Originally Posted by panaguy' post='653633' date='Aug 24 2008, 11:46 PM

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

Originally Posted by rocketace' post='654311' date='Aug 26 2008, 02:01 PM

Interesting posts so far... covers the gamut. I am one who just went from stock 138 17"s to M5 166 19" and love it. Yeah the looks makes it all worthwhile. If the car drives better (and it does...) that's a bonus. Here in So Cal, our roads are not that bad. Plus I live and work in locales which have well maintained roads, so no worries. I can certainly understand and sympathize with anyone who wants comfy over sport rides. I used to drive 2 Lexuses - an LX470 and an LS400.. Sold both and bought an A4 and an E60. You can be comfy only so long before it gets too boring... I don't mess with my stock suspension regardless of wheel size upgrades. I make compromises for looks, better ride, better cornering in lower profile, bigger rims, in exchange for less thread life and potential costs of fixing bent rims. And I bought a lifetime replacement on my tires from Discount Tires... If the rims bend, so be it, I'll just fix them... Life's too short...

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Originally Posted by seoulman' post='654339' date='Aug 26 2008, 01:47 PM

The 166's look awesome!

Originally Posted by BigMike' post='654489' date='Aug 26 2008, 06:53 PM

Are those reps or the real thing? The sideshots make a certain area look like
a rep but resolution isn't high enough to see....

Originally Posted by BigMike' post='654489' date='Aug 26 2008, 06:53 AM

Are those reps or the real thing? The sideshots make a certain area look like
a rep but resolution isn't high enough to see....

Originally Posted by rocketace' post='654609' date='Aug 26 2008, 11:26 PM

They are reps running 245/35/19s F&R.