Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[M3Kevin]

So - has anyone done the metrics on the speed differences between 19" and 18" rims?

Are the 19" rim tires a "lower" profile - and thus the same radius as the 18"'s?

In general what are the arguements for/against smaller/larger rims & tires?

[JEllis]

The tires on the 18's are thicker and thus the total diameter between the two wheels is the same. However, the 18's weigh less. Between 4 and 8 lbs less per corner (yet to be verified). Thats a total unsprung weight savings of 16 to 31lbs... thats about an 80-100 lb difference in sprung weight.... basically like having your skinny girlfriend (really skinny) riding in the car with you. Bottom line, the performance difference is certainly there between the two wheels. Although, a very slight difference... in the end, if your not sure, save 1200 bucks and get the 18's....

Jason

[par4bmw]

As Jason said, about the same diameter. Originally, it was often posted that the 18's were lighter but actually the 19's are lighter.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...ghlight=weight

[footie]

18" alloys are the best choice for not only comfort but offer a smoother transition as grip is released from either the front or rear, ie. they are more predictable. Steering feel is also better with the stock rims+tyres, the car will feel less darty which works better on slippery conditions.

[DonM3]

But the 19s look better

Originally Posted by footie

18" alloys are the best choice for not only comfort but offer a smoother transition as grip is released from either the front or rear, ie. they are more predictable. Steering feel is also better with the stock rims+tyres, the car will feel less darty which works better on slippery conditions.

[Romo]

Originally Posted by footie

18" alloys are the best choice for not only comfort but offer a smoother transition as grip is released from either the front or rear, ie. they are more predictable. Steering feel is also better with the stock rims+tyres, the car will feel less darty which works better on slippery conditions.

Difference will not be that great, BMW would never allow optional 19" as they made driving conditions worse. If there is any difference, it will be hardly noticeble.

There are also M3 driving around with 20" (M-Bitious). He clearly stated it drives impecable..............

[southlight]

The 19's have 1cm less circumference. What a difference.


Best regards, south

[Zirenz2006]

Originally Posted by DonM3

But the 19s look better

+1 Much better

[JEllis]

Originally Posted by par4bmw

As Jason said, about the same diameter. Originally, it was often posted that the 18's were lighter but actually the 19's are lighter.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...ghlight=weight

Good info! I had not seen that before!

Jason

[skierman64]

I'm getting tons of compliments from others on my 18s, which actually surprised me.

[footie]

Originally Posted by Romo

Difference will not be that great, BMW would never allow optional 19" as they made driving conditions worse. If there is any difference, it will be hardly noticeble.

There are also M3 driving around with 20" (M-Bitious). He clearly stated it drives impecable..............

I am not saying the difference will be huge but it most definitely is there and if you believe different then you are clearly mistaken. The first thing you will notice is a slightly drop in comfort if using EDC and a more noticeable without EDC, next thing you may notice is the steering and on and on. All small differences but combined they ARE noticeable.

Most people never get the sample both side by side so will never know any different but I reckon if you did try both and weren't swayed by looks then most would pick the stock car. Don't get me wrong here, I too am usually swayed by the bigger alloy but that more to do with the fact that the standard item looks shit, this time it's not the case the 18" look great, much better than on the old M3.

One thing I would not do is go larger than 19", the side wall is get too shallow and stiff to benefit the car one single bit, it might look the business but at the expense of everything that the engineers have done to create the car in the first place.

[ase2dais]

20" is Pimp

[Wads]

Originally Posted by footie

Most people never get the sample both side by side so will never know any different but I reckon if you did try both and weren't swayed by looks then most would pick the stock car. Don't get me wrong here, I too am usually swayed by the bigger alloy but that more to do with the fact that the standard item looks shit, this time it's not the case the 18" look great, much better than on the old M3.

The Euro 18" go superbly with the dark body colours (I went 18" with Space Grey) and I for one would have paid extra for them even if the 19" were standard

[footie]

Originally Posted by Wads

The Euro 18" go superbly with the dark body colours (I went 18" with Space Grey) and I for one would have paid extra for them even if the 19" were standard

If you get the chance, try an M3 with 19" and compare to your own. I bet you will agree that you made a wise decision picking the stock rims.

