19" vs. 18" wheels

rdoctor · 06-10-2014, 02:46 PM

OK...Need some input wheel gurus. I'm looking to pick up some Apex EC-7's...wheels that will look good on the street and perform well a couple of days a year at the track. I've done a bunch of searches on this topic and totally get the main reasons why 18" wheels are better than 19" in general for e9xM3's (lower weight, cheaper and more tire sizes available, smoother ride, wheel protection, etc.)...but I'd like feedback on another possible consideration. Aesthetics...do most 18" wheels seem to look a little too small for the e9xM3's body? They looked perfect for e46M3's but I'm not so sure about e9xM3's. I get that some designs look bigger than others but the overall shape and size of this car seems to ask for 19's. Thoughts?

Golddots · 06-10-2014, 06:04 PM

18" have better tire selection

slicer · 06-10-2014, 10:11 PM

I have had both and I prefer the look of 18's on a lowered, track oriented car. 19's look great too but, after trying many different wheels, I'm a bigger fan of 18's.

spool twice · 06-12-2014, 05:17 AM

something about 18"s gives the car a "smaller" and "lower" look to me, even considering OEM ride height. It looks more purposeful and I wish I would have bought my car with it.

zybar · 06-12-2014, 09:30 AM

I previously had 19" wheels on 2011 335xi and thought it was "mandatory" to move to 19" wheels on my M3, but now I am not that sure.

I currently have two sets of 18" wheels (Apex ARC-8's for the summer and Apex ARC-7's for the winter) and really like them. They handle the tough New England roads well, are light, and look sharp.

Below are some pics of the car with the 18" wheels.

I'll try and get some good pics from the front and back to show that the car looks aggressive and fills out the wheel wells in a good way with 18" wheels + spacers.

George

1MOREMOD · 06-12-2014, 10:12 AM

its strange but when you have the 19s you will love the look but after you change the beefier sidewall and more purposeful look will really grow on you and you will prefer the 18. at least that was my experience.

nicebraces · 06-12-2014, 10:32 AM

My vote's for 19's plus a drop ... Here's my setup (but I don't track):

Amirsm3 · 06-12-2014, 11:21 AM

I could go either way depending on the direction I want to take my car in. Both look really good pending the full set up (suspension, tire size, wheel offset etc. etc.)

slicer · 06-12-2014, 02:02 PM

Some pics of my car on a few different wheels:

18's

19's

20's - too big!

Kunman · 06-12-2014, 05:03 PM

curve ball!

schnell325 · 06-12-2014, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kunman

curve ball!

WINNER!!! I was just going to post this!

rdoctor · 06-12-2014, 09:43 PM

Thanks for the feedback guys...I think I'm convinced on getting the 18's. There are some pics (like the one below) where 18's look really small... but I'm lowered on Dinan Stage 1 suspension so I'm sure EC-7 18's will look better on my car. I'm digging the meaty sidewall look on 18's too.

Beedub · 06-13-2014, 01:40 AM

meaty side-wall + 18s...... ALL day long...

i LOVE seeing the m3 with oem 18s Squared up, they just look awesome with the 4 rears, still one of the best wheels BMWs have made... 260m FTW.

swifty · 06-13-2014, 08:32 PM

Got rid of my zcp 19s for Advan TCiii and re30 Clubsports, both 18s.

Not going back to 19s unless I opt for HRE or other wheels good quality wheels that have the extreme concave look that can only be achieved with 19s.

06-10-2014, 02:46 PM	#1
rdoctor Lieutenant 168 Rep 548 Posts Drives: 991.1 GT3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: SC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW e92 M3 [0.00]	19" vs. 18" wheels OK...Need some input wheel gurus. I'm looking to pick up some Apex EC-7's...wheels that will look good on the street and perform well a couple of days a year at the track. I've done a bunch of searches on this topic and totally get the main reasons why 18" wheels are better than 19" in general for e9xM3's (lower weight, cheaper and more tire sizes available, smoother ride, wheel protection, etc.)...but I'd like feedback on another possible consideration. Aesthetics...do most 18" wheels seem to look a little too small for the e9xM3's body? They looked perfect for e46M3's but I'm not so sure about e9xM3's. I get that some designs look bigger than others but the overall shape and size of this car seems to ask for 19's. Thoughts? __________________ 991.1 GT3 SOLD: e92 M3 6MT, Jet Black/Black Dinan: Software Tune \| CF Intake \| Exhaust \| Pulley Kit \| Stage 1 Suspension \| Pedals /// BBS e88 18x9.5 et19; 18x10.5 et19 on PS4 265/285 /// Lux Angel Eyes Last edited by rdoctor; 06-10-2014 at 09:43 PM.. Reason: brevity
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

