[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Martin2C

Wait until you see one before deciding, every generation (not just BMWs) have needed bigger wheels to look 'just right'. I put my winter MSport 18s on yesterday and they look too small, but appreciate not everyone would agree.

Guess you wouldn't go much on my 17" OEM winter wheels.

Afraid I'm 'function over fashion' with wheels, roads are far too poor a quality for the lower profiles, even more so in winter.

Don't really like the move to standard 19" on the larger engine M-sport models. Unless there is quite an improvement in the suspension settings, will be interesting to see how ride quality pans out.

[Martin2C]

Originally Posted by Fox530

The 35 profile on the back of mine is about as low as I'd want to go regardless of what it does to the looks.

You can't really specify a minimum profile, as it is a percentage of the width, so if you went wider than your current tyre a 35 profile would have a deeper sidewall. It's the sidewall that makes the most difference to the looks (in my opinion), so a 20" wheel would look similar to a 19" on the F10.

Yes, 17" would be a step too far for me! I'm amazed they fit over the brakes.

The 19" tyres on the new 7 are 245/45 and 275/40 so the ride shouldn't be any worse than your 18s.

[Fox530]

Originally Posted by Martin2C

You can't really specify a minimum profile, as it is a percentage of the width, so if you went wider than your current tyre a 35 profile would have a deeper sidewall. It's the sidewall that makes the most difference to the looks (in my opinion), so a 20" wheel would look similar to a 19" on the F10.

Yes, 17" would be a step too far for me! I'm amazed they fit over the brakes.

The 19" tyres on the new 7 are 245/45 and 275/40 so the ride shouldn't be any worse than your 18s.

The base wheel option on the G30 is 17" just like the F10. It is likely that the tyre sizes will remain as per the F10, therefore the 20's will be a lower profile than the current 19's.

The rear tyre width on all M Sport F10's is 275 irrespective of whether they are 18, 19 or 20 inch wheels - so the 20's have an 82.5mm sidewall and the 19's are 96.25mm.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Martin2C

Yes, 17" would be a step too far for me! I'm amazed they fit over the brakes.

The 19" tyres on the new 7 are 245/45 and 275/40 so the ride shouldn't be any worse than your 18s.

Rims are a tight fit, but they are the OEM wheel for the 535i. The design of the brake calliper bridge and the rim form are matched, give about 6 - 8mm clearance.

If the G30 tyre profiles stay as the F10, then 19" will be a ride compromise, as it is on the current cars. If the run-flats are more advanced it could help, but the height of the sidewall, I judge is too low for my driving roads. Rims and tyres must do their job, more so than how the car looks. I drive the car, not look at it.

[Martin2C]

I have to admit that I want my cars to look good, but how they drive is important too, especially as I do a fair few miles a year. I do 30,000 miles a year in the 535d plus another 7-8,000 in a Boxster, which I have to admit is also on 19s....

Maybe I'll go for more comfort when I'm older.

Seriously, I have 18" winter wheels for both and the improvement in ride is marginal, not worth the slight extra softness in the corners, but we all have different tastes and requirements.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Don't really like the move to standard 19" on the larger engine M-sport models. Unless there is quite an improvement in the suspension settings, will be interesting to see how ride quality pans out.

I am pleasantly surprised with the 535D M S on 19 inch wheels with Michelin Primacy run-flats, really quiet and comfortable in any mode.
Roads here are crap but this car handles them well.

[AP]

I'm hanging on for a couple of years before buying a G30 , I'll wait for reviews to come in first.
I believe the BMW CAR magazine have reviews of the car (driving it) in the next issue.
I know Highland Pete and Gspannu here on these forums have praised adaptive drive , it's an option I will definitely consider next time round. I like the look of the 20 inch wheels but will need to see what the ride is like before making a decision on those over the 19s.

If you haven't already read this, this is a good read about the steering feel on the G30.
http://blog.caranddriver.com/steer-m...steering-feel/

Of note though is mention about the tyres being for 50 miles only now (thought that was what they were currently - at least officially although I know form personal experience they last a lot longer than that)
So perhaps the new tyres have less stiff sidewalls which might make all the difference?

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by JOHNBMWM5

I am pleasantly surprised with the 535D M S on 19 inch wheels with Michelin Primacy run-flats, really quiet and comfortable in any mode.
Roads here are crap but this car handles them well.

Would be interesting to compare how your car would work up here. There have been improvements to the suspension settings, you run a different damper (later models) than my period of build.

I tried several suspension and wheel combinations back in 2910 - 11, and although 19" had a better feel on reasonably good roads, once road quality deteriorated, 18" were a better compromise. If I drove on better roads, I'd likely be on 19" wheels, as driving in Wiltshire (which l do), the suspension is far less challenged than up here.

Today l've been up the A82 to Inverness, even the 17" wheels are severely put to the test, and they run a more supple ride than the 18" wheels. 19" wheels would mess with the car's composure and suspension would get noisy. Why I say that, a test drive with 19" wheels and AD, on similar road scars and broken surfaces in an F10, couldn't cope too well. Fine until you get the typical broken road type I drive, then it begins to fall apart. 18" wheels widen the envelope, 17" even more.

I await test drives in the G30 to see how BMW engineers have improved the suspensions, to have a wider working envelope than the F10/11, on the bigger wheels.

[Fox530]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Would be interesting to compare how your car would work up here. There have been improvements to the suspension settings, you run a different damper (later models) than my period of build.

I spent a week up near you last month - around Wester Ross, Skye etc and my 19 inch fitted F10 was a wonderful companion. Compliant on the straights and handled well on the corners. It was great fun.

And you are very very lucky to live where you do!

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Fox530

I spent a week up near you last month - around Wester Ross, Skye etc and my 19 inch fitted F10 was a wonderful companion. Compliant on the straights and handled well on the corners. It was great fun.

And you are very very lucky to live where you do!

My wife and I were up enjoying the North-West coast a few weeks back. Went up to Lochinver for a couple of nights, and then down the west side, Ullapool, Aultbea, Gairloch, Torridon, Lochcarron to Plockton. 'Popped' over to Skye for a few hours, before we headed back home. The F11 performed faultlessly, love the combination of Adaptive Drive and 18" wheels.

We do appreciate what we have on the doorstep, don't take it for granted.

[Fox530]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

My wife and I were up enjoying the North-West coast a few weeks back. Went up to Lochinver for a couple of nights, and then down the west side, Ullapool, Aultbea, Gairloch, Torridon, Lochcarron to Plockton. 'Popped' over to Skye for a few hours, before we headed back home. The F11 performed faultlessly, love the combination of Adaptive Drive and 18" wheels.

We do appreciate what we have on the doorstep, don't take it for granted.

Sounds like our trip! The weather was absolutely beautiful throughout. Truly a very special place - I spent 3 weeks doing the same in the Canadian rockies earlier this year and honestly, the Highlands are almost on par.

Already planning on going back.

To bring this back on topic the 530d managed 43mpg over the entire 2300 mile trip