[Italdriver]

Hi, I've been following threads about the ride quality of the new X1 M Sport with 20-inch wheels. TBH I think I may have been a little naive and over-specced when choosing the model for leasing because I just fell in love with the look of the 20s without considering ride quality.

Now I see that the quality of the ride can be an issue and am worried that I have selected a car that is going to be too tough a ride. It was ordered last March and is due this April. Anyone with any experience of changing wheels (say to 19) after the event?

Am I worrying about it too much?

Thanks for your advice!

[FlashMonkey929]

Originally Posted by Italdriver

Hi, I've been following threads about the ride quality of the new X1 M Sport with 20-inch wheels. TBH I think I may have been a little naive and over-specced when choosing the model for leasing because I just fell in love with the look of the 20s without considering ride quality.

Now I see that the quality of the ride can be an issue and am worried that I have selected a car that is going to be too tough a ride. It was ordered last March and is due this April. Anyone with any experience of changing wheels (say to 19) after the event?

Am I worrying about it too much?

Thanks for your advice!

I think it largely depends on your own comfort preferences, it’s really subjective. Many complain about the M Sport suspension being too stiff but I find it comfortable. I had the 18” M Sport wheels at purchase, and later upgraded to 19” BBS wheels and barely noticed any change in comfort. 20” wheels would probably be fine for me. I’d say wait till you take delivery of the vehicle before making any decisions.

[John27]

Originally Posted by FlashMonkey929

I think it largely depends on your own comfort preferences, it’s really subjective. Many complain about the M Sport suspension being too stiff but I find it comfortable. I had the 18” M Sport wheels at purchase, and later upgraded to 19” BBS wheels and barely noticed any change in comfort. 20” wheels would probably be fine for me. I’d say wait till you take delivery of the vehicle before making any decisions.

I agree. I have 20" wheels on my M Sport which has adaptable suspension (which automatically adjusts) and I find it really comfortable and not a hard ride at all. I accept I normally prefer a firmer ride but there is a big difference between a firm ride and a hard ride where you feel every bump and hole in the roads.

Everyone is different though but I agree with FlashMonkey 929 and best to wait for the car to arrive and see what you think then.

[YoungG]

I have M Sport with 20" wheels and no adaptive suspension, and I find the ride pretty good. Confirmed today by a decent journey on a mix of twisty roads and motorway - the X1 feels "planted" and very comfortable. As previous comments, wait to see for yourself and judge.

[John27]

Originally Posted by YoungG

I have M Sport with 20" wheels and no adaptive suspension, and I find the ride pretty good. Confirmed today by a decent journey on a mix of twisty roads and motorway - the X1 feels "planted" and very comfortable. As previous comments, wait to see for yourself and judge.

I understood that adaptive suspension is standard on all M Sport models? It was back in March 2023 when I ordered my car and still is according to the web site. Of course, you can't manually adjust it, it is all automatic.

[richiro]

My M35i came with the 872M 20" wheels on 245/40 summer rubber, now the car has on 19" wheels with AS sport 245/45 tires, the difference is quite apparent.

I could go over minor bumps with the 19" but with the 20" the same bumps feel like a pot hole.

The tires you spec will also make a world of a difference in ride quality, the summer tires I have are still noisy during warmer weather.

[FZI89]

Originally Posted by richiro

My M35i came with the 872M 20" wheels on 245/40 summer rubber, now the car has on 19" wheels with AS sport 245/45 tires, the difference is quite apparent.

I could go over minor bumps with the 19" but with the 20" the same bumps feel like a pot hole.

The tires you spec will also make a world of a difference in ride quality, the summer tires I have are still noisy during warmer weather.

I have quite the opposite experience! Bought the car with 19” and found the ride very comfortable. Switched to the 20” 872M for the winter and didn’t notice any significant change in ride quality. So much so that I ended up selling my 19” rims to buy another set of 872M for the summer.

[FlashMonkey929]

Originally Posted by John27

I understood that adaptive suspension is standard on all M Sport models? It was back in March 2023 when I ordered my car and still is according to the web site. Of course, you can't manually adjust it, it is all automatic.

They’re not truly adaptive, FYI. They’re just frequency selective dampers, nothing special and no electronics controlling it.

[PatL]

Before ordering my 28i, I test drove one vehicle with M Sports package ( M "adaptive" suspension, sports seats and 20" wheels) and an x-line version with 18", no sports seats.

My previous car was a 550i with 19" and sport package that I found harsh. I cracked my suspension on an average pothole, had to avoid deeper manholes and pay attention to curb/driveway height.

There was no doubt in my mind that the 28i was *much* more comfortable.

It all depends on your past experience and your priorities. My priority was to trade sportiness for comfort.

IMO, if you fret about comfort, you don't have much options at this point. I don't think you will find a big difference between the 20" and the 19". If you can change to the 18", the look can very different with the plastic finished 2-color wheels in the US.

