[tom73]

Note I posted this in the order and pricing subforum but this may be the better place. Moderators feel free to delete the incorrect one. Sorry for the confusion.

Ok folks I'm undecided on which wheels to get on my 340i. The car is on order so I can still change up my order. 3 options to choose:

Door #1 400 wheels with a/s tires square setup
2 400m with performance tires staggered
3 403m with mixed performance staggered

My thoughts on the benefit of each each option:
1. Square setup allows rotation, year round tire with the exception of snow, lowest cost. Taller profile equates to more forgiving ride
2 mostly same as 1. Wider rear is aesthetically pleasing but unable to rotate and faster wearing tire. Also has higher top speed setting (not that I ever expect to go over 130) may need winter tire due to tire compound
3 best looking set up but will require buying winter tires/wheels. Added initial cost plus cost of spare winter set. Faster wear and harsher ride.

I don't plan on taking the car to track and want to be practical however also want to enjoy the cars performance. Thoughts? Any other obvious omissions on my build ?

Thanks in advance.

Just noticed on the bmw site the price of the car goes up with the 19" wheels but when you add up the options there is no cost associated with them. I'm confused even further now.

[CJ421]

I think go for the wheels you think look best. The square setup is attractive, but even with a staggered setup, you can rotate from side to side if the tires are non-directional. Rotating tires can help even out the war, but it's not like the tires are going to last 50% longer if you rotate them all the time.

Save up for a winter setup. You can get a decent pair of OEM wheels for not much money, check the regional forums here and craigslist. A/S tire compound doesn't work well in the cold.

Charles

[eluded]

I always roll with the widest rear tyres I can get

[Beek]

I'd pick Door #3.

[Mauricio Palacios. MD]

442M

[joeyb26]

Option 3

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by CJ421

I think go for the wheels you think look best. The square setup is attractive, but even with a staggered setup, you can rotate from side to side if the tires are non-directional. Rotating tires can help even out the war, but it's not like the tires are going to last 50% longer if you rotate them all the time.

Save up for a winter setup. You can get a decent pair of OEM wheels for not much money, check the regional forums here and craigslist. A/S tire compound doesn't work well in the cold.

Charles

Pretty much my advice too. As long as you know the pitfalls of a staggered setup, which it seems you do, get what makes you happy, whatever makes you turn around and take a second look at the car after you've walked away from it. Whatever makes you happy while driving.

That said, instead of mixed performance, why not go for dedicated summers/winters?

[lo_xyooj]

option 3...

[MuffinMan910]

I'd avoid the 403m rims and go with something you didn't list... 442, 405 or 624.

I'm not impressed with the finish/quality of my 403s... corrosion all around the hub cap and if you look into it this is a known issue. Some have had it covered under warranty and others haven't. My dealership wouldn't cover it. Although, perhaps BMW fixed this issue now; I'm not sure

I use my 403s for winter and 624 for summer

[NWest]

Option 3.
I've heard about some corrosion issues with 403's, but haven't seen any problems on all 4 of mine after 24K miles.

[Buzzo]

I'm running summer tires on staggered 403M's and winter tires on square 400M's. I would do it again, although also like the 442M's.
Some of the cost of an extra set of wheels will be recouped when sold.

[metallicpea]

I would go with option 2. That is what I swapped to on my car, but I would still go with a with a winter set-up.

Depending on the suspension you optioned I think the ride on 18" is the best. 19" increase harshness and likelihood of pothole damage. Also the clearcoat finish on the 403s does not hold up as well long term, which may not be an issue for you depending on how long you plan to keep this car. The 400 are full powdercoat finish.

The staggered just looks so nice I chose it even though it isn't as practical. Might be more practical with the RWD power you have on your spec.

But I do understand I am in the minority as I prefer the look of the 400 to the 403.
Even if I spent the cash on some nice BBS CH-R wheels, I would still go 18" But then again, I have 19" (non runflat) on my M3 and it is certainly stiffer than my F30, but it isn't my daily, so...

