G31 - optimum tyre size
Discussion
After experimenting with multiple tyre and wheel combinations over several years for my 530d x drive:
- 20 inch run flats: totally awful on every count and multiple cracked wheels and blow outs and SLOW as I’d tiptoe everywhere
- 18 inch staggered non RF all season (275 40 18 / 245 45 18) - totally brilliant and supple but I wasn’t happy with slight ‘undersized) 18 inch look
I’ve now gone for 19 inch non run flat CrossClimate 3 with an increase in profile to 275 40 19 / 245 45 19 which seem a little more harsh than the 18s even though the profile is the same - but I guess this is the CrossClimate 3s are more ‘sporty’. Wondering whether anyone else has gone up a profile over OEM and or what others optimum G31 tyres are. Pic on 19s with CC 3’s:
- 20 inch run flats: totally awful on every count and multiple cracked wheels and blow outs and SLOW as I’d tiptoe everywhere
- 18 inch staggered non RF all season (275 40 18 / 245 45 18) - totally brilliant and supple but I wasn’t happy with slight ‘undersized) 18 inch look
I’ve now gone for 19 inch non run flat CrossClimate 3 with an increase in profile to 275 40 19 / 245 45 19 which seem a little more harsh than the 18s even though the profile is the same - but I guess this is the CrossClimate 3s are more ‘sporty’. Wondering whether anyone else has gone up a profile over OEM and or what others optimum G31 tyres are. Pic on 19s with CC 3’s:
Appreciate this is off topic, but does VDC mitigate the hard ride? I'd go 19s with VDC for best combination of "look" and ride comfort.
In the absence of VDC I think you have arrived at your best compromise. 20" is too hard riding, 18" you aren't happy with the look of the car, so 19" it must be. CCs seem an excellent choice.
Silly question - does the speedo read correctly if you change wheel size but keep the same profile tyres? I thought the circumference would need to be the same to avoid the speedo over or under reading?
In the absence of VDC I think you have arrived at your best compromise. 20" is too hard riding, 18" you aren't happy with the look of the car, so 19" it must be. CCs seem an excellent choice.
Silly question - does the speedo read correctly if you change wheel size but keep the same profile tyres? I thought the circumference would need to be the same to avoid the speedo over or under reading?
Edited by SlowV6 on Friday 21st November 09:55
Edited by SlowV6 on Friday 21st November 09:56
I have a G31 530d non x-drive with adative dampers. Currently on Michelin Primacy 3 runflats, 245/40 x 19 (front) and 275/35 x 19 (rear). I'm considering going to non runflats to improve the ride and refinement. My question is what provision you made for punctures. Choices seem to be a space saver, jack etc. which is fine but doesn't fit easily in the boot unless you change the insert under the floor which is quite involved and expensive. Obviously you can have a can of gunge and an electric pump but I see there's also an option to have a one time use self powered cannister that clips on to the wheel. I think they call it Tire Repair Kit Plus. Any experience of this or other thoughts?
Edited by PGN on Wednesday 26th November 10:35
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BP5E7KI?ref_=ppx_hz...
This is the kit I got when I switched from RFTs to go-flats.
This is the kit I got when I switched from RFTs to go-flats.
PGN said:
I have a G31 530d non x-drive with adative dampers. Currently on Michelin Primacy 3 runflats, 245/40 x 19 (front) and 275/35 x 19 (rear). I'm considering going to non runflats to improve the ride and refinement. My question is what provision you made for punctures. Choices seem to be a space saver, jack etc. which is fine but doesn't fit easily in the boot unless you change the insert under the floor which is quite involved and expensive. Obviously you can have a can of gunge and an electric pump but I see there's also an option to have a one time use self powered cannister that clips on to the wheel. I think they call it Tire Repair Kit Plus. Any experience of this or other thoughts?
I used to have a space saver kit in my E61 535 touring, i put in there when I moved off runflats after having a puncture - driving on that was terrible. I know i was somewhere in London that day, and popped into Costco, and swapped them all. In the 11 years i owned the car, it never came out.I'm currently down to just 1 car. I have a jack kit, sealant, dynaplugs. So far, not needed. For peace of mind for long road trips to Southern Europe, I do have a spare wheel kit, l'll look to see what needs to be done to fit that under the floor at sometime.
Fortunately, I've only had 1 other puncture that I can remember, that was on my 1st day commuting to a new job November 2007, swapping the wheel at Clackett Lane services. Since then, I've driven at least 250k.
Living in the South, I don't bother with swapping wheels anymore, mines just on PS5's.
For summer, I would say the stock 19" staggered setup. Just put on a proper set of summer tires like PS4 or Goodyear F1 Super Sports. Those will have thicker, stiffer sidewalls, but also offer enough cushion to protect the wheel and maintain ride comfort.
For winter, the stock 18 square setup is ideal, IMO. Lots of sidewall, narrow enough to cut through the snow.
For winter, the stock 18 square setup is ideal, IMO. Lots of sidewall, narrow enough to cut through the snow.
