X3 xDrive 35d M Sport

Sir Wolfie · 11-13-2011, 10:10 AM

Hello,

I have just spent the afternoon at my local BMW stealer going through all the options and boy is my head pounding!

I dont know whether to stick with the standard 18" Star spoke alloys or to fork out for the 19" wheels. I think the main issue is what will the handing/ride be like with the 19" and will I regret not going for them?

Going to lie down in a darkened room until my head stops thumping.

All advice appreciated.

clivem2 · 11-13-2011, 10:19 AM

I stuck with the 18's; I doubt the 19's will be hugely different for ride, might be easier to kerb but will be easier to clean (fewer spokes). Most it's down to how important the looks are to you.

Nahoa · 11-13-2011, 10:30 AM

I have the 19's and enjoy them. I like the look and don't have any trouble with the ride. I tend to like a firm, sporty ride and kind of prefer to feel the road. Drive mostly in Sport mode. Haven't found it to go beyond that and be too harsh. Family members who didn't like the firmness of the Sport suspension on my 330i like the ride in the X3. The Normal setting softens things up well when others are in the car, too.

tuco44 · 11-13-2011, 11:14 AM

I have both 19" 369M wheels for 3 seasons, and now I have 18" BMW 308s for winter tires. I don't find much difference in feel between them, with the 18"ers being only very slightly "softer" in ride (due to slightly more sidewall in tires I suspect).

ScotX5 · 11-13-2011, 11:23 AM

Style 310 20" not a option?

sfax · 11-13-2011, 11:34 AM

I have 19s for summer and 18s for winter and having just switch I think the ride is slightly smoother with the 18s but it's not a big difference and I have no problem with 19s + sports suspension. I would personally want at least 19s or even 20s with the M Sport trim, particularly if you're not getting black as the body coloured wheel arches make the wheels look small

JOHNBMWM5 · 11-13-2011, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Wolfie

Hello,

I have just spent the afternoon at my local BMW stealer going through all the options and boy is my head pounding!

I dont know whether to stick with the standard 18" Star spoke alloys or to fork out for the 19" wheels. I think the main issue is what will the handing/ride be like with the 19" and will I regret not going for them?

Going to lie down in a darkened room until my head stops thumping.

All advice appreciated.

I have 19" sport wheels for summer, 18" Team Dynamics pro-race with run-flat winters for winter.

kennygee · 11-13-2011, 01:05 PM

I have gone for the 19'' liked the look and thought they would be easy to clean. Don't know about the handling as delivery is not till the end of the month.

BIMMER UK 76 · 11-13-2011, 01:08 PM

Welcome Wolfie, the 35d deserves the 19" for looks but I would go 18" for comfort

Sir Wolfie · 11-13-2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnbmw6

I have 19" sport wheels for summer, 18" Team Dynamics pro-race with run-flat winters for winter.

That's an idea I will seriously consider.

I've just read about your issues with the steering rack. I do hope you get a significant compensation payment and your car is fixed soon.

JOHNBMWM5 · 11-14-2011, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Wolfie

That's an idea I will seriously consider.

I've just read about your issues with the steering rack. I do hope you get a significant compensation payment and your car is fixed soon.

Thanks, check your car when it arrives, although the fault showed once I turned the engine off, this was once I got home. My car is being fitted with the only steering rack in europe!! as we speak!!!.
I just do not understand why more are not stocked.
I have drafted a letter to the Managing Director of BMW UK, and hope to get something back

, I have had many new cars but never been treated how BMW UK treated me.

Dealership has been great though (LISTERS)
I will report back tomorrow.

sfax · 11-14-2011, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnbmw6

Thanks, check your car when it arrives, although the fault showed once I turned the engine off, this was once I got home. My car is being fitted with the only steering rack in europe!! as we speak!!!.
I just do not understand why more are not stocked.
I have drafted a letter to the Managing Director of BMW UK, and hope to get something back

, I have had many new cars but never been treated how BMW UK treated me.

Dealership has been great though (LISTERS)
I will report back tomorrow.

Good luck with BMW UK and writing to the managing director. I've been down that road too (about something much more minor0 and my experience is that they are woeful. You're better off just putting pressure on the dealership (as you seem to be doing anyway)

JOHNBMWM5 · 11-14-2011, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfax

Good luck with BMW UK and writing to the managing director. I've been down that road too (about something much more minor0 and my experience is that they are woeful. You're better off just putting pressure on the dealership (as you seem to be doing anyway)

To be fair to them, they have been great, Ian has been true to his word and worked on it as soon asa parts came in, he is putting the latest software on it now ready for tomorrows pick up. I just hope it comes out and stays good.
I will get the software code for you guys.

tank531 · 11-14-2011, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Wolfie

Hello,

I have just spent the afternoon at my local BMW stealer going through all the options and boy is my head pounding!

I dont know whether to stick with the standard 18" Star spoke alloys or to fork out for the 19" wheels. I think the main issue is what will the handing/ride be like with the 19" and will I regret not going for them?

Going to lie down in a darkened room until my head stops thumping.

All advice appreciated.

No one in the UK mentioned the 'UK roads factor' this might influence you on the wheel size, 19s or 20s in the DE, FR, NL or DK etc would be a great choice due to the smooth roads but over here.....

