Anyone prefer 18s?

TampaBlueE90 · 10-07-2011, 01:04 PM

I just put my original 18s back on the car and think I've decided I'm not going back to the 19s. I think I prefer the comfort and the look. I notice very few people on here actually prefer 18s. Anyone else out there a fan of 18s?

Is there an actual performance difference between 18s and 19s given same tires?

SlammedR8 · 10-07-2011, 01:09 PM

EW!
Gross.

My 2008 E93 M3 came with the 18s and even though I had 20 summer wheels, after one winter of driving on the 18s and a couple track days. I quickly traded my 18s with another members 19s.

I think 18s are too small for the size of the M3. and I think the style of the 18s specifically are too busy, too many spokes to look good.

Thats just my opinion...everyone has their own!

THE TECH · 10-07-2011, 01:10 PM

I'd bet the tire size on the 18 is different from the 19, but I am only speculating. If that is so, then that is the reason for the ride difference. If it is not the case, different brands may have different specs on the same size tire which can also lead to differences in ride and handling.

I prefer the 19 due to the look. I am willing to make a small sacrifice for the size over the small difference in comfort that I believe there might be.

AMPowerJ · 10-07-2011, 01:12 PM

I think the car looks great on 18s. I go back and forth on which one I like better but IMO nothing looks better than a E90 hunkered down on 18" track wheels.

JB_Vert · 10-07-2011, 01:19 PM

Absolutely!

The 18's look better and ride better. Some even claim they track better, but I have no opinion there. The original graphite-colored 18" wheels on my 2008 are the best looking wheels BMW ever made for the E9X (on certain colors, including my Jerez Black). If I traded up to a 2011 today, I'd figure out some way to take my current wheels with me.

JB

JeremyR · 10-07-2011, 01:22 PM

Definitely prefer the 18s. The extra sidewall does wonders on the ride and protects the wheels better. Given the number of M3s I see around on 18s, I would imagine that a lot of people prefer them

CptSlow · 10-07-2011, 01:46 PM

Specifically ordered mine with the 18s.

menomo · 10-07-2011, 01:47 PM

me

anthony @ eas · 10-07-2011, 01:52 PM

18"s with a proper stance still look great to me.

gblansten · 10-07-2011, 01:53 PM

Always worth a read: 18s could have some advantages

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...sted-tech_dept

schnell325 · 10-07-2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FedUpWith335i

Specifically ordered mine with the 18s.

mkoesel · 10-07-2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE TECH

I'd bet the tire size on the 18 is different from the 19...

You think?

But seriously, yes the 18s have more sidewall. The rolling radius of the tire is roughly the same for both wheel sizes, which only makes sense. By and large, that's how cars with different sized wheel options are designed.

Widths are the same for the 18s and 19s too.

Mahzari · 10-07-2011, 02:08 PM

I do, I have an 08 Sparkling Graphite sedan and think the gunmetal 18s set it off nicely

Pillzilla · 10-07-2011, 02:23 PM

I prefer the styling of the 18's vs the 19's. The only down side to the 18's is that they can be a pain in the ass to clean.

TampaBlueE90 · 10-07-2011, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahzari

I do, I have an 08 Sparkling Graphite sedan and think the gunmetal 18s set it off nicely

Don't think you could find a better wheel for your car...I have same wheels on E90 Interlagos Blue.

Mike van D · 10-07-2011, 02:40 PM

Just FYI, did the Ring Taxi on 25 Sept and the car was on stock 18s and performed great. Driver said he preferred them over the 19s.

JeremyR · 10-07-2011, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahzari

I do, I have an 08 Sparkling Graphite sedan and think the gunmetal 18s set it off nicely

The gunmetal ones really are great. The only disappointing thing about my M3 is that mine are silver - bought one of the first '11s and that surprise was discovered as they were rolling off the boat. I actually like the 18s so much that I am thinking of getting a second gunmetal set for my winters

apecush · 10-07-2011, 02:58 PM

I prefer them, but I bought my car used, and as a result, I have 19s. For the track, I'll be picking up some 18s.

