New wheel day! Moving from 19" to 18"

N

Nathanio

Member
 West Sussex
Evening all,

Today was an exciting day for me as it is the first time I've ever swapped to different alloys on any of my cars. I've always stuck with whatever they've come with, but I have a cracked rear 296 19" and it needed fixing and refurbishing. I've always been prone to a higher sidewall than really small sidewalls, I for instance preferred the E46 M3 on 18" rather than 19".

I bought a set of style 400m on eBay that were in presentable condition (and next year could do with a refurb). I've gone with Vredestein Ultrac Pro all round.

400m.jpg

I weighed the wheels on a set of scales and got the following:

FR 19: 22.2KG / FR 18: 21.1KG
RR 19: 26.9KG / RR 18: 23.5KG

Big weight saving all around.

Been on a quick 15 mile run and purposeful found crap surfaced roads and a car park with speed bumps. The difference is incredible. I was expecting a change, but I knew within 100m it was different. I think it visually looks better on the 296, but the ride now is just chef's kiss. It's almost like the suspension can now work properly and actually do it's job.

I think the rears could probably do with some spacers as they're within the arch more, I do wish they did the 296 as an 18" though.

What a transformation
 
They look really good and suit the car, great choice. Yep the e89 on 19" wheels and standard profile RFT's tyres is not great, with only a slight improvement on non-RFT's, I think 18's are the sweat spot :thumbsup:
 
I’m thinking of doing the same. I do appreciate a comfortable ride. If you don’t mind me asking, what did you pay for the wheels?
 
Geddin said:
I’m thinking of doing the same. I do appreciate a comfortable ride. If you don’t mind me asking, what did you pay for the wheels?
Click to expand...

£460. They were advertised as £499 plus £60 something postage. But there was two 10% off vouchers available that day so made it £460 delivered in the end
 
sars said:
They look really good and suit the car, great choice. Yep the e89 on 19" wheels and standard profile RFT's tyres is not great, with only a slight improvement on non-RFT's, I think 18's are the sweat spot :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

I'd agree with that now!

My previous MK2 Superb estate was on 18s (and largest size available) and compared to my MK3 estate on 18s (but 19s available) it was a lot harder.

My previous e85 with bilstein B4 and suplex springs on 18" was sublime though
 
This has been a major issue on so many Bmw models over the last 20yrs , it took a while to sink in with the Bavarian boffins but at least now all the range from Z to 3 to 5 to X all have more functional tyre profiles than previous generations .
Its easy enough to change the current tyre profiles on existing wheels to something that offers more comfort + alloy protection .
IE on the E89 factory 19s 225 35 19 255 30 19 . go to 225 40 19 & 245 40 19 , or 245 35 19 265 35 19 .
Also choosing a more comfort / noise orientated brand such as Nokian , Vredestein , Dunlop or Pirelli helps massively in terms of ownership contentment .
 
mr wilks said:
This has been a major issue on so many Bmw models over the last 20yrs , it took a while to sink in with the Bavarian boffins but at least now all the range from Z to 3 to 5 to X all have more functional tyre profiles than previous generations .
Its easy enough to change the current tyre profiles on existing wheels to something that offers more comfort + alloy protection .
IE on the E89 factory 19s 225 35 19 255 30 19 . go to 225 40 19 & 245 40 19 , or 245 35 19 265 35 19 .
Also choosing a more comfort / noise orientated brand such as Nokian , Vredestein , Dunlop or Pirelli helps massively in terms of ownership contentment .
Click to expand...

What he said.
 
Geddin said:
So you can increase the aspect ratio on the 19s, and it would still be ok?
Click to expand...

Technically you should ensure that the front / rear rolling circumference remains within about 1% of each other ..so say 225/40 with a 255/35 not say 225/40 and 255/40..

The reason being the stability control system assumes on E89 same rolling circumferences front and rear

This site allows you to fiddle and make them work..

https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/?wheel1=225-40-19X8ET45&wheel2=255-35-19X8.5ET40&fcl=50mm&wcl=30mm&scl=50mm&sr=0mm
 
400m wheels do have quite a weak offset... could probably go 15/20mm spacers and would really help the aesthetics, and bring the offsets more in line with other e89 wheels.
 
From a quick glance, I wonder if you can go up one aspect ratio on your next tyres. It seems it’d fill the arches better.

I too at times dream of 18 inches. I doubt I’d lose any performance. But definitely would gain comfort.
 
I did around 120miles yesterday going to the British motor show. It was 80% country roads from the Worthing area up to Farnborough via Petworth. I've done this road with the 19s and so have a good comparison.

Wow, such a difference. If just glides over everything now, broken surfaces are no bother. The fidgeting has gone across scarred tarmac. The tyre drone has gone. I'd go as far as to say it now rides better than my Superb estate on 18s and 235/45 sidewalls. Certainly better than my old e85 on 18s.

I agree on them probably needing spacers at the rear. BM Autosport recommend 12mm with the 400 style alloys. Maybe once my wallet has recovered from the purchase of this lot I'll look into it.
 
I had a Porsche Carrera C4 on (beautiful) 18" 5-spoke wheels, surprisingly similar to the ones on my 35iS now (and, come to think of it, on Pirelli P Zeros, too). I was introduced to an excellent one-man wheel-refinishing service. He came to your house with a set of wheels, put them on your car and came back a week later with yours blasted & powder-coated, having taken them to a factory in Essex I later learnt.

The point of the story is that when he 'did' mine, the loan wheels were ... 17". My, my, what a wonderful world of light, agile driving that week was.
 
I don't really understand why so many people seem obsessed with fitting the largest diameter wheels possible. :?

I swapped from 19s back to OE 18s on my Z4 and the higher sidewall has improved the ride noticeably, although my suspension is too stiff for a magic carpet ride. I'm glad my 3 Series is an SE as that means it only has 17s, although I do miss out on M-Sport seats!
 
Mr Tidy said:
I don't really understand why so many people seem obsessed with fitting the largest diameter wheels possible. :?
Click to expand...
They do look nice, though. And as the saying goes, bigger is better.
 
Marcoose said:
They do look nice, though. And as the saying goes, bigger is better.
Click to expand...

I think that may be more of a US point of view. Sometimes enough is enough!
 
Mr Tidy said:
I don't really understand why so many people seem obsessed with fitting the largest diameter wheels possible.
Click to expand...

It's all to do with looks. I too have been going back and forth about whether I should go to 19s (have 18s at the moment). Sometimes I look at the car and think boy would it look good on 19s but then I drive and think what a nice ride on it's current 18s. I think from a driving perspective smaller is better but from looks perspective bigger is better. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom