[beejemwee]

Hi,

I just ordered my 118DA sport line with 17" styling 379 wheels.

I did a testdrive with 16" styling 376, witch was very comfortable.

Now I'm afraid I made the wrong choice with the 17" on RFT....

Or is the 1 series with these wheels also pretty comfortable ?

Thx.

[iBeech]

With looks like these, i think i could put up with a bumpy ride



but seriously, i think you should be ok?

[JonF1982]

I have the 17s, they arn't too bad at all

[wolz]

Comfort was actually intersting for me for the first time, I always been driving 18" and aftermarket-suspension-kit making it very low and stiff. This time I went for 17" and not even the M-sport suspension. Surely it does not look as good, but it's worth it.

regarding 16 vs 17 inch, I got 16inch on the winter-wheels, 17 for the summer. There is a difference, mainly regarding the noise-level. The comparison is not that fair though as the winter-tyres are of course of another rubber-mixture. Super-soft, hence extremely quiet.

If I were to compare 16" summer vs 17" summer-wheels, the difference would probably be smaller. I'd say defenitely go for 17". The loss in comfort is really small compared to what you gain in looks 17inch is still towards the smaller end of the scale, stepping up to 18 or even 19 inch is where comfort is really compromised.

but if comfort is top priority and looks aren't interesting at all, go for 16 and enjoy that little bit of extra comfort. RFT-tyres are stiffer than normal tyres, the higher profile of the 16inch wheels should help to reduce the impact of rough roads etc. Also the 16inch wheels is probably 205 in width, whereas the 17inch model 379-wheels are 225 wide, more surface on the road = slightly more noise.

[manteroo]

Hi

I have 17inch Turbines and they are perfectly comfortable. I had a loan F20 for a day with 16's on and I seriously couldn't tell the difference in comfort levels.

I actually had a chat with the Dealer about the RFT's. He said that the new generation RFT's are as comfortable as normal tyres now. Also the suspension in the F20 is significantly upgraded for comfort.

I had 17's on my E90 323i as well and the F20 is way more comfortable. Yes, you do get a bit more road noise at higher speeds from the wider profile (225) but that happens with most of the larger tyres at speed.

I have Bridgestone Potenza 225 / 45 17's.

Stick with the 17's FTW !!!

[MartinHattingh]

In my opinion, the F20 looks a little too tame with 16" wheels. It doesn't suit its character...

I have the turbine (381) style 17s, and the comfort level is fine. Sure, it's slightly harder than the car I test drove, but definitely not anything worth worrying about.

[MartinHattingh]

Originally Posted by manteroo

I have Bridgestone Potenza 225 / 45 17's.

Interesting that they specced Bridgestones on yours. Mine came with Conti SportContact 5 rubber.

For interest's sake, how deep is the tread on yours? The Contis only have about 6mm when new (compared to 9mm found on PremiumContact 2), I'm a bit worried about mileage...

[01142007]

Originally Posted by iBeech

With looks like these, i think i could put up with a bumpy ride



but seriously, i think you should be ok?

I have these on my sport and ride has been fine, in fact better than my fiesta zetec s (61 plate)

[beejemwee]

Thx for the replies ...

Seems that 17" is the way 2 go !

[Viva87]

Originally Posted by 01142007

I have these on my sport and ride has been fine, in fact better than my fiesta zetec s (61 plate)

Same no problem with them and they look awesome

[eezzee]

Have those too, ride absolutely fine.

[nordschleife]

17" is not bumpy at all

[LUV2XLR8-NL]

Nice picture of a cool OEM rim ;-)

[Sonnig]

Originally Posted by Viva87

Same no problem with them and they look awesome

Mine is equipped with these 17", the ride is normal. With no mod to suspension, it is quite comfy, not very bumpy.