[mundo74]

So here is the deal. The reviews I am seeing of the 328 all seems to have the style 401 staggered 19\" wheel. It looks nice however based on the Pricing sheet it seems it is not even offered on the 328 and is an option on the 335. So how come all the review cars have it. Is it that those cars are for a different market or is BMW pulling a fast one. Btw why did they give up on the staggered setup and low profile on the sports line ( package). I mean 45 profile may be considered low profile but I always think BMW pick on lower profiled tires set them apart. It\'s one of the things i never liked about the infinity g sedan when I was looking at getting one. The adaptive suspension shoud be able to dial out any harshness. And don\'t get me started on 225 on the rears on a sports sedan with sport package! Tell me I\'m seeing this wrong.

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by mundo74

So here is the deal. The reviews I am seeing of the 328 all seems to have the style 401 staggered 19\" wheel. It looks nice however based on the Pricing sheet it seems it is not even offered on the 328 and is an option on the 335. So how come all the review cars have it. Is it that those cars are for a different market or is BMW pulling a fast one. Btw why did they give up on the staggered setup and low profile on the sports line ( package). I mean 45 profile may be considered low profile but I always think BMW pick on lower profiled tires set them apart. It\'s one of the things i never liked about the infinity g sedan when I was looking at getting one. The adaptive suspension shoud be able to dial out any harshness. And don\'t get me started on 225 on the rears on a sports sedan with sport package! Tell me I\'m seeing this wrong.

So wait a second, Is it the actual wheel design, or the lack of a staggered setup and more aggressive tire options? Becuase i think the wheels looks aweseom, so much nicer looking then the 19". The problem is some schmuck thought it would be a good idea to stick 225/45 in the rear. Ideally, it would be the same rim design and 255/35 in the rear and 225/40 in the front. I would even take 255/40 in the read and 225/45 in the front.

[bmrm396]

join the club ... im as confused as well. im also waiting for the m-sport but ill they pull this shit ill just tell em i want a car without wheels/tires and ill buy my own and drive it off the factory that way ok thks bye bye

[mundo74]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

So wait a second, Is it the actual wheel design, or the lack of a staggered setup and more aggressive tire options? Becuase i think the wheels looks aweseom, so much nicer looking then the 19". The problem is some schmuck thought it would be a good idea to stick 225/45 in the rear. Ideally, it would be the same rim design and 255/35 in the rear and 225/40 in the front. I would even take 255/40 in the read and 225/45 in the front.

The 397 are ok but not with 225 on the rear for sport. I mean as always if you cant stand the slightly harsher ride don't get the sport package. Make the current setup with the 397 standard but not sport. Even so with the adaptive suspension I'm sure they could approach the comfort with the lower profile setup.

Still back on the fact that they are seemingly advertising the car with the 19 wheels and all the reviewers are basing their assessments on that wheel setup. If the 328 does not have the 19" with the more aggressive rubbers then don't let people see the car with it much less drive it. Someone tell me I'm wrong. And 900 bucks for the 19" on the 335 I'm mad.

[SoonerJohnInDallas]

First, let me state that I *love* the look of the 397 wheels!

Secondly, I may be in the minority here, but I'm happy with the 45 series tires all the way around - even on the sport line. I know way too many people who have had the ultra low profile tires and were constantly popping them every time they hit a bump. I'll take the dependability of the 225/45's over the wider/lower profile tires!

[iwannabimmer]

Originally Posted by SoonerJohnInDallas

First, let me state that I *love* the look of the 397 wheels!

Secondly, I may be in the minority here, but I'm happy with the 45 series tires all the way around - even on the sport line. I know way too many people who have had the ultra low profile tires and were constantly popping them every time they hit a bump. I'll take the dependability of the 225/45's over the wider/lower profile tires!

I'm with you on this one. I like the same size all around.

I don't know what the big fuss is about since most 3-series owners change the wheels and tires anyway.

[Robin_NL]

When I order my 335i in a few weeks I also want the 401s, because they look better and I love the look of the staggered setup. The tyres on the 328 testmodel in Barcelona which one of my friends drove was equipped with Bridgestone Potenza S001 NON RFT(!!!!) , which makes a difference as well:


The 320diesels had 18"225s on them, RFT by the way....

Some pics plus a video from Mattijs(cameraman) and Prinz Leopold von Bayern behind the wheel of a 328i:
http://www.driving-fun.com/2519/home...t-vuistje.aspx

[mundo74]

Originally Posted by iwannabimmer

I'm with you on this one. I like the same size all around.

I don't know what the big fuss is about since most 3-series owners change the wheels and tires anyway.

BMW Always had some of the best wheels in the business. In my neck of the woods most people don't change their wheels. Besides that is an additional $2k

[mundo74]

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

When I order my 335i in a few weeks I also want the 401s, because they look better and I love the look of the staggered setup. The tyres on the 328 testmodel in Barcelona which one of my friends drove was equipped with Bridgestone Potenza S001 NON RFT(!!!!) , which makes a difference as well:


The 320diesels had 18"225s on them, RFT by the way....

