[ALF_E90]

I appreciate this is probably an unusual step, but having found the car so much sweeter with 17x8's and 225/45/17 all round I have bought a set of the same wheels for summer use and will be selling the staggered 18" style 162's. They look lovely but IMHO E90/1 cars are hardly lookers at the best of times, certainly not before the facelift (which helped the saloon a lot) and as a high-miles driver the way the car drives, and the running costs, matter more than wheel bling.

Since the 18's came off the ride quality, handling balance, and economy have all improved. In a car I spend a lot of time in, not having to clench my buttocks every time I see a pothole or crappy bit of road coming up is a massive bonus. Plus I prefer being able to swap fronts and rears to wear out a set evenly, like to be able to buy premium (non-RFT) tyres for just over £100 each (handy when you use at least a set a year), and think that the main safety concern with tyre grip tends to be aquaplaning - when narrower tyres are better.

So go on, flame me

[Samoht]

Originally Posted by ALF_E90

I appreciate this is probably an unusual step, but having found the car so much sweeter with 17x8's and 225/45/17 all round I have bought a set of the same wheels for summer use and will be selling the staggered 18" style 162's. They look lovely but IMHO E90/1 cars are hardly lookers at the best of times, certainly not before the facelift (which helped the saloon a lot) and as a high-miles driver the way the car drives, and the running costs, matter more than wheel bling.

Since the 18's came off the ride quality, handling balance, and economy have all improved. In a car I spend a lot of time in, not having to clench my buttocks every time I see a pothole or crappy bit of road coming up is a massive bonus. Plus I prefer being able to swap fronts and rears to wear out a set evenly, like to be able to buy premium (non-RFT) tyres for just over £100 each (handy when you use at least a set a year), and think that the main safety concern with tyre grip tends to be aquaplaning - when narrower tyres are better.

So go on, flame me

Respect!!!

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by ALF_E90

I appreciate this is probably an unusual step, but having found the car so much sweeter with 17x8's and 225/45/17 all round I have bought a set of the same wheels for summer use and will be selling the staggered 18" style 162's. They look lovely but IMHO E90/1 cars are hardly lookers at the best of times, certainly not before the facelift (which helped the saloon a lot) and as a high-miles driver the way the car drives, and the running costs, matter more than wheel bling.

Since the 18's came off the ride quality, handling balance, and economy have all improved. In a car I spend a lot of time in, not having to clench my buttocks every time I see a pothole or crappy bit of road coming up is a massive bonus. Plus I prefer being able to swap fronts and rears to wear out a set evenly, like to be able to buy premium (non-RFT) tyres for just over £100 each (handy when you use at least a set a year), and think that the main safety concern with tyre grip tends to be aquaplaning - when narrower tyres are better.

So go on, flame me

You won't get flamed by me for those sensible comments. To be honest I'm reading lots of posts across the forums (for all BMW models) where having winter tyres, (typically non run-flat) often downsizing as well, 'suddenly' brings comfort to the user. Surprise, surprise! Many are saying they won't go back to the same summer set up, as the car is driving better. We live and learn don't we?

As my garage's Master Tech' (of the older generation) says, "BMW produce some decent dynamics, but the amount of users that ruin their drive, by fitting the wrong wheels", then he just shakes his head.

BTW, I run two sets, both 17" on my E91, but both summer and winter are directional, so no easy swapping about, without refitting/turning tyres on the rims.

HighlandPete

[M3-FAST]

I wouldn't rush into selling the 18's - try and store them if you can as come resale time, having a 330i running on 17's won't be as desirable - majority of buyers will expect at least 18's on, with 19's a desirable option.

It might cost you more in the long run, than just popping em back on and selling the 17's when you have finished with them.

[kaishang]

Originally Posted by ALF_E90

So go on, flame me

I was going to say you will be driving an estate next... then I saw you do have an estate

[ALF_E90]

I did think that - but it is an SE and will have an intergalactic mileage by the time I come to sell it... It was the only 330i SE I looked at on 18's, and in fact was not advertised as such! I think on an M Sport it would seriously affect resale, for those who care about such things. I tend to keep cars about 3 years/100k minimum. Well, my daily drivers anyway...

[Em135eye]

Nice to see someone "agreeing" with my PoV for once! I usually get a right battering for suggesting smaller wheels may have some benefits.

However if you do sell the 162s, give me a shout. Much as I'd be throwing all my principles out the window, I have a serious weakspot for those rims.

[ALF_E90]

Originally Posted by kaishang

I was going to say you will be driving an estate next... then I saw you do have an estate

Yep - I got an estate (in my 20's - must be rare!) when I was racing a Caterham and needed a tow car with some room in it. As a keen mountain biker I have had 3 more estates since that despite no longer racing! One was truly beautiful and better looking than the saloon (google images alfa 156 GTA sportwagon to see what I mean or see my reviews/pics on Auto Journals), the rest I put up with because of the ability to lob two bikes in the back and head off to Wales without bikes on the outside of the car spoiling the drive up!

[Em135eye]

The E91 has to be one of the least compromised estates though in terms of handling (compared to the saloon/coupe).
A few estates I've had have been MUCH worse than the cars they were derived from.
An E91 is hardly any different.

What style 17s did you go for?

[wayne71]

Its not a proper estate, its little more than a hatchback.

[ALF_E90]

A lot of modern estates have the same wheelbase, track, and very similar weights compared to the saloon. They are much stiffer than in the old days too. Things were not always so.

