Lowered Car + 19's in Chicago area

Dr. G · 07-25-2011, 11:54 PM

So I wanted to do one final adjustment of my coilovers before getting my alignment done and I needed to take a couple things into consideration.

I will be bringing this car to Chicago for 2012 and will be driving it in the city quite often, and from the past experience I had driving there, there are some CRAZY Potholes and stuff.

So my car is a tad bit lower then H&R Sport height right now and I was considering taking it down to H&R Race height on 19" Miro 111 wheels, but after thinking about how my driving conditions will change I'm starting to reconsider.

Where I live right now the roads are beautiful and I wouldn't even think twice about riding on cheaply built 20's because I've never seen potholes, but I know things will change.

Should I keep my drop conservative and keep my OEM 18" wheels to put on when I come to Chicago, or will driving on the 19's be okay if I am just careful and try to watchout for potholes and stuff.

BTM · 07-26-2011, 12:09 AM

You'll need another alignment by then. Though there are people who run their 19s in the city...they manage

mashen6ka · 07-26-2011, 02:22 AM

With any wheels in the city I feel like you've gotta be careful driving.... Keep the 19s and see how comfortable you are driving around with the current drop first. You can always go higher later. Just be careful and watch out for the potholes, eventually you will learn your way around and avoid specifically bad streets you'll be ok. I would go back to 18s for the winter if you plan on driving it year around tho.

Daya · 07-26-2011, 02:28 AM

I have been on 19's in the city for over 4 years (minus winters) and no issues. Just watch out for all of the potholes and you will be fine

Ricer X · 07-26-2011, 07:11 AM

I don't think that the 19's will be an issue as much as the height. If you are going to be on side streets alot, they have those speed mountains. That always gets me.....

kyleb350 · 07-26-2011, 08:21 AM

If you drive in the city often to know enough how to navigate the rough roads, you'll be fine. I've been in the city down rough streets for the first time and cursed up a storm.

expelled · 07-26-2011, 09:51 AM

these guys are all correct. It also depends on the wheels and tires you have. some tires have crappy sidewall strength and those will get eaten alive here. If you just take the time to learn the routes you should be ok. I'm on H&R sports with 19s and I'm fine.

mkPOTO · 07-26-2011, 09:58 AM

I drove slammed (maxed out my kw v2, lowest setting possible) and live in the city with no problems, but I was 18s

Dr. G · 07-26-2011, 03:37 PM

Hey everyone, thanks for the responses, I feel a bit less worried about the wheels now so that's a good thing.

Looks like the wheels should be okay and my ride height is adjustable so we'll see how things go.

Thanks again!

carlili4190 · 07-27-2011, 05:37 PM

You should see how low some of the 350Z's and G35's drive in Chicago

Just make sure you keep your eyes out for potholes and be ready to maneuver around them.

Dr. G · 07-27-2011, 05:44 PM

Haha yeah, having enough ground clearance for winter is another thing, but I'll worry about that in winter

PerryTM · 07-29-2011, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkPOTO

I drove slammed (maxed out my kw v2, lowest setting possible) and live in the city with no problems, but I was 18s

I was going to buy this car but when I called him (Mark?)-cant remember) about it he said the new owner just pulled out of his drive way with it! I was a little upset.

CubanJJ09 · 07-30-2011, 11:42 AM

i dont know how mark manged to drive period. my front lip would of been fucked. but like everyone said just pay attention and youll be fine. your gonna eat a pothole or sewer cap sooner or later theres just no avoiding it. but the majority of the time youll be ok. im lowered on bilstein w/ 19s and have been fine

mkPOTO · 07-30-2011, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZAP335i

I was going to buy this car but when I called him (Mark?)-cant remember) about it he said the new owner just pulled out of his drive way with it! I was a little upset.

Oh right, yeah the new owner wanted it ASAP and brought a check and I just couldn't say no, sorry bud. You found ne though no?

mkPOTO · 07-30-2011, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CubanJJ09

i dont know how mark manged to drive period. my front lip would of been fucked. but like everyone said just pay attention and youll be fine. your gonna eat a pothole or sewer cap sooner or later theres just no avoiding it. but the majority of the time youll be ok. im lowered on bilstein w/ 19s and have been fine

Of course I can't drive I'm Asian... Lol

Spazdoc · 07-31-2011, 10:57 PM

You just have to know the routes if you drive at the speed limit or above. Especially routes that should not have potholes, like LSD, there are small ridges that really hit hard. Really, just have to pay attnetion to the road when you drive - I still go nuts with some of the streets in Evanston/Wilmette/Winnetka.

