[smatanovic]

I bought a lovely 2006 e91 about two months ago, and it's rolling on stock 16" wheels with all season tires. The car is a daily driver, mostly taking the kids to school (at least in the pre-covid days) as well as running errands, along with the occasional long trip. I plan to put winter tires on the stock wheels, and buy a set of larger wheels in the spring with summer tires. I am torn between 17" and 18" for the summer tires: as the subject says, I am in Philadelphia, and the roads are apocalyptically bad. While I think the 18's will likely look better, I fear that ride comfort will really suffer.

All things being equal, which would you choose? I would love to hear from folks who live close by (or in areas with similarly shitty roads) and have gone through a similar calculus.

[kazbek1]

Originally Posted by smatanovic

I bought a lovely 2006 e91 about two months ago, and it's rolling on stock 16" wheels with all season tires. The car is a daily driver, mostly taking the kids to school (at least in the pre-covid days) as well as running errands, along with the occasional long trip. I plan to put winter tires on the stock wheels, and buy a set of larger wheels in the spring with summer tires. I am torn between 17" and 18" for the summer tires: as the subject says, I am in Philadelphia, and the roads are apocalyptically bad. While I think the 18's will likely look better, I fear that ride comfort will really suffer.

All things being equal, which would you choose? I would love to hear from folks who live close by (or in areas with similarly shitty roads) and have gone through a similar calculus.

I live in Philly and you're not lying about these roads. My 335i is on 18" with run flats while my Rav4 is on 17s with all-terrain tires. I know the run flats and all-terrain tires usually make for a rougher, louder ride but I don't think it matters in Philly or the NE in general. Whether you're driving 20 mph down city streets or cruising down 95, these pot holes and unmaintained roads are unforgiving no matter the wheel size. That's just my opinion.

Personally, I think the 18's are the perfect size for the e9x platform. Pair that with a better tire than run flats and you should be good. Again, I don't know how noticeable the ride quality would be if you went 17's instead.

[smatanovic]

Originally Posted by kazbek1

I live in Philly and you're not lying about these roads. My 335i is on 18" with run flats while my Rav4 is on 17s with all-terrain tires. I know the run flats and all-terrain tires usually make for a rougher, louder ride but I don't think it matters in Philly or the NE in general. Whether you're driving 20 mph down city streets or cruising down 95, these pot holes and unmaintained roads are unforgiving no matter the wheel size. That's just my opinion.

Personally, I think the 18's are the perfect size for the e9x platform. Pair that with a better tire than run flats and you should be good. Again, I don't know how noticeable the ride quality would be if you went 17's instead.

This is really helpful, thank you. I plan to stick with run flats for both winter and summer, so your perspective is on point. Thanks again!

[VXEric]

I'm running 18s with non run flats in the Philly area and it's OK. The biggest thing is to slow down for the more massive potholes to avoid bending a rim. The right tires with a sidewall that protects the rim will help too.

I have a set of style 400 rims off an F30 (square setup) if you're looking to go with 18s.

[smatanovic]

Originally Posted by VXEric

I'm running 18s with non run flats in the Philly area and it's OK. The biggest thing is to slow down for the more massive potholes to avoid bending a rim. The right tires with a sidewall that protects the rim will help too.

I have a set of style 400 rims off an F30 (square setup) if you're looking to go with 18s.

Interesting. Photos? What do you want for them?

[Partymarty]

If you’re interested, I’ve got a set of 19 inch 313s I’m looking to sell off my e91. Big tires are within 1% so works on xdrive as well (my e91 is an xdrive).

Ride quality was very good but I know this wasn’t even on your list. My car is lci which impacts offset? Don’t know if these would work.

I’m in Philly so there’s that!

Marty

[smatanovic]

Originally Posted by Partymarty

If you’re interested, I’ve got a set of 19 inch 313s I’m looking to sell off my e91. Big tires are within 1% so works on xdrive as well (my e91 is an xdrive).

Ride quality was very good but I know this wasn’t even on your list. My car is lci which impacts offset? Don’t know if these would work.

I’m in Philly so there’s that!

Marty

Marty: thanks, but 19's are bigger than I was planning on.

[BlueBimmerBoy]

Originally Posted by smatanovic

I bought a lovely 2006 e91 about two months ago, and it's rolling on stock 16" wheels with all season tires. The car is a daily driver, mostly taking the kids to school (at least in the pre-covid days) as well as running errands, along with the occasional long trip. I plan to put winter tires on the stock wheels, and buy a set of larger wheels in the spring with summer tires. I am torn between 17" and 18" for the summer tires: as the subject says, I am in Philadelphia, and the roads are apocalyptically bad. While I think the 18's will likely look better, I fear that ride comfort will really suffer.

All things being equal, which would you choose? I would love to hear from folks who live close by (or in areas with similarly shitty roads) and have gone through a similar calculus.

I live in philly and currently have 17s on my e92 and they are fine with the roads. They are for sale if you’re interested.

[smatanovic]

Originally Posted by BlueBimmerBoy

I live in philly and currently have 17s on my e92 and they are fine with the roads. They are for sale if you’re interested.

Send photos?

[mlee4984]

17 vs 19

[smatanovic]

Originally Posted by mlee4984

17 vs 19

Nice, mlee4984 thanks! Do you run both in NYC? Your roads are just about as bad, if not a little worse, than ours.

[mlee4984]

Originally Posted by smatanovic

Nice, mlee4984 thanks! Do you run both in NYC? Your roads are just about as bad, if not a little worse, than ours.

I just test fit the 19s from my e46. I only run 17s at the moment for the e91. Style 194 with snow tires.[IMG]undefined[/IMG]

Or style 286 in the warmer months

[K9Leader]

Originally Posted by smatanovic

I bought a lovely 2006 e91 about two months ago, and it's rolling on stock 16" wheels with all season tires. The car is a daily driver, mostly taking the kids to school (at least in the pre-covid days) as well as running errands, along with the occasional long trip. I plan to put winter tires on the stock wheels, and buy a set of larger wheels in the spring with summer tires. I am torn between 17" and 18" for the summer tires: as the subject says, I am in Philadelphia, and the roads are apocalyptically bad. While I think the 18's will likely look better, I fear that ride comfort will really suffer.

All things being equal, which would you choose? I would love to hear from folks who live close by (or in areas with similarly shitty roads) and have gone through a similar calculus.

I'm in Delaware (Northern - Wilmington/Newark) and have been through this. When I got my '10 E91 three years ago, it had the 16" wheels. While I liked the style of the wheels, they were a bit beat up and the tires were just about done. I decided to go with run-flats (it is a daily driver) and waffled between 17 or 18 inch wheels. In the end, I went with the 18s as they were actually less expensive than the 17s of the same wheel (being closed out, which eventually added to my problem).

The ride was bone-jarring on any obstructions. I hit one pot hole so hard it reset a bunch of electronics on the car and set off all kinds of codes. It bent the rim (although it was still holding air) and, of course, that is when I found out I could not find a replacement as that size had been discontinued.

After about a year of that, I went with 17 inch Style 66 wheels (from early 2000s M5 and 540) with non-run-flat wheels and it is so much better. I had ditched the run-flats on my Corvette years ago but, as I said, the E91 is my daily so I opted for the run-flats. I will never buy run-flats again - the ride is so terrible. I'm better off with a jack and a compressor in the car and a AAA card in my wallet.

The 18 inch ASA AR1s:




The 17 inch Style 66s:

[smatanovic]

Maaaaan, those AR1's are gorgeous. Thinking of them in 17".

[K9Leader]

Originally Posted by smatanovic

Maaaaan, those AR1's are gorgeous. Thinking of them in 17".

I had put them in 17" on my son's Mazda 6 as a birthday gift to him a couple of years before. The 18s have a deeper edge on the rim, naturally, and look a little better but they are really nice wheels for the price. I was not crazy about the fake bolt heads - make it harder to clean and will eventually have the plastic chrome flake off. I have my 18s sitting on a high shelf in the garage in case I ever want to switch things up again.

[smatanovic]

Originally Posted by K9Leader

I had put them in 17" on my son's Mazda 6 as a birthday gift to him a couple of years before. The 18s have a deeper edge on the rim, naturally, and look a little better but they are really nice wheels for the price. I was not crazy about the fake bolt heads - make it harder to clean and will eventually have the plastic chrome flake off. I have my 18s sitting on a high shelf in the garage in case I ever want to switch things up again.

Looks like ASA don't make the 18's at all anymore. Bummer.

[K9Leader]

Originally Posted by smatanovic

Looks like ASA don't make the 18's at all anymore. Bummer.

Yes, well that is why they were less expensive than the 17s - on closeout. When I bent the one, I tried finding a replacement but no luck. The damaged one held air, was not unbalanced, and is barely noticeable, so it is usable and certainly fixable. I kept them as I really do like them and might one day use them again. Or at least that is what car guys tell themselves about old parts.

I think something comparable are the Alzor Style 881s sold by ECS and very reasonably priced.

[smatanovic]

It sounds, though, like you recommend sticking with 17's?

[K9Leader]

Originally Posted by smatanovic

It sounds, though, like you recommend sticking with 17's?

I think the 18s with non-run-flats would have been okay but I didn't want to spring for another set of 18 in tires and find out it still wasn't right. The wife is remarkably tolerant of my car parts habit but . . .

Also, I am not in the crowd that always wants bigger and bigger wheels - function, not form, is primary, and for a daily driver, the 17s make more sense.

And, I came across the Style 66s and really liked the look and the idea of running genuine BMW wheels (even if they are from a different model/year).

[smatanovic]

Originally Posted by K9Leader

I think the 18s with non-run-flats would have been okay but I didn't want to spring for another set of 18 in tires and find out it still wasn't right. The wife is remarkably tolerant of my car parts habit but . . .

Also, I am not in the crowd that always wants bigger and bigger wheels - function, not form, is primary, and for a daily driver, the 17s make more sense.

And, I came across the Style 66s and really liked the look and the idea of running genuine BMW wheels (even if they are from a different model/year).

Understood, thanks!

[JoeyBananaz18]

OP if you decide on 17s and want to stick with RFTs I have a set of 225/45/17 pirelli Cinturatos off my mini clubman with about 21k on them. Plenty of life tho. if you're down for taking a ride up to westchester. Not asking anything for them. Just want them out of the garage. I don't know if that size would be a perfect fit but even if it isn't I don't think it would affect the speedo too much.

[ny325]

I have 17s on a new set of Michelin A/S 4 Pilot Sport. They absorb potholes better than the 18s I have on my other vehicle.