18 inch vs. 17

ital320d · 07-10-2006, 07:44 AM

My Bimmer has 18 inch wheels, and I'm very happy with the looks and handling. A friend of mine wants to order a brand new 3 series, but is undecided about 18 or 17 inch wheels. I find the ride on 18's are fine. Does anyone know if it's a big difference in ride with 17's??

Paul330d · 07-10-2006, 08:47 AM

I ordered the 18 inch wheels, but stayed well clear of the sports suspension. I am very satisfied with the ride comfort: much better than my old e39 530d which had 17 inchers.

ital320d · 07-10-2006, 09:27 AM

How can you tell if it has the sports suspension?

Hawkshaw · 07-10-2006, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ital320d

How can you tell if it has the sports suspension?

Did you order the sports package? If so, then you have sport suspension, if not, you don't.

Personally, I much prefer the look of the 18's and would guess that any difference in the ride would be negligible, but that's just a guess.

ital320d · 07-10-2006, 09:40 AM

Here in Italy it's call the "Attiva Package", which is what I have, that comes with the "M" steering wheel and shifter, sport seats, Xeno lights, and a few other things. It doesn't specify sport suspension.

ital320d · 07-10-2006, 09:41 AM

Though I do notice my car sits a bit lower.

NovaBimmer · 07-10-2006, 10:12 AM

Yeah, Italy!

ital320d · 07-10-2006, 10:57 AM

Paul330d · 07-11-2006, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ital320d

How can you tell if it has the sports suspension?

Sports suspension in Europe is an option on all e90s, except on the //M Sport models, where it is compulsory. In France we have three trim levels: standard, luxe & sport. Fortunately, BMW France were intelligent enough to realise that not everyone wants - or needs - rock hard suspension, and so even the sport model (which I have) does not get the sports suspension as standard.

bavarian19 · 07-11-2006, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ital320d

My Bimmer has 18 inch wheels, and I'm very happy with the looks and handling. A friend of mine wants to order a brand new 3 series, but is undecided about 18 or 17 inch wheels. I find the ride on 18's are fine. Does anyone know if it's a big difference in ride with 17's??

I had both on a sports suspension. The 18's ride just about the same as the 17's...

I had 161's on my car originally, but now have 162's...

07-10-2006, 07:44 AM	#1
ital320d Enlisted Member 0 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2006 320D Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alcamo, Italy iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 320D [0.00]	18 inch vs. 17 My Bimmer has 18 inch wheels, and I'm very happy with the looks and handling. A friend of mine wants to order a brand new 3 series, but is undecided about 18 or 17 inch wheels. I find the ride on 18's are fine. Does anyone know if it's a big difference in ride with 17's??
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07-10-2006, 08:47 AM	#2
Paul330d Torque junky 115 Rep 1,688 Posts Drives: Remapped e90 330d Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: France (UK expat) iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330d [0.00] 2005 Fiat Panda 4x4 [0.00]	I ordered the 18 inch wheels, but stayed well clear of the sports suspension. I am very satisfied with the ride comfort: much better than my old e39 530d which had 17 inchers. __________________ www.greenkeepers.fr - spécialiste des tondeuses à gazon hélicoïdales atco qualcast ransomes lawnflite
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07-10-2006, 09:27 AM	#3
ital320d Enlisted Member 0 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2006 320D Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alcamo, Italy iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 320D [0.00]	How can you tell if it has the sports suspension?
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07-10-2006, 09:40 AM	#5
ital320d Enlisted Member 0 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2006 320D Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alcamo, Italy iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 320D [0.00]	Here in Italy it's call the "Attiva Package", which is what I have, that comes with the "M" steering wheel and shifter, sport seats, Xeno lights, and a few other things. It doesn't specify sport suspension.
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07-10-2006, 09:41 AM	#6
ital320d Enlisted Member 0 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2006 320D Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alcamo, Italy iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 320D [0.00]	Though I do notice my car sits a bit lower.
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07-10-2006, 10:12 AM	#7
NovaBimmer Second Lieutenant 5 Rep 273 Posts Drives: Jet Black e90 325i 6MT Join Date: May 2006 Location: Central NJ / Villanova iTrader: (0)	Yeah, Italy! __________________ e36 325i jet black 5MT \| e90 325i jet black 6MT
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07-10-2006, 10:57 AM	#8
ital320d Enlisted Member 0 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2006 320D Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alcamo, Italy iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 320D [0.00]
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