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      11-26-2013, 03:10 PM   #1
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Question 19" vs. 20" Wheels - Pros/Cons

Im looking at getting some new wheels for my baby and a lot of the wheels i see that look awesome in the FS section are 20's.

I daily drive my M and Jacksonville roads are so-so. Are there any issues with running 20" wheels on my DD M? Guys that have 20's please chime in on any negatives you have experienced with 20's. Rubbing, rough ride, noticeably worse handling etc... I have some KW Sleeves coming so i will be lower.... Should i stick to 19's since its my DD? Is it really that much of a difference?

I don't plan on tracking her, and if i did, i would get a different (smaller) set anyways. Aren't tires for 20's usually cheaper than 19's due to 20's being a more common size wheel??

Thanks in advance!
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      11-27-2013, 01:44 PM   #2
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I have had both 20' and 19' aftermarket wheels on my e92 M3. I would say definitely go for the 19'. That 1' looks a lot better don't get me wrong but the ride sacrifice is not worth it.
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      11-27-2013, 03:12 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by to///m View Post
Im looking at getting some new wheels for my baby and a lot of the wheels i see that look awesome in the FS section are 20's.

I daily drive my M and Jacksonville roads are so-so. Are there any issues with running 20" wheels on my DD M? Guys that have 20's please chime in on any negatives you have experienced with 20's. Rubbing, rough ride, noticeably worse handling etc... I have some KW Sleeves coming so i will be lower.... Should i stick to 19's since its my DD? Is it really that much of a difference?

I don't plan on tracking her, and if i did, i would get a different (smaller) set anyways. Aren't tires for 20's usually cheaper than 19's due to 20's being a more common size wheel??

Thanks in advance!
19" for sure. How a wheel looks is very dependent on the specifics of the wheel. The BBS LM-R for example looks small in a 19" while the ZCP wheels look bigger. It all depends on how far to the edge of the wheel the spokes extend. For a given wheel, 20" will weigh more and the ride will be worse. Also, 20" tires are less common and usually more expensive.
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      11-27-2013, 04:41 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Need4Speed_Motorsports View Post
I have had both 20' and 19' aftermarket wheels on my e92 M3. I would say definitely go for the 19'. That 1' looks a lot better don't get me wrong but the ride sacrifice is not worth it.
this is what i feared, thanks for the response!
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      11-27-2013, 04:43 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LarThaL View Post
19" for sure. How a wheel looks is very dependent on the specifics of the wheel. The BBS LM-R for example looks small in a 19" while the ZCP wheels look bigger. It all depends on how far to the edge of the wheel the spokes extend. For a given wheel, 20" will weigh more and the ride will be worse. Also, 20" tires are less common and usually more expensive.
Ya very true. I totally agree with how it depends on the look of the wheel for is 19 or 20 to look big or small... Thanks!
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      11-28-2013, 07:58 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LarThaL View Post
Also, 20" tires are less common and usually more expensive.

This is False. 19" tires have always been more scarce and expensive because it's such an odd size. With more and more car companies filling their wheel wells with 20" wheels....this will become even more evident.

I prefer 20" rims with lips (especially step lips like the LM's)
I prefer 19" with no lips (concave or flat face)

;-)
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      11-28-2013, 06:59 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GreeKon View Post
This is False. 19" tires have always been more scarce and expensive because it's such an odd size. With more and more car companies filling their wheel wells with 20" wheels....this will become even more evident.
I completely disagree with you. There are far more performance tire options in 19" sizes. There are very few, if any, ultra-high performance tires in 20" sizes (Yokohama AD08, Hankook RS3, Bridgestone RE11 are not available in 20" to name a few). Furthermore, there may be more manufacturers going to 20" wheels but they also increase the overall diameter of the tires (so the sidewall can be at a reasonable height). I am not aware of any car manufacturer specifying M3 tire sizes in 20". Please name one OEM manufacturer that sells a car with 245/30/20 or 255/30/20 tires. For example Porsche has 20's available on the 991 Carrera but they are in 245/35/20 and 295/30/20 sizes. Interestingly enough, those tire sizes are exactly 1" larger than the M3 sizes. In other words the sidewall heights are the same as those on M3 spec 19" wheels but they increased the overall wheel/tire diameter that the car can handle. So there may be more OEM 20" tires in the future but that won't benefit the e9x M3 because no OEM would specify ultra thin sidewalls... Because they suck!

