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[Eric-TAIWAN]

hi guys,

i am looking for changing my wheels, and i just want to know what everybody recommend on the best size wheel/tire to go, basically i'll go for 19".

[3XTR3M3]

if you plan on a lot of track days and dont have a set of dedicated track wheels, go for some 18s with a wide track. 10-10.5"

if tracking is a non-issue, 19s with 9.5-10" front and 10.5-11 rears would be nice and agressive.

[sameh]

Originally Posted by 3XTR3M3

if you plan on a lot of track days and dont have a set of dedicated track wheels, go for some 18s with a wide track. 10-10.5"

if tracking is a non-issue, 19s with 9.5-10" front and 10.5-11 rears would be nice and agressive.

Ok. You know what. I heard this a lot and despite SEARCHING I still couldn't figure out why 18s are "better" than 19s on track. Any explanation? Thanks

[gblansten]

Originally Posted by sameh

Ok. You know what. I heard this a lot and despite SEARCHING I still couldn't figure out why 18s are "better" than 19s on track. Any explanation? Thanks

Here is a great article from last year's C&D on wheel/tire size changes and performance on a VW Golf. M3 will be a little different but the overall theme is the same.

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

[cmk227]

I need to buy rear and wanted to go a little bigger.

[stefan]

19x9 +25ish on 255s
19x10.5 +20ish on 275s

No rubbing, with a solid stance, pretty much flush. My 2c. Our forum members have done some incredible things with their stances. 19x11 and 19x10s (see: EAS) are another combination I think looks incredible. Personally I wouldn't run it.

[gblansten]

Originally Posted by cmk227

I need to buy rear and wanted to go a little bigger.

You keep eating that popcorn and your rear will go a little bigger.

[kyleb350]

Originally Posted by sameh

Ok. You know what. I heard this a lot and despite SEARCHING I still couldn't figure out why 18s are "better" than 19s on track. Any explanation? Thanks

Basically if you have an 18" and 19" wheel made of the same material, the 19" wheel will not only weigh a tad more, it will take more HP to rotate/stop it due to the barrel being further away from the center.

[DOUT]

Originally Posted by sameh

Ok. You know what. I heard this a lot and despite SEARCHING I still couldn't figure out why 18s are "better" than 19s on track. Any explanation? Thanks

1. An 18" rim will always consist of less mass than the same rim in a 19" size. Less mass = less unsprung weight = less power needed to get the car moving quickly.
2. 18" tires are cheaper than 19" tires
3. You run a thicker and stiffer sidewall with an 18" rim which allows for better feel, turn in, and traction

[DOUT]

Eric, welcome to the forum!
For a 19" rim and a stock motor, it is best to run 255 in the front and 275 in the rear.
If you are supercharged, go as wide as you can! I would say 275 in the front and 315 rear.
It all depends if you want to have more grip or more balance

[Mark's M]

Originally Posted by gblansten

Here is a great article from last year's C&D on wheel/tire size changes and performance on a VW Golf. M3 will be a little different but the overall theme is the same.

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

Hey thanks for that, great article!!!

[Eugene-TAIWAN]

Originally Posted by Wall$treet

wow this is such an example of a huge mis understanding and misconception out there.

Given an 18 inch wheels compared to 19 inch wheels if you are going to keep the overall diamter the same, you will be having to use higher profile tires with a larger sidewall.

Larger profile tires, for example a 265/35/19 v. a 265/40/18 tire, the tire in the latter with 18 inch wheel is signifigantly heavier.

From tire rack-the 265/40/18 is 2 pounds per tire heavier than the 265/35/19.

Not only is it 2 pounds heavier but taht 2 pounds is as far from the center axis as you can get and any mass further away from the rotating fulcrum takes the most energy to move. You would need to be saving probably 3 times that weight in an 18 inch wheel to make up that difference as mass near the center of a wheel has much less negative effect. Therefore if you were choosing 18s over 19s for a performance benefit you would have to get a wheel that is a good 10 pounds or more lighter to overcome the factors mentioned with heavier tire and how far that tire weight is from the center of rotation.

Now adays you can get 19s that are as light as most any 18s and you get the benefit of being able to have a shorter profile tire with less mass rotating on the outside.

Best setup is a lightweight 19 inch wheel with a light tire like PS2.

I feel 18s are best for track because of the thicker sidewalls gives you a better bounce over apex or uneven areas.

yes 18'' tires can be heavier but it also give a bit of flex which is want you will need.

19''s are a bit too stiff unless you have 19s with a sidewall that is slightly thicker like the GTS

[Eric-TAIWAN]

thanks guys, just everyone has different setting so i was trying to figure it out. basically i won't go track often maybe just once a while, so i think i'll be good with 19"

[Sean@PYSpeed.com]

Originally Posted by Eric-TAIWAN

thanks guys, just everyone has different setting so i was trying to figure it out. basically i won't go track often maybe just once a while, so i think i'll be good with 19"

Good set of KWs and a good set of wheels + tires = WIN
Btw, I thought you were Eugene for a second. The screen-names are too similar

[Eric-TAIWAN]

Originally Posted by DOUT

Eric, welcome to the forum!
For a 19" rim and a stock motor, it is best to run 255 in the front and 275 in the rear.
If you are supercharged, go as wide as you can! I would say 275 in the front and 315 rear.
It all depends if you want to have more grip or more balance

thanks Dout, i'll go this set up since this is what most ppl told me, if one day i supercharge it then i'll change my wheels again.

[Eric-TAIWAN]

Originally Posted by Sean@PYSpeed.com

Good set of KWs and a good set of wheels + tires = WIN
Btw, I thought you were Eugene for a second. The screen-names are too similar

yes, im going for KW V3! and god no, im much better looking then eugene

[Sean@PYSpeed.com]

Originally Posted by Eric-TAIWAN

yes, im going for KW V3! and god no, im much better looking then eugene

你在台湾買KW吗？

[CeeBoogie]

Originally Posted by Eugene-TAIWAN

I feel 18s are best for track because of the thicker sidewalls gives you a better bounce over apex or uneven areas.

yes 18'' tires can be heavier but it also give a bit of flex which is want you will need.

19''s are a bit too stiff unless you have 19s with a sidewall that is slightly thicker like the GTS

I totally disagree. If you go to the michelin pilot super sport thread 4sevens.com was 4 seconds faster with the 19's than the 18's......

[Eugene-TAIWAN]

Originally Posted by CeeBoogie

I totally disagree. If you go to the michelin pilot super sport thread 4sevens.com was 4 seconds faster with the 19's than the 18's......

do you mean 18s are faster then 19s?

I'm not following you.

but I do have 18s

[Eugene-TAIWAN]

Originally Posted by Wall$treet

what dont you follow--you posted that 18s were better and the guy linked to a site showing that is false and 19s are better....

"flex" as you suggest is completely subjective. Nobody wants extra flex outside of what is needed and which normal 19s provide with proper tire pressure.

You wasted money on 18s unless you like the look because you fell into the trap and misconception that 18s are "better" because people say so

wow bro chill out it was a simple questions. and I gave a subjective reply

I think your reply is also subjective as well , off a link and everything becomes correct that 19s are better then 18s

ok if you fell that way.

[Eugene-TAIWAN]

Originally Posted by Eric-TAIWAN

yes, im going for KW V3! and god no, im much better looking then eugene

very funny Eric

[CeeBoogie]

Nah, the 19's were 4 seconds faster than the 18's because of the added grip