[RandyB]

Crisper turn in with the shorter, stiffer sidewalls of the 19s.

[footie]

Originally Posted by RandyB

Crisper turn in with the shorter, stiffer sidewalls of the 19s.

OK in the dry, less so in the wet.

[SlammedM6]

Originally Posted by Zirenz2006

+1 Much better

+1000000000

the 18s are hideous in my opinion...
look like winter wheels to me..
however, i would get them because i would upgrade to 20" HREs

[R68]

A friend of mine, a BMW driving instructor and M3 owner, went to the M3 launch event in Nuremberg and drove the e92 on the ring. He said all the BMW engineers and factory drivers claimed the 18" is the best choice for performance.

I purchased a set of 19's from a member here on the forum because my car missed them due to the back order. Now that it's here, I am leaving the 18's on because they look so damn good on Sparkling Grey. The 19's will give the car a more business like appearance whereas the 18's look downright sinister.

[footie]

Originally Posted by R68

A friend of mine, a BMW driving instructor and M3 owner, went to the M3 launch event in Nuremberg and drove the e92 on the ring. He said all the BMW engineers and factory drivers claimed the 18" is the best choice for performance.

Enough said.

[RandyB]

Originally Posted by footie

OK in the dry, less so in the wet.

Mine will never see wet. Ha.

Must have ordered 18s. It's ok, who knew they were actually the heavier of the two?

[Romo]

Originally Posted by footie

I am not saying the difference will be huge but it most definitely is there and if you believe different then you are clearly mistaken. The first thing you will notice is a slightly drop in comfort if using EDC and a more noticeable without EDC, next thing you may notice is the steering and on and on. All small differences but combined they ARE noticeable.

Most people never get the sample both side by side so will never know any different but I reckon if you did try both and weren't swayed by looks then most would pick the stock car. Don't get me wrong here, I too am usually swayed by the bigger alloy but that more to do with the fact that the standard item looks shit, this time it's not the case the 18" look great, much better than on the old M3.

One thing I would not do is go larger than 19", the side wall is get too shallow and stiff to benefit the car one single bit, it might look the business but at the expense of everything that the engineers have done to create the car in the first place.

I said it is hardly noticeble, that means there is a slight diference

I do drive the E46 M3 with stock 18", I also have driven the 19", so I know the difference. Yes there is some, we agree on that, but for me no big deal.
The E46 M3 is also sportier with 18", so nothing new for that matter. If I`m correct the 18" version is more than 1 S faster from 0-200 KM/H compared to the 19"
The difference could be important to Mr M. Schumacher, I couldn`t care less

The main reason I don`t like the 18"is that the tire wall is to thick, it looks like a balloon. Now a balloon should be up in the air IMHO. The 19", maybe less sportier, but far more atractive IMO. So each to there own..........................

[footie]

Originally Posted by Romo

I said it is hardly noticeble, that means there is a slight diference

I do drive the E46 M3 with stock 18", I also have driven the 19", so I know the difference. Yes there is some, we agree on that, but for me no big deal.
The E46 M3 is also sportier with 18", so nothing new for that matter. If I`m correct the 18" version is more than 1 S faster from 0-200 KM/H compared to the 19"
The difference could be important to Mr M. Schumacher, I couldn`t care less

The main reason I don`t like the 18"is that the tire wall is to thick, it looks like a balloon. Now a balloon should be up in the air IMHO. The 19", maybe less sportier, but far more atractive IMO. So each to there own..........................

Sorry if my comments made you feel I was have a dig at you, it was not my intent.

The performance actually means little to me also, but the actually driving experience is another thing all to together, that is the reason I have chosen the 18" over the 19". I prefer the better ride comfort (important on UK roads), the sweeter steering, the more forgiving handling balance, I also prefer the meaner look that the 18" gives the car but most of all I prefer the extra dosh in my pocket as opposed to BMW's.

I understand the looks may not be to every one's taste, some prefer the polished finish of the 19" and in some case the 19" really do suit the car better but with all of the greys, SSII, red and white, I reckon the 18" look just as well only different. The only colour I'm not so keen on the 18" are IB, and both blacks, on these the 19" in the only opinion, but again this is personal opinion and everyone is different.