To the OP - 20" wheels on an M3 are a compromise in every way. I have had 20's, 19's, and 18's. 20's have lowest performance, highest price, highest weight, least compliance, highest likelihood for damage (thin tire side wall), fewest tire size options, and honestly look out of place on an M3. 20" wheels on a car designed for 20's like the porsche 991 or Nissan GTR is comparable in performance to 19's on an M3 because the car was set up for an overall diameter that maximizes the wheel / tire performance.
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Last edited by slicer; 11-28-2013 at 10:05 PM..
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      11-28-2013, 07:30 PM   #8
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I agree, having just popped 2 tires on a huge pot hole and the rims on my new M6 with 25 miles on it. I'm sticking with 19 inch rims They have a better chance of survival on city streets and usually weigh less and thus less unsprung weight.
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      11-28-2013, 09:51 PM   #9
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i think after these comments im sold on sticking to 19's

Thanks for the responses guys, keep them coming for future buyers who had the same questions i had!
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      11-28-2013, 11:07 PM   #10
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I have 20s and love 'em. A bit harsher than 19s but not the over the top difference others have shared (IMO). I also happen to think the M3 (I have an E90) looks extremely sexy in 20s. Take home: to each their own
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      11-29-2013, 01:20 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by slicer View Post
I completely disagree with you. There are far more performance tire options in 19" sizes. There are very few, if any, ultra-high performance tires in 20" sizes (Yokohama AD08, Hankook RS3, Bridgestone RE11 are not available in 20" to name a few). Furthermore, there may be more manufacturers going to 20" wheels but they also increase the overall diameter of the tires (so the sidewall can be at a reasonable height). I am not aware of any car manufacturer specifying M3 tire sizes in 20". Please name one OEM manufacturer that sells a car with 245/30/20 or 255/30/20 tires. For example Porsche has 20's available on the 991 Carrera but they are in 245/35/20 and 295/30/20 sizes. Interestingly enough, those tire sizes are exactly 1" larger than the M3 sizes. In other words the sidewall heights are the same as those on M3 spec 19" wheels but they increased the overall wheel/tire diameter that the car can handle. So there may be more OEM 20" tires in the future but that won't benefit the e9x M3 because no OEM would specify ultra thin sidewalls... Because they suck!

To the OP - 20" wheels on an M3 are a compromise in every way. I have had 20's, 19's, and 18's. 20's have lowest performance, highest price, highest weight, least compliance, highest likelihood for damage (thin tire side wall), fewest tire size options, and honestly look out of place on an M3. 20" wheels on a car designed for 20's like the porsche 991 or Nissan GTR is comparable in performance to 19's on an M3 because the car was set up for an overall diameter that maximizes the wheel / tire performance.
All I know is that I've had 2 sets of 20" rims on my E92 M3 and it seemed like I had way more options (price range) than I do now that I have 19".

I completely agree that 19" wheels are the better route for all the reasoning stated above. Maybe I was limited in my searches due to the dimensions I was looking for?
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      11-29-2013, 06:10 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LarThaL View Post
19" for sure. How a wheel looks is very dependent on the specifics of the wheel. The BBS LM-R for example looks small in a 19" while the ZCP wheels look bigger. It all depends on how far to the edge of the wheel the spokes extend. For a given wheel, 20" will weigh more and the ride will be worse. Also, 20" tires are less common and usually more expensive.
I dont know... The LM-R is very offset dependent, if you go a tiny bit more agressive in the fitment the 19in LM-R can look great (IMHO).

My car is on 19s. They look correct to my eye at least. I just dont think a 20in wheel belongs on the M3.

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      11-30-2013, 09:12 PM   #13
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I would stick with 19s. But if I were to go 20s, I would definitely get Alloy Technic mesh wheels.

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      11-30-2013, 09:35 PM   #14
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Get a set of 18's, 19's, and 20's and change them up often.... You will love it and will never get bored of the look/feel that each offers.
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      12-03-2013, 01:05 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by to///m View Post
i think after these comments im sold on sticking to 19's

Thanks for the responses guys, keep them coming for future buyers who had the same questions i had!
Stick with 19s IMO. They are the best compromise in terms of looks, performance and cost.

Plus the fact that you will be dropped with help the 19s look just as good as the 20s (although I think they look too big on the M3)
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      12-04-2013, 08:25 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W/// View Post
Stick with 19s IMO. They are the best compromise in terms of looks, performance and cost.

Plus the fact that you will be dropped with help the 19s look just as good as the 20s (although I think they look too big on the M3)


P.S. your car looks nasty man!
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      06-30-2015, 03:42 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hujan View Post
I would stick with 19s. But if I were to go 20s, I would definitely get Alloy Technic mesh wheels.

anyone know who sells these wheels. They are beautiful
looking for 20 inch
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      07-02-2015, 08:44 AM   #18
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Stick with 18's or 19's, I regret getting 20's. Look great but just not worth it, have a $5,000 set of 20's just collecting dust in my garage.
If you just want it as a show car and not worried about performance/ride quality/etc then they would prob be ok.
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      10-17-2016, 01:39 PM   #19
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Curious if people's thoughts are different if getting the 20" wheels with the competition package!? That is, has BMW done anything different when it's a factory option rather than a dealer add on!?
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