18- or 19-inch Wheels

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
  • Start date Start date
A

Anonymous

Guest
My first post. I've learned quite a bit by reading this forum, and come to respect the opinions of the members here. Thank you for that. You Brits seem to have a great sense of humor, too.

Now, on to my question. I'm going to order a Z4 in the next 2-3 months (timing it to coincide with the end of my current lease). Being obsessive, I've of course built my car on the BMW website a thousand times. I've pretty much decided what I want (a 35is) and what options I want, but the one issue I am uncertain about is the wheel size. My original thought was to stick with 18-inch wheels out of concern for a rough ride on the sometimes poorly maintained roads here in New Jersey. On the other hand, I like the look of the larger wheels. Also, I've just recently driven a 35i with 19-inch wheels, although I didn't have an extensive test drive, and was surprised that the ride was smoother than I expected.

So, I'd love to hear opinions on the advantages and disadvantages of 18- vs 19-inch wheels. Thanks in advance.

- David
 
Welcome to the forum :thumbsup:

From experience, go for the bigger wheels. The fact that you ask the question means you prefer the look, and you won't be happy with the 18's, especially when you get passed by another Zed shod with 19's.

I've seen one with 19's in the showroom and it does look the mutt's nuts :thumbsup:
 
Just don't buy the 296 wheels, get the M Sport 326 wheels. The 296's are very prone to cracking
 
Okay the 19" alloys look pretty, but they are a lot noisier and give a firmer ride than the 18" wheels. I would suggest you find a demonstrator with 19" and have a blast down the freeway with the radio off and decide if the drone is acceptable.

For me, I tested a 2.3i shod with 296's, it nearly put me off the car as it was 4 to 5 decibels higher than A4 diesel cabriolet that I had at the time, this is a key point, if you have a mini cooper the 19" wheels will feel like your in a hurst, if you have a caddy then it will be like your sitting in a Nascar.
 
Yes, the M Sport 326 wheels are specified for the 35is here. I've read about the 296 cracking problems. Also I notice that at least Nickm currently drives on 19's (can't tell for the rest of you). So that's good to know.

Just as an aside, "the mutt's nuts"? See what I mean about your sense of humor? It's truly entertaining to an Amurikun like me! I just love your expressions, even when I don't understand them. I had to look up "the pants" to understand what someone was saying in another thread.
 
I have the split rim 18's. I like them.

I do like the look on the car of the 19" but the state of the roads I mainly drive on and the reputation BMW 19" wheels have! I'd be constantly checking my wheels hadn't cracked if I had 19"
 
I love the look of my 296 wheels, but others are correct on this thread, they're neither the most comfortable nor reliable (I've had both rears replaced already, very stressful experience). They do turn heads however as for me the 19" size complements the dimensions of the car. I think 18" look a bit small, but then again, are likely to cause you much less stress (and the tyres are cheaper too!).
 
Chris Z4 said:
The 18 inch V spoke 294 wheel I think is much nicer than the 296 but it's down to personal choice.
Click to expand...

I have the 294's on mine and think they look great. My heart said go for the 296's but the issues of cracking and poorer ride quality were an off put.
 
Thank you for all your thoughts. I could be wrong on this since it's hard to tell who has what, but it seems that of those who actually have 19s on their cars only Maniac reports an uncomfortable ride. True?

If I avoid the 296 wheels, are there predictions of trouble? I think otherwise it comes down to test driving cars with each size wheels on our local roads here.

Kirsty seems like a woman I would like to like, if only I had the proper size.
 
Kirsty said:
Bigger is always better :)
Click to expand...

Not necessarily! Smaller ones handle better at the limit and can be easier to control, therefore prolonging the ride! When driving hard the turn in is easier also which lets you get on the go pedal quicker, enabling you to point and squirt more effectively!

Also the cost of rubbers is cheaper!!


:P
 
Breaker said:
Kirsty said:
Bigger is always better :)
Click to expand...

Not necessarily! Smaller ones handle better at the limit and can be easier to control, therefore prolonging the ride! When driving hard the turn in is easier also which lets you get on the go pedal quicker, enabling you to point and squirt more effectively!

Also the cost of rubbers is cheaper!!


:P
Click to expand...

You raise good points, although with a larger diameter wheel you feel more in contact with the road and the driver gets more feedback, especially when pressing on.

At the end of the day if the driver loses control it makes no difference, the ride is over.... can be a bit embarrassing getting the call from BMW assist afterwards though ;)
 
I always feel my new 326's take to the road better, maybe because I don't have to worry about what bump I'm hitting and if it will crack a wheel or not I guess.....
 
DavidJS said:
Thank you for all your thoughts. I could be wrong on this since it's hard to tell who has what, but it seems that of those who actually have 19s on their cars only Maniac reports an uncomfortable ride. True?

If I avoid the 296 wheels, are there predictions of trouble? I think otherwise it comes down to test driving cars with each size wheels on our local roads here.

Kirsty seems like a woman I would like to like, if only I had the proper size.
Click to expand...

Interesting perception... I say not the most comfortable and you read that to say uncomfortable.

The 296 does not make for an uncomfortable ride, in fact coming from 18" wheels on my e85, the e89 is positively a cruiseliner. For clarity, 17" wheels absorb the most bumps, 18" less so and 19" less so again. There's enough difference between 18" and 19" that you can tell the ride is slightly harsher at 19" but its never uncomfortable.
 
My mistake, Maniac. Thank you for clarifying. Also, that makes the opinions closer to unanimous. Definitely firming up my decision.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom