18" vs 19" wheels and tires

StanDiego · 07-26-2022, 01:33 PM

I recently placed a deposit on a Z4 30i currently at the port. It will come with the M Sport package and 19" wheels. I've never actually driven a Z4 but have read the Z4's ride can be a bit brutal and am wondering if replacing the 19" wheels and tires with 18" (after delivery) will make a significant improvement in ride comfort due to the higher sidewall profile. Do any of you have experience with this?

TAZ007 · 07-26-2022, 03:06 PM

No real experience on what you are asking but running with the 19-in now and rides as expected for a low slung sports car. As far as a sports car goes it is the best ride I have owned. Besides, riding in comfort mode will be smoother than sports or sport +

Skinbc · 07-26-2022, 05:02 PM

I would agree, I'm running the 19's as well and in sport plus it's what you would expect and want. In comfort or adaptive it's the smoothest riding sports car I've owned.

Westside Guy · 07-26-2022, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAZ007

No real experience on what you are asking but running with the 19-in now and rides as expected for a low slung sports car. As far as a sports car goes it is the best ride I have owned. Besides, riding in comfort mode will be smoother than sports or sport +

I agree, plus I love how the 19" Michelin Pilot SS tires feel on the road.

The question remains whether or not to upgrade to the Pilot Sport 4S when it is time to change my tires.

Cliffj335 · 07-26-2022, 06:19 PM

When I placed my order, I started with 18's because I thought the ride would probably be better. But the Z4 does have adaptive suspension and I came to like the BMW 19" wheels better visually. As a side note, I did a search on TireRack for both the 18" and 19" stock sizes on the Z4. The 19" had a lot more options for tires, even though I will likely stay in the Michelin line. That also swayed my decision.

Westside Guy · 07-26-2022, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliffj335

When I placed my order, I started with 18's because I thought the ride would probably be better. But the Z4 does have adaptive suspension and I came to like the BMW 19" wheels better visually. As a side note, I did a search on TireRack for both the 18" and 19" stock sizes on the Z4. The 19" had a lot more options for tires, even though I will likely stay in the Michelin line. That also swayed my decision.

Living in south Florida I would only consider the Pilot SS and the Pilot Sport 4S .

gipsontodd@yahoo.com · 07-27-2022, 09:09 PM

I purchased my m40i with 18 inch wheels but switched to 19s last year. Not much difference in ride quality. The 19 inch tires are continental extreme contact all season. I did not want to slide down my drive way in the winter anymore.

stlcdr · 07-28-2022, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gipsontodd@yahoo.com

I purchased my m40i with 18 inch wheels but switched to 19s last year. Not much difference in ride quality. The 19 inch tires are continental extreme contact all season. I did not want to slide down my drive way in the winter anymore.

seems like a good choice. I have heard people have had great success with these tires in both winter and summer.

How do you like them? How much compromise is there in the summer?

RavenGX · 07-28-2022, 02:35 PM

I've had everything from 17 to 20 on mine, i don't think you will feel the difference between 18 and 19 in ride quality.

Since you're getting the 19's first i would keep them on and see how they work out. if you don't like it you can always go smaller

07-26-2022, 01:33 PM	#1
StanDiego Darth ZEDer 6249 Rep 1,105 Posts Drives: 2022 BMW Z4 sDrive3.0 Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: metro St Louis iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 Z4 sDrive 30i [9.51]	18" vs 19" wheels and tires I recently placed a deposit on a Z4 30i currently at the port. It will come with the M Sport package and 19" wheels. I've never actually driven a Z4 but have read the Z4's ride can be a bit brutal and am wondering if replacing the 19" wheels and tires with 18" (after delivery) will make a significant improvement in ride comfort due to the higher sidewall profile. Do any of you have experience with this?
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07-26-2022, 03:06 PM	#2
TAZ007 Colonel 1847 Rep 2,760 Posts Drives: 2021 Z4 M40 Join Date: May 2021 Location: Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 Z4 M40 [5.00]	No real experience on what you are asking but running with the 19-in now and rides as expected for a low slung sports car. As far as a sports car goes it is the best ride I have owned. Besides, riding in comfort mode will be smoother than sports or sport +
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07-26-2022, 05:02 PM	#3
Skinbc Private First Class 126 Rep 173 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 2022 Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Bethlehem, Pa iTrader: (0)	I would agree, I'm running the 19's as well and in sport plus it's what you would expect and want. In comfort or adaptive it's the smoothest riding sports car I've owned.
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07-26-2022, 06:19 PM	#5
Cliffj335 ANG Retired 126 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 22 Z4 M40i Alpine/Magma Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Birmingham iTrader: (0)	When I placed my order, I started with 18's because I thought the ride would probably be better. But the Z4 does have adaptive suspension and I came to like the BMW 19" wheels better visually. As a side note, I did a search on TireRack for both the 18" and 19" stock sizes on the Z4. The 19" had a lot more options for tires, even though I will likely stay in the Michelin line. That also swayed my decision.
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07-27-2022, 09:09 PM	#7
gipsontodd@yahoo.com New Member 87 Rep 12 Posts Drives: bmw z4 m40i Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Jeffersonville, IN iTrader: (0)	I purchased my m40i with 18 inch wheels but switched to 19s last year. Not much difference in ride quality. The 19 inch tires are continental extreme contact all season. I did not want to slide down my drive way in the winter anymore.
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07-28-2022, 02:35 PM	#9
RavenGX Lieutenant 1078 Rep 412 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 G29 M40i Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Antwerp iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW Z4 M40i [9.52]	I've had everything from 17 to 20 on mine, i don't think you will feel the difference between 18 and 19 in ride quality. Since you're getting the 19's first i would keep them on and see how they work out. if you don't like it you can always go smaller __________________ 2019 BMW Z4 G29 M40i @600hp - Insta: ZZZZ_M40i
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