Tips on new wheels and tyres, and avoiding divorce

[Nictrix]

As a general rule if the car has i-Drive it will have wheel sensors.

I don't think this is completely correct.
Early cars never had tpms with metal valves and sensors in the wheels no matter if they had idrive or not.
Once tpms with sensors in the wheels was introduced was it not fitted to all cars whether they had idrive or not?

[B21]

As a general rule if the car has i-Drive it will have wheel sensors.

I don't think this is completely correct.
Early cars never had tpms with metal valves and sensors in the wheels no matter if they had idrive or not.
Once tpms with sensors in the wheels was introduced was it not fitted to all cars whether they had idrive or not?

In the UK up to March 2014 all E89s had Run Flat Monitor and after that all E89s had TPMS…other markets varied

[True-Blue]

Another option OP is to pick up another front pair of 326’s and run them on the rear in a square set up. I believe it’s mainly the rears that crack and the fronts are more robust. Definitely ditch run flats

[simnew]

I swapped from 19 inch 296 - which were cracked and repaired a few times, to 18” 293 LA style wheels with non run flats, and it transformed the car. It felt like someone fitted suspension for the first time. They are a pretty wheel and were the launch design and are very robust.
The look elegant and sporty rather that sporty and aggressive so I guess it depends what you are looking for.

[Blurredman]

All great answers guys. I am having a crisis of confidence now though. Although they are ridiculously priced (£700 each), I am now thinking that I want to retain the OEM look of the car and therefore I should buy 2 new rear 19" BMW 326's, BUT change the tyres to non-run flats all round. I'd hope that the new tyres would offer some protection to the new wheels. Not the cheapest option, but...

I read so many people saying how revolutionary the change in ride quality is by switching to non-run-flats, but do you think they significantly reduce the chances of cracking the rims?

[Reamesy]

Oh they do, they really do..! Crap pics but it’s all I’ve got at the mo.

You're right, they really do!

Just to say if you are interested in the wheels on Bimmerpost, be quick as he sells wheels in a few days generally. I can message him for a phone number if it helps.

Can you PM me his number please. If they are sold he might know when he is getting another set? Cheers

[Blurredman]

Another option OP is to pick up another front pair of 326’s and run them on the rear in a square set up. I believe it’s mainly the rears that crack and the fronts are more robust. Definitely ditch run flats

That's an interesting idea, and getting hold of a couple of used fronts is relatively cheap. Has anyone else run a square set up like this? I think aesthetically it would be good, but would there be a big change in handling characteristics?

[Pondrew]

You're right, they really do!

Just to say if you are interested in the wheels on Bimmerpost, be quick as he sells wheels in a few days generally. I can message him for a phone number if it helps.

Can you PM me his number please. If they are sold he might know when he is getting another set? Cheers

I have messaged him on the other forum. Waiting for a reply.

[Pondrew]

Another option OP is to pick up another front pair of 326’s and run them on the rear in a square set up. I believe it’s mainly the rears that crack and the fronts are more robust. Definitely ditch run flats

That's an interesting idea, and getting hold of a couple of used fronts is relatively cheap. Has anyone else run a square set up like this? I think aesthetically it would be good, but would there be a big change in handling characteristics?

The only problem is the rears have a much deeper 'dish' than the fronts, so it may look a bit odd. Then the OEM look you are after will be spoiled.

[True-Blue]

Another option OP is to pick up another front pair of 326’s and run them on the rear in a square set up. I believe it’s mainly the rears that crack and the fronts are more robust. Definitely ditch run flats

That's an interesting idea, and getting hold of a couple of used fronts is relatively cheap. Has anyone else run a square set up like this? I think aesthetically it would be good, but would there be a big change in handling characteristics?

The only problem is the rears have a much deeper 'dish' than the fronts, so it may look a bit odd. Then the OEM look you are after will be spoiled.

You won’t notice when on the car, the dish on the fronts is quite pronounced and they have a more aggressive offset at ET 29 (rears are et 40) - it’s the kind of thing people wouldn’t notice unless you pointed it out

Handling, all E89 17’’ option are square from the factory. I’m sorting out a square 326 set up on the Mrs car currently. Best looking Factory E89 wheel in my opinion, but rears are made of glass

And yes, this has been done before, let me try and find a photo of a square 326 set up on a car…

[True-Blue]

Here you go, you’re all going to say it’s obvious now… but I bet you wouldn’t notice if you weren’t looking for it. This is standard front on rear, but you could put a 10mm spacer on if you felt the need…

f8c08aee-eea0-46e3-aa79-d867762552bb.jpeg (173.93 KiB) Viewed 103 times

e70d239d-1af9-40e8-a772-cccddc40a8e6.jpeg (153.04 KiB) Viewed 103 times

[Blurredman]

Here you go, you’re all going to say it’s obvious now… but I bet you wouldn’t notice if you weren’t looking for it. This is standard front on rear, but you could put a 10mm spacer on if you felt the need…

f8c08aee-eea0-46e3-aa79-d867762552bb.jpeg

e70d239d-1af9-40e8-a772-cccddc40a8e6.jpeg

Certainly couldn’t tell at a first glance. Any noticeable difference in handling compared to the staggered set up? Assume you have same tyres front and back too?

[True-Blue]

Here you go, you’re all going to say it’s obvious now… but I bet you wouldn’t notice if you weren’t looking for it. This is standard front on rear, but you could put a 10mm spacer on if you felt the need…

f8c08aee-eea0-46e3-aa79-d867762552bb.jpeg

e70d239d-1af9-40e8-a772-cccddc40a8e6.jpeg

Certainly couldn’t tell at a first glance. Any noticeable difference in handling compared to the staggered set up? Assume you have same tyres front and back too?

This is a friends car from a couple of years ago, I think he still ran wider rear tires than fronts but that wasn’t my intention for the Mrs car as it’s a 23i. Her 326’s are all still in boxes as two only delivered mid-week.

I ran a square 18’’ set up with the same tires front and rear on one of my 3.0Si E85’s and I really liked it, handing was a more neutral I would say but unless your going on track or drive like a hooligan I doubt you’d tell much difference from the drivers seat.

[Blurredman]

Brilliant, must admit looking at the cost difference I am edging towards this solution. I’m probably going to switch away from the run flats at the same time and I imagine I’ll notice more difference from that change than losing the 9Js on the back. Thanks for your advice

[Blurredman]

OK decision made. I have ordered 2 used front 326 19" 8J wheels and will put them on the back. I am thinking I might put slightly bigger tyres on them, just to try to make up a little of the lost width compared to the 9J wheels. Thinking 235/35ZR19 rear with the original size 225/35ZR19 on the front. I will change to non-run flats at the same time, all round. Are Michelin Pilots still the shoe of choice around here?

Also, what are you guys putting in the boot for emergency puncture precautions? Thinking a spare wheel and a trolley jack might be overdoing it