[Kinesthesia]

I've noticed a few people run 17 inch wheels on their M235. One I noticed because of "pot holes", is ride quality the primary reason?

I ask because I had a similar thought, my car came with stock 18" run flats and I hate feeling pot holes in my spine.

I assume 17" wheels will have a "softer" ride?

Are there other considerations in choosing 17's?

Thanks.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Kinesthesia

Are there other considerations in choosing 17's?

Generally, the wheels are cheaper, as are the tires.

[deathking]

Funny timing as I just got my 17" wheels on. Comfortable, lighter, and meatier looking were my reasons in that order. Most people would think they are 18" at first glance. Im extremely happy I went this direction.

[Kinesthesia]

Originally Posted by deathking

Thanks for your input! I was well aware of this setup as well as very other that lives on the internet thanks to an obsessive amount of browsing. I ended up going with the fairly proven 17x8.5 et40 and 245/40 square setup and couldn't be happier!

I am envious of your car in every way. I bought my M235 used, but given the choice I would have ordered your car down to the last detail.

Did you need anything other than the 17x8.5 et40 wheels and 245/40 tires? (spacers, etc)

Edit: Are those wheels hyper silver or clear?

Thanks !

[deathking]

I appreciate that! Very fortunate to have been able to do that and I wouldn't change any of the options if I were to do it again.

They are Hyper Silver. I actually ordered the Brushed Clear 17x9 option first but decided against it. They Hyper Silver option wasn't as exciting on the website but looks great in person especially after the ceramic/top coat. No spacers, stock suspension, OEM lugs, OEM center cap

[Cos270]

Originally Posted by deathking

I appreciate that! Very fortunate to have been able to do that and I wouldn't change any of the options if I were to do it again.

They are Hyper Silver. I actually ordered the Brushed Clear 17x9 option first but decided against it. They Hyper Silver option wasn't as exciting on the website but looks great in person especially after the ceramic/top coat. No spacers, stock suspension, OEM lugs, OEM center cap

Expert@ApexRaceParts

So it's safe to say that this same wheel and tire configuration would fit on an all-stock M235i as well? I really wanted to stick with 18's, but it seems like more of a headache than it's worth to get 245s all around with stock suspension. Plus, there's the added benefit of some extra sidewall protection from Michigan's horrendous roads if I go with 17's. I'd plan on running Michelin PS4S if it makes a difference...

[ggggbmw]

I have 17's for my winter tires, and my track tires.

For the winters, cheaper wheels and tires was a driver.

Same for track, but the cheap 17's were also LIGHTER than anything except true forged 18's, so that was a benefit also. And cheaper replacements for track tires is also nice.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by ggggbmw

...the...17's were also LIGHTER than anything except true forged 18's

Along with the lower cost of the wheels and tires, this is the other major reason to consider 17s.

[Kinesthesia]

Thank you all for the feedback, I have signed up for the 17" Apex group buy that is going on now.

Now to decide on tires ... PS4S or wait to see what PS5 is like.

[ggggbmw]

Originally Posted by Kinesthesia

Now to decide on tires ... PS4S or wait to see what PS5 is like.

Keep in mind that the PS5 is not a replacement for the PS4S. It is a replacement for the PS4. The extra 'S' on the end stands for 'Super Sport'.

The plain PS4 and new PS5 are nice tires, but they are more general all-season tires. Not the high-end, high-performance, summer tires the PS4S are. There will likely be a new PS5S at some point, but probably not this year.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by ggggbmw

Keep in mind that the PS5 is not a replacement for the PS4S. It is a replacement for the PS4. The extra 'S' on the end stands for 'Super Sport'.

The plain PS4 and new PS5 are nice tires, but they are more general all-season tires. Not the high-end, high-performance, summer tires the PS4S are. There will likely be a new PS5S at some point, but probably not this year.

I think it's useful to know that Michelin's "Star BMW"-spec tires are tires that Michelin has created and manufactured to BMW's specifications.

I don't think that we can interchange Michelin tires, even of the same model and size, and expect the same performance if they are not "Star BMW". Not being an expert, I can't say with any specificity what all of the differences might be.

The principal difference I noticed immediately upon my changing from PSS to PS4S was the the tread width, and to me it's quite significant:

[Kinesthesia]

[WolfGTI]

One thing to consider with 17's it does limit brake caliper / rotor upgrade choices if you are tracking - so keep that in mind.

[Expert@ApexWheels]

Originally Posted by Cos270

Expert@ApexRaceParts

So it's safe to say that this same wheel and tire configuration would fit on an all-stock M235i as well? I really wanted to stick with 18's, but it seems like more of a headache than it's worth to get 245s all around with stock suspension. Plus, there's the added benefit of some extra sidewall protection from Michigan's horrendous roads if I go with 17's. I'd plan on running Michelin PS4S if it makes a difference...

IDK where these notifications are going. They may be getting lost in our ticketing system. Sorry for the delayed response.

17x8.5 ET40 can be a great square setup for these cars, but one thing we noted when an Apex employee ran these wheels on his 228i was that his optional rear Msport brake calipers were super tight against the barrel of the wheel and it caused scratching when rocks/debris got caught in between the barrel of the wheel and the calipers:



Full album showing off that car here: https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_...ext=jake%20228

He had the 345mm rear rotor Msport or track handling package brakes. Bimmerworld put together a huge comprehensive article about how to figure out which brakes you have:https://www.bimmerworld.com/About-Us...-Sport-Brakes/

It's weird because the rear brakes are the problem rather than the front since the rear rotor diameter is larger. Usually we see the reverse. I added a note to our fitment guide about this after he noted the scratches on his set of track ARC-8s. The optional 370mm brakes won't clear 17s, but most people on here know that one.

Other than that, this is a great setup. I like 17s as they are cheap & light and so are the tires along with offering taller sidewalls for added pothole protection. Great option for F22s!

-Tom