Any regrets on the 19in wheels?

[Aralan]

I much prefer the look of the 19s over the 18s, I think they suit the character of the car better. I don't find the ride overly harsh, but you will definitely get a softer ride on a set of 18s. My winter setup is 270M wheels (8x18 ET 20) with Michelin Alpin PA4 245/45 R18 and definitely notice a difference. Even those are not immune from pothole damage. I had one bend enough to feel some vibration, but it was repairable.

[yaymitch]

I have the 18's and like the design and the ride. I wish they had the 18 design in 19's but I can honestly say the ride is better with the 18's and have driven on both. Although the ride with 19's and Adaptive Suspension is not uncomfortable.

[Brasko]

It's not about the wheels, it's about the brakes.

CCB FTW.

[TRZ06]

It depends on what you are after. 19" for performance and 18" for comfort.

I got 18"'s on my 08' M3 as it was a hold over and I got a good deal, and I switched them out to the 19's and the handling and turn-in was much sharper especially in turn-in with a slight decrease in ride quality.

So, whats your priority performance or comfort?

[Lynchmob6]

I liked all three options, but with SO, I think the black 19s enhanced the look of the car the best. Obviously an individual choice, but for me, they were the best option.

[accely]

19" summers.. 19" winters... never less!!

[daMau]

Weighing the options against budget, I would prioritize the 19" wheels over the adaptive suspension. The passive suspension is perfect, and is not too harsh for DD, even for Midwest/Northeast states. Also keep in mind the 19" wheels are lightweight forged wheels, and I would not be surprised if they weigh less than the 18"'s

[SamS]

Originally Posted by mephiska

Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I don't like the 19's design at all. It's played out. The same basic twisted spoke 5 point star design is the same for almost the entire M line now, and there is even a less polished 17" version on the 3 series.

FYI, those are 18" in your link.

FWIW, I opted for the 19". I had the 19" on my E92 ZCP and loved the look and how they filled out the wheel wells.

[nene]

No regrets on the 19s. I like both wheels. I wish the 18" style had also been available in 19".

[DocWeatherington]

Originally Posted by curvehound

I have a SO M3 that will be entering production next week or so. The car is a stripper (only option is the paint and the adaptive suspension). But now I am having second thoughts about not getting the 19in wheels. They definitely look better than the 18in OEM but I know some have said the ride is significantly more harsh on bad roads and I live in Boston, so I figured it was safer to go with 18in. Plus it is cheaper and I will be using snow tires/wheels 5 months of the year.
Anybody who lives up north regret getting the 19's?

thanks
Ian

No issues here with the 19s, and I drive all over not an issue.. I would look into winter tires, not sure if you plan on using the factory rims w/ winter tires.. but with the 19s there tires that fit the stock factory rims.. The 18s, don't know if there is an option yet.. beyond new rims..

An yes, I drive my M in the snow with staggered 19s.. no issues

[yaymitch]

Originally Posted by TRZ06

It depends on what you are after. 19" for performance and 18" for comfort.

I got 18"'s on my 08' M3 as it was a hold over and I got a good deal, and I switched them out to the 19's and the handling and turn-in was much sharper especially in turn-in with a slight decrease in ride quality.

So, whats your priority performance or comfort?

Why do you say the 19's are better for performance? I've heard the opposite. 18's are lighter and I've read there is really no difference in performance on the track.

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by yaymitch

Why do you say the 19's are better for performance? I've heard the opposite. 18's are lighter and I've read there is really no difference in performance on the track.

I spoke about this with one of the Lime Rock Drivers Club coaches a while back. He found that the Club's E92 was fastest around the track on 18s.

[potxoli]

OP: First off you can't order that car. My 2016 SO/Blk stripper (6MT, Adaptive, base leather) is on its way and it has to be the only one in the Boston area. Sorry got it first

I also went with 18". A few thoughts. I saw the 18" in person at a Larz anderson cars and coffee and they looked fantastic. There was a car there with the 19" so easy to compare. Personally, I think the 19" aesthetic is kind of too run of the mill. It is the machine cut metal with hard angles on the spokes and that first came out with the 997 Turbo a while ago. It seems like most german cars have that kind of look. The 18" on the other hand have a old school, bbs like look that not many cars have stock these days.

Secondly since the tire width is the same on the both 18 and 19, the profile of the 18 makes it look a bit more like track tires. More of a race car look. I've seen several BRZ's around boston that have volk 17" with meaty tires that looks very cool in my book and the 18"s on the M3 kind of replicate that general vibe. I might add spacers to the 18's as one of my only mods.

In terms of ride, not sure I can help you much, but what I can say is that I have 18" wheels on my 1 series, but the tires are smaller than the M3 which means that my sidewall length is like the 19" on the M3, not the 18". I personally have gotten around fine in Boston during the summer even with all the potholes. Just need to pay attention. So I really can't imagine that the 19" would be bad to live with if that is what you like.

Boils down to looks and the extra $$ for the 19s

[UH_TX]

18s look great, much more character than the 19s. Only wish the size was a 19.
With a thicker sidewall it will absorb bumps better.
Also the 19s are common. Every other M3/M4 I see on the road has the 19s.
I initially planned on getting the 18s to go aftermarket, but really grown to love them

[Fastalpine]

I have been going back and forth between the two. I think the 19s look great and think it is a no brainer but then I see the 18s with spacers and the car lowered and I think that looks fantastic and saves some money when purchasing the car (of course suspension and spacers negate that).

[mephiska]

Originally Posted by Brasko

It's not about the wheels, it's about the brakes.

CCB FTW.

$10,000 for carbon ceramic brakes, or $10,000 for remodeling a bathroom.....wonder which one my wife would prefer.

[curvehound]

Originally Posted by potxoli

OP: First off you can't order that car. My 2016 SO/Blk stripper (6MT, Adaptive, base leather) is on its way and it has to be the only one in the Boston area. Sorry got it first

Thanks again to everyone who wrote in. I think I will stay with the 18s. As was mentioned, can always go aftermarket.


and potxoli, I am sorry that there will be soon be two SO strippers in the Boston area. We can try to coordinate so that we are never both on the road at the same time.

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by yaymitch

Why do you say the 19's are better for performance? I've heard the opposite. 18's are lighter and I've read there is really no difference in performance on the track.

Less sidewall = crisper turn-in and sharper handling.

More sidewall is sloppier turn-in and more sidewall flex.

Maybe not better performance, but definitely better feel.

I like that crisp/sharp feeling like you are on rails.

I would imagine 19's would be better on switchback turns as well, for the same reasons.

[Intensemojo]

I got the 18's on purpose for dual duty in the winter and track days with plans on getting a set of 19's for the street.

Then I grew to really like the 18's and am riding them exclusively for now.