I am on OEM 19s and not aftermarket drop (just Sport package).

07-25-2011, 11:54 PM	#1
Dr. G Major General 299 Rep 5,064 Posts Drives: Black e92 335i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Brampton, Ontario iTrader: (32) Garage List e92 BMW 335i [8.84]	Lowered Car + 19's in Chicago area - Bad Idea? So I wanted to do one final adjustment of my coilovers before getting my alignment done and I needed to take a couple things into consideration. I will be bringing this car to Chicago for 2012 and will be driving it in the city quite often, and from the past experience I had driving there, there are some CRAZY Potholes and stuff. So my car is a tad bit lower then H&R Sport height right now and I was considering taking it down to H&R Race height on 19" Miro 111 wheels, but after thinking about how my driving conditions will change I'm starting to reconsider. Where I live right now the roads are beautiful and I wouldn't even think twice about riding on cheaply built 20's because I've never seen potholes, but I know things will change. Should I keep my drop conservative and keep my OEM 18" wheels to put on when I come to Chicago, or will driving on the 19's be okay if I am just careful and try to watchout for potholes and stuff. __________________ JB4 / OSS Angel Eyes / Downpipes / F1-Racewerks FMIC / Custom Meth Kit / BMS DCI / ER Chargepipe / HKS BOV / BMS Meth Elbow / BMW Performance Exhaust / Carbon Fiber Inlay Quad Tips / 19" Miro 111 / Front Aero Lip / M3 Sides / VRS CSL Trunk / Mtech Rear / DD CF Quad Finned Diffuser / LCI Tails / BBK / Smoked Reflectors / F1 Euphoria LED Interior / License LED's / GT 5000k Corners / 5000k HID Fogs / Air Scoops / LED Turn Signals / FK Silverline Coilovers / HPA endlinks / Vibrant Resonators / Osram CBI 5000k D1S
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07-26-2011, 12:09 AM	#2
BTM Banned 510 Rep 10,309 Posts Drives: A///MERICAN!!! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: A///MERICA!!! iTrader: (11) Garage List 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [7.20]	You'll need another alignment by then. Though there are people who run their 19s in the city...they manage
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07-26-2011, 02:22 AM	#3
mashen6ka Private First Class 6 Rep 130 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: chi iTrader: (2)	With any wheels in the city I feel like you've gotta be careful driving.... Keep the 19s and see how comfortable you are driving around with the current drop first. You can always go higher later. Just be careful and watch out for the potholes, eventually you will learn your way around and avoid specifically bad streets you'll be ok. I would go back to 18s for the winter if you plan on driving it year around tho.
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07-26-2011, 02:28 AM	#4
Daya Lieutenant Colonel 209 Rep 1,741 Posts Drives: e92 335 space gray/coral red Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 E92 335 [9.66]	I have been on 19's in the city for over 4 years (minus winters) and no issues. Just watch out for all of the potholes and you will be fine __________________ GIAC S2 \| Brembo GT BBK 355/345 \| BBS CH-R \| Michelin Pilot Super Sports \| AR Design: DP, S1 Oil Cooler, OCC \| AMS FMIC \| Bastuck Quad Exhaust \| Borla MP \| KW V1 \| Stett: CAI, CP \| Forge DV \| P3 Boost Gauge \| Arkym: Front Lip, Rear Quad Diffuser \| Vorsteiner CSL Trunk \| LUX H8 \| ModMyNav \| MFD M3 Sideskirts \| BMW M-Tech Front/Rear Bumpers, Edition Grills
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07-26-2011, 07:11 AM	#5
Ricer X noted crusty old man 101 Rep 7,859 Posts Drives: like a man late for work Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: of what? iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335i [6.76]	I don't think that the 19's will be an issue as much as the height. If you are going to be on side streets alot, they have those speed mountains. That always gets me..... __________________ Photoshoot: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=448667 Ihsanshaik - X/Vasillalov - X/Nood1es - X/Countless more I can't recall - X Nobama 2012
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07-26-2011, 08:21 AM	#6
kyleb350 Brigadier General 420 Rep 4,710 Posts Drives: '21 X3MC Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Milwaukee iTrader: (6)	If you drive in the city often to know enough how to navigate the rough roads, you'll be fine. I've been in the city down rough streets for the first time and cursed up a storm.
