[Japmilk]

I have placed an order for my second 328i Sports which is scheduled to be built commencing in the 3rd week of January. It will relace a 328i Sports which I took delivery of in March 2012 (build date January 2012 in Germany). The new one has a lot of now standard features that were not available when I bought the original viz. adaptive suspension, rear view camera, head up display etc. hence the reason for the update. However standard on the new one are 19" 401 wheels with my current 18" 397 wheels a NCO. Has anybody any advice as to whether I should go with the 18" or 19" wheels? My concern is that a review of wheels in Car & Driver Mag. where they did a comparison of wheels from 15" to 19" inclusive said that 19" wheels are inferior in every respect as far as ride, handling, performance and economy. The only reason to choose them would be for aesthetic purposes. Any advice would be appreciated.

[HFW003]

I have 19's on my current one and had 18's on the old one.

Geez, if we read and made decisions on what Car and Driver (and the rest st of them) said we would all be walking.

I'll be shagged if I can tell, other than the obvious aesthetics, ANY difference whatsoever between the the two!

That reminds me, in this case aesthetics are enough, just get the 19's.

[Japmilk]

Thanks HFW003! What sort of roads do you usually drive on as I do a lot of travelling between Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast using back roads where possible. The roads south of Wagga are generally OK but the Hume is a bit of a bore so I often go via Cooma and the Snowy Mountains Hwy, a great drive! North of Wagga and in the back way to the Sunshine Coast via Dalby you can get some real rough stuff including BIG potholes. Do you reckon 19s would be OK for that?

[HFW003]

One piece of advice my friend, don't make things harder than they need to be!

Get the 19's they look a whole lot better and you will have absolutely no problems at all on any of the "major" road networks in our country.

As you will note I live in Newcastle where we do have ok roads but I also drive a lot throughout the state for work and I have never had an issue with a wheel either 18 or 19 inch.

Some on the guys on here have even gone up to 20's with no dramas and that is what I would do and will have in my next car.

I would also recommend to anyone to get rid of the RFT's as soon as they can as the car is better, IMO, without them.

Be safe.

H

[Aapparition90]

I wouldn't worry, if you want to notice a improvement get rid of the rfts and get a michelin super sports or alike.

[Japmilk]

Thanks, advice taken! Would like further advice though. As mentioned the car is already ordered and goes into production in 3rd week of January, do I have to take delivery with RFs and swap to Go Flats myself after (and then sell the RFs) or will dealers make the change for you before delivery with a consequent price adjustment? I am sceptical of the latter as I tried to specify Michelins on the car but the dealer said he could not help as you just have to take pot luck as to what make is on the car when it arrives.

[HFW003]

You will have to take delivery with the RFT's and then change them out yourself. Do not get the stealer to do it as they, if they will actually do it, will charge you a bomb to do so.

Look at Tempe Tyres for pricing and then go to your local Bob Jane and they will price match. As a guide, I think my fronts were around $400 each and the rears were slightly cheaper.

[Aapparition90]

If you did not have adaptive suspension in your my12 build you might find a significant improvement with it in your new car anyway, see how you go.Adaptive suspension was available as a option from launch.. is it standard on the 328i in 2015 ?

[MP423]

Originally Posted by Japmilk

Thanks, advice taken! Would like further advice though. As mentioned the car is already ordered and goes into production in 3rd week of January, do I have to take delivery with RFs and swap to Go Flats myself after (and then sell the RFs) or will dealers make the change for you before delivery with a consequent price adjustment? I am sceptical of the latter as I tried to specify Michelins on the car but the dealer said he could not help as you just have to take pot luck as to what make is on the car when it arrives.

Let me know if you swap them out. Would be willing to take your second hand run flats off you. At a highly reduced price of course

[Japmilk]

Adaptive suspension is standard on all models,except 316i, from August release MY14.

[feng]

I thought adaptive suspension was where you could change to sports and sports+ and it'd have different suspension characteristics and you could program say comfort suspension with sports steering/throttle response? Or am i confusing different items?

[Japmilk]

I am not sure how it works on Beemers as I do not have it on my current 328i, others might like to enlighten us. I know it is applied differently on others makes of cars.

[feng]

Mmmm i have MY14 built in September, and I'm pretty sure it's just M-Sport Suspension with the M-Sport package. Essentially 'passive' suspension (which is still better).

