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[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by footie

How many people here who have 19" ever drove an E9? M3 with 18"?

It's serious question because the difference in ride quality and balance it quite surprising. I got an M3 out on a test drive when I was considering the M and that car was fitted with 19", I actually decided against it back then and only considered it again over 7 months late when another dealer had one with DCT. I as always requested the car out for a day so I got to drive it around the roads I was familiar with and this M3 was fitted with the stock 18", the ride difference was remarkable, were as before it bounced from bump to bump and the imperfections were very noticeable this M3 flowed over the road.

Needless to say I ordered the M3 thus equipped and knew in my own mind that I had probably the best equipped M3 available (18"+EDC).

Also as someone else remarked on, the 18" do happen to give the M3 an aggressive stance but it's much more colour dependent, pick the wrong colour and the wheels look awful which is something one could never say about the 19".

I test drove an E92 M3 with 19s and EDC, and I got my E93 with the 18s and I dont think its THAT noticeable, and EVEN if it is...WHO CARES? Its an M3. Damn right I want to feel the road, if I didnt, I would have bought a 750i or Benz S-Class ?

No-one buys an M3 for how smooth the ride is

[footie]

Originally Posted by slammedm3

I test drove an E92 M3 with 19s and EDC, and I got my E93 with the 18s and I dont think its THAT noticeable, and EVEN if it is...WHO CARES? Its an M3. Damn right I want to feel the road, if I didnt, I would have bought a 750i or Benz S-Class ?

No-one buys an M3 for how smooth the ride is

I suppose it all depends on what your roads are like and of course your age.

I'll take a photo of the road I drive day in, day out which might explain why I preferred the 18" and rate them the better option for an M3.

[KonigsTiger]

19 ftw

[grayshrk]

Originally Posted by zacbol

I have the 18s. I think they have an understated menace and look a bit more unique, whereas the 19s just look like every other rim you see out there. I'm probably in the minority though.

+1

[Dr.G]

Originally Posted by zacbol

I have the 18s. I think they have an understated menace and look a bit more unique, whereas the 19s just look like every other rim you see out there. I'm probably in the minority though.

i like this guy, same as what i was thinking
the 18 have a high performance factor i think also

[AMOCHOSTO]

I like the 18's the finish looks especially great in the sun. I like the style over the 19's for sure. BUt I have to admit the 19's are more unique and more uniquely M3 style.

The Infiniti G35/G37 have very similar wheels to the 18's as does Aston Martin. I can't think of any OEM wheels that remind me of the 19's.

Also I agree that the 18's look better on some colours than other. Looks great on MR, AW and SSII looks good on the IB and LMB and a little weak on the blacks.

In any case for $1900 Canadian less (~$1770 US) than the 19's the 18's were an easy choice for me.

[330CIZHP]

Originally Posted by slammedm3

I test drove an E92 M3 with 19s and EDC, and I got my E93 with the 18s and I dont think its THAT noticeable, and EVEN if it is...WHO CARES? Its an M3. Damn right I want to feel the road, if I didnt, I would have bought a 750i or Benz S-Class ?

No-one buys an M3 for how smooth the ride is

Werd. I have test driven a sedan with 19 inch rims with no EDC and a coupe with 18 inch rims and EDC at different occassions. Some of the highway sections were quite bumpy. The sedan felt only marginally stiffer, but definitely better road feel than the 18 inch rims at the initial turn in. I heard they are lighter than the 18s as well.

[SoreHead]

Never mind 18's or 19's I'm just back from my dealer who called me to see if I wanted to order snow tyres and wheels. $4,300. Shite.
Anyone get a cheaper set then that?

[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by SoreHead

Never mind 18's or 19's I'm just back from my dealer who called me to see if I wanted to order snow tyres and wheels. $4,300. Shite.
Anyone get a cheaper set then that?

PM me for a great deal on snows!

[Nawaaz]

Originally Posted by slammedm3

There are lots of threads on the topic, this is the newest one:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=288293

Another member suggested we do a poll to see what the majority likes...so here we go!

There's no doubt that the 19's will and are dominating on the poll.

