Changed 166 19" to 138 17" today - Lot of comfort & Less
08-24-2008, 10:33 AM
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I can sympathize with the big wheels versus potholes rationale. I've gone through 3 sets of big ass wheels in 2.5 years. 
I live in a city where the roads are less than ideal (I'm being very gracious in describing road conditions). I sometimes think I should go with smaller wheel/tire setup. But then I come to my senses and just drive a bit slower! 
I live in a city where the roads are less than ideal (I'm being very gracious in describing road conditions). I sometimes think I should go with smaller wheel/tire setup. But then I come to my senses and just drive a bit slower!
08-24-2008, 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by seoulman' post='653369' date='Aug 25 2008, 02:33 AM
I can sympathize with the big wheels versus potholes rationale. I've gone through 3 sets of big ass wheels in 2.5 years. I live in a city where the roads are less than ideal (I'm being vary gracious in describing road conditions). I sometimes think I should go with smaller wheel/tire setup. But then I come to my senses and just drive a bit slower!
I live in a city where the roads are less than ideal (I'm being vary gracious in describing road conditions). I sometimes think I should go with smaller wheel/tire setup. But then I come to my senses and just drive a bit slower! I do understand the need to look good and am still trying to balance that with 166's, fast and good lookin. But then the modulars start calling out to me..... LOL
08-24-2008, 10:40 AM
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Originally Posted by BigMike' post='653371' date='Aug 25 2008, 03:36 AM
How about just buying a torque wrench and switching tires for the occasion? Man, you should see how I drive... I go FAST and all the other nice cars are way behind cuz they'll damage their HRE's, LM's, Hamann's,etc.... LOL
But then the modulars start calling out to me..... LOL
But then the modulars start calling out to me..... LOL
Modular wheels are damn sexy! This time around, I'm going to put 167s on the car I have on order to avoid the bent wheel syndrome!
08-24-2008, 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by rodneyremington' post='653225' date='Aug 24 2008, 07:12 AM
It was the OP that pointed out the much more quiet and comfortable ride with the higher profile tires on compared to the rice wheels.
Why don't you bolt a big wing on the back while you're at it. Maybe that will give you better feedback as well. They use them in racing after all so it must be good.
Why don't you bolt a big wing on the back while you're at it. Maybe that will give you better feedback as well. They use them in racing after all so it must be good.
Look dumb prick, Go back to post #2 and read which part I quoted him. I did not say anything about comfort. He had one question in there which I responded to.
08-24-2008, 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by EBMCS03' post='652960' date='Aug 24 2008, 06:13 AM
Plenty, Some include better performance, better handling, and more feedback.
my 166 18" are alot faster than my acs 19" both are reps.
better handling nop. you mean better grip.
the only think for a bigger rims is for looks and for safety.
one think bad about bigger rims is the MPG, you will get less MPG unless you get light rims.
if you look around on the track racer never go bigger than 18"
the smaller the better, most are 17" or 18"
My S2000 had only 16" and OMG it was fast
08-24-2008, 06:39 PM
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Originally Posted by pinguhk' post='653596' date='Aug 24 2008, 10:35 PM
the only think for a bigger rims is for looks and for safety.
one think bad about bigger rims is the MPG, you will get less MPG unless you get light rims.
one think bad about bigger rims is the MPG, you will get less MPG unless you get light rims.
08-24-2008, 06:49 PM
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Wow... you girls are snippy.
Tires (& wheels) are a compromise.
The OP just offered a reminder that bigger isn't always better.
If it is, why stop at 19's? Certainly BMW could design a 29" wheel if that helped their quest to be the Ultimate.
Be nice. We all like cars. We all spend an unhealthy amount of time thinking about wheels.
That doesn't mean we'd all make the same compromises.
Tires (& wheels) are a compromise.
The OP just offered a reminder that bigger isn't always better.
If it is, why stop at 19's? Certainly BMW could design a 29" wheel if that helped their quest to be the Ultimate.
Be nice. We all like cars. We all spend an unhealthy amount of time thinking about wheels.
That doesn't mean we'd all make the same compromises.
08-24-2008, 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by gpfarrell' post='653605' date='Aug 25 2008, 10:49 AM
Wow... you girls are snippy.
Tires (& wheels) are a compromise.
The OP just offered a reminder that bigger isn't always better.
If it is, why stop at 19's? Certainly BMW could design a 29" wheel if that helped their quest to be the Ultimate.
Be nice. We all like cars. We all spend an unhealthy amount of time thinking about wheels.
That doesn't mean we'd all make the same compromises.
Tires (& wheels) are a compromise.
The OP just offered a reminder that bigger isn't always better.
