Pearler Posted October 11, 2015 Report Share Posted October 11, 2015 (edited) Thought I'd canvas opinion. I've bought a 2009 E92 325d with 19" wheels/bridgestone runflats. I want to lose the runflats in truth, for Goodyears. The 19" have a terrible reputation for cracks and I want to avoid it to be honest. So rather than spending money on new tyres for the 19" wheels, I'm thinking of getting some 18" MV3 wheels and putting new tyres on those, and selling the 19" wheels. This will give more tyre to protect the wheel and as they are not run flats, will absorb more shock. What do you folks think? I'm quite keen not to find myself calling the RAC because I've a cracked wheel, and lost tyre pressure if I buy normal tyres for the 19 inch wheels I have. Plus the cost of a new wheel or repair. Edited October 11, 2015 by Pearler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shabaza Posted October 11, 2015 Report Share Posted October 11, 2015 only benefit of the 19s is the aesthetics of the car. It makes it look more visually appealing. If you don't mind the 18s and the way they look on your car, the other benefits that come along with it kicks the 19" wheels ass in nearly every aspect Pearler 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuBeeDoo Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 only benefit of the 19s is the aesthetics of the car. It makes it look more visually appealing. Personally I think you can have "too much wheel, not enough tyre". Ditching the runflats and running normal tyres may reduce the chance of cracking wheels, but there could already be damage done but not yet visable. I'd go to 18s. Pearler and TriggerFish 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz 330 Cs Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 I'm in a similar position. My E93 doesn't have anywhere to keep a spare though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearler Posted October 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 Thanks fellas, your views are much appreciated. Will MV3 wheels from a 318 M-sport fit a 2009 E92? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
das_flo Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 Yes they would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjn Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 I want to go the other way, get rid of the 18" MV3 and put some 19" ISR8 on there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearler Posted October 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 (edited) Thanks gents. Am going to look at some refurbed MV3 for £375.00. OEM apparently, no welds. seems like a good asking price, haggle haggle Might keep the 19"s in the shed for reselling the car later though, worth doing?? mjn, I'm assuming those 19" wheels are better made than the BMW 19s then? The ISR8s do look pretty nice. Edited October 12, 2015 by Pearler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearler Posted October 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 I'm in a similar position. My E93 doesn't have anywhere to keep a spare though. I'll be up against the same prob. Think I'll buy a space saver and strap it down in the boot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjn Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 mjn, I'm assuming those 19" wheels are better made than the BMW 19s then? The ISR8s do look pretty nice. Lifetime warranty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz 330 Cs Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 The cracking of Bmw rims is due to the runflats. Not because they're a poorly made wheel. StuBeeDoo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearler Posted October 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 The cracking of Bmw rims is due to the runflats. Not because they're a poorly made wheel. I see there are for and against for that argument across the internet on that subject Daz, personally I can't come to any concrete conclusion about it though my personal summary is, and I'd appreciate your view on it....... fitting normal tyres to 19" wheels may well help prevent any cracking effect caused by run flats, though with that little rubber on the wheels, the risks remain increased due to the state of our roads, so better to go down to 18" and have normal good quality tyres to minimise risk further StuBeeDoo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bungers Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 The fact that the 18's still crack just goes to show its the hideous runflats that cause the issue. I've gone for none runflats, a can of tyre weld and breakdown cover. I did take an e46 17" spare with me across Europe just in case I got stranded though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz 330 Cs Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 I've ran 19" rims since 2007, 3 or 4 different sets of wheels and never had a cracked one. Sure the likelihood of an issue is reduced with 18s as there's more sidewall. Bungers I think you've answered my question. An E46 space saver fits straight on ? I need to get one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bungers Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 They do mate, best one though is an e60 one apparently. I wasn't planning on using it for any lengthy travel, just to maybe get me moving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuBeeDoo Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 The fact that the 18's still crack just goes to show its the hideous runflats that cause the issue. I've gone for none runflats, a can of tyre weld and breakdown cover. I did take an e46 17" spare with me across Europe just in case I got stranded though. Beware of calling-out your breakdown service. I have it on good authority that some charge fees on call-outs to punctures/blowouts on cars with no spare and/or tools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bungers Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 Will do, although what do they do when a runflat's got a puncture and you're more than 50 miles from home? They're not indestructible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz 330 Cs Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 They do mate, best one though is an e60 one apparently. I wasn't planning on using it for any lengthy travel, just to maybe get me moving. Cool beans. I've gotta have something in the boot in case I get caught out anytime. I'll source one, from eBay cheapish hopefully Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearler Posted October 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 If I put on 18" MV3 wheels on my coupe, they will be 8J and 8.5J. The 19" wheels on at the moment are 8J and 9J. Is this going to be a problem or look odd? I'm assuming 255 35 R18 can be fitted to 8.5J? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bungers Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 (edited) They won't look as good but you can fit them fine as those wheels came as standard on some e92's. 255/35 sounds spot on, that's the same size wheel and tyre as on an e46 out of the factory (assuming 225/40's on the front). Edited October 12, 2015 by bungers Pearler 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearler Posted October 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 They won't look as good but you can fit them fine as those wheels came as standard on some e92's. 255/35 sounds spot on, that's the same size wheel and tyre as on an e46 out of the factory (assuming 225/40's on the front). Cheers Bungers. Yeah, they won't look so good as the 19"s, but for a moment there it struck me there was also the difference between 8.5J and the 9J in wheel width at the back, but will be fine if that size is standard normally. You reckon it worth holding onto the 19"s for when I sell the car in the future? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz 330 Cs Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Be aware when you put a 255 on an 8.5J rim it will look very 'balloony'. It's too much tyre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearler Posted October 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Be aware when you put a 255 on an 8.5J rim it will look very 'balloony'. It's too much tyre. oh, really It does specify 255 for that wheel on realOEM i For vehicles with BMW alloy wheel, M spider spoke 193 S2MFA=Yes For vehicles with "Runflat" tires Mixed tyres Front axle 225/40 R18Y Rear axle 255/35 R18Y Tires Michelin Pilot Sport 2 ZP 01 SET COMPLETE ALLOY WHEELS SUMMER 1 02 Light alloy rim 8JX18 ET:34 2 02 Light alloy rim 81/2JX18 ET:37 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz 330 Cs Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Yes that's the size fitted from the factory but they look so wrong. Even a 255 on my 9J MV4 rears looks wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruesta Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Just to add to the whole only 19" BMW wheels crack thing..... I had 18" style 32's on my previous coupe and one of those cracked, in two places, so I think it can happen to any large(ish) wheel 18+ perhaps, with skinny tyres due to the state of our roads. OK mine were 15 year old original fitment wheels so did well, but the tyres were not run-flat and as far as I know the E46 never had run-flats so I would assume they were never fitted. Interestingly it was only one of my wheels, the rear one on the passenger side - the one that runs over the most broken up road perhaps being kurb side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
