17's Vs 18's

Zomling335 · 02-05-2014, 08:17 PM

currenlty i have stock 335i 17x8 style 159's on my e90 335i - (non M sport suspension, just stock suspension)

I'm about to buy a set of 18" (18x8 + 18x8.5) style 162's but I'm a little concerned about how the car will drive/ride differently if I put the 18's on.

will the 18's be much harsher on out bumpy roads?

both sets are running stock sized tires & I'm very happy with the comfort/ride of the 17's.

any opinions welcome, I have 24hrs to make the decision - i know the 162's look hot, but i dont want to regret my decision.

thanks

Need4Speed_Motorsports · 02-05-2014, 08:49 PM

Any time you upgrade wheel size you are going to compromise on comfort. In my opinion the difference between 17s and 18s will be very minimal and shouldn't make you regret your decision. Good luck with whatever you choose!

John_01 · 02-05-2014, 10:53 PM

If comfort is the priority you are better off with the 17". I tried 18" and I noticed it rides more harshly, so I think you will notice some difference. It can depend on a few variables such as the brand of the tire and things like tire pressure, suspension mods etc. For example, if you have stock run flats, you will only get a sore back and chipped teeth.

Many BMW owners prefer bigger rims such as 19" and 20", but its always for the sake of style over performance. Some people will consider 18" as a middle ground between maximum bling and reasonable comfort.

Zomling335 · 02-05-2014, 11:25 PM

suspension is stock non sport & done 33k miles (54k kms)

i have potenza RF's on my 17's now & the 18's have potenza RF's as well.

the fronts on the 18's are pretty worn so i was thinking of going to non RF's when they need replacement.

hmm, 1 for & 1 against so far

getting lots of wheelspin with the 17's as well, so i thought the 18's would help there

Nitrous Garage · 02-06-2014, 12:02 PM

If you want a better ride get the 18s and get rid of the RF tires. Those side walls are so stiff they really toughen up the ride. Even with the RFs the difference will be small. I say go for the upgrade it will make the car look a lot better

VMRWheels · 02-07-2014, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitrous Garage

If you want a better ride get the 18s and get rid of the RF tires. Those side walls are so stiff they really toughen up the ride. Even with the RFs the difference will be small. I say go for the upgrade it will make the car look a lot better

Chuta · 02-07-2014, 05:53 PM

Do it! I'm a huge fan of the 162's you wont be disappointed.

Do a google image search for "BMW 162 wheels" IMO its a classic style. The only minus is that they're pretty heavy.

***Also (if you haven't purchased 162 wheels yet) the 06-07 and some 08's aren't TPMS they're FTM. If you have TPMS, make sure the sensors will fit. The 162's on 330i's were FTM and my 08' 335 was FTM. Something to think about....

02-07-2014, 06:13 PM

Get the 18s and go with taller tires. That way you'll have the same sidewall height as the stock 17s and you'll be removing a good bit of fender gap as well.

Zomling335 · 02-08-2014, 09:45 AM

well i bought a reasonable set of 162's today, 255's are very good but the 225's are pretty average.

yeah they are quite heavy - especially the 8.5's - i hope the car still drives nice with them...

2 rims have qutite a bit of gutter rash, so its quite tough to fit these up when my 159's are unmarked - the 162's were cheap though & the only set i could find.

TPMS - i dont think my may 2008 335i has that & what is FTM?

thanks

WallyF · 02-08-2014, 09:53 AM

The ride will probably be softer if you get rid of the RFTs.

I went from the stock style 156 with 205/55-16 RFTs to AG M310 in 18x8 with 225/40-18 Continental DWS.

The ride is much better.

Wallyf

Zomling335 · 02-10-2014, 11:03 AM

well I'm pleasantly surprised at how well it drives/rides with the bigger & heavier 162's.

thanks for the help

davejrob · 02-10-2014, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuta

Do it! I'm a huge fan of the 162's you wont be disappointed.

Do a google image search for "BMW 162 wheels" IMO its a classic style. The only minus is that they're pretty heavy.

***Also (if you haven't purchased 162 wheels yet) the 06-07 and some 08's aren't TPMS they're FTM. If you have TPMS, make sure the sensors will fit. The 162's on 330i's were FTM and my 08' 335 was FTM. Something to think about....

I'm looking to upgrade from style 158 wheels to 162 on my 06 330xi. How do I find out if I have TPMS or FTM? I want to get a good set of all season tires, probably non run flat. What do you think?

Chuta · 02-10-2014, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davejrob

I'm looking to upgrade from style 158 wheels to 162 on my 06 330xi. How do I find out if I have TPMS or FTM? I want to get a good set of all season tires, probably non run flat. What do you think?

Hi Davejrob,

Check out my image, I bought these 162's off a guy with a 2007 330i. From what I've learned, the easiest way to tell the difference between TPMS vs FTM is to check out the valve stem. Apparently, non-TPMS 330's have a rubber valve stem and TPMS systems have a metal valve stem.

If shipping wasn't so expensive I'd offer my set to you for a great price.

The other thing to consider is the staggered set up. There are many opinions regarding the staggered set up, with regard to xDrive. Based on what I've read from other posts, it should be okay.

Regarding, non-runflats... I was (and in some instances still am a fan of runflats) however, my current set aren't RFs and I'm seriously enjoy the ride. I had a 08 E92 xDrive and I remember the wheels being pretty noisy at times. Check the forum, I'd vote non-RF's.

Hope that helps.

Chuta · 02-10-2014, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaturnV335;*****653

well i bought a reasonable set of 162's today, 255's are very good but the 225's are pretty average.

yeah they are quite heavy - especially the 8.5's - i hope the car still drives nice with them...