I got style 185's. Those and 32's are probably my favourites, a few others I considered acceptable too - 185's are also very light (there seems to be a 10-15kg range for the different styles of 17 and 18). I have style 185's already as my winter wheels and like them on the car - yes they are a coupe style, and yes they look smaller than the 162's but it's not too much of a compromise. Not that especially care - I'm more interested in the drive and buying great tyres at small prices!

[kaishang]

I'd like to try out a F11 (new 5-series) estate.

[Em135eye]

ALF - a man (assume a man?!) after my own heart! I like my 160s - but not many do. However they are lightish, bombproof and slightly "different."

The tyre thing is VERY handy too.

Wayne - having had many hatchbacks and estates, I disagree. It's a lot bigger than any hatch I've had in the back. Just not as big as many estates - but then it's a "drivers" estate not an out and out load lugger. Strikes a fine balance between the two IMO.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by 335diesel

ALF - a man (assume a man?!) after my own heart! I like my 160s - but not many do. However they are lightish, bombproof and slightly "different."

Wayne - having had many hatchbacks and estates, I disagree. It's a lot bigger than any hatch I've had in the back. Just not as big as many estates - but then it's a "drivers" estate not an out and out load lugger. Strikes a fine balance between the two IMO.

I bought my car new and opted for the 160's as they are unusual, had 32's on the 540i, the best BMW rim ever, IMO.

I'm running the winter's on the 160's and bought a set of staggered 161's, which I have my summer tyres on. In a way I wish the 160's were the summer rims, as they are devil to clean, the 161's much easier.

The reason I run a 330d 'estate', "multi-purpose..." to me the best compromise out there. With the panoramic roof, which I use a lot even winter time, gets me as near as possible to an open top as well, so one vehicle does it all.

If it was an X-drive, it would be near on perfect. The new F30 will have that X-drive option, in RHD, so may wait for the next 'best compromise' car.

HighlandPete

[Em135eye]

Pete - the wheels are a TOTAL sod to keep clean but I've finally found an easy way to keep them spangly - Nilfik E140 (140 bar) pressure washer with a snow foam lance and snow foam. Does a brilliant job with no extra scrubbing needed (so far).

They were filthy before I cleaned them and they came out like this (tyres need cleaning and brake disks were "cleaned" by braking just after this pic!)!



The sunroof is utterly brilliant - I would not even consider another E91 without one. Or in fact any estate car. As you say it almost makes the car a proper open top. Our son loves staring at the sky/trees out of it too.

Hmm - agreement on a few things from yourself Pete and ALF. I may have to have a little lie down....!

[kaishang]

I'd like to investigate this oversided sunroof almost as much as I'd like to investigate non-RFTs...

[Em135eye]

More than welcome!

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by M3-FAST

I wouldn't rush into selling the 18's - try and store them if you can as come resale time, having a 330i running on 17's won't be as desirable - majority of buyers will expect at least 18's on, with 19's a desirable option.

It might cost you more in the long run, than just popping em back on and selling the 17's when you have finished with them.

19" were not a factory option mate on E90/91. But agree on what you have said about the 18"s

[F31-340i]

Interesting how different 3 litre E91 owners have different views - flame on .

I run mine on both 19"s (nonRFTs) and 17"s (nonRFT winters) - and while the ride is harder on 19"s it is much much better to drive than when on narrow 17"s.

I'm keen to get it back on 19"s as it is transformed into a much sharper handling car with fantastic turn in. This focus is lost on 17" rubber, and spoils it for me compared to when on 19"s. The ride on 19"s is still better than in say a 911.

Just my opinion

Not sure I follow the economy argument for swapping back and fronts - just replace the rears approx twice as often as the fronts on staggered wheels - how does this cost more, or matter?

19" were not a factory option mate on E90/91

True - but its interesting that the E90/1 door jam has pressure info for them, so looks like they were TUVd and BMW considered offering them.

Agree on the pano roof - looked a long time to find one with it.

Test drove an F10 last week - nice but not as big in the back seats as you'd expect - tourer has a big boot mind.

PS meant to add - all these 3 litre SEs on 17"s - BAAAAAAAA!

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by ///ajd

Interesting how different 3 litre E91 owners have different views - flame on .

.....PS meant to add - all these 3 litre SEs on 17"s - BAAAAAAAA!

Some of us want a bit of comfort in our BMWs. M-sports and 'turn-in' isn't everything. The other thing, some of us carry passengers who also remember the ride quality of BMWs past. I'm through with excusing the poor ride quality of some current BMWs.

BTW, how do you get on when you drive for a decent distance, don't you get a bit fed up with go-kart like driving? I know I would.

HighlandPete

[m@rk]

Originally Posted by ///ajd

Interesting how different 3 litre E91 owners have different views - flame on .

PS meant to add - all these 3 litre SEs on 17"s - BAAAAAAAA!

For me the decision was easy.

My 335D E91 came with 158s as standard. If I wanted 18s I had to pay for them and to be fair, the car on 158s looked fine to me because although I was going for the 335D I did not want a car that would attract attention (I had a Mondeo ST before and that was a joke)

I have never found the car lacking however I have never taken it on a track where I am sure the difference would be clear.

[F31-340i]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Some of us want a bit of comfort in our BMWs. M-sports and 'turn-in' isn't everything. The other thing, some of us carry passengers who also remember the ride quality of BMWs past. I'm through with excusing the poor ride quality of some current BMWs.

BTW, how do you get on when you drive for a decent distance, don't you get a bit fed up with go-kart like driving? I know I would.

HighlandPete

Just driven 800 miles in it last weekend - very comfy.

Mind it was on wallowy 17"s.....

I don't have any issues when its on 19"s though - I like the go kart feel, a key attraction over contemporary Audis and Mercs for me.