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07-26-2011, 09:51 AM	#7
expelled First Lieutenant 14 Rep 323 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: LA iTrader: (1)	these guys are all correct. It also depends on the wheels and tires you have. some tires have crappy sidewall strength and those will get eaten alive here. If you just take the time to learn the routes you should be ok. I'm on H&R sports with 19s and I'm fine.
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07-26-2011, 09:58 AM	#8
mkPOTO Mr. Nice Says Hello 659 Rep 16,661 Posts Drives: BMW M3 \| X5 xdrive 35i MSport Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (25) Garage List 2002 Lexus GS300 [0.00] 2008 BMW E92 M3 [5.58]	I drove slammed (maxed out my kw v2, lowest setting possible) and live in the city with no problems, but I was 18s
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07-26-2011, 03:37 PM	#9
Dr. G Major General 299 Rep 5,064 Posts Drives: Black e92 335i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Brampton, Ontario iTrader: (32) Garage List e92 BMW 335i [8.84]	Hey everyone, thanks for the responses, I feel a bit less worried about the wheels now so that's a good thing. Looks like the wheels should be okay and my ride height is adjustable so we'll see how things go. Thanks again! __________________ JB4 / OSS Angel Eyes / Downpipes / F1-Racewerks FMIC / Custom Meth Kit / BMS DCI / ER Chargepipe / HKS BOV / BMS Meth Elbow / BMW Performance Exhaust / Carbon Fiber Inlay Quad Tips / 19" Miro 111 / Front Aero Lip / M3 Sides / VRS CSL Trunk / Mtech Rear / DD CF Quad Finned Diffuser / LCI Tails / BBK / Smoked Reflectors / F1 Euphoria LED Interior / License LED's / GT 5000k Corners / 5000k HID Fogs / Air Scoops / LED Turn Signals / FK Silverline Coilovers / HPA endlinks / Vibrant Resonators / Osram CBI 5000k D1S
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07-27-2011, 05:37 PM	#10
carlili4190 Second Lieutenant 25 Rep 201 Posts Drives: 07 Nissan 350Z, 11 BMW X3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Lincoln Park iTrader: (0)	You should see how low some of the 350Z's and G35's drive in Chicago Just make sure you keep your eyes out for potholes and be ready to maneuver around them.
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07-27-2011, 05:44 PM	#11
Dr. G Major General 299 Rep 5,064 Posts Drives: Black e92 335i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Brampton, Ontario iTrader: (32) Garage List e92 BMW 335i [8.84]	Haha yeah, having enough ground clearance for winter is another thing, but I'll worry about that in winter __________________ JB4 / OSS Angel Eyes / Downpipes / F1-Racewerks FMIC / Custom Meth Kit / BMS DCI / ER Chargepipe / HKS BOV / BMS Meth Elbow / BMW Performance Exhaust / Carbon Fiber Inlay Quad Tips / 19" Miro 111 / Front Aero Lip / M3 Sides / VRS CSL Trunk / Mtech Rear / DD CF Quad Finned Diffuser / LCI Tails / BBK / Smoked Reflectors / F1 Euphoria LED Interior / License LED's / GT 5000k Corners / 5000k HID Fogs / Air Scoops / LED Turn Signals / FK Silverline Coilovers / HPA endlinks / Vibrant Resonators / Osram CBI 5000k D1S
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07-30-2011, 11:42 AM	#13
CubanJJ09 Banned 172 Rep 12,680 Posts Drives: like an asshole Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (2) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [6.18]	i dont know how mark manged to drive period. my front lip would of been fucked. but like everyone said just pay attention and youll be fine. your gonna eat a pothole or sewer cap sooner or later theres just no avoiding it. but the majority of the time youll be ok. im lowered on bilstein w/ 19s and have been fine
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07-31-2011, 10:57 PM	#16
Spazdoc Major 44 Rep 1,219 Posts Drives: 2020 C63S, 2001 S4 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Earth iTrader: (9) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	You just have to know the routes if you drive at the speed limit or above. Especially routes that should not have potholes, like LSD, there are small ridges that really hit hard. Really, just have to pay attnetion to the road when you drive - I still go nuts with some of the streets in Evanston/Wilmette/Winnetka. I am on OEM 19s and not aftermarket drop (just Sport package).
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