Stock springs in M3 with 18" wheels vs 19"

fongpi · 10-09-2012, 09:01 PM

Are the springs that go into an M3 with 18” wheels the same as the 19”? If not, how is the extra inch compensated for in the model with bigger wheels? Does the M3 with 19" wheels sit an inch taller?

bluecusion · 10-09-2012, 09:31 PM

bigger wheels=thinner tires???

CPWINCH · 10-10-2012, 12:59 AM

the rims run different profiles. Aka the height of a tire. so if you re looking at tire sizes you will see: 265/35/19. The 265 refers to the width of the tire, the 35 refers to profile, and the 19 refers to inches of the rim. The 19 inch wheels have lower profiles. Therefor, they are close in size but the 18 inch has extra tire instead of the extra inch of rim. Let me know if you have any other questions. I was like you when I first joined this forum. Search around and you will learn A LOT!

sergkoko · 10-10-2012, 03:51 AM

There is really no reason to bash someone for asking a question, ^Good reply^ To piggy back on that, the 35 number is called an aspect ratio, it's a ratio of the 265 number, which is the width in mm i believe, correct me if i'm wrong on this one. You can google tire size to get a good understanding of the concept. It will come in very handy when choosing wheel/tire sizes also another good topic to look into is wheel offset

DARK_M3 · 10-10-2012, 10:32 AM

It's a valid question. The REAL short answer is, you're going to get F'ING ripped off buying tires for a 19" wheel as opposed to an 18" for F sake!! Stupid 19" wheels. Not only that but performance wise, if you're looking for improved performance, a lighter weight (18") wheel would be better along with a bit more rubber on the wheel rather than just a condom thin rubber wrap for crying out loud. Something tells me 19 & 20 inch wheels aren't being used by professional motor sport race teams. I could be wrong. Nascar's doing it with like a 15" or something. Lotta rubber there... haven't heard complaints.

I don't know when donk became all the rage for "performance" cars but it is interesting to say the least.

To answer your question, it's not about the wheels. It's about the tires on them. Personally, I like the look of a little more tire anyway under there.

To everyone else that lent there opinion of not buying an M3? Really?:

Thank for your technical input.

positiveions · 10-10-2012, 10:44 AM

Wow, people need to stop becoming hot headed and answer this guy's question in a respectful manner.

To answer your question a suspension that has 18s or 19s non-ZCP has the same suspension. I hope that helped.

10-09-2012, 09:01 PM	#1
fongpi Jedi Poltergeist 39 Rep 171 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW M3 6MT ZCP Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	Stock springs in M3 with 18" wheels vs 19" Are the springs that go into an M3 with 18” wheels the same as the 19”? If not, how is the extra inch compensated for in the model with bigger wheels? Does the M3 with 19" wheels sit an inch taller?
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10-09-2012, 09:31 PM	#2
bluecusion Lieutenant 57 Rep 515 Posts Drives: X5M competition Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Brentwood, TN iTrader: (35)	bigger wheels=thinner tires???
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10-10-2012, 12:59 AM	#3
CPWINCH Brigadier General 734 Rep 4,635 Posts Drives: Toyota Prius Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (7)	the rims run different profiles. Aka the height of a tire. so if you re looking at tire sizes you will see: 265/35/19. The 265 refers to the width of the tire, the 35 refers to profile, and the 19 refers to inches of the rim. The 19 inch wheels have lower profiles. Therefor, they are close in size but the 18 inch has extra tire instead of the extra inch of rim. Let me know if you have any other questions. I was like you when I first joined this forum. Search around and you will learn A LOT! __________________ Follow my BMW instagram @CARMODIFICATION Let me know you are from bimmerpost and i'll follow back
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10-10-2012, 03:51 AM	#4
sergkoko Comrade 56 Rep 211 Posts Drives: 15 M4 DCT Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [0.00]	There is really no reason to bash someone for asking a question, ^Good reply^ To piggy back on that, the 35 number is called an aspect ratio, it's a ratio of the 265 number, which is the width in mm i believe, correct me if i'm wrong on this one. You can google tire size to get a good understanding of the concept. It will come in very handy when choosing wheel/tire sizes also another good topic to look into is wheel offset __________________ 15 M4 / 14 M235i-Sold / 09 E92 M3-Sold / 07 E92 335i-Sold
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10-10-2012, 10:32 AM	#5
DARK_M3 Banned 105 Rep 1,292 Posts Drives: 08 E90, 89 Grand Wagoneer Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: So Cal iTrader: (3)	It's a valid question. The REAL short answer is, you're going to get F'ING ripped off buying tires for a 19" wheel as opposed to an 18" for F sake!! Stupid 19" wheels. Not only that but performance wise, if you're looking for improved performance, a lighter weight (18") wheel would be better along with a bit more rubber on the wheel rather than just a condom thin rubber wrap for crying out loud. Something tells me 19 & 20 inch wheels aren't being used by professional motor sport race teams. I could be wrong. Nascar's doing it with like a 15" or something. Lotta rubber there... haven't heard complaints. I don't know when donk became all the rage for "performance" cars but it is interesting to say the least. To answer your question, it's not about the wheels. It's about the tires on them. Personally, I like the look of a little more tire anyway under there. To everyone else that lent there opinion of not buying an M3? Really?: Thank for your technical input.
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10-10-2012, 10:44 AM	#6
positiveions Lieutenant General 961 Rep 11,722 Posts Drives: 19 Tacoma, 16 Golf wagon Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Upland, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2019 Toyota Tacoma [0.00] 2016 VW Golf Sports ... [0.00] 1998 BMW M3 [0.00] 1990 BMW 325is [0.00]	Wow, people need to stop becoming hot headed and answer this guy's question in a respectful manner. To answer your question a suspension that has 18s or 19s non-ZCP has the same suspension. I hope that helped.
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