Richbot · 10-07-2011, 02:59 PM

Both styles of 19's look really great on the car (359's look way better in person than in pictures) but the car drives better with the 18's on it in pretty much every way, IMO. I own the 220's and 219's and have PS2's on them both and the only thing the 19's do better is look good and turn-in's a little better. On the 18's the car is less nervous mid-corner and puts the power down better on exit

The people who like the 18's on my car seem to "get it" more than the people who like the 19's who I think just see shiny big-looking wheels

captainaudio · 10-07-2011, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeedMoreToyz

Just FYI, did the Ring Taxi on 25 Sept and the car was on stock 18s and performed great. Driver said he preferred them over the 19s.

The Lime Rock Club driving coach and the pace car driver both told me that the LRP M3s are fastest around the track with 18s and the suspension set to the 2nd stiffest setting.

CA

elh0102 · 10-07-2011, 03:38 PM

The bling factor has influenced most everything about cars it seems, including big wheels that require paper-thin sidewall tires. The practical advantages of the 18, less expensive and broader selection of tires, more wheel protection from potholes, better ride. For experienced drivers on track, the slightly higher sidewall offers more slip angle, so the loss of grip should be just a bit better communicated and easier to handle. IMO, a good rule is to use the smallest wheel that allows sufficient brake clearance with close to OE offset.

