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      08-04-2009, 08:02 AM   #1
335 S
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19 vs. 20 HREs

What are the technical and performance advantages (if any) of moving to a 20 inch wheel? I assumed that BMW engineered the car to 18 and 19 inch wheels, and that 20s were for show. I'm jettisoning my OEM 19s. HREs and the Remus exhaust rectify the two worst styling points on these cars.

Thanks.
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      08-04-2009, 09:48 AM   #2
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If you want to spend absurd amounts of money wrapping boat anchors in rubber, get the 20s. The wheels, HRE's in particular, are significantly heavier at 20", the performance won't be as good, there aren't as many max performance tire options in that size, and the tires you do find will be even more expensive than they already are in 19".

Of course, you could make the same arguments about 19s over 18s, but the difference between 18" and 19" wheels isn't as compelling.
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      08-04-2009, 10:03 AM   #3
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Why spoil a perfectly decent handling car that rides well by throwing on 20" wheels and rubber. It's a cruiser choice that size of rims so if speed and ability wasn't the desire then why buy an M3 in the first place, surely a 335i would have done the job.
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      08-04-2009, 10:09 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by footie View Post
Why spoil a perfectly decent handling car that rides well by throwing on 20" wheels and rubber. It's a cruiser choice that size of rims so if speed and ability wasn't the desire then why buy an M3 in the first place, surely a 335i would have done the job.
To echo what footie said...20" = Bling and Looks and No Performance compared to 19". Get 19" if you want probably bang for your buck while 20" is looks.

Btw, i like 20" but decided to jump in on the RAC 19" wheels which are amazingly light and great looking and also rare!!!
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      08-04-2009, 10:14 AM   #5
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I've noticed over the course of the summer that most everyone who does aftermarket wheels stick with 19s. 20s are just too big for our cars.
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      08-04-2009, 10:20 AM   #6
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I haven't seen any m3's or 335i's in my area with 20". Most of the people around here stuck withe 19's and a fair drop.

Good luck with the decision ...
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      08-04-2009, 10:29 AM   #7
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Thanks all, and agreed. 19 it is.
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      08-04-2009, 02:56 PM   #8
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I guess I'll be the contrarian. I went with 20s and it's been fine so far, the sky hasn't fallen! Can I feel the extra weight? Nope. Is the ride harsher than stock? Yes, slightly. Do I feel like I lost handling ability? No, its still great in the canyons. If you're trying to get the style you like, take a look at 20s and don't have any regrets.

Personally however I think the OEM 19s look awesome with a drop and spacers.
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      08-17-2009, 10:17 PM   #9
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Just to be the devil's advocate, here - why NOT buy 20s? I mean, realistically, how many of us are going to be able to extract that extra few percent points of performance ON THE STREET, when using 19s in lieu of 20s? C'mon, be reasonable. To be able to appreciate that extra performance on the street, is every so slightly irresponsible, to say the least.

I bought HRE 20s for that exact reason. I like the looks, and for the street, they still offer as much performance as I feel I should/could deal with (I reiterate, on the street).
That said, I also have a set of OEM 18s for the track, and also have a set of OEM 19s just in case I decide to go with a BBK.

Gotta cover all bases, LOL.
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      08-17-2009, 10:37 PM   #10
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2009 BMW M3  [0.00]
Heres a good database that pencilgeek gathered on wheel weights.

http://bmw.pencilgeek.org/WheelsDB.html
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      08-17-2009, 10:42 PM   #11
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I have actually sold about 90% more 20" M3 set up's than the 19". A lot of the higher end brands, yes even the 3-piece lines, are actually very light for being 20" Most of them with wheels and tires end up weighing less than the stock set up believe it or not! Also keep in mind that I always recommend going with some very good tires to match your new shoes. An all too common mistake is my customers buying very high end expensive wheels and running very low end tires to save a dollar. Majority of the handling characteristics come from the tires, not the wheels. Hence BMW is running Ps2's from factory

to the OP, pm me if you need any wheel assistance, I have very good specials going on right now, depending on what you need.
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      08-23-2009, 05:21 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HREM3 View Post
I've noticed over the course of the summer that most everyone who does aftermarket wheels stick with 19s. 20s are just too big for our cars.
I agree, for some reason the 18's aren't enough but the 19"s are perfect. The M3 shouldn't be overdone, it ruins the beauty of the car.
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      08-24-2009, 03:42 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HREM3 View Post
I've noticed over the course of the summer that most everyone who does aftermarket wheels stick with 19s. 20s are just too big for our cars.

this guys is right
rewind 20 years ago and tell enthusiasts then about 19'' wheels
they'll at you
the gtr is running 20'' from factory and I don't see any problems in terms of performance
but for the m3, I think the 19'' are good enough, not to say 20'' isn't good
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      08-24-2009, 10:43 AM   #14
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In my opinion a street only M3 can definitely wear a set of 20" wheels properly. They look right on the car. The problem is the size adds weight as already discussed.

19" looks GREAT on am M3 and you save a good amount of weight by choosing 19".

Are you the type of guy that only uses his M on the street and takes intersection turns a little faster? Than get 20's. But if you use the car on the track or are a serious canyon driver, 19 is your baby

This "everybody does it" that i see in this thread is disappointing though . For every car purchase you should do your research, find out why "everybody does it", and make the choice that will make you happy.
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      08-24-2009, 10:49 AM   #15
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I would go with 18", black or dark color theme, forged with lips, 9.5 front/11 rear if that exist.

It will look good since the dark color really hide the size of the rims well. performance/ride are the best.
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      08-30-2009, 03:45 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by graider View Post
I would go with 18", black or dark color theme, forged with lips, 9.5 front/11 rear if that exist.

It will look good since the dark color really hide the size of the rims well. performance/ride are the best.
+1 I agree

Thats what I have the stock 18s, 35% Tints, etc. Car looks nice.

However, thinking of getting either the stock 19s and getting them powdercoated
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      08-30-2009, 05:49 PM   #17
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I don't know what's the attraction to see a car riding on freaking wheels; anything less than 35 aspect ratio looks like crap IMO. Plus all the other downsides menitoned: extra cost, extra weight (whether you notice it or not) and its obvious performance degradation, harsher ride, and increased risk of wheel/tire damage. There's ZERO real benefits. It's a stupid 'investment' IMO, but to each his own. I don't like the rapper look either . Good day.

Last edited by JCtx; 08-30-2009 at 11:34 PM..
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      08-30-2009, 07:45 PM   #18
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I don't know about the rest of you guys but I would not trade my stock 18s for anything on my particular setup......Steve
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      08-31-2009, 04:59 PM   #19
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Road conditions makes a difference on a street car too. The taller the wheel, the shorter the tire. Shorter tire = slightly less protection for the wheel. If your roads are in great shape, this may not be an issue, but here in the Midwest, bent wheels are always a worry.
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