Some pics plus a video from Mattijs(cameraman) and Prinz Leopold von Bayern behind the wheel of a 328i:
http://www.driving-fun.com/2519/home...t-vuistje.aspx

Non rft on my 162 18" wheels made a world a difference. Ride is still firm but I dont have to check my tooth after a bump in the road. All I want is choices. BMW has always been good with the choices to satisfy grandma to boy racer

[justinnum1]

I would put PS2's on the 18" style 397, but what do you do about a flat. I have driven to the dealer a few times on a flat with my runflats

[MassBimmer]

The 19" 401 style wheels are only available on the 328 Sport Line in Europe. Because every review that's been done has been in Europe with European spec cars, that is why you're seeing them in the reviews

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by MassBimmer

The 19" 401 style wheels are only available on the 328 Sport Line in Europe. Because every review that's been done has been in Europe with European spec cars, that is why you're seeing them in the reviews

Yep, its a shame, because i would have probably paid the 950 for 19". But i really do like the stule 397 rims. just dont like the rear tires being 225/45

[mundo74]

Originally Posted by MassBimmer

The 19" 401 style wheels are only available on the 328 Sport Line in Europe. Because every review that's been done has been in Europe with European spec cars, that is why you're seeing them in the reviews

Good info. Make sense. Just makes me wonder how much of the praised handling is due to this. Well maybe an aftermarket for 255 rims for the 397 style will emerge

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

Yep, its a shame, because i would have probably paid the 950 for 19". But i really do like the stule 397 rims. just dont like the rear tires being 225/45

OK, 225s at the rear, a tad small maybe, but look at it like this if you also have 225s at the front : Less understeer

All of my former seven BMWs had a staggered setup, fwiw.

[David328M-Sport]

Not sure how relevant this is but my 2005 E90 came with 255 rear and 225 front (mixed tyres) after I (factory) upgraded them from the standard 225 all around.

I'm sure that anyone can do the same with the F30. In fact, I was hoping for wider tyres, but it seems not.

[Jbrock22]

Less understeer with 225's in the rear, also feels more nimble. I've had both on my E90. Prefer the 225's all around.

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by Jbrock22

Less understeer with 225's in the rear, also feels more nimble. I'v had both on my E90. Prefer the the 225's alla around.

Didnt think about that...nice.

[mundo74]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

Didnt think about that...nice.

You may be right about the understeer bit you have to admit that the wider tires in the rear gives the car a more aggressive performance look. And yes looks are important

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by mundo74

You may be right about the understeer bit you have to admit that the wider tires in the rear gives the car a more aggressive performance look. And yes looks are important

Its not even aout the look...the rear tires are driving the car and with the amount of power the cars have, i want more surface are on the wheels that are driving. I dont want to lose any rear traction going to a smaller size.

[Tallest]

wanna bet they try to keep the rims narrower on purpose to boost those already impressive fuel consumption figures? only where it's no point to pretend anymore (on big engined modelse) do they keep the staggered layout.

Mind, they increased wheel diamater to similar one from 5 series now so that also doesn't help fuel consumption, but improves ride quality due to more sidewall (reviews confirm - it rides well).

SO, with increased diameter they narrow the tyres when possible.

At least that's my theory...

[pcbrew]

Originally Posted by research

Mind, they increased wheel diamater to similar one from 5 series now so that also doesn't help fuel consumption, but improves ride quality due to more sidewall (reviews confirm - it rides well).

Increasing wheel size means a decrease in sidewall height to maintain same outside diameter.
Below are US wheel/tire size options.
17" - 225/50 (base model 328i)
18" - 225/45 (base 335i or any model with a "Line")
19" - 225/40 front, 255/35 rear (option for any 335i with a "Line")

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

Its not even aout the look...the rear tires are driving the car and with the amount of power the cars have, i want more surface are on the wheels that are driving. I dont want to lose any rear traction going to a smaller size.

Ride, handling, acceleration, and braking are all affected and reliant on tires.

I too am wondering what's going on with this issue.

225's in the rear?
However, all the reviews are with 3's that have wider rubber, and that is definitely affecting the reviews and test specs, especially braking and handling.
255 on test cars and 225 on the cars for sale is a huge difference.

225's in the rear will look really silly like a cheap Toyota trying to achieve it's best MPG.

No self respecting "SPORT" sedan or coupe should have 225's on the rear drive wheels.
Heck, I don't like the idea of 225's on the front even.
Audi A4 sport pkg. comes with 245's all around.
That's a respectable size for performance and looks very nice.
225 all around is going to look very very silly especially on an overall larger 3 series.

BMW really needs to release final specs and pictures for North America.
Heck the new 3 is supposed to be on sale in N. America in February and the new 3 isn't even build-able on the BMW website.

What gives BMW!?