19s ride quality

nunp

Member
Hi all. I have a dilemma on which wheel size to go for. The 19 MSport option alloys look great however I'm concerned with the potential for a crashy ride. I test drove a Z4 with 19s and found the ride acceptable however the car was brand new and I have noticed with previous cars the ride deteriorates with time. I have had a couple of 1 series with 18s in the past and the ride was crashy on them. What are people's views on ride quality - I expect it to be hard but is it acceptable? I'm coming from a c class coupe which is v comfortable even with AMG sport suspension. Will the 18s be more comfortable?
 
I don't think there will be a noticeable difference from 18 to 19 especially if you use non run flats. I think you would need to drop to 17 to feel the difference.
I have 19 and in comfort mode are good, Living in the country with a farm track to cope with very time I leave home, I am more than happy with the ride. My son had a VW Scirrocco and that was terrible.
 
Hab a 3er and 123coupe both msport on 18s ride was worse and harder and more crashy on both than the Z with 19s even in sport mode just ordered my new one with 19s and this is from an old boy who sometimes has a bad back so go on you know you want the 19s all day long :thumbsup: :wink:
 
i have done over 12k in mine as an everyday car and i find the ride totally acceptable. having had the older coupe and e85 roadster on 18s, they were not so great and had very crashy rides but the current z4 is a lot better and i can do a lot more miles without getting tired out or having an achey back
 
I've got 19s now and had 18s on my previous e89, yes it's a bit harder but only noticable on poor road surfaces (OK - most of them are these days!).

I'd choose the 19s again for looks and handling, and I've certainly not noticed any deterioration with time.
 
I doubt 18s will make much of a difference over 19s TBH.

The RFTs are quite unforgiving regardless. This is a general BMW issue.

The Msport suspension is a bit harsher than the regular suspension. That will probably make more difference.

I would add that the Z4 wears the 19s really well in terms of appearance.

I find that switching to the Z after driving a saloon makes the extra noise and firmer suspension feel very pronounced. Use the Z for several days and you get used to it. Go back to your C Coupe after a week in the Z and the C would feel like a limousine.

But then the Z *is* a roadster.
 
I think you will be hard pressed to measure the differance between 18's and 19's using the seat of your pants as instrumentation!

My car has 19's and Msport suspension and I find it more than acceptable.
 
Thanks all. Based on people's experiences I have added the 19s to the order :lol: Can't stop looking at the brochure and thinking about adding other options!
 
nunp said:
Thanks all. Based on people's experiences I have added the 19s to the order :lol: Can't stop looking at the brochure and thinking about adding other options!

Which is what BMWs accountants want you to do...
 
Liking the 17 inch wheels with run flats. Not the best look but thats nothing im too bothered about.

Good turn in,not much skipping on bumps in corners due to the runflats,slightly lower key image and cheaper rubber :-)

Ride on normal suspension setting great even on Surrey and Reigates poor roads.

No late night phone call from swmbo with a flatie :P

Not passing a brick after smashing thru an unseen large potholes (happens sometimes with the low field of view)

We prefer ride quality and handling over looks but we all different (Still would like 19,s or 20,s :wub: sometimes)

The 17,s dont seem to "fill" the arches as well as bigger sizes.If had the choice might plump for 18" as a compromise.
 
Brasseye said:
Liking the 17 inch wheels with run flats. Not the best look but thats nothing im too bothered about.

Good turn in,not much skipping on bumps in corners due to the runflats,slightly lower key image and cheaper rubber :-)

Ride on normal suspension setting great even on Surrey and Reigates poor roads.

No late night phone call from swmbo with a flatie :P

Not passing a brick after smashing thru an unseen large potholes (happens sometimes with the low field of view)z
+1
 
Not a popular opinion ......

I hate the ride, personally I think the run flats are the issue more than wheel size. Was about to try the non rft option, but adding this to all the creaks rattles etc decided to move on.

I can add to this, generally I like a firm sporty ride.
 
Back
Top Bottom