F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Wheels and Tires -- Sponsored by The Tire Rack > 400M 18" vs 403M 19"
GetBMWParts
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-18-2012, 10:08 PM   #1
Roki_014
Major
208
Rep
1,280
Posts

Drives: 2024 i5 M60
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

400M 18" vs 403M 19"

Which ones did you pick? I am not sure what to do . the 403M come with summer performance tires and I heard they last about 10k miles + i will need winter tires as well since i live in Chicago and the 400M come with the all season tires. What do you guys suggest??? Thanks I personally like the 403M more but I don't feel like spending about $1600 every year on tires
Attached Images
 

Last edited by Roki_014; 06-19-2012 at 02:29 PM..
Appreciate 1
      06-18-2012, 10:11 PM   #2
adelphi_sky
First Lieutenant
12
Rep
374
Posts

Drives: 2009 BMW 328i Jet Black
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Adelphi, MD

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Roki_014 View Post
Which ones did you pick? I am not sure what to do . the 403M come with summer performance tires and I heard they last about 10k miles + i will need winter tires as well since i live in Chicago and the 400M come with the all season tires. What do you guys suggest??? Thanks I personally like the 403M more but I don't feel like spending about $1600 every year on tires
I went with the all-seasons. I don't have a garage where I can store 4 extra snow tires. And I'm too lazy to switch them out every season as well. I've had all-seasons on all my BMWs. Just more convenient.
Appreciate 0
      06-18-2012, 11:03 PM   #3
onehungevo
Captain
64
Rep
982
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Sep 2008

iTrader: (0)

Go with the 400 and get an aftermarket set of rims. After seeing the newest outdoor pictures of the 403 rim they look ok but nothing great.
Appreciate 0
      06-18-2012, 11:11 PM   #4
DrivenByE30
Brigadier General
DrivenByE30's Avatar
France
578
Rep
3,870
Posts

Drives: '12 F30 Lux 335i 6MT
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: OC - SoCal

iTrader: (0)

I would pick the 19s
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2012, 12:55 AM   #5
JustinTJ
I saw the light!
JustinTJ's Avatar
United_States
5
Rep
269
Posts

Drives: MY13 F30, MY02 E36/7
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Jupiter, FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Roki_014 View Post
the 400M come with the all season tires
You have the choice for either tire type with the 18s. I live in FL, so summer tires all year round.

I prefer the look of the 18s. My preference added to the fact that 18s are cheaper to replace and have more sidewall for comfort confirmed my decision.

Search reveals this post for additional reading: http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=663942
__________________
2013 335i F30 M Sport (ZMM, EBII, ZDH, ZTP, 2TB, 688) My ED Trip
2002 E36/7 Topaz Blue Roadster
BMWCCA Member ID: 456926
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2012, 01:28 AM   #6
Robin_NL
S0THPAW
Robin_NL's Avatar
8680
Rep
7,846
Posts

Drives: HS M2 Competition
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Netherlands

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by DrivenByE30 View Post
I would pick the 19s
+1 .

18"wheels on an M sport F30 look too small imo.

For me, summertyres and switching to winters when necessary.

Reading a few posts, it's not only a matter of taste and sportiness but more a matter of money. Which isn't a bad thing, it's the real world, but remember there are cheaper ways of transportation than a BMW

Cheers
Robin
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2012, 01:40 AM   #7
KeenDriver
Private
8
Rep
84
Posts

Drives: 2013 335i M-Sport
Join Date: May 2012
Location: CA

iTrader: (0)

I went with the 18 staggered setup, but I'm also going back and forth with the 19"s. I don't live in chicago much of the time any more, but having lived in chicago for many years, I'd go with the 18"s. I'd more worry about the ride and damaging the rims on potholes.
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2012, 08:26 AM   #8
Accelerometer
First Lieutenant
Accelerometer's Avatar
United_States
32
Rep
397
Posts

Drives: 11 E90 M3 ZCP
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by KeenDriver View Post
I went with the 18 staggered setup, but I'm also going back and forth with the 19"s. I don't live in chicago much of the time any more, but having lived in chicago for many years, I'd go with the 18"s. I'd more worry about the ride and damaging the rims on potholes.
Were you able to get all seasons with the staggered setup?
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2012, 08:39 AM   #9
martinf79
Captain
martinf79's Avatar
191
Rep
802
Posts

Drives: 2020 G05 X5 M50i
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Don't want to knock anyone else's ride, but 18's on this car just doesn't look right (asthetically) IMO. 19's was the only option. 20s make the car look "gangsta" which is also NOT a look I want. 19s seems to be the right look for the car. That said, I understand practicality sometimes over rides asthetics. I will also be getting 19" winters (which are also quite pricey). Live in Toronto, so Winters are a must.
__________________
2020 X5 M50i | 2015 X3 28i xLine | Retired 2013 335i M Sport
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2012, 09:02 AM   #10
Chris_F30_335
Private
Australia
5
Rep
79
Posts

Drives: F30 335
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Perth

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by martinf79 View Post
Don't want to knock anyone else's ride, but 18's on this car just doesn't look right (asthetically) IMO. 19's was the only option. 20s make the car look "gangsta" which is also NOT a look I want. 19s seems to be the right look for the car. That said, I understand practicality sometimes over rides asthetics. I will also be getting 19" winters (which are also quite pricey). Live in Toronto, so Winters are a must.
Totally agree on the 19" - that's what I went for and would be my recommendation. Size looks sporty executive without being ( and looking ) impractical.
__________________
DELIVERED! - BMW F30 335i, Mineral White, Luxury Line, 19" 401s, Dynamic M Runing Gear, Variable Sports Steering, Sports Seats, Glass Roof, HUD, Comfort Access, Rear View Camera, Music Interface & all the 335 fruit.
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2012, 09:45 AM   #11
kaujong
Private First Class
United_States
3
Rep
128
Posts