[Japmilk]

You could well be right, as I said I haven't got it so I don't know how it works. I have managed, however, to get my hands on a "Dealer Only Specification" brochure dated 3rd October which said the following specifications listed are now standard and apply to cars manufactured after November 2014. It says the following about Adaptive Suspension-

"Adaptive M suspension with ride height lowered 10mm and shock absorber comfort adjustable by Driving Experience Control, giving a more sporting suspension setup without any loss in ride comfort"

It is probably what you have anyway.

[Aapparition90]

to the best of my knowledge there are 3 setups...
standard ( soft but a surrender monkey ) does not give me as much confidence compared to m sport suspension
m sport suspension ( decent.. crashes a bit on potholes though from my experience )
adaptive m suspension electronically controlled dampers ( best of both worlds )
my point was that since japmilk is going from standard to adaptive its well worth trying out the improvement before spending more money to get rid of the runflats.

[chopshop]

rfts actually make great track tyres in the wet....

don't throw them out

[feng]

Originally Posted by Japmilk

You could well be right, as I said I haven't got it so I don't know how it works. I have managed, however, to get my hands on a "Dealer Only Specification" brochure dated 3rd October which said the following specifications listed are now standard and apply to cars manufactured after November 2014. It says the following about Adaptive Suspension-

"Adaptive M suspension with ride height lowered 10mm and shock absorber comfort adjustable by Driving Experience Control, giving a more sporting suspension setup without any loss in ride comfort"

It is probably what you have anyway.

That could be right too. Mine was a September manufacture. My spec guide was "From July 2014" so I could be out of date too but it does state just M-Sport Suspension. The ride height of M-Sport Suspension is 10mm lower than stock, but there's no Driving Experience Control from what i can see.

Cool for anyone buying a new one.

[GTony]

Originally Posted by Japmilk

Thanks HFW003! What sort of roads do you usually drive on as I do a lot of travelling between Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast using back roads where possible. The roads south of Wagga are generally OK but the Hume is a bit of a bore so I often go via Cooma and the Snowy Mountains Hwy, a great drive! North of Wagga and in the back way to the Sunshine Coast via Dalby you can get some real rough stuff including BIG potholes. Do you reckon 19s would be OK for that?

It depends on how often you do this trip. If at least once a month, maybe consider 18's.
Me living in Country area with bad roads including sections of H/Way I chose 18's, 45 Profile Sq. S/Up or 45F - 40R Stag. S/Up. I need to protect my Chrome Wheels imported from USA. That's only my circumstances.

I guess NCO means "no cost option". If that's the case, what is your Std. 19'' S/Up that comes with your car and what are they offering in NCO 18's.
Keeping in mind type of tyre and if SQ. or STG. S/Up they are offering.
In other words don't accept the Stealers cant tell you what tyres are on the 19's and what the 18's would have.
These Stealers are great at Selling but Lousy at providing information and answering questions. Phone other D/Stealers to get answers even Interstate if you have to.

RFT's have come a long way since there earlier bad reports. Now with better ride and pricing etc. and an increase in Repair Places.

Overall 19's look good and if Staggered even better.
If your not doing lots of those trips I would stick with 19's that are already on the car and consider the expensive Wheel/Tyre Insurance that BMW offer.That would give you peace of mind when on these trips.

[Japmilk]

Thanks GTony for your advice! From all the advice I have received on this forum I think I will go with the 19" wheels which come standard with the 328. When I bought my current 2012 328 I wasn't happy to rely on RFs for Interstate travel so I bought a full size spare plus jacking equip. as insurance and I have had to use it once. The RF could not be repaired. At least with it you are not stuck in some remote town for days waiting for a new tyre. It is 18" but as the rolling dia. is the same it will be OK to keep with the 19s.

[GTony]

Originally Posted by Japmilk

Thanks GTony for your advice! From all the advice I have received on this forum I think I will go with the 19" wheels which come standard with the 328. When I bought my current 2012 328 I wasn't happy to rely on RFs for Interstate travel so I bought a full size spare plus jacking equip. as insurance and I have had to use it once. The RF could not be repaired. At least with it you are not stuck in some remote town for days waiting for a new tyre. It is 18" but as the rolling dia. is the same it will be OK to keep with the 19s.

Good to hear. 19's will look better and full size spare is the best option for long trips.
I use Original 17'' RFT for spare but am trying to work out the best size spare if I decide to go Staggered. Probably stick with 17'' unless something pops out.
Enjoy your ride.

[HFW003]

Spare?

[Japmilk]

Thanks to Dabaitu's thread Order Track for Australia I have found out that my 328i was loaded on board in Durban today with an ETA Melbourne 22.2.15. Can't wait!