17 or 18 - ride quality

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   Hi,
I want to change my current 16" wheels to MV2s.  I dont want any ride quality issues so am thinking 17".  What difference would 18" MV2s make to the ride quality?  Does anyone have experiences of this?

X.

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xabi Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 29-November-2005 Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote xabi Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 17 or 18 - ride quality Posted: 14-January-2007 at 22:43
	Hi, I want to change my current 16" wheels to MV2s. I dont want any ride quality issues so am thinking 17". What difference would 18" MV2s make to the ride quality? Does anyone have experiences of this? X.

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Lancastrian Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 10-July-2004 Location: Lancashire, UK Status: Offline Points: 760	Post Options Post Reply Quote Lancastrian Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14-January-2007 at 22:55
	E36, E46? Whichever, I guess you really know the answer. If you keep the same rolling radius of the tyre and increase the wheel size the sidewall has to get less. IMO 17" rims give a much firmer ride and with 18" rims the ride is quite jarring, albeit only experienced it with sports suspension. Don't ask me what I think of 18" rims with "run-flats" on. Edited by Lancastrian
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mickstreet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 27-October-2005 Status: Offline Points: 97	Post Options Post Reply Quote mickstreet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15-January-2007 at 20:24
	Got 18" on mine and the ride seems to be ok. It has the sport suspension too. I guess it could be better but I have never thought of it as an issue.

Stone-IslandV8 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 31-January-2003 Location: North Somerset Status: Offline Points: 3015	Post Options Post Reply Quote Stone-IslandV8 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15-January-2007 at 20:34
	Got 17s on my 328 (E46) and sports suspension I thought the ride on that was firm.....and considering 18s but not sure my rear or the wife n kids could take it!!

Big Stuff Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member I Joined: 30-November-2006 Location: Glenrothes Fife Status: Offline Points: 299	Post Options Post Reply Quote Big Stuff Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16-January-2007 at 10:56
	As mines firm on 17's i have'nt gone to 18's but im tempted looks wise. Try and get a go in one running 18's if possible to compare.
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pm9575 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member I Joined: 04-July-2005 Location: North Scotland Status: Offline Points: 337	Post Options Post Reply Quote pm9575 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16-January-2007 at 11:17
	With the 3 series, whether e36 or e46, the ride quality will be good - not too much side wall flex with 18's generally compared with the 16", but you will have to live with the increased cost of rubber, and tram-lining, & road noise are always more pronounced with the likes of 18" directional tyres (the most common style sold nowadays). You can reduce tramlining a little by buying 'winter tyres' as these tend to have a more 'block' affect tread pattern - but again you can pay more. The cost of replica MV2's is so little nowadays - it pays to spend more on the better brand of tyre anyway. Or buy somone's original MV1's which are a real pain to clean - so are often up for sale. I run 18's on my e36 and Schnitzer lowered suspension - the ride quality is fine, 'compliant' infact.
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Ady530i Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member II Joined: 01-August-2005 Location: Aylsham, Norfolk Status: Offline Points: 233	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ady530i Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17-January-2007 at 18:06
	got 18s on mine the ride is a bit hard but ive lowered it 20/30. ady
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Sohlman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Coupe Chairman Joined: 19-August-2003 Location: Surrey Status: Offline Points: 1259	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sohlman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20-January-2007 at 00:42
	Have an e46 320ci with sports suspension and standard 16" wheels. The ride was a little wooley. Upgraded to 17" rims and the ride quality is similar, but in hard cornering you get more feedback. Then bought a 320d sport touring to replace and hate the ride quality. Car tramlines badly and pulls left and right. The touring's suspension is fine and the tyres are new. So asked friend who owned a 330d sport touring to drive and he said his was the same. Now the tourings are worse then the saloons and the coupes, but IMO 17's are perfect 18's are horrid and i won't be buying another sport now due to my exsperience. Needless to say i am keeping the 320 coupe and the 320d is being advertised shortly. James
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mickstreet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 27-October-2005 Status: Offline Points: 97	Post Options Post Reply Quote mickstreet Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20-January-2007 at 13:15
	Mine does tramline which can be annoying on uneven, narrow roads but I don't really have a problem with it. To be honest it's a blessing in disguise as my missus drove the car and didn't like it at all so won't now drive it!