Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[a3ndy]

Just wondering if 18" Style 162 wheels compromise ride quality. I know that 17" won't compromise it that much, if at all. I've got 18" RS4 wheels on my A3 at the moment, and I feel the road and every bump on it...

Has anyone got the E90 with those 18" Ellipsoid style 162 alloys? What's the ride quality like with them on? Does sport suspension make any difference?

Cheers

Andy

[lumberman]

I also have the same question on the style 162 wheels, as I am ordering mine

[doggydogg]

I think that it does depend on the suspension rather than on the size of the wheels...
Having the same springs, changing wheels from 17" to 18"... shouldn't change that much the behavior of the car...
That said, when taking a sport suspension, the car does benefit from different springs (stiffer ones!) that do lower the car by 15mm... that change is noticable, even more noticable with 18" wheels...

One thing is sure... whatever your choice is, it will still benefit from a BMW efficiency i.e. a 1st class one

[Mark]

Believe it or not, its almost all dependant on tires. With the right tire setup an 18" wheel/tire setup can be as comfortable as a 16-17" wheel/tire setup. Id give you some suggestions on softer tires if you want depending on what category of tire you like (ie performance, all season, etc..

[Wildcat Jon]

I love the 162 wheels but do they come only on the 330i sport pkg? Can I get those type wheels with the 17 inch nonsport 330i?

[doggydogg]

No! The 162s are 18" wheels only available in this size.

[a3ndy]

Does this mean if I get the 18" 162 wheels and don't go for sports suspension I will get similar ride quality to that of 17" wheels?

I may end up sticking with 17" as I don't want to compromise ride quality.

Thanks for your replies, by the way.

[doggydogg]

It depends on what you're expecting...
Some people won't be able to tell the difference, some people are quite sensitive to that aspect...
I'm ready to sacrifice comfort for a better handling, a better looking car... some aren't.
For those who aren't... BMW might not be (?!!?) the brand to choose...

Why don't you try a sport suspension?

[a3ndy]

Cheers doggy

I think I will get both sports suspension and those 18s. After all, we all want a beautiful looking car as our primary objective of purchasing one in the first place. Of course speed and power play just as big a part, but I think looks are first for me.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by a3ndy

Cheers doggy

I think I will get both sports suspension and those 18s. After all, we all want a beautiful looking car as our primary objective of purchasing one in the first place. Of course speed and power play just as big a part, but I think looks are first for me.

Glad to hear it my man

The 18's won't reduce your speed and power by any measureable amount, but may make significant differences in how your car looks, so good choice, in my opinion. How are the roads around you? Difference in ride quality may not even be much of a factor if you have decent roads. Here in NYC (very bad roads) I've gone from 17's to 18's and even had 19's on one of my car's and thought it acceptable.

[a3ndy]

Originally Posted by jwocky

Glad to hear it my man

The 18's won't reduce your speed and power by any measureable amount, but may make significant differences in how your car looks, so good choice, in my opinion. How are the roads around you? Difference in ride quality may not even be much of a factor if you have decent roads. Here in NYC (very bad roads) I've gone from 17's to 18's and even had 19's on one of my car's and thought it acceptable.

The roads here are appalling also.

There are some good roads, but we have many countryside lanes that are have gaping pot holes, so I must be careful. You know the feeling when you've just gone over a massive pot hole, and you think to yourself...ow! that hurt my wheel.

But I guess you learn to live with them. We haven't got it easy on british roads...It's a challenge just going into town...lots of jams, tight roads.

Yeah I've been to NYC before, but I was in a coach, and the window was constantly vibrating...bad windows or bad roads, but I think it may have been both.

19s are a bit big for me I think. Are you getting 19s or sticking with 18s? Or are you putting up with standard 16s with hub caps?

[YYdoodle]

I tink 19" wheels are excessive. Your tire starts to look like a rubberband and you start worrying so much bout every single pothold that might bend your wheels. Not worth it if u'll be using car as daily driver.

[Jack2]

Greetings from Down Under. I'm thinking of getting a 320i when it launches here in Australia come June (yeah, everyone forgets us due to geographical isolation and it sucks). Love the 18" 162 wheels but does it come in this model? Would i have to compromise power for aesthetics considering its relatively smaller 110kW engine compared to a 330?

[doggydogg]

The 162 wheels are optional and available on all E90s...
Using 18" won't prevent you to hit the 200km/h in no time which is great... just think about the fact you would get a car with an even more superior handling...

Don't hesitate... that's an order!

[toddy]

Originally Posted by doggydogg

The 162 wheels are optional and available on all E90s...
Using 18" won't prevent you to hit the 200km/h in no time which is great... just think about the fact you would get a car with an even more superior handling...

Don't hesitate... that's an order!

doggydog orders!

18's are a good compromise/middle-ground between looks and performance I think

[Jack2]

Thanks for the input guys.
I don't suppose your new e90 runs on 18's too doggydogg?
I've been getting differing opinions about how its bad for less powerful engines to run on 18's ie insufficient power etc etc
Anybody with technical details perhaps? thanks once again.

[doggydogg]

Actually my e90 isn't there yet but yes I did choose it with 162 wheels...
195 are deadly cool but so expensive here in Belgium
Same thing for the 196...

[Jack2]

Good choice doggydogg
Let us know when u get the car and fill us in on ride comfort, power, handling etc etc...with those sweet 18"s on a 320i. I presume u test driven the car with smaller wheels before u bought it? Perhaps u can compare them then.

[SCA]

Originally Posted by doggydogg

The 162 wheels are optional and available on all E90s...
Using 18" won't prevent you to hit the 200km/h in no time which is great... just think about the fact you would get a car with an even more superior handling...

Don't hesitate... that's an order!

I wish that was the case in the US, but as usual we get shafted.

[spikes111]

Originally Posted by SCA

I wish that was the case in the US, but as usual we get shafted.

Heh, think of it as the price we pay for being able to buy these cars much cheaper than the rest of the world

[a3ndy]

I can now answer my own question. I went for a test drive today and the test car sat on 18" wheels. The car didn't not have sports suspension. The ride was not compromised at all. Thank god.

[Wildcat Jon]

I have all the pricing info that came out, both invoice and msrp, and see no standalone pricing option for just changing from 17 to 18 inch 162s on the 330i. Am I missing something or is this not available in the U.S.? If it is, are they 18 inch all seasons or are they the summer spr high perf. tire found on the sport pkg. Finally, price?