PGN said:
I have a G31 530d non x-drive with adative dampers. Currently on Michelin Primacy 3 runflats, 245/40 x 19 (front) and 275/35 x 19 (rear). I'm considering going to non runflats to improve the ride and refinement. My question is what provision you made for punctures. Choices seem to be a space saver, jack etc. which is fine but doesn't fit easily in the boot unless you change the insert under the floor which is quite involved and expensive. Obviously you can have a can of gunge and an electric pump but I see there's also an option to have a one time use self powered cannister that clips on to the wheel. I think they call it Tire Repair Kit Plus. Any experience of this or other thoughts?
I have both options in the boot in case i have a flat but my only experience across multiple cars over the last few years is 2 nlow outs from bulges in run flats. No way i’d go back. Edited by PGN on Wednesday 26th November 10:35
Night Owl said:
For summer, I would say the stock 19" staggered setup. Just put on a proper set of summer tires like PS4 or Goodyear F1 Super Sports. Those will have thicker, stiffer sidewalls, but also offer enough cushion to protect the wheel and maintain ride comfort.
For winter, the stock 18 square setup is ideal, IMO. Lots of sidewall, narrow enough to cut through the snow.
Or as I now do, 19 inch staggered all year round with the New Cross Climate 3s (albeit in my case up one profile section all round as attached) For winter, the stock 18 square setup is ideal, IMO. Lots of sidewall, narrow enough to cut through the snow.
Edited by Billy_Whizzzz on Wednesday 26th November 16:00
drdino said:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BP5E7KI?ref_=ppx_hz...
This is the kit I got when I switched from RFTs to go-flats.
That looks a much better deal than the rip-off BMW ones. I suspect it's basically the same thing as it's made in Germany anyway.This is the kit I got when I switched from RFTs to go-flats.
Following the other comments I'm more convinced I will ditch the run-flats. The only plus point I can see for them is that the chunky sidewall does protect the rim from kerbing. I know some tyres have a greater degree of rim protection. Anybody know which tyres have this?
Billy_Whizzzz said:
Or as I now do, 19 inch staggered all year round with the New Cross Climate 3s (albeit in my case up one profile section all round as attached) 
I wouldn't want to give up the handling the full-on summers offer in warmer temps. A good set of UHP tires bring a lot to the table.Edited by Billy_Whizzzz on Wednesday 26th November 16:00
Night Owl said:
Billy_Whizzzz said:
I wouldn't want to give up the handling the full-on summers offer in warmer temps. A good set of UHP tires bring a lot to the table.SlowV6 said:
Appreciate this is off topic, but does VDC mitigate the hard ride? I'd go 19s with VDC for best combination of "look" and ride comfort.
In the absence of VDC I think you have arrived at your best compromise. 20" is too hard riding, 18" you aren't happy with the look of the car, so 19" it must be. CCs seem an excellent choice.
Silly question - does the speedo read correctly if you change wheel size but keep the same profile tyres? I thought the circumference would need to be the same to avoid the speedo over or under reading?
The 18" winter setup can look pretty good, IMO. But you need the black version of the wheel. When black, I find that the wheel and tire tend to just fill the space, as you don't notice much where the tire stops and the wheel begins. With winter tires beeing beefier in the sidewall, the car has a pretty muscular look on this setup.In the absence of VDC I think you have arrived at your best compromise. 20" is too hard riding, 18" you aren't happy with the look of the car, so 19" it must be. CCs seem an excellent choice.
Silly question - does the speedo read correctly if you change wheel size but keep the same profile tyres? I thought the circumference would need to be the same to avoid the speedo over or under reading?
Edited by SlowV6 on Friday 21st November 09:55
Edited by SlowV6 on Friday 21st November 09:56
The 540i's massive brakes also completely fill the space behind the wheel, and it gives a really cool optical effect with the mirror finish of the brake disk filling out the space.
Billy_Whizzzz said:
Or as I now do, 19 inch staggered all year round with the New Cross Climate 3s (albeit in my case up one profile section all round as attached)
I like the look of proper sidewalks here, and have the same wheels, but I’m a bit funny about wanting the standard size tyres. Are there any good all-season tyres for these staggered 19s in the normal sizes?Edited by Billy_Whizzzz on Wednesday 26th November 16:00
My preference would be to run all-seasons all year around on the 19s. Alternatively I’d like a set of 18” 619s which I love as a wheel (forged, lightest wheel available on G30/31).
The 20” wheel styles do nothing for me, and I’m not interested in losing ride comfort for them.
NickXX said:
Billy_Whizzzz said:
Or as I now do, 19 inch staggered all year round with the New Cross Climate 3s (albeit in my case up one profile section all round as attached)
I like the look of proper sidewalks here, and have the same wheels, but I m a bit funny about wanting the standard size tyres. Are there any good all-season tyres for these staggered 19s in the normal sizes?Edited by Billy_Whizzzz on Wednesday 26th November 16:00
My preference would be to run all-seasons all year around on the 19s. Alternatively I d like a set of 18 619s which I love as a wheel (forged, lightest wheel available on G30/31).
The 20 wheel styles do nothing for me, and I m not interested in losing ride comfort for them.
Billy_Whizzzz said:
Agreed but the CC3s are VERY good : https://www.evo.co.uk/reviews/207909/michelin-cros...
Its better, but still compromised according to this test. 4 metres longer stopping distance in wet weather at just 80 kmph. Dry was better at 2 metres.
https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre-Tests/Michelin-Cr...
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