The only thing big wheels do is improve the looks - nothing else. Better make sure you dont kerb them I seem to notice many Audi's with 19 or 20s fitted and all seam to have been kerbed.

Nahoa · 11-14-2011, 06:23 PM

Kerbed?

02420X3 · 11-14-2011, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nahoa

Kerbed?

Kerbed = Curbed

Road rash on the side of the allow wheels from scraping them against a curb.

Nahoa · 11-14-2011, 06:45 PM

Oh. What does tire size have to do with hitting a curb? Or just that there's less chance of just rubbing tire since the profile is so low?

tank531 · 11-15-2011, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nahoa

Oh. What does tire size have to do with hitting a curb? Or just that there's less chance of just rubbing tire since the profile is so low?

Your assumption is correct - big wheels so lower size wall = hit the curb more easily with the wheel rim not the tyre = scruffy F25

tank531 · 11-15-2011, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nahoa

Oh. What does tire size have to do with hitting a curb? Or just that there's less chance of just rubbing tire since the profile is so low?

I have a copy of the F25 USA sales brochure and it even warns you, on the options page, about increased risk of damage to 'big' wheels and suspension when 19" or above.

11-13-2011, 10:10 AM	#1
Sir Wolfie New Member 1 Rep 9 Posts Drives: X3 xDrive 3d M Sport Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Glasgow (UK) iTrader: (0)	X3 xDrive 35d M Sport - Which Wheels? Hello, I have just spent the afternoon at my local BMW stealer going through all the options and boy is my head pounding! I dont know whether to stick with the standard 18" Star spoke alloys or to fork out for the 19" wheels. I think the main issue is what will the handing/ride be like with the 19" and will I regret not going for them? Going to lie down in a darkened room until my head stops thumping. All advice appreciated.
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11-13-2011, 10:19 AM	#2
clivem2 Colonel 539 Rep 2,073 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I stuck with the 18's; I doubt the 19's will be hugely different for ride, might be easier to kerb but will be easier to clean (fewer spokes). Most it's down to how important the looks are to you. __________________ Current: G01 M40i Silver / Tartufo Previous: E30 318iS, E39 520i 523i 523i, E46 vert 330i 330i, E93 vert 335i, F25 30D 35D
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11-13-2011, 10:30 AM	#3
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,876 Posts Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I have the 19's and enjoy them. I like the look and don't have any trouble with the ride. I tend to like a firm, sporty ride and kind of prefer to feel the road. Drive mostly in Sport mode. Haven't found it to go beyond that and be too harsh. Family members who didn't like the firmness of the Sport suspension on my 330i like the ride in the X3. The Normal setting softens things up well when others are in the car, too. __________________
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11-13-2011, 11:14 AM	#4
tuco44 Colonel 644 Rep 2,294 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Western Canada iTrader: (0)	I have both 19" 369M wheels for 3 seasons, and now I have 18" BMW 308s for winter tires. I don't find much difference in feel between them, with the 18"ers being only very slightly "softer" in ride (due to slightly more sidewall in tires I suspect). __________________ 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Sunset Orange Previous BMWs - 19 others since 1971.
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11-13-2011, 11:23 AM	#5
ScotX5 Private First Class 43 Rep 159 Posts Drives: X5 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	Style 310 20" not a option?
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11-13-2011, 11:34 AM	#6
sfax Brigadier General 91 Rep 3,855 Posts Drives: BMW X3 2011 F25 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Berkshire, UK iTrader: (0)	I have 19s for summer and 18s for winter and having just switch I think the ride is slightly smoother with the 18s but it's not a big difference and I have no problem with 19s + sports suspension. I would personally want at least 19s or even 20s with the M Sport trim, particularly if you're not getting black as the body coloured wheel arches make the wheels look small __________________ F25 xDrive20d SE __ professional multimedia package \| dynamic package \| climate package \| 309s \| xline \| xenons \| electric seats \| folding mirrors \| business speakers
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11-13-2011, 01:05 PM	#8
kennygee Enlisted Member 0 Rep 41 Posts Drives: 20d M Sport Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Durham iTrader: (0)	I have gone for the 19'' liked the look and thought they would be easy to clean. Don't know about the handling as delivery is not till the end of the month.
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11-13-2011, 01:08 PM	#9
BIMMER UK 76 Major 48 Rep 1,089 Posts Drives: BMW F25 X3 20d SE Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	Welcome Wolfie, the 35d deserves the 19" for looks but I would go 18" for comfort __________________ BMW F25 X3 xDRIVE 20d SE Black Sapphire \| Oyster Leather \| Fineline Sienna Wood \| 307 V Spokes \| Auto \| Prof Multimedia Package \| xLine Package \| Xenons \| Business Radio \| Sports Steering Wheel \| Sports Seats \| Panoramic Sunroof \| Sun Protection Glass \| Sun Blinds \| Folding Ext. Mirrors + Titanium Grille \| Chrome Exhaust Trim \| Mudflaps
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11-14-2011, 06:23 PM	#15
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,876 Posts Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Kerbed? __________________
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11-14-2011, 06:45 PM	#17
Nahoa Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,876 Posts Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Oh. What does tire size have to do with hitting a curb? Or just that there's less chance of just rubbing tire since the profile is so low? __________________
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