[breathe3asy]

Hi everyone,

Please can I get some real world feedback on difference in comfort between say m sport and m sport plus?

Is it noticeable with the same tyres etc?

[smithers330d]

I’m considering switching to 18s because I find the 19s too harsh. I’d be interested to know the difference too.

[Skyhigh]

No big difference on decent roads. You may find the 19s harder on bad roads.
This said, the 19s perform better at high speeds. And look better

[jcdub]

Have a look at this. The performance difference is not as big as you think..

[teaston]

Size isn’t the problem, run flats is the problem!

[Hooded]

19s look better... 18s ride better

[Skyhigh]

Originally Posted by jcdub

Have a look at this. The performance difference is not as big as you think..

I don't really "think" about it that much... but I feel it the handling is noticeably improved with each size up.

And don't forget that in the F3x's case the 19" setup has wider rear tire (255 vs 225).

While 19" are inevitably less comfortable than 18", that is only (or mainly) noticeable on bad roads. And I would not hesitate for a minute to go for 19" summer tires assuming decent roads.
I still drive 18" winter tires which are the best compromise for that season.

For comparison, on my Audi I have 18" summer, 17" winter. Used to have 17" summer as well but moved on to 18" and don't regret it at all - noticeable improvement in performance.

[PX3]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

And don't forget that in the F3x's case the 19" setup has wider rear tire (255 vs 225).

The F3x's M Sport models with 18" come with 255 rear tyres.

If I were to consider 19" alloys, I would go for standard tyres over runflats and that should compensate the difference.

[HighlandPete]

Wheel size and choice of tyres will always be a set of compromises. There has to be give and take, it is the nature of what each choice offers.

For me it is setting priorities; safety, wet weather performance, road conditions, handling/comfort balance, looks. In that order.

BMW typically optimise a chassis for the standard wheel size on offer for the model. Upgrades are offered with extra compromises, BMW state that in their own wheel/tyre development data.

[smithers330d]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

No big difference on decent roads. You may find the 19s harder on bad roads.

Which let’s face it is pretty much most roads in this country. In my neck of the woods at least.

As for 19s looking better, that’s all down to personal taste. 18s will defo be my next mod.

[Skyhigh]

It's all subjective, including taste, but I doubt you will find many to like smaller rims better than bigger (up to a certain size and assuming same design).

But yes - it is all a personal choice. I am very happy about mine for both cars. Would go up to 19" Summer tires on the Audi as well but I feel the aesthetics may be affected as it is a smaller car.

Good luck to the thread owner!

[ZeroFx]

with adaptive the ride is better than my 18"on sport was on previous e92

[dangerous_al]

Personally I think the standard M Sport 18" 400M wheels look OK and being painted are far easier to refurb if the inevitable happens. Same stagard setup as the 19" with 225 front and 255 rears

[thescouselander]

I've just been through this debate myself. This issue for me is that the aspect ratio on F30 19" rims is very low. My current car has 45 profile tyres on 19 inch rims but I believe it's 40/35 on the F30 19" rims.

That doesn't leave much rubber to absorb bumps, and vibrations and it makes the rims more exposed to damage from potholes etc. Although I love the asthetics of the 19" rim I've gone for 18" on my new motor (an F36) as the 19" option seemed to be a case of form over function and the roads around my area are pretty bad.

[tjlees]

19"s have more feel and feedback but less comfortable than 18"s for me.

comfort to sport plus with adaptive transmits through a little more harshness from the UK potholes roads but not enough to immediately switch back to comfort.

my main issue with 19"s is noise.

I suspect the runflat 19"s make up some of the problem, however changing to nrft would comprise the suspension and very likely to invalidate the warranty on the xdrive drivetrain.

I'm likely to go for Goodyear f1 as2 which are approved and 65db v 72db .

it also worth noting that I've personally got another 4k miles out of rft (32k v 28k miles) on my previous car.

[SkyJawa]

No issues with 19s, that said I have se suspension which I also have no issue with

[openside]

I switched from 19s to 18s and there was a big improvement in primary ride and harshness. Just normal manhole covers felt like a car crash on the 19s. My winter tyres ride better still. They are also on 18s but 225 runflats all 'round. Not sure if it is lighter wheels or softer rubber making the difference. Standard M Sport rear tyre size on 18s is 245 not 255??

[Grant_7]

Just to put some numbers behind the wheel/tyre combos, I measured my Summers and Winters as follows:

Front 225/40 R19 with Bridgestone RFT = 24.2kg
Rear 255/35 R19 with Bridgestone RFT = 25.4kg
Winter 225/45 R18 with Goodyear non-RFT winter tyre = 19.2kg

[Rich9600]

Both ride quite comparably on my cars. Comparing 19" Bridgestone summers and 18" Pirelli winters. Both run-flats and on Adaptive Dampers and M Sport Springs on a F30 330d and a F31 340i lci.

So, spec adaptive dampers and the ride compromise seems much reduced.

My F30 330d on 19" wheels rode better than my previous E90 320d on passive dampers and SE springs.

[djcowlin]

With 19" wheels and run-flats you will get a pretty big shock each time you drive over a pothole, even when the force of the impact isn't enough to cause any damage. Having said that, the worst shock I got was when I hit a pothole on the A7 going into Edinburgh, and that was on a set of 17" winter wheels in my old car. So run-flats are indeed the culprits.

[Jayr1007]

Agree run flats the main issue, coming from an A5 on 19’s to 4 series on 18’s definitely find the 4 series a ‘firmer’ ride.

[Skyhigh]

Is that an advantage or a disadvantage....?
Firm is what you want from a sporty car.