Clipping rear alloys on curb

[RobM77]

mickyh7 said:

Is a 530 really that big?
I don't think it is.

It's all relative I guess. For someone coming from a Polo they must appear huge. I went from a 3 series to one and it seems very big, even compared to the 3. They're 4.9m long (longer than a standard parking space!) and 1.9m wide. I've always made a point of trying to buy cars as small and light as I can get away with and still tow and carry stuff around, so I guess if you haven't obsessed over size and weight, then yes, the 5 series is just a similar size to other big cars like the XF, E Class etc.

[anonymous-user]

Buy a car with proper wheels & tyres

Not fandango alloys with low profile tyres
Unsuited to U.K.s third world road surfaces & a gift to alloy refurbished companies

[RobM77]

Jimboka said:

Buy a car with proper wheels & tyres

Not fandango alloys with low profile tyres
Unsuited to U.K.s third world road surfaces & a gift to alloy refurbished companies

The trouble is there’s not much choice these days, especially if you buy secondhand. For example, I wanted my 530d with the upgraded stereo and M Sport suspension, and that was sold in the UK as a pack with 19” wheels and low profile tyres, so that’s what you have to have. Maybe someone paid a premium to get the suspension and stereo with the 18s, but I’ve never seen one. I’d actually like 17s, but they don’t exist. With the huge tyres you get way more grip than is necessary and it’s noisier at 70mph than a luxury car should be, but I had no choice.

[clarkey]

Very strange! I have a 530e, and have clipped a kerb twice in 20,000 miles. I've never clipped a kerb in 30 years of driving before. I put it down to old age though, not a big car.

[StuntmanMike]

RobM77 said:

Jimboka said:

Buy a car with proper wheels & tyres

Not fandango alloys with low profile tyres
Unsuited to U.K.s third world road surfaces & a gift to alloy refurbished companies

The trouble is there’s not much choice these days, especially if you buy secondhand. For example, I wanted my 530d with the upgraded stereo and M Sport suspension, and that was sold in the UK as a pack with 19” wheels and low profile tyres, so that’s what you have to have. Maybe someone paid a premium to get the suspension and stereo with the 18s, but I’ve never seen one. I’d actually like 17s, but they don’t exist. With the huge tyres you get way more grip than is necessary and it’s noisier at 70mph than a luxury car should be, but I had no choice.

Rob there is probably a market for your wheels on eBay, and smaller wheels are generally seen as undesirable so you could buy some 17’s and sell the 19’s.

Maybe worth looking into.

[Gad-Westy]

StuntmanMike said:

RobM77 said:

Jimboka said:

Buy a car with proper wheels & tyres

Not fandango alloys with low profile tyres
Unsuited to U.K.s third world road surfaces & a gift to alloy refurbished companies

The trouble is there’s not much choice these days, especially if you buy secondhand. For example, I wanted my 530d with the upgraded stereo and M Sport suspension, and that was sold in the UK as a pack with 19” wheels and low profile tyres, so that’s what you have to have. Maybe someone paid a premium to get the suspension and stereo with the 18s, but I’ve never seen one. I’d actually like 17s, but they don’t exist. With the huge tyres you get way more grip than is necessary and it’s noisier at 70mph than a luxury car should be, but I had no choice.

Rob there is probably a market for your wheels on eBay, and smaller wheels are generally seen as undesirable so you could buy some 17’s and sell the 19’s.

Maybe worth looking into.

Brake clearance could be an issue maybe.

[RobM77]

StuntmanMike said:

RobM77 said:

Jimboka said:

Buy a car with proper wheels & tyres

Not fandango alloys with low profile tyres
Unsuited to U.K.s third world road surfaces & a gift to alloy refurbished companies

The trouble is there’s not much choice these days, especially if you buy secondhand. For example, I wanted my 530d with the upgraded stereo and M Sport suspension, and that was sold in the UK as a pack with 19” wheels and low profile tyres, so that’s what you have to have. Maybe someone paid a premium to get the suspension and stereo with the 18s, but I’ve never seen one. I’d actually like 17s, but they don’t exist. With the huge tyres you get way more grip than is necessary and it’s noisier at 70mph than a luxury car should be, but I had no choice.

Rob there is probably a market for your wheels on eBay, and smaller wheels are generally seen as undesirable so you could buy some 17’s and sell the 19’s.

Maybe worth looking into.

Yes, I’m obviously tempted, but sadly the width of the tyre and unsprung mass are a crucial part of suspension design and setup and not something I want to mess with.