[mike@x-ph.com]

Depends on what you want them for... If its for looks, 19" looks better

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Depends on what you want them for... If its for looks, 19" looks better

+1. For both comfort and performance smaller is better. NASCAR and Indy Cars run on 15 inch, Formula 1 on 13 inches.

[TXDaddy]

FWIW, I went from 17" oem 225/50/17 run flat turanzas to the 19" staggered 225/40/19 + 255/35/19 with the "summer" run flat potenzas (off a 440). This is an awd with N26. I can honestly say, I like the staggered ride better. I expected a much harsher ride, but the softer summer rubber (it was in the 60s today) was the equalizer as I did not detect a loss of ride quality at all today. There was improved steering response and a noticeable reduction of road noise. Im actually kind of pissed I bought some extra tpms sensors for the new wheels, as I doubt I will ever put the 17s back on again (gotta be safe though). The only time the ride was worse was when I went over a row of plastic deflectors at a crosswalk; that was surprisingly harsh. The biggest issue will be letting my wife drive it to work where and incidental curb hit on her SUV that would amount to a grey spot on the tire will equal a hairy rash of husband pissed-offery on the bimmer...

[staggered 328xi]

just a question and sorry if its been asked and answered,
im new to the BMW world, i bought a new 2016 328xi gunmetal grey and im loving it!
my question is,
the original tires are 225/45/18, and i swapped them out for satin black staggered 19's.
front - 235/40/19
rear - 275/35/19
love the look and the stance, but im wondering with this setup will there be any major issues and what will it do for my speed and total km at the end of the year, meaning will it record more km traveled?

[jeffc83]

Originally Posted by eluded

I know this is an old thread . . . But I would pay anything for an extra inch

I'm certain "she would too" Nice one

[alohasurftoad]

Originally Posted by staggered 328xi

just a question and sorry if its been asked and answered, im new to the BMW world, i bought a new 2016 328xi gunmetal grey and im loving it! my question is, the original tires are 225/45/18, and i swapped them out for satin black staggered 19's.
front - 235/40/19
rear - 275/35/19
love the look and the stance, but im wondering with this setup will there be any major issues and what will it do for my speed and total km at the end of the year, meaning will it record more km traveled?

there won't be any problem to the xdrive. it will reduce some of the factory speedometer error, so it won't be reading quite as high, and for every 10000 miles you travel your odometer will have recorded 230 less miles.

[staggered 328xi]

thank you alohasurftoad
I guess I had it backwards, I thought that since the new tire was lager than the original it would take longer to make 1 revolution, so that extra distance would show as higher mileage.

[metallicpea]

Man. Glad this old thread full of crappy misinformation has been revived...

I used to go for the bigger diameter wheels, now I think it is a bit too much as it has become so popular by those modders who have differing taste than my own. Now I stick safely in the middle. I think I am going to run 18 x 9 front with 245/40 and 18 x 10 in the rear with 265/40

For RWD, the speedo is determined off the transmission, so that size is close enough to keep the speedo within 2 % and the rubber wont be quite as tall as the F80 18" wheels with 255/40 front 275/40 rear.

I might consider 19" if I could find just the right thing, but prefer the look and function of the 18" for a daily driver. I would not go 20"

I run the 19" European CSL wheels on my E46 M3. Stock fitment is 225/40 on 19 x 8.5 front and 255/35 on 19 x 9.5 rear and this would be a bit harsh for a daily. I love it for what I do with that car though.

I think these are the best looking wheels Iv'e seen for a modern BMW. Plus they are super light and can be found at a pretty good price as take-offs. Too bad the spacing is so aggressive for the F30. I am hoping the narrower tires might help as the wheel edge fits the fender pretty well, but the rubber (rim protector bead) is what sticks out mostly.

[Logicoeur]

I still don't quite understand why xdrivers still opt for staggered setups. It gives us more understeer does it not?

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by Logicoeur

I still don't quite understand why xdrivers still opt for staggered setups. It gives us more understeer does it not?

I hear you. If someone was planning to track it I would look into a square set-up.

[Logicoeur]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

I hear you. If someone was planning to track it I would look into a square set-up.

I'm defkntiey going square but probably will not be tracking anytime soon. Don't have to worry about different tire sizes, eases rotation, and it's cheaper in the long run.

[Climb Mode]

Originally Posted by Logicoeur

I still don't quite understand why xdrivers still opt for staggered setups. It gives us more understeer does it not?

X-Drive with track package comes from the factory with staggered.

I don’t care for it either.

My winter set up is square 245’s and the turn in is better.

[NBMW30]

I had stock 18in m sport rims with run flats and when I switched to the optional 19s with non run flats I couldn't believe how much smoother the non run flats were even with the bigger rim set!!!

[7iM3less]

Originally Posted by NBMW30

I had stock 18in m sport rims with run flats and when I switched to the optional 19s with non run flats I couldn't believe how much smoother the non run flats were even with the bigger rim set!!!

Same here.

[Vulpe]

I'm going the other way, I was slightly disappointed with the comfort of this car. I will be going from 19" with run flats to 18" none runflats, should give me some nice cushion.

[kpgray]

Originally Posted by Logicoeur

I still don't quite understand why xdrivers still opt for staggered setups. It gives us more understeer does it not?

Originally Posted by Climb Mode

X-Drive with track package comes from the factory with staggered....

The factory "19" Staggered Wheel" comes with the higher 155 MPH speed limiter, the standard "Square" 18" set up is 135 MPH governor limited. This is for RWD or AWD versions. This staggered wheel set up is also summer tires, if you have xDrive and live in winter areas, you will need a set of winter tires, sorry, summer tires are terrible in the snow.

As for the traction, the softer tires have a better grip. Higher speed tires are softer and winter tires are softer. Additionally, the smaller (18") rims allow more tire flexibility, they are more forgiving and thus tend to grip a little better but I do not know if many of us would notice that minor difference daily driving. For those who notice the less roll and stiffer ride from larger rims, it is due to stiffer and smaller less forgiving sidewalls.

FWIW, the higher speed tires with the better traction comes at a cost (if you want a little better traction), they have to be changed far more often, you may get 25K miles vs the 40K miles for the standard speed tires AND they are typically more expensive too. So, the cost of extra traction can be quite high!