The 18's are hard to understand for many individuals. I'm not upset at all since the 18's are losing this poll. They're not for everyone's taste, especially after one gets done seeing the 19's. As I've mentioned on the other thread, I too was all over the 19's in the beginning.....And I thought the 18's were too dull on the M3. After I spent countless hours viewing and comparing them, I knew and strongly felt that there was something special about the 18's. It's hard to explain or convince someone that has their mind already set on the 19's......And I admit that only the few, like myself, will appreciate the 18's.

I have to understand that every individual has their own taste though. That's what makes our selections and choices so unique and special. And that's a very, very good thing. It keeps everything from becoming 'boring'.

[foosh]

Nawaaz, you'll be OK . . . really, it's fine . . . really.

I have to give you credit for putting so much effort into defending your choice. Actually, no defense was necessary.

[Nawaaz]

Originally Posted by foosh

Nawaaz, you'll be OK . . . really, it's fine . . . really.

I have to give you credit for putting so much effort into defending your choice. Actually, no defense was necessary.

Just stating my opinions, that's all foosh.

I don't mean to 'attack' owners with the 19's. They look good too.

I just wanted to let out my honest take, especially since some may feel that the 19's are "THE ONES" for the M3. No offense intended to anybody. Everyone has their choice at the end. Thanks for you understanding foosh.

[TUNEDM3]

I vote 18's all the way. I purchased the car with the OEM 18 and eventually found a set of OEM 19 to replace them. The car feels so much more responsive with the 18's. I sold the 19's and now have 2 sets of 18's to run 4 rears all around. Car feels unreal now.

[nusevad]

18s

[Eau Rouge]

I happen to appreciate both the 18s and 19s, and still haven't made up my mind on which to get when the time comes to place the order.

Like others who have posted, this is just my opinion. The more muted tone of the 18 is a plus. I've long felt that when glimpsing a vehicle, if the rims draw the eyes first, ahead of the body, the rims are overdone. So, if I do go with 19s, the paint color choice is going to have to be something light -- no blues, black. OTOH, the relatively low weight of the 19s is a plus. The 18s may not be the most glamorous, but 19s don't impress me as unique either -- the 18s do better in in that regard. Having driven M3s with both, there was no apparent ride difference on the smooth surface roads. All in all, the trade off is not that significant, but I wouldn't hesitate to go with 19s had BMW offered the 19s with same finish as the 18s. For someone that is getting M.Red, unless I can get an Imola Red special paint approved, the 18s look the best; again JMHO.

[spyderco10]

Oh no! This might start another "DCT vs. Manual" type war!!

[MMMorish]

I was stopped at a light yesterday with a buddy in the car and we happened to spot a Jerez Black coupe making a left turn infront of us. His car had the 18's on it. My buddy turns to me and says; "Those rims just don't do that car any justice". I tend to agree.

While their finish is nice, I still prefer the look of the 19's.

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by MMMorish

I was stopped at a light yesterday with a buddy in the car and we happened to spot a Jerez Black coupe making a left turn infront of us. His car had the 18's on it. My buddy turns to me and says; "Those rims just don't do that car any justice". I tend to agree.

While their finish is nice, I still prefer the look of the 19's.

+1
I get a lot of compliments about the 19's and besides having a forged wheel is a plus with our pothole strewn roads around here.

[MMMorish]

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

+1
I get a lot of compliments about the 19's and besides having a forged wheel is a plus with our pothole strewn roads around here.

That's another thing, the 19's are forged! Just another reason why not to change the wheels and stay stock. They look amazing IMO and are very strong.

[Voltigeur]

-

Contingent on colour of car. And for track: 18s.

[oneginee]

the 19's look the best when non fitted to the car. Just beautiful but in combination with the M3 they take too much attention from the rest of the car. I think they should have less spokes. The 18's are too small they do not fill the M3 arches radius making the car look like it was lowered breaking the vertical stance of the car. Neither are perfect but I still like the 19's better.

[grayshrk]

Originally Posted by oneginee

the 19's look the best when non fitted to the car. Just beautiful but in combination with the M3 they take too much attention from the rest of the car. I think they should have less spokes. The 18's are too small they do not fill the M3 arches radius making the car look like it was lowered breaking the vertical stance of the car. Neither are perfect but I still like the 19's better.

Yeah, we need a 20" version of the 18's!