If it is, why stop at 19's? Certainly BMW could design a 29" wheel if that helped their quest to be the Ultimate.
Be nice. We all like cars. We all spend an unhealthy amount of time thinking about wheels.
That doesn't mean we'd all make the same compromises.
the more info we get on the forum the better.
08-24-2008, 07:46 PM
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coolguy 
I wouldn't trade my 138 17" wheels with Continental tires for ANYTHING. In fact I bought my 530xi because it had these wheels from the factory and I knew they could take the potholes and most other crap on the road and still have reasonable performance (V speed rated and Traction "A"), a quiet ride and good tire life without the constant threat of flats. (I too live in NJ). Also the car did NOT have Run Flats which I did NOT want (which is a whole other discussion). I think the wheels and tires match the capabilities of my car very well
Just about ANY larger sport wheel/low profile tire set-up is much more susceptiple to tire damage from "road hazards" which 9 times out of 10 are the cause of flats in these "sport" set ups and not because of simple nails or punctures that can be easily repaired. When you get a flat from a "road hazard" the tire is ruined and depending on the wheel (like the 166) it gets bent and then the wheel has to get rebuilt or replaced. BTW, read BMW and other performance car makes sales brochures where they discuss sport wheels/hi perf/low profile options there is usually a disclaimer (their lawyers make them include) that says (and this comes from BMWUSA own web site whenever you look up a wheel/tire upgrade option for ANY model), "Due to low-profile tires, please note: wheels, tires and suspension parts are more susceptible to road hazard and consequential damages." Hmm, sounds like a warning to me...
Now I also have a 2004 330cic convertible which I love (
) with Sport pkg and wheel option which I HATE ( 
) for the same reasons you give because both times I got a flat on this car it was due to minor bits of metal in the road cutting the (very small) sidewall on the tire causing a blow out, ruining the tire and bending the rim. Each time I had to replace the tire AND have the rim replaced with a rebuilt wheel. Over $500 each time.... 
In fact I can almost understand the allure of the new performance Run Flat tires. At least you won't ruin the wheels when you get a flat BUT the $400+ cost of the tire alone negates the benefit in my eyes (and the rough ride and other issues). I even bought a spare rebuilt rim so now I just have to buy a tire to get back on the road quickly the next time I get a flat.
It's one thing to have an opinion but from the sounds of some of the replies to your post here some are downright mean spirited and not very civil
. You had an observartion to share when you changed your tires and some of these responses just outright "flamed" you which I can't understand why since I totally appreciate what you observed in your experience
I wouldn't trade my 138 17" wheels with Continental tires for ANYTHING. In fact I bought my 530xi because it had these wheels from the factory and I knew they could take the potholes and most other crap on the road and still have reasonable performance (V speed rated and Traction "A"), a quiet ride and good tire life without the constant threat of flats. (I too live in NJ). Also the car did NOT have Run Flats which I did NOT want (which is a whole other discussion). I think the wheels and tires match the capabilities of my car very well Just about ANY larger sport wheel/low profile tire set-up is much more susceptiple to tire damage from "road hazards" which 9 times out of 10 are the cause of flats in these "sport" set ups and not because of simple nails or punctures that can be easily repaired. When you get a flat from a "road hazard" the tire is ruined and depending on the wheel (like the 166) it gets bent and then the wheel has to get rebuilt or replaced. BTW, read BMW and other performance car makes sales brochures where they discuss sport wheels/hi perf/low profile options there is usually a disclaimer (their lawyers make them include) that says (and this comes from BMWUSA own web site whenever you look up a wheel/tire upgrade option for ANY model), "Due to low-profile tires, please note: wheels, tires and suspension parts are more susceptible to road hazard and consequential damages." Hmm, sounds like a warning to me...
