[Marla17]

So now that BMW is offering the 19" wheels with an all season tire on Sport packages for March production cars, what are your thoughts on getting the 19"? I know they look great but don't they wear out faster and cost more? Do they affect the ride at all? I need to make this decision by Monday to get a change in for my 35i that I ordered.
Thanks!

[bluesmachine]

They also said the stock wheels on the 28 and 35 without sport or M package are all seasons but owners have reported they are in fact summer tires.

[ktjernstrom]

Hi,

19" will make it ride a bit harsher, and probably hurt gas mileage slightly. But they do look fantastic!

I've ordered the 19" 309:s on mine. After seeing them IRL, there was no option for me...

Karl

[Nahoa]

I like the 19's. Ride is great, I like the look, I like the wider rear tires. They're still high enough profile that I don't think they'll be a huge risk with potholes and such. Would have been much happier with All Season tires, though. The Continental Summers barely have any lateral tread at all.

[ktjernstrom]

Originally Posted by Nahoa

I like the 19's. Ride is great, I like the look, I like the wider rear tires. They're still high enough profile that I don't think they'll be a huge risk with potholes and such. Would have been much happier with All Season tires, though. The Continental Summers barely have any lateral tread at all.

Have you tried 19's with Sports suspension, or stock?

I was a bit concerned it might be a bit too harsh for an SUV, so I opted for the stock suspension with my 19" wheels.

Karl

[Insider]

19's look awesome. That' what I would get.

[mtlcruisin]

I'm planning on going 19s, but nothing from BMW. I like black rims and I need the 18s for my winter tires. For the extra money, you should just go with stock and then buy your own that you like online because then you have a spare set for winter or for whatever.

[Nahoa]

Sport with Dynamic Damper

[jijioben]

I chose 18" for comfort with VDC and because I like the wheels. The 19" are beautiful but I test drove the 18" and liked them so...

[Marla17]

So I spoke to me salesperson and he said the 18" wheels are a smoother ride and will last longer and that the 19" tires are more money in the long run. I need to make a decision by tomorrow,

[ktjernstrom]

Originally Posted by Marla17

So I spoke to me salesperson and he said the 18" wheels are a smoother ride and will last longer and that the 19" tires are more money in the long run. I need to make a decision by tomorrow,

Moneywise, you will see a significant difference over time, as the 19" are both wider and generally more expensive than 18".

Karl

[haldol]

18" for winter
19" for summer

[acey81]

I went for the 18". The 19" look better, and the 20" look better than the 19" and so on. But I drive quite a lot, so comfort and economy does come into play (cost difference between 19" and 18" is quite big here).

Ordered with M-sport and sport suspension and I think the 18" look good and ride very good.

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by ktjernstrom

Moneywise, you will see a significant difference over time, as the 19" are both wider and generally more expensive than 18".

Karl

Plus, you can't rotate the 19's, as they are different widths front/rear, whereas the 18's are the same 4 tires all around.

[Nahoa]

Tires do not require rotation on BMWs.

[mach330]

love the stock 19's.

[X3forMe]

Originally Posted by Nahoa

Tires do not require rotation on BMWs.

Is it because it's 4 wheel drive?

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by Nahoa

Tires do not require rotation on BMWs.

What do you mean by this? I have been rotating or wheel balancing as its called this side of the woods on my E60.

[Nahoa]

In the US rotating refers to changing the position of the wheels on some vehicles to manage wear. Balancing for us means making sure the mated tire and wheel are balanced and rotate without wobble.

Balancing absolutely, but rotation has not been called for or needed in any of my BMWs -- don't know if there are some models where that is required, but my service center doesn't really offer that service, advised that it wasn't called for or needed on my vehicles, and I never experienced uneven wear.