19" or 20"? Regrets or advice

Steelers6 · 23rd July 2012, 14:44

My 9/3 ED order will soon lock and I am down to the last two decisions-wheel size and B&O. MCB, SS full,driver assistance and exec packages are set. A common choice no doubt but the scheme I like the best.

I do not really like the looks of the 19" wheels and am planning to swap them for another BMW wheel or maybe paint them a lighter shade of silver. Doubt I will go aftermarket as I like a more classic look.Dealer says buy whatever size you want to end up with vs playing the arbitrage between 19" and 20". I would get the 20" except for worries about the ride and comfort-this is a GT car that will see a lot of the USA-probably 20,000 miles per year.

Are there any owners who have regretted their decision either way or can offer general input?

cmhsam · 23rd July 2012, 14:51

I am picking up on 9/1 in Munich. I ordered the 20's and havent heard anyone yet complain. B&O, personally, dont think its worth the upgrade cost.

nv6425 · 23rd July 2012, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steelers6

My 9/3 ED order will soon lock and I am down to the last two decisions-wheel size and B&O. MCB, SS full,driver assistance and exec packages are set. A common choice no doubt but the scheme I like the best.

I do not really like the looks of the 19" wheels and am planning to swap them for another BMW wheel or maybe paint them a lighter shade of silver. Doubt I will go aftermarket as I like a more classic look.Dealer says buy whatever size you want to end up with vs playing the arbitrage between 19" and 20". I would get the 20" except for worries about the ride and comfort-this is a GT car that will see a lot of the USA-probably 20,000 miles per year.

Are there any owners who have regretted their decision either way or can offer general input?

I too am concerned with ride quality but am opting for the 20s as the 20s on my wife's 740i MSport ride great. Additionally, many folks claim the M5 20"s will be in high demand, you may be able to sell them for $4k and then purchase whichever 19s you like and pocket some cash if you decide you don't like them.

Good luck and congrats!!

ktranm3 · 23rd July 2012, 17:03

It's a big car, go with the 20's if you care for the looks. Its sidewalls aren't so thin as to make for a punishing ride.

ucla95 · 23rd July 2012, 17:51

Well if you go by how things have gone with the M3 - most people on that car ordered the upgraded 19's so the 18's actually are in short supply from people who want them for snow tire sets. So if you're going to swap out I'd strongly suggest considering the 19's.

VacMan · 23rd July 2012, 18:07

The 20" wheels look worlds better and the suspension was designed and tuned with them in mind. Considering all the reviews talk about how supple the rides is and an owner here even compared it to a Lexus, I wouldn't hesitate to go with 20" wheels.

BMWDave · 23rd July 2012, 18:45

20" wheels are almost a no brainer unless you plan on getting aftermarket anyways. Then go with the 19" wheels and go get your self a nice set of 19" or 20" wheels that fits your personality.

The Bang and Olufsen sound system is a tough decision though. If it was just a little cheaper then it wouldn't have even been an issue, but $3,700 is a lot of money just for a sound system. The home theater that I bought 4 years ago including my 52" Flat Screen LCD TV didn't even come out to $3,700! Luckily for those of us doing Euro Delivery, our options are at ED Invoice or ED MSRP prices, and I'm only paying $3,400 for my B&O system. So that helps. But, yeah, I think that you really really have to like listening to music while your driving in order to get the B&O system, in which case someone like me does.

Hope this helps.

brainblade · 23rd July 2012, 19:59

With you living in North Carolina, i owuld go with 20s. You dont get the winter road potholes of the northeast and highways are all in good shape. If you commute regularly , and or plan to drive around major cioty areas with bad winters, i would not go 20s. they fit snow tires and the ride is better.

amc · 23rd July 2012, 20:09

1) The 20" wheels give a noticably stiffer ride than the 19" ones. More so if they're cold. With rising tire temperature the ride improves. Ride overall is still good, but especially when driving slowly, you won't ever mistake it for, say, a 550i.

2) If weight is a concern, the 20" wheels are actually lighter than their 19" counterparts.

3) 80% of my decision for choosing the 20" ones was I like them better. Personally, I like even the winter wheels way better than the summer 19" ones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brainblade

i would not go 20s. they fit snow tires and the ride is better.

You can theoretically fit snow tires on both the 19s and 20s. As supplied by BMW however, there are only snow tires for the special 19 inch winter wheel (255 width front and rear), which can also fit tire chains (none of the summer wheels can).

cmhsam · 23rd July 2012, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by amc

1) The 20" wheels give a noticably stiffer ride than the 19" ones. More so if they're cold. With rising tire temperature the ride improves. Ride overall is still good, but especially when driving slowly, you won't ever mistake it for, say, a 550i.

2) If weight is a concern, the 20" wheels are actually lighter than their 19" counterparts.

3) 80% of my decision for choosing the 20" ones was I like them better. Personally, I like even the winter wheels way better than the summer 19" ones.

You can theoretically fit snow tires on both the 19s and 20s. As supplied by BMW however, there are only snow tires for the special 19 inch winter wheel (255 width front and rear), which can also fit tire chains (none of the summer wheels can).

Wont the 20's seem heavier since they have a larger rotational diameter?