Question on wheels and tires for new 528i xDrive

I will be getting my new 528i xDrive in about three weeks. Rookie move and I did not get the sports package. I hate the 17" rims and tires that come with it so am planning on getting a new tire and rims set from tire rack. Rial como 18x8 rims with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP 245/40ZR18 RunFlats. I think the sport and M sport come with 245/45/18s. Will this make the car too low (about 1 inch I think)? I did a little photoshop mock up below, but it's obviously don't addressing the hight issue. I'd appreciate any feedback on the whether the 245/40/18s are going to be a good combination.

Don't know if it's gonna be low but I dig the looks

While 17 inch wheels fail to provide better visual appearance, they do provide a greatly reduced risk of wheel damage, and the larger run flat tires offer a much better ride. My 335xi had low profile tires that produced a punishing ride. At least drive the car for awhile prior to switching the wheels and tires, but I assume that you will keep the 17 inch wheels and tires. I would be interested in feedback on the different ride experience.

Ride height will not be affected. The diameter of the 18" wheel package will be about the same as your original 17" set up. The tire side wall may be thinner but the wheel is bigger. the only thing that will affect ride height is if you put a new suspension ie: springs on the car.

Here is my 528i with 19" and lowering HR springs

Don't know anything about whether it'll all work together technically but those rims are absolutely gorgeous with that car.

Originally Posted by St_louis_Scott

I will be getting my new 528i xDrive in about three weeks. Rookie move and I did not get the sports package. I hate the 17" rims and tires that come with it so am planning on getting a new tire and rims set from tire rack. Rial como 18x8 rims with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP 245/40ZR18 RunFlats. I think the sport and M sport come with 245/45/18s. Will this make the car too low (about 1 inch I think)? I did a little photoshop mock up below, but it's obviously don't addressing the hight issue. I'd appreciate any feedback on the whether the 245/40/18s are going to be a good combination.

I would go to the tire and wheel forum and give Gary from Tire Rack a shout out about it.
If you put his name in the thread title he will usually answer.

Originally Posted by Z3grape

Ride height will not be affected. The diameter of the 18" wheel package will be about the same as your original 17" set up. The tire side wall may be thinner but the wheel is bigger. the only thing that will affect ride height is if you put a new suspension ie: springs on the car.

Here is my 528i with 19" and lowering HR springs

ohh, I see - you are changing the profile from spec. got it - disregard my post

Originally Posted by St_louis_Scott

I will be getting my new 528i xDrive in about three weeks. Rookie move and I did not get the sports package. I hate the 17" rims and tires that come with it so am planning on getting a new tire and rims set from tire rack. Rial como 18x8 rims with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP 245/40ZR18 RunFlats. I think the sport and M sport come with 245/45/18s. Will this make the car too low (about 1 inch I think)? I did a little photoshop mock up below, but it's obviously don't addressing the hight issue. I'd appreciate any feedback on the whether the 245/40/18s are going to be a good combination.

Why not just pass on the car you ordered and pick one up with the sport package?

Originally Posted by Heartsurg997

I would go to the tire and wheel forum and give Gary from Tire Rack a shout out about it.
If you put his name in the thread title he will usually answer.

Thanks. Didn't know about that forum and have posted there.

Originally Posted by St_louis_Scott

I will be getting my new 528i xDrive in about three weeks. Rookie move and I did not get the sports package. I hate the 17" rims and tires that come with it so am planning on getting a new tire and rims set from tire rack. Rial como 18x8 rims with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP 245/40ZR18 RunFlats. I think the sport and M sport come with 245/45/18s. Will this make the car too low (about 1 inch I think)? I did a little photoshop mock up below, but it's obviously don't addressing the hight issue. I'd appreciate any feedback on the whether the 245/40/18s are going to be a good combination.

The 245/40/18 tires have a smaller diameter than the OEM 245/45/18 tires. Your speedometer, odometer and all the engine and other gadgetry connected to those measurements will be off by 3%. There will be an additional 1/2" clearance in the wheel well. The car will be lowered by about 1/2". As mentioned above, your tire durability will degrade with lower profile tires. Those are your tradeoffs.

Originally Posted by radarguy

The 245/40/18 tires have a smaller diameter than the OEM 245/45/18 tires. Your speedometer, odometer and all the engine and other gadgetry connected to those measurements will be off by 3%. There will be an additional 1/2" clearance in the wheel well. The car will be lowered by about 1/2". As mentioned above, your tire durability will degrade with lower profile tires. Those are your tradeoffs.

Thanks! This is very helpful.

Originally Posted by swajames

Why not just pass on the car you ordered and pick one up with the sport package?

Yeah - why not?

Originally Posted by Heartsurg997

I would go to the tire and wheel forum and give Gary from Tire Rack a shout out about it.
If you put his name in the thread title he will usually answer.

Gary did get back to me and give me a response:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=570735

In a nut shell, not a great idea on such a new car. He recommended sticking with the 245/45/18's. He did make some tire recommendations that I wasn't necessarily looking at. I think I'll be going with the Pirelli Pzero Nero A/S along with the Rial wheel.

Originally Posted by ssj

Yeah - why not?

Well I didn't really like the sport seats and I didn't like the stiffer ride. I did like the look of this tires and wheels though, so I'll just get some tires and wheels for about 1/2 the price.

Originally Posted by St_louis_Scott

Well I didn't really like the sport seats and I didn't like the stiffer ride. I did like the look of this tires and wheels though, so I'll just get some tires and wheels for about 1/2 the price.

There is no stiffer ride. The suspension is the same.

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

There is no stiffer ride. The suspension is the same.

The 'stiffer' ride in this case comes from the low-profile tires. They really do transmit every little bump into the cabin.

You could also look out for some used wheels in the classifieds. Several people buy the sport and then switch to aftermarket wheels.