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      05-09-2011, 11:53 AM   #1
CdnE90
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Ride Quality - 19" Rims

Just a question on the 19" rims. I read in another thread that the 18s were the best comprimise between handling and comfort.

What are the 19s like?

Do you feel every expansion crack, every pebble that you drive over?

I'd like to hear some feedback if people even notice the difference.

Thanks!
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      05-09-2011, 12:11 PM   #2
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I'd love to hear too. Reports of harsher ride quality is the only reason i'm passing up the $550 (@ invoice) upgrade to the double spoke 19''
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      05-09-2011, 12:18 PM   #3
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I have 19's installed on my car, BUT I am used to summer driving on 20s. So I can't comment on the difference between 18 to 19 but, just know it looks better... so, does anything else really matter
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      05-09-2011, 12:30 PM   #4
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btw, turning/vibrations you will notice, but not much, but if you live in a city with potholes/speed bumps, having bigger tires is better.
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      05-09-2011, 01:07 PM   #5
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Go for 19s! I have them with sports suspension and have no problem with comfort. 17s with non run flats will be the most comfortable but I barely notice bumps. 19s easily look the best and they're staggered making the back look better. Style over comfort!
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      05-09-2011, 01:25 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sfax View Post
Go for 19s! I have them with sports suspension and have no problem with comfort. 17s with non run flats will be the most comfortable but I barely notice bumps. 19s easily look the best and they're staggered making the back look better. Style over comfort!
Only staggered if you DON'T get the 35i M sport (US and Canada).
The question is, did BMW even make the 369 wheels in staggered form, or are they only making one width?

I am so used to my low profile 18s on my C63 and similar tires on my previous M Coupe, that to me 19s on the X3 will feel too soft,

Best advice is to get 19s for summer and 17s for winter if you live in winter climate, so when the potholes are at their worse it won't be as bad with 17s on.
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      05-09-2011, 02:02 PM   #7
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eh I ride on 19's and it's nice n cosy.. granted I have dhp so maybe thats part of it.. but the old acura felt worse over everything.
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      05-09-2011, 02:25 PM   #8
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The car I traded in for the X3 was an Acura RDX. I live in Chicago, pretty much in the city, and I got to the point where I couldn't deal with the harshness of the ride. It was sporty, but freaking brutal to drive over any rough roads.

I opted for the 19's with DHP and I couldn't be happier. You feel things, but it's not jarring and/or distracting to me or my wife. I test drove 35i w 18's and no DHP and I thought the ride was comfortable, but not as firm as I wanted and expected from BMW. I drove a 35i with DHP during the difference event and thought the improvement was noticeable enough to warrant the cost, so I upgraded. I went with the 19's to firm up the ride a hair more and because I really like the look. It was a leap of faith to some extent because it's difficult to find a test drive vehicle with the 309's.

In the end, I'm very glad I went with the 309's and I do plan on going to 17's or 18's with winter tires once the weather, and roads, get bad in the winter.
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      05-09-2011, 03:22 PM   #9
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369m style were supposed to be staggered (from the pdf ordering info) but i guess it was modified.
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      05-09-2011, 03:31 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jlr_1304 View Post
369m style were supposed to be staggered (from the pdf ordering info) but i guess it was modified.
I think people hoping the 369m style has a staggered option next year will be disappointed because if they decided to only go with one width for this year, I doubt they add a stagger option for next year, now if this same wheel had a stagger option on a different BMW, then you could easily see them offering it, but I don't think they will change their minds now.

Although MAYBE the 35i M Sport will offer a staggered 20" setup this fall! 19" all season standard and 20" staggered with performance tires for say $600 more
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      05-09-2011, 10:42 PM   #11
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BMW international websites show 369 wheels available as staggered. I called BMW USA last Friday inquiring about 369 19" x 9.5" wide and was told that they do have a part number in their system for these but they are not available yet. I was also told that the the 19" x 8.5" wheels aren't available through the parts dept. yet either. Hopefully both sizes will be available in the near future.
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      05-10-2011, 06:15 AM   #12
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Thanks for all the replies. I haven't ordered DHP with my M Sport, so now I'm a little worried because most people who said it was fine were also rolling with the adjustable shocks. I think it will be okay, but I may have to swap out the run-flats with some non-RF like I did with my 335. It made a world of difference.
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      05-10-2011, 06:58 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CdnE90 View Post
Thanks for all the replies. I haven't ordered DHP with my M Sport, so now I'm a little worried because most people who said it was fine were also rolling with the adjustable shocks. I think it will be okay, but I may have to swap out the run-flats with some non-RF like I did with my 335. It made a world of difference.
My dealer said if you do that, then BMW roadside won't help you. Can you find out from your dealer if that's true or not?
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      05-10-2011, 10:17 AM   #14
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Just received my X3 35i this past weekend with 309s. I love the ride quality and sporty feel - not to mention the much improved looks. They are staggered with 240x45 in the front and 275x40 in the back (I think this is right if memory serves).
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      05-10-2011, 10:28 AM   #15
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Slightly off topic but interestingly my salesman advised against bigger wheels due to the harshness they add to the ride. Plus they have had quite a lot of broken (cracked) wheels from people running low profile tyres and hitting pot holes etc.

Didn't affect my decision as I was always sticking with the standard wheels anyway to spend the money on other things.
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      05-10-2011, 10:42 AM   #16
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I’ve negotiated with my dealer to swap the 19” 369’s that come with the M Sport for the 20” 310’s with RFT Pirelli 245/40 front and 275/35 rear. I’m supposed to take delivery this week. I’ll let you know how the ride is with the lower profile tires.
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      05-10-2011, 10:51 AM   #17
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You will need high quality road surfaces to enjoy those rims, but everyone will notice at them.

I noticed the USA X3 brochure lots of warnings: one of them was about big wheels/tyres and the fact that you are more likely to suffer wheel, tyre and even suspension damage the bigger they are...
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      05-11-2011, 02:11 AM   #18
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I haven't driven with the 18" wheels, but don't find the 19" too harsh. As a reference point, the ride doesn't feel that different from my last car - 325 wagon m-sports with 17" wheels - if that helps!
As other posters have said, 19s looks much better than 18s!
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      05-11-2011, 09:46 AM   #19
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my dad has a 2011 X3 35i with the 18s and I just took delivery of mine with 19s. having driven both, not much difference in reality and the 19s look tons better. warning, I do believe firmly that it is better to look good than to feel good.
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      05-11-2011, 09:59 AM   #20
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Thanks for all the replies. I've ordered the M Sport package, so I get the 19" no matter what. I think the 19s look better than all the other wheels that they offer Canadians. The 18s on the 35i are particularly bad.
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