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[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by cohenfive

fwiw, i would agree with above posters that 20's are about asthetics only and will negatively impact the ride...and i also agree that they are too big for the car...but that's just a personal opinion.

Personally, I think only a few wheels look really good in 20" on the M3. The BBS LM-R is a good example. Most 20's IMO start to look a little GhEttO. With some other wheels, it doesn't really add or detract from the looks so why not go with the slightly smaller, lighter, better riding wheel. 20's just add weight. So IMO, they lose all fronts...ride, performance, looks, and risk of damage. 19's are optimal for looks. Even some 18's look good depending on the wheel.

I say skip the 20's. You need the size of a 5 series to have 20's look good aesthetically.

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by Z K

I am in San Francisco. I'd say that anything above 19s would be terrible on the streets around here. The city streets are like driving on the surface of the moon and the highways are bombed out with bumps, dips and holes. Imagine the pain and damage you'll see when you hit a hole at 70mph! I feel like I need an off road vehicle when driving around some of these streets...

In case anyone doesn't know: the San Francisco area has the worst roads in the nation.
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/the-scene/...103546294.html

Finally, someone who lives in SF answering the post. Posters from OC just won't understand the conditions of the roads in the bay areas... there are a couple nicely repaved ones, but city streets have not really been changed much for decades and the roads have tons of holes which are repaired in a sloppy manner.

I would not go bigger than 18" let alone bigger than 19" for SF... it is literally HORRIBLE in the city.

Choose a comfortable tire as well for the 19's... Continental DW's come to mind.

[CarbonAlpine]

I researched long hours about this and finally pulled the trigger in 20" HRE P40's and lowered the car. I honestly can't tell the difference from the oem 19". But I drive very little, but I love the drive so far and the looks are stunning!

[Aquariu///M]

Originally Posted by Z K

I am in San Francisco. I'd say that anything above 19s would be terrible on the streets around here. The city streets are like driving on the surface of the moon and the highways are bombed out with bumps, dips and holes. Imagine the pain and damage you'll see when you hit a hole at 70mph! I feel like I need an off road vehicle when driving around some of these streets...

In case anyone doesn't know: the San Francisco area has the worst roads in the nation.
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/the-scene/...103546294.html

I have relatives up north and every time I go I tell myself I could never live there... Because of road and parking conditions

[stefan]

20s seem unnecessarily big. 19s look great and offer more comfort and lower tire costs.

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by CarbonAlpine

I researched long hours about this and finally pulled the trigger in 20" HRE P40's and lowered the car. I honestly can't tell the difference from the oem 19". But I drive very little, but I love the drive so far and the looks are stunning!

You live in Miami dude.

We live in SF.

SF is a fucking warzone...

[Z K]

Originally Posted by smmmurf

You live in Miami dude.

We live in SF.

SF is a fucking warzone...

That movie is awesome! Totally shows what we drive on. Love the sarcastic tone too.

In the video it mentioned when the potholes fill with water.. that's the real fun part, you can't see them at night! Then you hit one and it sounds like a gunshot at close range and your car feels like it is going to snap in two. Then you know you hit the jackpot. LOL

[MatthewDavid]

Originally Posted by smmmurf

You live in Miami dude.

We live in SF.

SF is a fucking warzone...

Ha I don't think I'll be taking my M3 to Oakland... ever...

In the Mission, I'd be more worried about running over a crackhead.

Interesting to see a lot of different opinions. My concern isn't so much the ride, as it is the likelihood of damaging a rim. It would appear as though getting a well made forged rim would mitigate that risk, as would driving more carefully.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by MatthewDavid

Ha I don't think I'll be taking my M3 to Oakland... ever...

Interesting to see a lot of different opinions. My concern isn't so much the ride, as it is the likelihood of damaging a rim. It would appear as though getting a well made forged rim would mitigate that risk, as would driving more carefully.

I had a friend who worked at Wheel Works in San Francisco... you don't know how many TE37s and other wheels come in looking like swiss cheese on the inner lip and the owners wondering why their steering wheel is vibrating when they drive. Ain't no rim with low profile tires going to stand up to hitting a hole at speed. My advice? Drive slowly.

