[dradernh]

Originally Posted by rtl32

subtract rim diameter and add sidewall height. My 50 aspect snow setup on 17's is much nicer than my 35 aspect summer setup on 18s. I have OEM dampers for sale if you're looking for a fresh set.

I agree with this.

I think our cars have much more flexibility in wheel and tire setup that many owners realize. We enthusiasts tend to focus on nominal tread width, but I think many 2-series owners would enjoy their cars more if they ran the taller tire sidewalls available after switching to 17" wheels.

I run 35-series tires on 18" wheels in the summer with the full understanding that I'm going to feel everything over which the tires roll, and that I chose those tires because that is the effect I was looking for.

FWIW, I too have a set of OEM dampers available, with only 1,972 miles on them.

Before I bought my car, I knew that after break-in I would change to a more responsive set of suspension components that would better suit the back roads with their challenging twists and elevation changes that I like to drive on. I also knew that I would take my car to the track a handful of times before giving up the hobby, and that influenced me as well.

After 12,600 miles on the coilover suspension I chose to buy, and for my specific use case, I've seen no reason to return to the OEM dampers.

Back to the OP's point, and with his having 113K on the clock (on, presumably, an original set of dampers), I have to believe that a reasonably fresh set of OEM dampers will give him the "ever so slightly more comfortable or 'soft'" ride that he's looking for.

My long experience tells me that, given the discount from buying a relatively lightly-used set of OEMs vs. buying a set of aftermarket units, OP might well find himself coming out ahead, both financially and in terms of achieving the comfort level that he's after. My 2¢, of course, given that I have something to sell (even though I've always assumed my OEM suspension is going to the metal recycling facility)!