34 Rep 527 Posts Drives: AW/FR ///M Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00] 2009 BMW 335 xDrive ... [0.00] 2006 Porsche Cayenne S [0.00]	im in toronto too and running 19" with general UHP so far its not bad just got to try to avoid bad potholes =D __________________ 11 E90 ///M ZCP 12 Range Rover Autobiography 06 Porsche Cayenne S 09 E92 335xi M-sport SOLD 08 E90 328xi Gone but will never be forgotten!
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08-17-2010, 08:37 PM	#7
Wake27 Lieutenant Colonel 46 Rep 1,681 Posts Drives: '06 330i ZPP ZSP Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NoVA missing SoCal iTrader: (1)	Just ordered some 19s. Hoping it doesn't come back to bite me in the ass with all of the potholes around here... __________________ 2006 JB 330i/ZPP/ZSP/I-Drive/Heated Seats/L7/Blacklines/19" Gunmetal V710's on Vredestein Ultrac Sessantas/BMS PBX/Red MFD Scoops/Matte black grilles/Matte black Amber Gone 2.0s/BSW center midrange speaker/35% tint/Black and white roundels
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08-18-2010, 08:10 AM	#10
ctgazer Major General 385 Rep 7,952 Posts Drives: a dilapidated ride Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: canada eh! iTrader: (10) Garage List 2006 e90 [0.00]	potholes can damage any size of wheel..ive seen bent 15" rims on mazda 3's before...just gotta be careful __________________
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08-18-2010, 08:24 AM	#11
mithiral67 That guy 120 Rep 5,740 Posts Drives: 2015 Cayman GTS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (4) Garage List 2015 Porsche Cayman ... [0.00]	First, drive careful and avoid potholes. Second, drive careful and avoid potholes. I run 19s for my winter and summer sets in Chicagoland (not great roads) and its generally OK. Summer is generally fine, cause you can see them from a mile away and new ones arent popping up all the time. Winter is a bit worse, but again, try to avoid them the best you can. I have cracked one rim in the winter on the 19s, but insurance paid for 100% of it, which happened to be the exact cost of the insurance. I feel like my oem wheels are a lot stronger than my breytons, then again, after I bought them, there have been several posts questioning thier strength. For size, i went with the 19s cause they just look better, and the extra vibrations from them is just a cost.
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08-23-2010, 10:20 PM	#13
isimokov Private 2 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2020 X5M Competition Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Thank you for all the advice. I ended up buying a set of 18" VMR VB3s. Now I need to figure out which tires to put on, but that will be a different thread
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08-24-2010, 12:19 AM	#15
ModBargains.com Banned 479 Rep 13,582 Posts Drives: JB E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 1721 E. Lambert Rd #C, La Habra, CA 90631 iTrader: (51)	If your worried about potholes you definitely should consider an 18" wheel setup as you'll have the option of wrapping more tire for protection around the wheel to take the impact. I see that you've decided on the VMR VB3 CSL wheel and that is definitely an excellent choice! I'll shoot you over a PM with more details! - Alan
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08-24-2010, 08:32 AM	#17
I335 Brigadier General 125 Rep 4,249 Posts Drives: '08 335i Coupe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New England iTrader: (11)	I went with 17s and 225 Blizzaks all around here in the Boston area for my winter setup. The ride is very noticeably better with these in winter in comparison to my summer 19s and I don't have to cringe every time I get near a pothole with this setup. I figure for winter why not go as small and skinny as possible to get the best protection, best ride, and winter traction? Yes, handling is obviously affected too but you'd be surprised at how little and winter is not the time for 1.2g corners anyhow...
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08-24-2010, 10:24 AM	#18
isimokov Private 2 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2020 X5M Competition Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	I am going to be using my stock 17s for winter. Except I am going to probably put Nokians.
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08-24-2010, 11:37 AM	#21
bobbers114 Banned 0 Rep 51 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: fl iTrader: (0)	on my 2nd set of 19's, 3/4 are bent from potholes. and i dodge them like bullets.. except that 1 lucky one..
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