Now I also have a 2004 330cic convertible which I love (
) with Sport pkg and wheel option which I HATE ( ) for the same reasons you give because both times I got a flat on this car it was due to minor bits of metal in the road cutting the (very small) sidewall on the tire causing a blow out, ruining the tire and bending the rim. Each time I had to replace the tire AND have the rim replaced with a rebuilt wheel. Over $500 each time.... In fact I can almost understand the allure of the new performance Run Flat tires. At least you won't ruin the wheels when you get a flat BUT the $400+ cost of the tire alone negates the benefit in my eyes (and the rough ride and other issues). I even bought a spare rebuilt rim so now I just have to buy a tire to get back on the road quickly the next time I get a flat.It's one thing to have an opinion but from the sounds of some of the replies to your post here some are downright mean spirited and not very civil
. You had an observartion to share when you changed your tires and some of these responses just outright "flamed" you which I can't understand why since I totally appreciate what you observed in your experience
08-24-2008, 07:58 PM
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Originally Posted by panaguy' post='653633' date='Aug 25 2008, 11:46 AM
coolguy I wouldn't trade my 138 17" wheels with Continental tires for ANYTHING. In fact I bought my 530xi because it had these wheels from the factory and I knew they could take the potholes and most other crap on the road and still have reasonable performance (V speed rated and Traction "A"), a quiet ride and good tire life without the constant threat of flats. (I too live in NJ). Also the car did NOT have Run Flats which I did NOT want (which is a whole other discussion). I think the wheels and tires match the capabilities of my car very well
Just about ANY larger sport wheel/low profile tire set-up is much more susceptiple to tire damage from "road hazards" which 9 times out of 10 are the cause of flats in these "sport" set ups and not because of simple nails or punctures that can be easily repaired. When you get a flat from a "road hazard" the tire is ruined and depending on the wheel (like the 166) it gets bent and then the wheel has to get rebuilt or replaced. BTW, read BMW and other performance car makes sales brochures where they discuss sport wheels/hi perf/low profile options there is usually a disclaimer (their lawyers make them include) that says (and this comes from BMWUSA own web site whenever you look up a wheel/tire upgrade option for ANY model), "Due to low-profile tires, please note: wheels, tires and suspension parts are more susceptible to road hazard and consequential damages." Hmm, sounds like a warning to me...
Now I also have a 2004 330cic convertible which I love ( ) with Sport pkg and wheel option which I HATE ( ) for the same reasons you give because both times I got a flat on this car it was due to minor bits of metal in the road cutting the (very small) sidewall on the tire causing a blow out, ruining the tire and bending the rim. Each time I had to replace the tire AND have the rim replaced with a rebuilt wheel. Over $500 each time.... In fact I can almost understand the allure of the new performance Run Flat tires. At least you won't ruin the wheels when you get a flat BUT the $400+ cost of the tire alone negates the benefit in my eyes (and the rough ride and other issues). I even bought a spare rebuilt rim so now I just have to buy a tire to get back on the road quickly the next time I get a flat.
It's one thing to have an opinion but from the sounds of some of the replies to your post here some are downright mean spirited and not very civil . You had an observartion to share when you changed your tires and some of these responses just outright "flamed" you which I can't understand why since I totally appreciate what you observed in your experience
I wouldn't trade my 138 17" wheels with Continental tires for ANYTHING. In fact I bought my 530xi because it had these wheels from the factory and I knew they could take the potholes and most other crap on the road and still have reasonable performance (V speed rated and Traction "A"), a quiet ride and good tire life without the constant threat of flats. (I too live in NJ). Also the car did NOT have Run Flats which I did NOT want (which is a whole other discussion). I think the wheels and tires match the capabilities of my car very well Just about ANY larger sport wheel/low profile tire set-up is much more susceptiple to tire damage from "road hazards" which 9 times out of 10 are the cause of flats in these "sport" set ups and not because of simple nails or punctures that can be easily repaired. When you get a flat from a "road hazard" the tire is ruined and depending on the wheel (like the 166) it gets bent and then the wheel has to get rebuilt or replaced. BTW, read BMW and other performance car makes sales brochures where they discuss sport wheels/hi perf/low profile options there is usually a disclaimer (their lawyers make them include) that says (and this comes from BMWUSA own web site whenever you look up a wheel/tire upgrade option for ANY model), "Due to low-profile tires, please note: wheels, tires and suspension parts are more susceptible to road hazard and consequential damages." Hmm, sounds like a warning to me...
Now I also have a 2004 330cic convertible which I love (
) with Sport pkg and wheel option which I HATE ( ) for the same reasons you give because both times I got a flat on this car it was due to minor bits of metal in the road cutting the (very small) sidewall on the tire causing a blow out, ruining the tire and bending the rim. Each time I had to replace the tire AND have the rim replaced with a rebuilt wheel. Over $500 each time.... In fact I can almost understand the allure of the new performance Run Flat tires. At least you won't ruin the wheels when you get a flat BUT the $400+ cost of the tire alone negates the benefit in my eyes (and the rough ride and other issues). I even bought a spare rebuilt rim so now I just have to buy a tire to get back on the road quickly the next time I get a flat.It's one thing to have an opinion but from the sounds of some of the replies to your post here some are downright mean spirited and not very civil
. You had an observartion to share when you changed your tires and some of these responses just outright "flamed" you which I can't understand why since I totally appreciate what you observed in your experiencesounds like you and wheels don't get on well
been driving with sport wheels for over 10 years now and touch wood nothing has gone wrong so far.