I'm thinking of getting the smallest possible wheels I can

Ricapar · 01-24-2019, 12:05 AM

I have a 2009 e93. I love the car, but man does it take a beating on New Jersey's horrible roads.

I'm on my winter tires right now on 17" wheels from Tire Rack. 3 out of 4 wheels are bent.

My OEM 18" wheels - 2 out of 4 are bent.

Hitting any pothole is a mentally excruciating experience (on top of whatever seen or unseen damage it's causing), so on my commute to and from work I'm hyper alert to every little indentation on the road, making an otherwise easy commute really stressful.

My thought, and what I would like some feedback on: I don't care about "looks" and just want a comfortable ride. According to what I can configure on TireRack, it seems I can go down to 16" wheels and use the extra space to get some more rubber between the wheel and the road.

My hope is that by this, there's a little bit more tolerance for hitting the inevitable pothole, and a reduced chance of breaking/bending more wheels.

Am I misguided in this assumption, or has anyone else gone down a similar path?

6ixSpd · 01-24-2019, 12:24 AM

Theoretically, yes, a smaller diameter rim with more available tire sidewall will offer more cushion against potholes, thereby mitigating how much of the impact energy is sent to the rims...

That said, if you're bending 17" wheels wrapped in soft winter tires, I don't think 16s are going to be your saving grace. Perhaps being more vigilant on road conditions and avoiding the potholes when possible is a more concrete solution.

If you haven't already, I'd start with ditching runflat tires.

01-24-2019, 11:49 AM

Smaller wheels AND taller tires will definitely help.

Also, if you are on stock dampers, you're probably crashing into the bump stops as well...that likely isn't helping. Upgrade your dampers to something different as well and you'll see a world of improvement.

CTinline-six · 02-06-2019, 12:49 PM

I assume the 17s are aftermarket? In theory smaller wheels will help for sure, but sometimes it won't matter if the pothole is big enough. I cracked a 16 on a hole in NYC.

Needbmwpartzz · 02-06-2019, 02:52 PM

Sounds like you need a jeep where you live...

01-24-2019, 12:05 AM	#1
Ricapar Enlisted Member 16 Rep 46 Posts Drives: E93 328i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (0)	I'm thinking of getting the smallest possible wheels I can - good idea or bad idea? I have a 2009 e93. I love the car, but man does it take a beating on New Jersey's horrible roads. I'm on my winter tires right now on 17" wheels from Tire Rack. 3 out of 4 wheels are bent. My OEM 18" wheels - 2 out of 4 are bent. Hitting any pothole is a mentally excruciating experience (on top of whatever seen or unseen damage it's causing), so on my commute to and from work I'm hyper alert to every little indentation on the road, making an otherwise easy commute really stressful. My thought, and what I would like some feedback on: I don't care about "looks" and just want a comfortable ride. According to what I can configure on TireRack, it seems I can go down to 16" wheels and use the extra space to get some more rubber between the wheel and the road. My hope is that by this, there's a little bit more tolerance for hitting the inevitable pothole, and a reduced chance of breaking/bending more wheels. Am I misguided in this assumption, or has anyone else gone down a similar path? __________________ 2009 E93 328i / Black Schwarz Metallic / Black Leather / BMW Performance Exhaust / Vinyl Shadowline Trim
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

01-24-2019, 12:24 AM	#2
6ixSpd Save the manuals! 6015 Rep 6,746 Posts Drives: '16 M3, '23 718 Spyder Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 416 iTrader: (4)	Theoretically, yes, a smaller diameter rim with more available tire sidewall will offer more cushion against potholes, thereby mitigating how much of the impact energy is sent to the rims... That said, if you're bending 17" wheels wrapped in soft winter tires, I don't think 16s are going to be your saving grace. Perhaps being more vigilant on road conditions and avoiding the potholes when possible is a more concrete solution. If you haven't already, I'd start with ditching runflat tires. __________________ '16 M3 \| '23 718 Spyder Past: E92 M3, F87 M2, E39 M5, etc
	Appreciate 1 Quote

01-24-2019, 11:49 AM	#3
FCobra94 Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	Smaller wheels AND taller tires will definitely help. Also, if you are on stock dampers, you're probably crashing into the bump stops as well...that likely isn't helping. Upgrade your dampers to something different as well and you'll see a world of improvement.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-06-2019, 12:49 PM	#4
CTinline-six Hoonigan 6846 Rep 3,000 Posts Drives: '09 328i, '98 Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 328i N51 [0.00]	I assume the 17s are aftermarket? In theory smaller wheels will help for sure, but sometimes it won't matter if the pothole is big enough. I cracked a 16 on a hole in NYC. __________________ "Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." -Dr. Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-06-2019, 02:52 PM	#5
Needbmwpartzz Colonel 851 Rep 2,793 Posts Drives: 2009 bmw 328i x-drive Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Kitchener/Waterloo iTrader: (0)	Sounds like you need a jeep where you live...
	Appreciate 2 ISSA33546.00 Achappell867.50 Quote