Drives: BMW 328i 2013
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Bedford

iTrader: (0)

My CA told me that if I were to buy the 328i then I could not choose the 403M as an option
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2012, 09:48 AM   #12
chrisny
Brigadier General
chrisny's Avatar
United_States
547
Rep
3,307
Posts

Drives: 2020 X5 40i
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NY

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by martinf79
Don't want to knock anyone else's ride, but 18's on this car just doesn't look right (asthetically) IMO. 19's was the only option. 20s make the car look "gangsta" which is also NOT a look I want. 19s seems to be the right look for the car. That said, I understand practicality sometimes over rides asthetics. I will also be getting 19" winters (which are also quite pricey). Live in Toronto, so Winters are a must.
Have you run 19's with winters before? I would think they would be too big (not enough side wall) to be effective, especially if you're getting RWD. Have you (or anyone else on here) had success with 19's and snows on a RWD?

I'm always torn between maintaining good looks and getting better traction on my winter set ups, but usually go down a size even with AWD vehicles.
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2012, 10:04 AM   #13
KeenDriver
Private
8
Rep
84
Posts

Drives: 2013 335i M-Sport
Join Date: May 2012
Location: CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteNJ View Post
Were you able to get all seasons with the staggered setup?
Didn't try, but I know they are available [on the 335]. There are more tire options for winter and all seasons in the 18s size too. Staggered or not, it was the same number of options since the sizes are fairly standard. It also depends if you have space to store an extra set of wheels too. (if that is the route you want to take).
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2012, 10:10 AM   #14
martinf79
Captain
martinf79's Avatar
191
Rep
802
Posts

Drives: 2020 G05 X5 M50i
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisny View Post
Have you run 19's with winters before? I would think they would be too big (not enough side wall) to be effective, especially if you're getting RWD. Have you (or anyone else on here) had success with 19's and snows on a RWD?

I'm always torn between maintaining good looks and getting better traction on my winter set ups, but usually go down a size even with AWD vehicles.
I've heard this as well (RE: 19" winter tires), but aside from cost, traction is the same - as far as I've been told (as that ultimately is the only variable at play when it comes to winter driving). Tire tread that cuts into the snow and tire compound is the same whether you go 18' or 19", you're just limited in terms of tire selection and cost goes up quite a bit. Haven't driven w/ 19's myself, so open to feedback from others...
__________________
2020 X5 M50i | 2015 X3 28i xLine | Retired 2013 335i M Sport
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2012, 10:28 AM   #15
iM
Private First Class
iM's Avatar
48
Rep
178
Posts

Drives: M3 AH3M
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: KCCO

iTrader: (0)

i picked 18". i think it looks better and easy to clean
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2012, 02:27 PM   #16
Roki_014
Major
208
Rep
1,280
Posts

Drives: 2024 i5 M60
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

I think I will just get the 19's and by these http://www.michelinman.com/tire-sele...s/tire-details same size as the ones that come stock
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2012, 04:25 PM   #17
metrickid
Dinosaur supervisor
metrickid's Avatar
Netherlands
3027
Rep
4,214
Posts

Drives: E91 318d
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Autobahn

iTrader: (0)

I got the 403M so that I can put the winter tyres on them and will get a set of 20" for the summer.
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2012, 04:37 PM   #18
Roki_014
Major
208
Rep
1,280
Posts

Drives: 2024 i5 M60
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Did anyone test drive the car with both 18s and 19s? whats the comfort difference? I only drove the one with 18s and it was very comfortable
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2012, 11:13 AM   #19
Roki_014
Major
208
Rep
1,280
Posts

Drives: 2024 i5 M60
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris_F30_335 View Post
Totally agree on the 19" - that's what I went for and would be my recommendation. Size looks sporty executive without being ( and looking ) impractical.
DO you know if I could fit these tires http://www.michelinman.com/tire-sele...s/tire-details
Appreciate 0
      06-29-2012, 10:00 AM   #20
adelphi_sky
First Lieutenant
12
Rep
374
Posts

Drives: 2009 BMW 328i Jet Black
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Adelphi, MD

iTrader: (0)

Some people drive BMWs for performance, others for looks. IMO, 18" or 19" is not that big a difference unless you're entering your car into auto events where this stuff matters. For those of us in more dynamic climates, all-seasons makes practical sense. Especially if you don't have a garage to store winter tires or the ability to drag them to the shop to get them switched out every winter. I say if you live in the sunbelt, summer tires are easily a viable option. BMWs are already expensive. I don't want to have to worry about tires if I don't have to.
Appreciate 0
      06-29-2012, 04:38 PM   #21
Roki_014
Major
208
Rep
1,280
Posts

Drives: 2024 i5 M60
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Has anyone seen 403M in person, are they chrome?
Appreciate 0
      08-08-2012, 09:53 AM   #22
U235
23 BMW X7 M60i, 22 Volvo V60 Polestar Engineered
U235's Avatar
596
Rep
651
Posts

Drives: 23 X7 M60i, 22 Volvo V60 Pole*
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Roki_014 View Post
Has anyone seen 403M in person, are they chrome?
They're sort of machine polished I think. I haven't seen them in person. They do remind me of the finish on E46 M3s, if you know what I'm talking about.

I'm thinking of ordering the 18s since I think they look better, I'm not as much a fan of the polished look.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:10 PM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST