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[Johndoe]

I know 19s look much better but I have seen pics of 18s on all the 'red coupes' that were first drives by all the car reviewers in Spain last year when BMW launched M3......also 18s would be more comfortable on the highway - -so other than purely on looks to fill out the wheel well, I think 18s are way to go....

[ACZakka325i]

Are you trying to convince yourself to save the $1,200?

I think i will be getting some after market wheels later on and keeping these for the winter.

[RandyB]

The 19s just look too good to pass up, IMO.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by Johndoe

I know 19s look much better but I have seen pics of 18s on all the 'red coupes' that were first drives by all the car reviewers in Spain last year when BMW launched M3......also 18s would be more comfortable on the highway - -so other than purely on looks to fill out the wheel well, I think 18s are way to go....

If you like the looks, go for them. Less expensive, "slightly" better ride and the tires are less expensive. Going 19s myself.

[OzStriker]

I am yet to see 18s IRL...I have seen some photos of 18s on AW and it looks pretty mean...Im a sucker though, went 19s

[dillon733]

if your that concerend maybe this isn't the right car for you its a pretty rough ride just transmition wise alon and with lpt's it will be even rougher

[Mark]

From a performance standpoint, the 18" wheels will be a noticeable difference IMO, especially if you are able to pair up some sticky rubber with some relativly light weight wheels (BBS). The problem is that, especially on the E90/E92 body, 18" wheels will look a bit small IMO, so 19" are the better choice from an appearance standpoint. But in my opinion, I think there is a noticeable performance gain in going from 19" -> 18"; and on the same token a noticable visual gain going from 18" -> 19". Its the eternally difficult choice to make.

Another option is to get an exotic lightweight 19" wheel.

They say when deciding on wheels, there are 3 factors to choose from, price, performance, looks. Any given wheel will only have 2 of the 3 factors.

Its too bad they dont make wheels in 18.5" huh?

Personally, if I got the 18" wheels, I would get them blacked out, so the wheels and tire would all look the same and negate the whole looks thing alltogether

[e46e92love]

Originally Posted by MarkE90M3

From a performance standpoint, the 18" wheels will be a noticeable difference IMO, especially if you are able to pair up some sticky rubber with some relativly light weight wheels (BBS). The problem is that, especially on the E90/E92 body, 18" wheels will look a bit small IMO, so 19" are the better choice from an appearance standpoint. But in my opinion, I think there is a noticeable performance gain in going from 19" -> 18"; and on the same token a noticable visual gain going from 18" -> 19". Its the eternally difficult choice to make.

Another option is to get an exotic lightweight 19" wheel.

They say when deciding on wheels, there are 3 factors to choose from, price, performance, looks. Any given wheel will only have 2 of the 3 factors.

Its too bad they dont make wheels in 18.5" huh?

Personally, if I got the 18" wheels, I would get them blacked out, so the wheels and tire would all look the same and negate the whole looks thing alltogether

Mark, would say that the reason why 18s are better is mostly because of weight? And if that is the case, then 19s that way the same or less than 18s will perform the same?

[Johndoe]

I am getting the sedan and need practicality so deciding on 18s but do not want them to look absurd/ too small .... - -currently have 17s on my 330i (PS2) so same tyre as M3 and ride quality is fine. I think M3 in normal or comfort should be fine and the M button is always there....This is a daily driver with fair amount of highway miles so need to be reasonably comfortable ..... well will go to auto show tomorrow and check out M3 and see how the 19s look in real life and decide...I think they will not have the 18s on the exhibition cars...

[consolidated]

Originally Posted by e46e92love

Mark, would say that the reason why 18s are better is mostly because of weight? And if that is the case, then 19s that way the same or less than 18s will perform the same?

Even at the same weight the 18's will slightly outperform 19's, because the 19's will carry more of it's weight towards the outside of the wheel/tire combination, the rim is still further from the center, giving a larger moment of inertia, requiring more energy to spin up and slow down.

The smaller sidewalls may give better response at turn-in but you'll give it up in harshness and small bump absorption. It's not like comparing 35 series tires to 50 series tires in either case. I have 18's and 19's on my Cayman and swapping between them the degredation in ride quality is noticeable, but the 19's look better, even on a small car.

[Russell Mania]

..its the design of the rims.. there are 18' that look a big as 19' and there are 18' that looks like 16'..in terms of wheel well the 19' wont full it up any more than the 18' if you maintain factory wheel specs.. even if you plus size with the 19' you can also plus size with the 18'..bottom line: go with what you like..the difference is too small for the bellyaching..

[Jack's dad]

FWIW, I posed this question to the editor of Bimmer magazine and she recommended 18's for the M3, citing better overall performance, i.e. ride, handling, etc.

I went with 18's on my sedan order, even though based upon the pictures I have seen the 19's certainly look better to my eye. Money was not the deciding factor; ride and some bad roads around my office that could have messed up the 19's clinched it for me. Plus the fact that my dealer told me that 19's would have added months to my wait...

Steve

[Sick Speed]

The difference is noticeable only when you consider the wheel design itself.

A more slender spoke design on an 18 can visually appear as tall as a 19.

However, the style 189 wheels that come standard with the sport package look almost as large as a 19 because the star pattern is much thicker. Plus the spoke pattern is flared where it joins the rim and it gives the wheel a lot of depth.

Prior to taking delivery of my 335 I had almost decided on the BBS RS GT - but when I saw the 189 IRL I began to notice how well it fits with the overall styling of the 335.

What I have decided to do now is increase the tire size and add spacers to make the tires flush with the fender wells and drop on KV2s.

I really like the 189 wheel now that I see it every day.

SS

[marcos]

Originally Posted by Jack's dad

FWIW, I posed this question to the editor of Bimmer magazine and she recommended 18's for the M3, citing better overall performance, i.e. ride, handling, etc.

I went with 18's on my sedan order, even though based upon the pictures I have seen the 19's certainly look better to my eye. Money was not the deciding factor; ride and some bad roads around my office that could have messed up the 19's clinched it for me. Plus the fact that my dealer told me that 19's would have added months to my wait...

Steve

I too ordered the car with 18's. I was nervous about the delay for the 19's. My lease is up in April and I'm already over the miles. I love my 19's CSL/ZCP wheels. If I don't like the 18's I'll switch them over to snows and get BBS wheels.(Just don't tell the wife how much they'll cost....)

[!Xoible]

lol i passed on 19's. couldnt afford them, unless i sell my other wheels

[mdrobc13]

Originally Posted by marcos

If I don't like the 18's I'll switch them over to snows and get BBS wheels.(Just don't tell the wife how much they'll cost....)

I am with you there brotha! Rule of thumb is to always subtract 10% off the price before I tell the wife the cost of my toys! Keeps her sane and me happy! LOL