onnex · 10-07-2011, 03:44 PM

18s= most practical, but look awful. no thanks for me

10-07-2011, 01:04 PM	#1
TampaBlueE90 Enlisted Member 10 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2008 IB E90 M3 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (1)	Anyone prefer 18s? I just put my original 18s back on the car and think I've decided I'm not going back to the 19s. I think I prefer the comfort and the look. I notice very few people on here actually prefer 18s. Anyone else out there a fan of 18s? Is there an actual performance difference between 18s and 19s given same tires?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-07-2011, 01:09 PM	#2
SlammedR8 Major General 521 Rep 5,483 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 40i/2020 R8 V10 Spyder Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2)	EW! Gross. My 2008 E93 M3 came with the 18s and even though I had 20 summer wheels, after one winter of driving on the 18s and a couple track days. I quickly traded my 18s with another members 19s. I think 18s are too small for the size of the M3. and I think the style of the 18s specifically are too busy, too many spokes to look good. Thats just my opinion...everyone has their own! __________________ Current: 2019 BMW X5 40i - Carbon Black/Tartufo Individual Leather 2020 Range Rover HSE - Black/Black 2020 Audi R8 V10 Performance Spyder 6MT - Ascari Blue/Black
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2011, 01:10 PM	#3
THE TECH BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 307 Rep 13,093 Posts Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas iTrader: (45) Garage List 2013 Nissan GTR [0.00] 2019 Sierra Denali ... [0.00] 1999 Nissan Silvia [0.00] 1999 Nissan Skyline ... [0.00] 1998 Toyota Supra [0.00]	I'd bet the tire size on the 18 is different from the 19, but I am only speculating. If that is so, then that is the reason for the ride difference. If it is not the case, different brands may have different specs on the same size tire which can also lead to differences in ride and handling. I prefer the 19 due to the look. I am willing to make a small sacrifice for the size over the small difference in comfort that I believe there might be.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2011, 01:12 PM	#4
AMPowerJ One mod leads to another ... 415 Rep 2,900 Posts Drives: 2014 F10 M5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Blythewood, SC iTrader: (10)	I think the car looks great on 18s. I go back and forth on which one I like better but IMO nothing looks better than a E90 hunkered down on 18" track wheels. __________________ Current: 2014 F10 M5 Previous: 2015 F80 M3, 2013 E92 M3, 2013 F10 M5, 2009 E90 M3, 1998 E36 M3
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2011, 01:19 PM	#5
JB_Vert Private 5 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2008 E93 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	Absolutely! The 18's look better and ride better. Some even claim they track better, but I have no opinion there. The original graphite-colored 18" wheels on my 2008 are the best looking wheels BMW ever made for the E9X (on certain colors, including my Jerez Black). If I traded up to a 2011 today, I'd figure out some way to take my current wheels with me. JB
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2011, 01:22 PM	#6
JeremyR Private First Class 7 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Definitely prefer the 18s. The extra sidewall does wonders on the ride and protects the wheels better. Given the number of M3s I see around on 18s, I would imagine that a lot of people prefer them __________________ 2011 Jet Black E90 M3
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2011, 01:46 PM	#7
CptSlow First Lieutenant 9 Rep 326 Posts Drives: 2014 Porsche Cayman S Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (2)	Specifically ordered mine with the 18s. __________________ 2014 Porsche Cayman S 2013 E82 135is DCT (SOLD) 2011 E92 M3 (SOLD) 6MT 2011 E82 128i STEP (wife's car) 2007 E92 335i (SOLD) 6MT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2011, 01:47 PM	#8
menomo Private 0 Rep 51 Posts Drives: the new M3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Heaven iTrader: (0)	me
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2011, 01:52 PM	#9
anthony @ eas BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 307 Rep 3,635 Posts Drives: R56 Cooper S Join Date: May 2009 Location: 4015 E Leaverton Court, Anahiem, CA 92807 iTrader: (0)	18"s with a proper stance still look great to me.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2011, 01:53 PM	#10
gblansten Brigadier General 1967 Rep 4,214 Posts Drives: 23 Tesla S Plaid Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Thick ascending limb iTrader: (0)	Always worth a read: 18s could have some advantages http://www.caranddriver.com/features...sted-tech_dept
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2011, 02:08 PM	#13
Mahzari Captain 58 Rep 746 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: May 2010 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I do, I have an 08 Sparkling Graphite sedan and think the gunmetal 18s set it off nicely
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2011, 02:23 PM	#14
Pillzilla Drunk before 11AM 2 Rep 97 Posts Drives: 07RDX,11E90M3,14X3 35i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E90 M3 [8.50] 2014 X3 35i [0.00]	I prefer the styling of the 18's vs the 19's. The only down side to the 18's is that they can be a pain in the ass to clean.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2011, 02:40 PM	#16
Mike van D Major 18 Rep 1,112 Posts Drives: SG X6 35i; MW e92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	Just FYI, did the Ring Taxi on 25 Sept and the car was on stock 18s and performed great. Driver said he preferred them over the 19s. __________________ ...just enjoying life.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2011, 02:58 PM	#18
apecush Lieutenant 30 Rep 521 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (2)	I prefer them, but I bought my car used, and as a result, I have 19s. For the track, I'll be picking up some 18s.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2011, 02:59 PM	#19
Richbot Major General 2759 Rep 5,484 Posts Drives: Jerez Black E90 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: STL iTrader: (5)	Both styles of 19's look really great on the car (359's look way better in person than in pictures) but the car drives better with the 18's on it in pretty much every way, IMO. I own the 220's and 219's and have PS2's on them both and the only thing the 19's do better is look good and turn-in's a little better. On the 18's the car is less nervous mid-corner and puts the power down better on exit The people who like the 18's on my car seem to "get it" more than the people who like the 19's who I think just see shiny big-looking wheels __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2011, 03:38 PM	#21
elh0102 Captain 15 Rep 751 Posts Drives: 2009 335i coupe Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	The bling factor has influenced most everything about cars it seems, including big wheels that require paper-thin sidewall tires. The practical advantages of the 18, less expensive and broader selection of tires, more wheel protection from potholes, better ride. For experienced drivers on track, the slightly higher sidewall offers more slip angle, so the loss of grip should be just a bit better communicated and easier to handle. IMO, a good rule is to use the smallest wheel that allows sufficient brake clearance with close to OE offset.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-07-2011, 03:44 PM	#22
onnex Major 162 Rep 1,169 Posts Drives: 2015 F80 M3 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palo Alto, CA iTrader: (16) Garage List 2011 E92 M3 [9.26]	18s= most practical, but look awful. no thanks for me __________________ 2015 MG F80 M3 \| H & R Sport Springs \| M Performance Diffuser \| 20" DPE SP-SC 5 \| IND Matte Black Cosmetic Package \| *More coming soon*
	Appreciate 0 Quote