[FurlongHokie]

After driving my X4MC (my first BMW and first luxury vehicle) for a couple weeks the "feel" is harder than I was expecting. It's definitely not a huge deal and I still LOOOOVE it but I'm wondering how big of a difference (positives and negatives) there would be to changing to 20in wheels and non-performance tires. I'm aware that this kind of nullifies a huge part of why you'd buy this particular vehicle just looking for input and additional things I may not be thinking about.

Thanks for reading and any advice you can offer.

[-JLT-]

get Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and u should be good to go

[piokor06]

Originally Posted by -JLT-

get Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and u should be good to go

He literally said he wants non-performance tires.

[-JLT-]

Originally Posted by piokor06

He literally said he wants non-performance tires.

his complaint is about the harder "feel" of his existing tires (which i assume are the conti's). it's been well discussed that people that switched from conti's to PS4's stated ride was better. he's thinking non-performance tires will be softer than performance tires which may not be the case w/ performance tires usually has a softer, stickier compound. it will definitely be more comfortable if he goes from 21" wheels to 20".

btw, he's looking for input and advice which u r giving him none.

[M3Pilot09]

I am perplex why people buy M cars and complain about the ride. Better off getting an X3 3.0 with M Sport if you want the looks or an M40i.

[-JLT-]

Originally Posted by M3Pilot09

I am perplex why people buy M cars and complain about the ride. Better off getting an X3 3.0 with M Sport if you want the looks or an M40i.

i always think about this when i hear people complain about harsh ride on M cars. my previous ride was an M4 'vert and it was slammed on coilovers and before that was an M3 on lowering springs. not once did i think the ride was too harsh.

i think people that complain about ride harshness on Ms is due to this being their first M car and didn't realize how different the suspension/tire setups are compared to the other models. everyone has their own opinions and needs to enjoy their rides so do what it takes to make u happy.

[STi from DSM]

It is true, going from my RS3 to the X3MC I didn't think the ride would be as rough as it was, especially in comfort mode. I never needed to change to sport or sport+ because Comfort was pretty solid. I think that comfort setting should be comfortable. My RS5 I use Comfort mode for the suspension as Dynamic mode (Similar to Sport +) is too stiff for daily driving. My RS3 wasn't like that.
Every vehicle is different, but I know people have talked about changing the trash conti's for something more livable.
To answer the OP's question, you may not need to go to 20", but you should know that there are more choices for 20" wheels than 21" wheels, and you pay less money for them. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S are the go to choice for tires. I would say any size wheel should be wrapped in these tires.
Living in PA you probably get snow, have you thought about keeping the stock wheels for summer, getting MP4S, and getting a 20" winter setup?

[Mscarn2014]

Lowered the car on Eibach lowering springs and the springs made the ride 10x better. Decently softer but still very composed and firm on sport plus and im still on the stock Conti's. Will eventually go with Michelin's when I run out of tread.

[stoked335d]

I switched from OEM Michelin PS4s to AS4s (all season) on OEM 21" M892s. The ride is much softer after switching to AS4s for "my needs" in urban driving with really crappy roads with family in the car in comfort suspension. In Sport+ still feels firm enough for aggressive driving and I don't plan to take this to a track. I was fine with PS4s as a driver and would have kept them if I were still a single young person.

So, AS4s are another option with longer tread wear as well. If you do get a lot of snow by you and intend to drive in those conditions then as others mentioned switch to PS4s on 21" and get a dedicated 20" winter setup with scorpions.

The other option is to use a different springs such as MSS or Eibachs. I am considering Eibachs just to lower the center of gravity a bit from OEM setup and close that wheel gap a bit for looks. KW coil overs if you really want to go all out!

[airboss]

Originally Posted by Mscarn2014

Lowered the car on Eibach lowering springs and the springs made the ride 10x better. Decently softer but still very composed and firm on sport plus and im still on the stock Conti's. Will eventually go with Michelin's when I run out of tread.

Where did you order the Elbach springs from and do you know the part numbers?

[Grahxen]

Honestly it’s the run flats. If you thought the ps4s were harsh the contis are far worse.

When my ZL1 was stock I dumped the gy sc3 run flats and changed to Michelin ps4s night and day difference.

