E90Post
 


Extreme Powerhouse
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Suspension | Brakes | Chassis > Dilema...lowering or changing size?



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      02-27-2006, 04:22 AM   #1
aarnt
Private
1
Rep
72
Posts

Drives: BMW E90 320i
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Greece

iTrader: (0)

Dilema...lowering or changing size?

Hello to all, I am expecting my E90 this week, but I have some doubts on one single choice. You see, I live in Greece and the quality of the roads harms cars, as much as an unlucky compliment harms a woman . I always liked the 162 rims, but I was held back because of the possible cost of the tyre size, and the damages (and noise) when over potholes. I therefore choosed the 160s, which I like too, but they are definatelly not 162s.

I realized that they look a bit small inside the wheel dome after personal inspection, and I'm now thinking... should I replace 160s with 162s, or get the sport suspension? I like sports driving, but I don't want my spine to crack over potholes (as happens with the m-sport package).

So here you are, large rims with extra tyre cost, or sport suspension with less attractive rims?Sorry if you find this post off-topic, but it suits both rims and tyres
Appreciate 0
      02-27-2006, 09:23 AM   #2
ward
Major General
151
Rep
6,158
Posts

Drives: F
Join Date: May 2005
Location: T

iTrader: (0)

wheels would be a more visual change while the suspension would make the vehicle handle corners much better

if you're more unhappy with the looks, get wheels

if you're more unhappy with the handling, get sport suspension
Appreciate 0
      02-28-2006, 12:40 AM   #3
aarnt
Private
1
Rep
72
Posts

Drives: BMW E90 320i
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Greece

iTrader: (0)

Thank you for replying! I have been told that handling is great even with the normal suspension, so I think I'll be going for the wheels. How about the extra cost of the tyre replacement? Any estimation? Will it be negligible or noticeable enough?

Thanx again
Appreciate 0
      03-19-2006, 02:24 AM   #4
homerfromathens
Private
homerfromathens's Avatar
Greece
1
Rep
87
Posts

Drives: saab convertible
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: athens

iTrader: (0)

well, i haven't ordered the car yet, but i plan to go for a 325xi e91 with 160 rims.

the all-wheel-drive 325 version has the bigger brakes of the 330, thus, awd drivers cant use 16" rims.
i would go for 16" instead of the 17" - just because of the comfort (noises).

anyway, let me know how the 17" behave in greece...

thx and enjoy!

PS: i am very sensitive regarding noises. i drive a saab convertible, and every little pothole has the impact of an earthquake...
Appreciate 0
      03-25-2006, 08:17 AM   #5
mikpap
Orthopaedic Surgeon
mikpap's Avatar
Greece
3
Rep
93
Posts

Drives: BMW E90 320i
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Korinthos, Greece

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
About rims and tyres

I bought the 320i (E90) 10 months ago. I have sport suspension (Dynamic pack) with 159 rims (158 is stantard with this package). Would like also to put the 162 rims but there are 2 main reasons that I didn't go through tat option. First you have to consider about the extra cost for the rims and secondly the cost for the tires (17'' to 18'' rims have way too far different prices). You have to think also that the rear tires are 255mm in width with 162 rims in comparison with 225 with 158/159/160 rims. Finaly as you can see I live also in Greece. I love 162 rims but the greek roads are tragic.
__________________
Michael Papatheodorou, MD
Appreciate 0
      03-27-2006, 01:10 AM   #6
aarnt
Private
1
Rep
72
Posts

Drives: BMW E90 320i
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Greece

iTrader: (0)

So that means that my choice to keep the 160s was right, though I might lower the suspension, but still not sure.Any of you have some experience with prices on tyres in Greece? I am a RFT fan and I don't know the availability in our weird market.

Cheers!
Appreciate 0
      03-27-2006, 03:42 PM   #7
homerfromathens
Private
homerfromathens's Avatar
Greece
1
Rep
87
Posts

Drives: saab convertible
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: athens

iTrader: (0)

it's great to see that there are other people from greece on this forum.

aarnt, i cant imagine how the 162 would behave on our roads.

how do your 17 inch rims behave?
are they ok?
any rattles or noises when driving on bad roads?

Appreciate 0
      03-28-2006, 02:01 AM   #8
aarnt
Private
1
Rep
72
Posts

Drives: BMW E90 320i
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Greece

iTrader: (0)

The 17" are ok, they were better with non run-flats in a e46, but still the car feels comfortable enough and sporty enough to drive.Though comfortable for me, it is not for my mother too because the RFTs are stiff as a rim of their own. Considering that I have a 320i, the 17" are lighter and it shows. Really the only reason I wanted the 162 is the looks, but 160s are good looking too. Now I'm thinking of lowering(M sport susp.), but I have not decided yet.

One notice. The 160s look bigger that they are. This happens because there are some spikes that reach the outer lip of the rim.

EDIT: I forgot, the car is too new to hear any rattles I guess, on reasonably bad roads it bumps more than usual cars, but on potholes the thud is a bit louder than expected. My car was built for the German market, I just brought it back after a business trip and I have seen slight differences with E90s built for Greece (in sound insulation and some other negligible things), but it could be the bad luck of my friend .
Appreciate 0
      03-28-2006, 05:58 AM   #9
homerfromathens
Private
homerfromathens's Avatar
Greece
1
Rep
87
Posts

Drives: saab convertible
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: athens

iTrader: (0)

it's good to read that the 17" shouldnt ruine my days...
i also recognized that the 160s look bigger due to these spikes. that's why i like them, too.

i am wondering about the 'slight differences' that you mentioned. i couldn't find any between the greek version and the german one (was there some weeks ago). maybe except of one thing: in greece, they use to sell the cars more often with continental tires, while in germany it's easier to get a new e90 with michelin or bridgestone tires.
last month there was a test at auto-motor-sport regaring RFT and they found our that the michelin tires where much more comfortable than the rest...

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/t...ner.105466.htm


regarding your thoughts about installing a sportier suspension:
respect. i couldnt do it... (maybe i am too old... LOL)
Appreciate 0
      03-28-2006, 12:06 PM   #10
06330i
fresher den you
06330i's Avatar
Poland
34
Rep
986
Posts

Drives: 2004 x3
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: the shores, MI

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2006 E90, 330i  [0.00]
get the 162's, idk about the suspension though. it rides alright. and i dont reccomend the tires bmw puts on with the 162's, the sidewalls are very stiff, since theyr runflats. too much noise
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:10 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST