[Tiktok]

I have 2015 418d Gran Coupe with 19” wheels. Due to the large amount of pot holes and the quantity of motorway driving, I am thinking of switching to 18” wheels with a higher profile.

Has anyone done this previously?

I have previously had to replace tyres due to side wall bulges caused from potholes.

The 19” wheels need a refurb which is around £350 - £400, I’d be happy to put this toward the 18”.

What are peoples thoughts on this?

[robbiep]

BMW supply the 400M 18" alloys designed for the job, which fit perfectly well over the blue brakes.

You'll usually be able to find them pretty cheaply too.

[Pobsey]

I used to run 18” wheels with winters on and 19” in the summer, preferred the ride on the 18”

[Londoner]

I'd keep the 19s and just ditch the run flats.

[Armaan]

Im not convinced that a higher profile tyre would make much difference when hitting pot holes? Granted it would if you were damaging the alloys, but sounds like an expensive solution to a problem that will still occur.

What tyres are you running? Mid and budget tend to bulge more easily on impact - it's where the premium ones excel IMO.

Armaan

[GOF_430d]

I switched from 19" Pirelli run flats [which were on the car when I bought it] to Goodyear Eagles and found the ride improved and the road noise reduced. I did get a bulge in the sidewall soon after fitting the Goodyears but that was mainly due to me missing the high kerb exiting a car park and in the past 2 years and 20,000+ miles the tyres have been fine.

I think that you'll find that the steering response will suffer on 18" wheels due to the higher sidewall [more flex] as I would imagine that the suspension has been set up based on the use of stiff / low profile tyres on 19" wheels.

With my previous 2012 E93 in the five years I owned it I had to replace five wheels due to cracks caused, I believed, by speed humps and the general dreadful state of the roads.

Yes I know that I haven't helped at all.