128i Sport, ditching the runcraps!

zinman74 · 08-10-2009, 03:15 PM

Wow, after 11.5 k miles, I can see that my Pirelli eufori@ will need to be replaced before winter. I was going to get some 135i wheels and put Yokohama S-Drives on them and be done, but now I am considering staying with the stock 17" wheels as well.

Would there be a significant handling difference between the 17's and 18's? I don't track the car (may do an autocross at some point). As I understand it, if I were to upgrade to 18" wheels and stay with the stock tire sizes, the ride might be rougher due to the lower profile (but still better than the RFT's). I am thinking also of a + zero upgrade to the 17" wheels. Would 225/45/17 and 255/40/17 work? It seems to me that that combination maintains a section height of ~102mm but obviously increases the width/contact patch? That is what I want, correct?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I have searched through the forum and found much helpful info, but not exactly what I was looking for. Would also like to hear from anyone with a 128i about what you have done. Thanks!

ulrichd · 08-10-2009, 03:37 PM

I did the exact switch on my 09 128 with sport package, 17 RFT to 18" wheels with Yoko S-drives in stock sizes. I can honestly tell you that at the very least the ride quality stayed the same or may even have improved slightly. My 128 with this setup is one of the most compliant cars over rough pavement I have ever owned. Don't forget to buy an emergency air compressor just in case.

08-10-2009, 03:15 PM	#1
zinman74 New Member 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: Join Date: Nov 2008 iTrader: (0)	128i Sport, ditching the runcraps! Wow, after 11.5 k miles, I can see that my Pirelli eufori@ will need to be replaced before winter. I was going to get some 135i wheels and put Yokohama S-Drives on them and be done, but now I am considering staying with the stock 17" wheels as well. Would there be a significant handling difference between the 17's and 18's? I don't track the car (may do an autocross at some point). As I understand it, if I were to upgrade to 18" wheels and stay with the stock tire sizes, the ride might be rougher due to the lower profile (but still better than the RFT's). I am thinking also of a + zero upgrade to the 17" wheels. Would 225/45/17 and 255/40/17 work? It seems to me that that combination maintains a section height of ~102mm but obviously increases the width/contact patch? That is what I want, correct? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I have searched through the forum and found much helpful info, but not exactly what I was looking for. Would also like to hear from anyone with a 128i about what you have done. Thanks! __________________ 2008 128i 6spd Black Sapphire/Black Leather Sport Premium I-Pod Sirius Alarm and that's it....... ...........for now
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08-10-2009, 03:37 PM	#2
ulrichd Colonel 210 Rep 2,233 Posts Drives: 128i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (6)	I did the exact switch on my 09 128 with sport package, 17 RFT to 18" wheels with Yoko S-drives in stock sizes. I can honestly tell you that at the very least the ride quality stayed the same or may even have improved slightly. My 128 with this setup is one of the most compliant cars over rough pavement I have ever owned. Don't forget to buy an emergency air compressor just in case.
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