02-23-2012, 12:04 AM | #1 |
Private
21
Rep 58
Posts |
Question about 19" upgrade for X1
I have ordered a 2012 BMW X1 mineral white with M Sport package here in Canada. I believe I will be one of the first people to receive the M Sport package since most people do not know that you can special order this model right now instead of waiting for 2013 model year when the package will be officially introducted.
Anyhow, while I like the 18 inch "M style" wheels I am interested in upgrading to 19" wheels and changing the tires to non runflat. Because we don't get too much snow here in Vancouver, I am thinking of putting Continental DWS all season in staggered 225-40-19 front and 255-35-19 rear. I've got the tires and wheels all spec'd out but I am having second thoughts about going to non runflat and moving to a larger, lower profile tires. I know there are already a lot of comments about changing to non runflats but many of those comments are on older BMWs and I understand that newer BMWs with newer runflats feel different (ie not as stiff and hard riding). So the question is... would I still see improvement in ride, quietness, overall feel by changing to non runflat? Would the handling suffer? Does it make sense to move up to 19 inch tires in staggered format? Are the continental all seaons good tires or would I be trading off too much performance by moving away from runflat summer pirelli tires? I am also undecided about the wheels. I am thinking of going for VMR wheels but there are almost no photos of X1 anywhere on the web with VMR wheels, so I can't decide if they will look OK. Some people recommend BMW replica wheels while others say that they are not well made (especially if they are from China) and not worth buying. I am not sure who makes good replica wheels that are still made in Europe or Japan. I hope someone can shed some insights or ideas. Thank you in advance! |
02-23-2012, 04:29 AM | #2 |
Catuvellauni
5
Rep 92
Posts |
The 23d M Sport with it's sports suspension, 18" wheels and run flats handles very well, and in my opinion provides just the right amount of firmness (just avoid driving into potholes and slow down for speed humps!!!).
I'm considering changing to 19" wheels when the tires are due for replacement but am not sure if there will be any additional benefit other than asthetics. Somewhere on here is a post with photographs of a Le Mans blue M Sport with 19" wheels and performance brakes etc and it looks amazing. Mineral white M Sport now that's going to be special |
Appreciate
0
|
02-23-2012, 09:19 AM | #3 |
Enlisted Member
0
Rep 38
Posts |
If you are running on run-flat on 18", I can tell you the ride is definitely better with non run-flat on 19" so I would strongly urge you to go for it. An oem bmw 18" plus run flat will be about 8-10 lbs heavier per set of wheel, thus about 30-40 lbs heavier than the 19" non run flat. So upgrading to a set of 19" with non run-flat wil make your car lighter as compared to your oem 18" with RFT, hence faster pik-up and crispier response. 10 lbs unsprung weight is equivalent to 1bhp so you will gain about 2-3 horses by just upgrading your rims and tyres. In addition, the 19" staggered setup will definitely looks more aggressive too. Other benefits include saving on your gas. Run Flats are very hard, hence gives a bumpier and noisier ride too.
m currenly driving a E90 and I upgraded from my 16" with RFT to 19" with non RFT. Rid comfort not much difference but response is better. Imagine how heavy are those oem rims and RFT! Iwill be collect my X1 in early March and I am definoitely going to upgrade to 19" frommy 17". I have calculated and the new 19" wih non RFT will still be much lighter that the 17" with RFT. So dont hesitate! Live your dream! Don't save on your new rims and tyres. Go for a one time off investment for quality and a piece of mind. Good luck! |
Appreciate
0
|
02-23-2012, 09:02 PM | #4 |
Private
21
Rep 58
Posts |
Thank you for your comments. I think I will go ahead and make the change and let everyone know what the outcome is. If there is anyone else out there who's moved to larger tires on X1 I hope they can share their experience.
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-11-2012, 05:02 PM | #6 |
Private
21
Rep 58
Posts |
No not yet as I have not decided what to do. It turns out that my X1 with M sport came with Good year run flats instead of Pirelli. GYs are actually a bit softer riding and quite smooth, so I may decide to keep this summer set and just buy separate set of winter non flat tires.
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-19-2012, 10:36 AM | #10 |
Enlisted Member
0
Rep 38
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-20-2012, 04:25 AM | #12 |
Enlisted Member
0
Rep 38
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-22-2012, 10:30 AM | #14 |
Enlisted Member
0
Rep 38
Posts |
I use Continental Extreme Contact DW tires. My rims are staggered and the acceleration is smoother and car feel lighter after the change to 19" flow formed rim as the oem 17" rim and RFT are very heavy. Handling is definitely better due to the thicker tires as compared to the oem 17". Ride comfort slightly harsher now in view of the low profile tires but not significant cos the oem RFT are very stiff and hard.
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-01-2012, 03:15 AM | #17 |
Private
4
Rep 61
Posts
Drives: BMW 528i M-Sport and BMW X1
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Malaysia
|
My BMW X1 with 19" original BMW Performance wheels
__________________
BMW X1|sDrive 18i|Black|
BMW 528i M-Sport 2012|Alpine White| Last edited by masuzu; 08-01-2012 at 10:23 AM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|