Aside from comfort, in theory, there are other trade offs

https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shoppin...heel-size-make

[NeilOHaraBYO]

I have the 20 inch wheels and the ride comfort is fine for me.
When I first drove it I thought it was smoother than my last two cars. I previously had a BMW 3 Series and an Audi A4, both these cars had 18/19 inch wheels with the sport or lowered suspension from the manufacturer.

[Fish Fingers]

I am wondering if some of the discussion of ride comfort on 20" alloys is a result of model type (EV/PHEV/ICE) and possibly the difference in weight?

We have just got the X1 30e MSport (Phev) on 20" and the ride is excellent imo.
Much, much better than wife's previous X2 2.0 M Sport and waaaay better than my old M2.

I have found it one of the things that surprised me most about the car. In fact refinement in general has really impressed me.

[richiro]

I wouldn't say the ride is invasive or harsh what so ever, it will take on a good amount of road feedback, but it is much more noticeable (sounds almost damaging) on the 20" vs the 19", i've mistakenly hit the same patch twice, once with each set of wheels/tires. The 19" for me was also noticeably different in ride.

[FlashMonkey929]

Let’s also not forget that the brand and style of tire can make a noticeable difference in ride quality.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by FlashMonkey929

Let’s also not forget that the brand and style of tire can make a noticeable difference in ride quality.

Until I started looking for 20-inch wheels recently, I didn't even realize that 20 inch 40-series tires can come in all-season and grand touring, which I assume are softer and more comfortable than summer or high performance tires. Although I'm not sure if it's a good idea to get all season 245/40/20 tires on a BMW.

[toepincher]

I switched to all season tires on my M35i immediately upon delivery. I went with Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 Plus. I am extremely happy with ride quality, handling and traction in the snow which I experienced today.

I still have the original performance tires with 60 miles on them. If anybody is interested, make me an offer (can be had cheap). I will not ship. I live in a northeastern suburb of Indianapolis.

[Italdriver]

This has been very helpful and (somewhat) reassuring. What I have taken from this is

- 20-inch wheels may not be a disaster ride-wise and may actually be OK, if harder over potholes etc.
- in any case, it is good to wait and see
- it also depends on the tire (which may be an option if there are issues, I could investigate changing it before the wheels)

Incidentally, I presume I have "adaptive" suspension (being an M Sport) although I have read mixed reviews about this on other forums (and that it is not "really" adaptive!) but in any case, hopefully this will help.

The roads here in Italy are a mix of smooth (Autostrada) and bumpy, some with significant potholes, so they should certainly put it through its paces.

One thing that I'm still not clear about is the ease or otherwise of changing wheels on leased vehicles (although i guess this depends on the agreement). But I will cross that bridge if I come to it.

Can't quite believe it has taken this long (we are on a sub Kuga at the moment, which isn't bad but like driving a boat). The X1 will be a 23d BTW.

[FlashMonkey929]

Originally Posted by Italdriver

This has been very helpful and (somewhat) reassuring. What I have taken from this is

- 20-inch wheels may not be a disaster ride-wise and may actually be OK, if harder over potholes etc.
- in any case, it is good to wait and see
- it also depends on the tire (which may be an option if there are issues, I could investigate changing it before the wheels)

Incidentally, I presume I have "adaptive" suspension (being an M Sport) although I have read mixed reviews about this on other forums (and that it is not "really" adaptive!) but in any case, hopefully this will help.

The roads here in Italy are a mix of smooth (Autostrada) and bumpy, some with significant potholes, so they should certainly put it through its paces.

One thing that I'm still not clear about is the ease or otherwise of changing wheels on leased vehicles (although i guess this depends on the agreement). But I will cross that bridge if I come to it.

Can't quite believe it has taken this long (we are on a sub Kuga at the moment, which isn't bad but like driving a boat). The X1 will be a 23d BTW.

Not sure what the rules are like in your country, but I opted to go with aftermarket wheels because they were lighter, forged, and I got a deal that made them cheaper than any OEM option. Tires were selected because I had them on prior vehicles and had good experiences with them. Not to mention I actually prefer the look of BBS over anything OEM with the exception of CSL wheels from years past. My dealer doesn’t care since it’s a similar fitment to what the optional wheels are.

[jhbodle]

For what it’s worth, I test drove an iX1 M Sport with 18” wheels before I got my one with 20” ones.

Not much difference to me, maybe 5% or so stiffer but nothing I really noticed.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

Originally Posted by jhbodle

For what it’s worth, I test drove an iX1 M Sport with 18” wheels before I got my one with 20” ones.

Not much difference to me, maybe 5% or so stiffer but nothing I really noticed.

at my age... anything 5% stiffer sounds good to me. as long as it's not for 4 hours or more... because I get tired and just want to get some sleep. (just to be clear, I'm talking about stiffer suspension!)