2 rims have qutite a bit of gutter rash, so its quite tough to fit these up when my 159's are unmarked - the 162's were cheap though & the only set i could find.

TPMS - i dont think my may 2008 335i has that & what is FTM?

thanks

Awesome!, post a pic! I've heard that it's relatively inexpensive (in some cases) to cosmetically repair road rash.

FTM is (Flat Tire Monitor). As described by another member (RTGrove) "FTM doesn't use sensors. It uses the wheel speed sensor to detect wheel speed differences due to reduced air pressure (change in circumference). It has to run for a bit at speed to confirm the deviation among tires"

02-05-2014, 08:17 PM	#1
Zomling335 Private First Class 1 Rep 129 Posts Drives: 335i E90 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Perth Australia iTrader: (0)	17's Vs 18's currenlty i have stock 335i 17x8 style 159's on my e90 335i - (non M sport suspension, just stock suspension) I'm about to buy a set of 18" (18x8 + 18x8.5) style 162's but I'm a little concerned about how the car will drive/ride differently if I put the 18's on. will the 18's be much harsher on out bumpy roads? both sets are running stock sized tires & I'm very happy with the comfort/ride of the 17's. any opinions welcome, I have 24hrs to make the decision - i know the 162's look hot, but i dont want to regret my decision. thanks __________________ 2008 BSM 335i E90 JB4-G5 - sold Last edited by Zomling335; 02-05-2014 at 08:24 PM..
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02-05-2014, 08:49 PM	#2
Need4Speed_Motorsports 1080 Rep 24,709 Posts Drives: BMW E39 M5, F10 M5, F80 M3 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Los Angeles, California iTrader: (3)	Any time you upgrade wheel size you are going to compromise on comfort. In my opinion the difference between 17s and 18s will be very minimal and shouldn't make you regret your decision. Good luck with whatever you choose!
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02-05-2014, 10:53 PM	#3
John_01 Colonel 237 Rep 2,643 Posts Drives: E90 325i, E82 135i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	If comfort is the priority you are better off with the 17". I tried 18" and I noticed it rides more harshly, so I think you will notice some difference. It can depend on a few variables such as the brand of the tire and things like tire pressure, suspension mods etc. For example, if you have stock run flats, you will only get a sore back and chipped teeth. Many BMW owners prefer bigger rims such as 19" and 20", but its always for the sake of style over performance. Some people will consider 18" as a middle ground between maximum bling and reasonable comfort.
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02-05-2014, 11:25 PM	#4
Zomling335 Private First Class 1 Rep 129 Posts Drives: 335i E90 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Perth Australia iTrader: (0)	suspension is stock non sport & done 33k miles (54k kms) i have potenza RF's on my 17's now & the 18's have potenza RF's as well. the fronts on the 18's are pretty worn so i was thinking of going to non RF's when they need replacement. hmm, 1 for & 1 against so far getting lots of wheelspin with the 17's as well, so i thought the 18's would help there __________________ 2008 BSM 335i E90 JB4-G5 - sold
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02-06-2014, 12:02 PM	#5
Nitrous Garage Major General 210 Rep 6,811 Posts Drives: E82 135i / E92 328i / E60 550i Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Pomona, California iTrader: (0)	If you want a better ride get the 18s and get rid of the RF tires. Those side walls are so stiff they really toughen up the ride. Even with the RFs the difference will be small. I say go for the upgrade it will make the car look a lot better
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02-07-2014, 05:53 PM	#7
Chuta Private 2 Rep 60 Posts Drives: Too many 3's Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 328i [0.00]	Do it! I'm a huge fan of the 162's you wont be disappointed. Do a google image search for "BMW 162 wheels" IMO its a classic style. The only minus is that they're pretty heavy. ***Also (if you haven't purchased 162 wheels yet) the 06-07 and some 08's aren't TPMS they're FTM. If you have TPMS, make sure the sensors will fit. The 162's on 330i's were FTM and my 08' 335 was FTM. Something to think about....
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02-07-2014, 06:13 PM	#8
FCobra94 Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	Get the 18s and go with taller tires. That way you'll have the same sidewall height as the stock 17s and you'll be removing a good bit of fender gap as well.
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02-08-2014, 09:45 AM	#9
Zomling335 Private First Class 1 Rep 129 Posts Drives: 335i E90 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Perth Australia iTrader: (0)	well i bought a reasonable set of 162's today, 255's are very good but the 225's are pretty average. yeah they are quite heavy - especially the 8.5's - i hope the car still drives nice with them... 2 rims have qutite a bit of gutter rash, so its quite tough to fit these up when my 159's are unmarked - the 162's were cheap though & the only set i could find. TPMS - i dont think my may 2008 335i has that & what is FTM? thanks __________________ 2008 BSM 335i E90 JB4-G5 - sold Last edited by Zomling335; 02-08-2014 at 09:59 AM..
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02-08-2014, 09:53 AM	#10
WallyF Lieutenant 105 Rep 400 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW i4 eDrive40 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Fort Wayne, IN iTrader: (1) Garage List 2023 BMW i4 eDrive4 ... [0.00]	Get rid of RFTs The ride will probably be softer if you get rid of the RFTs. I went from the stock style 156 with 205/55-16 RFTs to AG M310 in 18x8 with 225/40-18 Continental DWS. The ride is much better. Wallyf
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02-10-2014, 11:03 AM	#11
Zomling335 Private First Class 1 Rep 129 Posts Drives: 335i E90 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Perth Australia iTrader: (0)	well I'm pleasantly surprised at how well it drives/rides with the bigger & heavier 162's. thanks for the help __________________ 2008 BSM 335i E90 JB4-G5 - sold
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