Ride quality trade off between 18's, 19's and 20's

[DSE]

This is one of those questions that just invites debate and rarely gets resolved because I would hardly describe having 20" wheels and sports suspension (and adaptive rive) as too harsh, but then again I don't find the even firmer ride of an M3 or M5 to be too harsh, but I know others do. I am pleased with my switch from 19" to 20".

It is the same thing when you talk about whether an X5 can be sporty. Having driven Lexus and Cadillac SUVs and Acura MDXs, there is no doubt that the X5 is a more sports- and handling-oriented SUV. It is a real joy to drive. Even my wife noticed teh big difference. Some folks will prefer the more "comfy" and softer ride of a Lexus, but I don't like it, even though I know others do and find anything firmer than a living room couch to be "harsh."

[JoshGM]

Originally Posted by Fraser

The question of ride quality and wheel size is almost entirely dependent on your driving environment. If you drive on dead smooth roads you won't compromise ride quality by going from 18s to 19s or 20s. If however the roads are rough where you drive, you will compromise ride quality. Everyone's driving environment, driving style, and appreciation of a vehicle's appearance is different and that's why a question like this will always throw up a wide variety of responses.

Totally!

[JoshGM]

Originally Posted by DSE

This is one of those questions that just invites debate and rarely gets resolved because I would hardly describe having 20" wheels and sports suspension (and adaptive rive) as too harsh, but then again I don't find the even firmer ride of an M3 or M5 to be too harsh, but I know others do. I am pleased with my switch from 19" to 20".

It is the same thing when you talk about whether an X5 can be sporty. Having driven Lexus and Cadillac SUVs and Acura MDXs, there is no doubt that the X5 is a more sports- and handling-oriented SUV. It is a real joy to drive. Even my wife noticed teh big difference. Some folks will prefer the more "comfy" and softer ride of a Lexus, but I don't like it, even though I know others do and find anything firmer than a living room couch to be "harsh."

EXCACTLY my damn point! These guys must be driving "wrong" SAV/SUV in an X5, am pleased with my 20" because my car does what I expected it to do when I was buying it: Performance, Speed, the look and sheer Power. Safety is just a bonus I always expect from BMW so I dont need to put it as a requirement. Comfort!?... Nuh! I have a Lexus I occasionally dump in my Mother-in-Law specifically for comfort, driving her in the 4.6 Power House X5 she would definately tell my wife to leave me..."You married a monster he want to kill me in his monster car!"

So you guys who get 18" wheel for comfort I think Its all OK we all have different butts and sizes, and if you need Queen Elizabeth kinda of comfort then X5 might not be the ideal SAV...

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by JoshGM

EXCACTLY my damn point! These guys must be driving "wrong" SAV/SUV in an X5, am pleased with my 20" because my car does what I expected it to do when I was buying it: Performance, Speed, the look and sheer Power. Safety is just a bonus I always expect from BMW so I dont need to put it as a requirement. Comfort!?... Nuh! I have a Lexus I occasionally dump in my Mother-in-Law specifically for comfort, driving her in the 4.6 Power House X5 she would definately tell my wife to leave me..."You married a monster he want to kill me in his monster car!"

So you guys who get 18" wheel for comfort I think Its all OK we all have different butts and sizes, and if you need Queen Elizabeth kinda of comfort then X5 might not be the ideal SAV...

I have 17s on my X 'cause they are practical. Bet your 20s wouldn't be too flash around here .... I can see you changing a flat every other day. Horses for courses. I'm certainly not driving the wrong SUV...

[BBX5]

I LIVE IN MUMBAI, INDIA. And the roads in the monsoon do become moon surface. My stock X5 came with 18" with 255/55 Michelins. I have upgraded to 19" 255/50. No difference in ride and handling. Looks great. Of course I am not expecting sport car performance from a Sport ANNIHILATION Vehicle with a high COG!!!

[grey]

Originally Posted by London Lad

Hey each to his own and good luck to everyone with their choices and views.

I agree 100% that the x5 is not the best off roader, not the best load carrier and not the best tow car but it's not a sports car at all.

I am sure your car is quick but its a quick 4x4 SUV not a sports car.

I live out in the sticks, our small lanes are bumpy, often muddy and get snow and ice in the winter. I carry 4 people and their stuff from time to time, I tow a small trailer occasionally, sometimes I do a long motorway run down to Spain with a load of stuff. So for me the x5 (with 19s) fits the bill perfectly.

As for buying the wrong car, I have been lucky enough to have owned or driven pretty much every 4x4 available today in the UK and belive me, I have the right car.

FWIW I drove the SE and the sport (with and without dynamic anti roll) and 18s 19s and 20s before I bought my car.

I thought the sports suspension + 20s was far to harsh, followed ruts to much and had little or no high speed handling benefit.

I went for the SE with dynamic anti roll and 19s.



Come to think of it, my sports car (that out accelerates, out brakes, out handels and 'out speeds' any x5) also has 19s

Hi,

I was just thinking of moving from 19" to 20" on a 4.8i. I really did not wanted to get the sport suspension due to bad raods in Sydney, Australia.
My biggest concern is shocks being transmitted to the body and causing rattles due to the wrong wheel/ suspension combination, etc, rattles really do irritate me. Do you think wider wheels might handle rutts and pot holes better as it covers a larger area? or you're 100% certain that the standard 19" wheels are better off in handling rutts and potholes?

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by grey

Do you think wider wheels might handle rutts and pot holes better as it covers a larger area? or you're 100% certain that the standard 19" wheels are better off in handling rutts and potholes?

If ride quality is the issue, stick with 19s. The 20s will have less sidewall and theoretically a wider tyre will 'find' more bumps than a narrower tyre, so you lose on both counts.

[BBX5]

I feel that the 19" will give a better ride quality. The Michelin Latitude Sport has a great ride quality and aids very good handling too... cheers

[grey]

Originally Posted by Fraser

If ride quality is the issue, stick with 19s. The 20s will have less sidewall and theoretically a wider tyre will 'find' more bumps than a narrower tyre, so you lose on both counts.

Thanks, you make some real sense with the side walls. Is there a significant difference in harsh ride going from 19" to 20" ?
Are there any other disadvantages by going to a 20" apart from fuel economy?

[London Lad]

The overall radius of 18 19 or 20 is the same so fuel economy is only effected by the wider tyre having more wind resistance and the increase in rolling resistance.

Frazer is correct in that the lower side-wall will transmit more bumps to the car and the wider tyre will cover more road area and 'find' more bumps.

The main problem on tracks and ruts is with the lower side-wall the rim is nearer to the ground and more prone to damage from the side of ruts and rocks etc in the road.

I went for 19s but I have to say if I was spec'ing the car again I would stick with 18s and save £900.