New Shoes : 18" BMW Style 405M M-Sport Rims & Hankook Evo2 Rubbers

Readers might remember that the X1 was fitted with 20" BMW Style 433 M-Sport rims back in March as per the entry @ https://bmwx1sdrive.blogspot.my/2017/03/new-shoes-20-bmw-m-sport-with-goodyear.html, and it has been 5 months down the road. During this time, we have added circa 3,000 km to the 20" shoes, which added stability to the ride especially during more aggressive cornering.

Truth be told, the rims looked really huge on the X1 and it seemed to be attracting too much attention at times. My missus confided that she had found strangers looking at her car when parked at road sides; and while she does not use the X1 much, it was still disconcerting. The last straw was when she found 2 chaps squatting next to the rims after her girls' night out at Bangsar, and they only moved away after she sounded the alarm.

Much as she liked the 20" Style 433 M-Sport rims, they would have to go for something that was less of a show-off.

Readers might also remember about the entry about a fellow X1 owner in Belgium with 20" BMW Style 405M M-Sport rims @ https://bmwx1sdrive.blogspot.my/2017/03/belgiums-bmw-x1-with-20-m-sport-sports.html. I showed her the rims and asked if she could accommodate the design, albeit in a smaller 17" - 19" form factor.

She was okay with the design, and we decided on the 18" wheels as they would look more in-tune with the ride's general size as a baby SUV.

"Not too big, not too small, just nice!", as Goldilocks exclaimed in the Three Bears story.

So the dice was casted; and the tire shop further recommended that we try out Hankook Evo2 (in lieu of Michelin Pilot Sport 4 that I initially wanted), as these were tires that were reportedly 80% as capable as PS4, but at 60% of its price. I Googled some reviews on the Evo2 and noted the positive reviews from its users.

Since we were getting non-RFT tires this time around, I have further ordered the 135/80R17 space saver tire that would be residing in the X1's boot.

So when the tire shop called to say that the stocks had arrived after the initial order, it was my job to drive over and ensure that a good fit would follow-suit thereafter.

This time around, I chose this tire shop as I find the owner to be knowledgeable and willing to spend time to share on his recommendations. I have no qualms to recommend this place to any of my fellow readers needing tire services around the PJ area. PM me for the contact if necessary.

The 18" shoes were obviously lighter than the 20" ones; and I could feel the agility of the ride after the balancing was done. The set-up was at 8Jx18 ET30.

However, in the looks department, the 20" ones were obviously the real head-turners. The 20" Style 433 M-Sport rims are currently up for sale, if they tickle your fancy. Read up on the advert @ https://bmwx1sdrive.blogspot.my/2017/08/wts-bmw-style-433-20-m-sport-genuine.html. You could grab a bargain for the package at RM10k, instead of the original prices of RM22k (rims) + RM10k (tires). 

Since we hardly utilise the X1, we would have to have it in more of the daily run in order to test the new shoes and rubber over time. Look out for the up-coming reviews in due course!