Edit: I see you optioned the 704 suspension on the RWD model. Super fantastic spec in my opinion. You are going to love this car.

With that, you might be OK on 19", especially if the roads are good, but probably would prefer non runflats. As I suspect the roads aren't great by you, I would stick with the 18s, but it's not going to kill you either way, just finer points to consider.

[tom73]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. This site has been a plethora of information. Another option I could consider is going with an aftermarket wheel set for the winter tires. This way I get to see the car in different outfits so to speak.

[tom73]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

Pretty much my advice too. As long as you know the pitfalls of a staggered setup, which it seems you do, get what makes you happy, whatever makes you turn around and take a second look at the car after you've walked away from it. Whatever makes you happy while driving.

Awesome way of describing it. I have to admit I always look twice at a nice rear.

[hollandog]

you have RWD you should get winter setup and roll with summer.
get the 400m square A/S.

- mount the winter on the OEM square 400m
- sell the A/S
- buy a set of nice 19" staggered summer rim with summer tires (PSS/PS4S).

PS: If you get 403m or other 19" from factory you'll get the RFT summer.

[jmg]

I'm not a fan of the 403M either and honestly I thought the '19 442s looked too big on my stock height 340i M Sport.

May I suggest the 397s? IMHO the 397s look the best as 18's. The 400s look smaller due to the thicker lip while the 397s have a curved surface, which give the appearance of a bigger wheel. Aesthetically, it's much more complimentary to the F30. I had them on my stock F30 328i sport and I thought they looked great. They also weight the same as the "Light Alloy" 400M wheels.

397:


400:


Also, I would not go with a squared setup. Staggered for sure, you're not going to save THAT much tire.

[tom73]

Originally Posted by jmg

I'm not a fan of the 403M either and honestly I thought the '19 442s looked too big on my stock height 340i M Sport.

May I suggest the 397s? IMHO the 397s look the best as 18's. The 400s look smaller due to the thicker lip while the 397s have a curved surface, which give the appearance of a bigger wheel. Aesthetically, it's much more complimentary to the F30. I had them on my stock F30 328i sport and I thought they looked great. They also weight the same as the "Light Alloy" 400M wheels.


Also, I would not go with a squared setup. Staggered for sure, you're not going to save THAT much tire.

I like the 397's also but I can't seem to get those with the m sport package.

[Buzzo]

Originally Posted by hollandog

you have RWD you should get winter setup and roll with summer.
get the 400m square A/S.

- mount the winter on the OEM square 400m
- sell the A/S
- buy a set of nice 19" staggered summer rim with summer tires (PSS/PS4S).

PS: If you get 403m or other 19" from factory you'll get the RFT summer.

This is what I did. Bought a set of 403M's from a bimmerposter.
A variation of this is to order the car with 403 or 442's, sell the RFT's for some PSS/PS4S and buy a set of of 397's for winter duty.

[chicagoshark]

437 18" replicas if you want stay 18, otherwise 437 rep 19s.

And if you really want to spend the dough, OEM 437s

[goj]

Originally Posted by jmg

I'm not a fan of the 403M either and honestly I thought the '19 442s looked too big on my stock height 340i M Sport.

May I suggest the 397s? IMHO the 397s look the best as 18's. The 400s look smaller due to the thicker lip while the 397s have a curved surface, which give the appearance of a bigger wheel. Aesthetically, it's much more complimentary to the F30. I had them on my stock F30 328i sport and I thought they looked great. They also weight the same as the "Light Alloy" 400M wheels.

397:
[img]https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1hkKzpTykL.jpg[/img]

400:
[img]https://www.bmw.co.uk/dam/brandBM/co...3728.type2.jpg[/img]

Also, I would not go with a squared setup. Staggered for sure, you're not going to save THAT much tire.

Your bottom pic is not the 400m

[hollandog]

I used to think 400m look pretty good but grew tire of it.
Now I have 398m and BBS SR I think they both look better.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by goj

Your bottom pic is not the 400m

Crap. You are right.

[img]http://www.bmw.co.uk/dam/brandBM/com...7538.type2.jpg[/img]