I’ve noticed on the x4m even with the stock contis, lowering the pressure helps. I honestly don’t feel a harsh ride unless the road is completely jacked up or say going over railroad tracks. Other than that ride is perfectly fine.

[allinon72]

Originally Posted by Grahxen

Honestly it's the run flats. If you thought the ps4s were harsh the contis are far worse.

When my ZL1 was stock I dumped the gy sc3 run flats and changed to Michelin ps4s night and day difference.

I've noticed on the x4m even with the stock contis, lowering the pressure helps. I honestly don't feel a harsh ride unless the road is completely jacked up or say going over railroad tracks. Other than that ride is perfectly fine.

The Continental is not a run flat, it's just a terrible tire. Run flats were not offered on the F97/98.

[Gabagool]

Originally Posted by M3Pilot09

I am perplex why people buy M cars and complain about the ride. Better off getting an X3 3.0 with M Sport if you want the looks or an M40i.

Sometimes I feel like it's not quite harsh enough… but I'm a bit of a psycho

[Mscarn2014]

Originally Posted by airboss

Where did you order the Elbach springs from and do you know the part numbers?

Ordered from Ebay. One seller from Germany and it got here within days. From what I see, just about the same drop as H&R, ride feels way improved though.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/32461440457...EAAOSwIHZiOJzY

[stoked335d]

Originally Posted by Mscarn2014

Ordered from Ebay. One seller from Germany and it got here within days. From what I see, just about the same drop as H&R, ride feels way improved though.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/32461440457...EAAOSwIHZiOJzY

How many inches is the gap from top of tire to fender? Or ground to fender? Trying get an idea how it would look. Did you have to get a wheel alignment after the change? Please post some close up and entire car pics if you can.

[airboss]

Originally Posted by Mscarn2014

Ordered from Ebay. One seller from Germany and it got here within days. From what I see, just about the same drop as H&R, ride feels way improved though.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/32461440457...EAAOSwIHZiOJzY

Thanks!

[dmanb2b]

Originally Posted by stoked335d

How many inches is the gap from top of tire to fender? Or ground to fender? Trying get an idea how it would look. Did you have to get a wheel alignment after the change? Please post some close up and entire car pics if you can.

Always need an alignment after changing the suspension.

[FurlongHokie]

Originally Posted by STi from DSM

It is true, going from my RS3 to the X3MC I didn't think the ride would be as rough as it was, especially in comfort mode. I never needed to change to sport or sport+ because Comfort was pretty solid. I think that comfort setting should be comfortable. My RS5 I use Comfort mode for the suspension as Dynamic mode (Similar to Sport +) is too stiff for daily driving. My RS3 wasn't like that.
Every vehicle is different, but I know people have talked about changing the trash conti's for something more livable.
To answer the OP's question, you may not need to go to 20", but you should know that there are more choices for 20" wheels than 21" wheels, and you pay less money for them. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S are the go to choice for tires. I would say any size wheel should be wrapped in these tires.
Living in PA you probably get snow, have you thought about keeping the stock wheels for summer, getting MP4S, and getting a 20" winter setup?

Yes I have thought about getting a 2nd set. Optimally i would find a trade partner that wants the wheels I have and trade me their wheels (I reallly want the other comp wheel set in black (or dark gray). The ones that look like spider webs. And then I'd get a set of 20s for winter.

[moff]

Originally Posted by M3Pilot09

I am perplex why people buy M cars and complain about the ride. Better off getting an X3 3.0 with M Sport if you want the looks or an M40i.

I get this but let's not forget that nearly every motoring journalist reported the harsh rise pre LCI cars. The LCI has fixed it, but it want great on broken surfaces.

[Mscarn2014]

Originally Posted by stoked335d

How many inches is the gap from top of tire to fender? Or ground to fender? Trying get an idea how it would look. Did you have to get a wheel alignment after the change? Please post some close up and entire car pics if you can.

See pics - I can measure later. Before and after in the side by side.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by Mscarn2014

See pics - I can measure later. Before and after in the side by side.

I'm glad you like the ride quality & said it actually rides better. Hope the H&R units do the same.

Any spacers on your X3 MC... ?

[Mscarn2014]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

I'm glad you like the ride quality & said it actually rides better. Hope the H&R units do the same.

Any spacers on your X3 MC... ?

12mm all around, Future Classic.