06-10-2014, 06:04 PM	#2
Golddots Second Lieutenant 85 Rep 280 Posts Drives: e90 m3 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: nova iTrader: (1)	18" have better tire selection
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-10-2014, 10:11 PM	#3
slicer Major General 2739 Rep 6,734 Posts Drives: 'E46 M3 Race Car, '23 X7 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wisconsin - Instagram - @slicer_m iTrader: (39)	I have had both and I prefer the look of 18's on a lowered, track oriented car. 19's look great too but, after trying many different wheels, I'm a bigger fan of 18's. __________________ '23 X7 '04 M3 - Fall Line Motorsports Built Race Car - S65 swap, Dry Sump, Bosch Stand-Alone ECU, Drenth Sequential Trans, MCS 3-Way, Flossmann Wide Body, Brembo Motorsports Brakes, Drexler LSD, BBS E88 Etc. INSTAGRAM - @Slicer_M
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2014, 05:17 AM	#4
spool twice Rainbow Racer 1008 Rep 2,539 Posts Drives: BMW M4cs Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Area iTrader: (7) Garage List 2019 M4cs [0.00]	something about 18"s gives the car a "smaller" and "lower" look to me, even considering OEM ride height. It looks more purposeful and I wish I would have bought my car with it. __________________ -Loe P.- Prior Car:'14 Audi S5 3.0t DSG [ APR ECU/TCU \| Pullies + basic bolt-on mods \| 10.861@127.90mph ] Current Car: F82 M4cs \| TT-RS \| On Order: i4 M50
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2014, 09:30 AM	#5
zybar Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 278 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Southern New Hampshire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 e90 M3 [6.00] 2011 335i with Xdrive [9.00]	I previously had 19" wheels on 2011 335xi and thought it was "mandatory" to move to 19" wheels on my M3, but now I am not that sure. I currently have two sets of 18" wheels (Apex ARC-8's for the summer and Apex ARC-7's for the winter) and really like them. They handle the tough New England roads well, are light, and look sharp. Below are some pics of the car with the 18" wheels. I'll try and get some good pics from the front and back to show that the car looks aggressive and fills out the wheel wells in a good way with 18" wheels + spacers. George __________________ 2009 E90 M3 in Space Gray with Fox Red Extended Leather and Carbon Leather Trim DCT/Evolve Tune (DCT, Servo, Engine) Cold Weather/ Premium/Technology Packages 18" Apex ARC-8 wheels + Michelin Pilot Super Sports 18" Apex ARC-7 wheels + Michelin Alpin PA4
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2014, 10:12 AM	#6
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	its strange but when you have the 19s you will love the look but after you change the beefier sidewall and more purposeful look will really grow on you and you will prefer the 18. at least that was my experience. __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC bars\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster\|Euro header\|BW exhaust\|K&N c.a.i.\|Epic race tune\|Rouge pulleys\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|apr gt 250 & splitter\|ST-40\|XR-2\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|BMWpedals\|BW studs\|
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2014, 10:32 AM	#7
nicebraces ///M 62 Rep 1,124 Posts Drives: '13 E93 M3/'14 Cayenne Turbo S Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: South Florida iTrader: (12)	My vote's for 19's plus a drop ... Here's my setup (but I don't track): Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2014, 11:21 AM	#8
Amirsm3 Brigadier General 514 Rep 3,482 Posts Drives: 2011 Space Grey e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Williams/Flagstaff, AZ iTrader: (3)	I could go either way depending on the direction I want to take my car in. Both look really good pending the full set up (suspension, tire size, wheel offset etc. etc.) __________________ 2011 e90 M3 Space Grey DCT ZCP- eAs, BMW Performance, Agency Power, Macht Schnell, iND, Milltek, Volk, Challenge, Stoptech, Ohlins BMWCCA:518970
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2014, 02:02 PM	#9
slicer Major General 2739 Rep 6,734 Posts Drives: 'E46 M3 Race Car, '23 X7 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wisconsin - Instagram - @slicer_m iTrader: (39)	Some pics of my car on a few different wheels: 18's 19's 20's - too big! __________________ '23 X7 '04 M3 - Fall Line Motorsports Built Race Car - S65 swap, Dry Sump, Bosch Stand-Alone ECU, Drenth Sequential Trans, MCS 3-Way, Flossmann Wide Body, Brembo Motorsports Brakes, Drexler LSD, BBS E88 Etc. INSTAGRAM - @Slicer_M Last edited by slicer; 06-12-2014 at 02:17 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2014, 05:03 PM	#10
Kunman First Lieutenant 26 Rep 328 Posts Drives: m3 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	curve ball!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2014, 09:43 PM	#12
rdoctor Lieutenant 168 Rep 548 Posts Drives: 991.1 GT3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: SC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW e92 M3 [0.00]	Thanks for the feedback guys...I think I'm convinced on getting the 18's. There are some pics (like the one below) where 18's look really small... but I'm lowered on Dinan Stage 1 suspension so I'm sure EC-7 18's will look better on my car. I'm digging the meaty sidewall look on 18's too. __________________ 991.1 GT3 SOLD: e92 M3 6MT, Jet Black/Black Dinan: Software Tune \| CF Intake \| Exhaust \| Pulley Kit \| Stage 1 Suspension \| Pedals /// BBS e88 18x9.5 et19; 18x10.5 et19 on PS4 265/285 /// Lux Angel Eyes Last edited by rdoctor; 06-12-2014 at 09:49 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-13-2014, 01:40 AM	#13
Beedub Major General 423 Rep 5,328 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 M roadster vt2-500 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	meaty side-wall + 18s...... ALL day long... i LOVE seeing the m3 with oem 18s Squared up, they just look awesome with the 4 rears, still one of the best wheels BMWs have made... 260m FTW. __________________ Z4MR VT2 - Clubsport build. Multi award winning Detailing \| Wrap \| PPF specialists UK based - www.topwrapz.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-13-2014, 08:32 PM	#14
swifty Colonel 314 Rep 2,448 Posts Drives: F80, Levante & Tesla 100D Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: canada iTrader: (7)	Got rid of my zcp 19s for Advan TCiii and re30 Clubsports, both 18s. Not going back to 19s unless I opt for HRE or other wheels good quality wheels that have the extreme concave look that can only be achieved with 19s. __________________ __________________ Current Bimmer: '16 F80 M3, '20 F87 M2c Gone but never forgotten: '13 FO e92 M3, Swifts, volks/advan, Akra Evo, Kics R40 Past: Alpine white e46 323i, Jet Black e39 530, Saph Black e60 530, Space Grey N54 e92 335, Mineral White N55 e92 335
	Appreciate 0 Quote