[duk]

dont do it

[8_is_enough]

Originally Posted by smmmurf

Finally, someone who lives in SF answering the post. Posters from OC just won't understand the conditions of the roads in the bay areas... there are a couple nicely repaved ones, but city streets have not really been changed much for decades and the roads have tons of holes which are repaired in a sloppy manner.

I would not go bigger than 18" let alone bigger than 19" for SF... it is literally HORRIBLE in the city.

Choose a comfortable tire as well for the 19's... Continental DW's come to mind.

Um, I live in SF. It's not that bad if you know where you're going

- daily driven on 20's

[gemini330zhp]

Get a SUV for a Daily!!!!

[FruitCake]

I have both LMs and LMRs on 20s and I dont mind it. All depends on which tires you get.

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by rclee337

Um, I live in SF. It's not that bad if you know where you're going

- daily driven on 20's

True, there are some areas that are ok in the city. But "not that bad" is all relative- to me it's bad compared to the smooth streets this car was designed for which I experienced during european delivery.

If you get an alignment even without hitting anything memorable and driving carefully, the amount of toe deflection a car gets after just 10K miles around here is painful to see on a printout... lol.

Your car isn't going to splode, but it is certainly not being done any favors (bushings, suspension, cabin rattles, etc.) by being on 20's vs. 18's.

Originally Posted by Z K

That movie is awesome! Totally shows what we drive on. Love the sarcastic tone too.

In the video it mentioned when the potholes fill with water.. that's the real fun part, you can't see them at night! Then you hit one and it sounds like a gunshot at close range and your car feels like it is going to snap in two. Then you know you hit the jackpot. LOL

Yeah seriously man. The highways in some small third world countries are better than the ones we have in the bay area now. lol

[captainaudio]

I have to admit that I fail to see the logic of buying a high performanc car like an M3 and then for "looks" dumbing it down by putting on rims that detract from both comfort and performance .

I personally do not like the huge rim ultra low profile look.

CA

[crabman]

Originally Posted by captainaudio

I have to admit that I fail to see the logic of buying a high performanc car like an M3 and then for "looks"
dumbing it down buy putting on rims that detract from both comfort and performance .

I personally do not like the huge rim ultra low profile look.

CA

Yep, on the other hand as long as a person goes in knowing what they're giving up and the looks are worth the hit then its their car and for them a good choice. Like others I dislike the wagon wheel look anyways so its not the direction I would go, I would be more likely to see if a BBK would clear 18's......

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by crabman

Yep, on the other hand as long as a person goes in knowing what they're giving up and the looks are worth the hit then its their car and for them a good choice. Like others I dislike the wagon wheel look anyways so its not the direction I would go, I would be more likely to see if a BBK would clear 18's......

I have to agree. Their car, their money. It is a personal decision.

It will be interesting to see if in a few years the huge rim look is still in favor or if it goes the way of opera windows, vinyl tops and gold plated trim.

CA

[Denk]

If I lived in the SF area I'd be looking at 18's, definitely nothing more than a 19. I think in the long run you'd be happier than going to a 20...unless you just gotta look pimp'n.

[kris.taylor.1981]

20s fill the arches better
i have 20 inch replicas of the original m3 wheels and i like the subtle look

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by captainaudio

I have to admit that I fail to see the logic of buying a high performanc car like an M3 and then for "looks" dumbing it down by putting on rims that detract from both comfort and performance .

I personally do not like the huge rim ultra low profile look.

CA

I agree. I love the look of my RAC RG63 in 18" and they perform awesome being 18x9, 18x10 at 19-20lbs each. Car feels so light and agile, and it soaks up bumps pretty well too!

My OEM 19's are probably gonna get sold to buy some lightweight 18's for my E46 or maybe lightweight 16/17's for my S2000, lol.

[merlin00069]

If you select the right wheels....it'll look great when parked. Daily driving will definitely be compromised.

[Scottie M]

It's basically a personal decision. If I lived in the Bay Area I'd probably lean towards 18s or 19s due to the roads.
Me personally, I'm runnin 20s HRE C93 and have no regrets at all. The ride difference is barely noticeable compared to my 19's