[BMWinSE]

Hi, I'd appreciate some advice please: I drive a F11 520d Touring. It came with the 351 M style 19" wheels. I would like to fit smaller wheels higher aspect ratio tyres to try to improve ride comfort on the poorly maintained British roads.

In the manual and on the tyre pressure chart in the door sill there is mention of 225/55 R 17, 245/45 R 18 as well as 19 and 20" tyres. I'd love to fit the 17" wheels and OEM wheels in that size, as well as the 18" are readily available on Ebay.

Most sites, when I try to check if the wheels will fit indicate that I can't fit smaller wheels to my car. My car is fitted with option 704 M Sport Suspension and option 337 M Sport Package and it has the N47T engine. I mention this as some of the sites, when I enter that engine indicates that the smaller wheels won't fit. Does the specific combination indicate that the car has bigger brake rotors?

I'd appreciate any advice please, including whether non-run flat tyres would make a difference.

[TEF]

My US spec 535d xdrive came equipped with 19" wheel and run-flat tires that rode very poorly especially on rougher road surfaces. I switched to 17" OE wheels (BMW style 327) that fit fine presuming your front brake rotors are not larger than 348mm. I say this because the clearance between OE 17" wheel and front brake caliper is only a few mm"s. Check this site to ensure that your "new" wheels are compatible with an F10: http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/

I ditched the run-flats on both of the BMW's and that alone is like having a different vehicle. It's quite amazing how supple the BMW suspension becomes when conventional tires are installed.

I recognize that 17's are not cool looking, but other than the added bling, I see no other advantages to 19's. Moreover, ebay and Craigslist is full of listings from BMW owners wishing to move up to the "cooler" 19 and 20 inch wheels and tires. Consequently creating a buyer's market for 17's.

[remmib]

Originally Posted by BMWinSE

Hi, I'd appreciate some advice please: I drive a F11 520d Touring. It came with the 351 M style 19" wheels. I would like to fit smaller wheels higher aspect ratio tyres to try to improve ride comfort on the poorly maintained British roads.

In the manual and on the tyre pressure chart in the door sill there is mention of 225/55 R 17, 245/45 R 18 as well as 19 and 20" tyres. I'd love to fit the 17" wheels and OEM wheels in that size, as well as the 18" are readily available on Ebay.

Most sites, when I try to check if the wheels will fit indicate that I can't fit smaller wheels to my car. My car is fitted with option 704 M Sport Suspension and option 337 M Sport Package and it has the N47T engine. I mention this as some of the sites, when I enter that engine indicates that the smaller wheels won't fit. Does the specific combination indicate that the car has bigger brake rotors?

I'd appreciate any advice please, including whether non-run flat tyres would make a difference.

You can fit OEM 17" wheels, no problem.

[BMWinSE]

Originally Posted by TEF

My US spec 535d xdrive came equipped with 19" wheel and run-flat tires that rode very poorly especially on rougher road surfaces. I switched to 17" OE wheels (BMW style 327) that fit fine presuming your front brake rotors are not larger than 348mm. I say this because the clearance between OE 17" wheel and front brake caliper is only a few mm"s. Check this site to ensure that your "new" wheels are compatible with an F10: http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/

I ditched the run-flats on both of the BMW's and that alone is like having a different vehicle. It's quite amazing how supple the BMW suspension becomes when conventional tires are installed.

I recognize that 17's are not cool looking, but other than the added bling, I see no other advantages to 19's. Moreover, ebay and Craigslist is full of listings from BMW owners wishing to move up to the "cooler" 19 and 20 inch wheels and tires. Consequently creating a buyer's market for 17's.

Thank you

[BMWinSE]

Thanks, good news.

[et7007]

Agreed. I love my current setup - 18" in summer and 17" in winter. Less looks but works great