18 Inch Or 19 Inch Wheels

jeffj78 · Wed, Jun-26-2002, 05:23:00 PM

I feel the 19inch wheels fill out the wheel well better than the 18inch wheels. I have always liked a matching line between the edge of the wheel well lip and what appears to be the edge of the tire/wheel combination. Ride difference is an issue but the car is a firm riding car, and even more firm with 19inch wheels.

Dekard · Wed, Jun-26-2002, 05:46:00 PM

To me the 19" wheels looks like someone with really big teeth

I think they are too big for the body and style. I'd go with the 18", the perf gains you get with 19" are not worth it in my opinion. Unless you race a lot on the track.

Sharks · Wed, Jun-26-2002, 05:56:00 PM

This was a tough decision. With the roads here in the bay area I went w/ 18s. But 19s look awesome. Had to go w/ ride quality.

Frank · Wed, Jun-26-2002, 05:58:00 PM

I like the 18" wheels..first i think they look alittle better IMHO. the 19's look almost too big..and the edge of the rim seems to be further out than the tire.

Regarding ride, I have not felt the 19's but the 18's are already pretty firm..especially coming from the E36 M3.

I scratched the wheel on my first E46 M3 with the 18's the first month i had it..not even a curb hit...ran over a couple of markers on the road. I would imagine the 19's especially the way they stick out will be even worse. plus the cost is i think almost $2k for the option! i would rather get some aftermarket if i wanted 19's for that kind of money and still have the 18's.

just my two cents

Leo · Wed, Jun-26-2002, 06:40:00 PM

Well guys, I disagree with your observations.
I've got the 19" and as you can see, they look awesome IMHO. Ride quality is only just abit harsher than the 18" wheels.

Frank · Wed, Jun-26-2002, 06:48:00 PM

ok I stand corrected.

to have that car with that scenery!

very nice.

nicsmgm3 · Wed, Jun-26-2002, 07:08:00 PM

I ordered my car with 18" and finally bought a cancelled order with 19".I do not regret my choice. I live in Montreal Canada and we have extremely bad roads, the ride is not that bad. It easily compares to my previous car which had thicker tires. One not neglectable cool aspect of the 19" are the dark gray interior which does not seem to get dirty as quickly as light gray ones. And of course, I love big theet...

Nic.

Dekard · Wed, Jun-26-2002, 07:31:00 PM

Does anyone have a close up picture of the 18" rims? Or a link?

Thanks

<small>[ 06-26-2002, 03:32 PM: Message edited by: Dekard ]</small>

Frank · Wed, Jun-26-2002, 07:49:00 PM

here's a pic of my first one...

Pic of 18" E46 M3 wheel

Marc Yonker · Wed, Jun-26-2002, 08:40:00 PM

I got the 19" wheels on my topaz blue coupe. I think they make the car. 18" wheels just look too small. I was a little worried about the ride before I got it, but the ride is much better than expected. It rides like a lexus compared to my 91 Porsche 928GT.

Wed, Jun-26-2002, 05:23:00 PM	#1
jeffj78 M3 Enthusiast Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 65 Reputation: 0 Location: IL	18 Inch Or 19 Inch Wheels I feel the 19inch wheels fill out the wheel well better than the 18inch wheels. I have always liked a matching line between the edge of the wheel well lip and what appears to be the edge of the tire/wheel combination. Ride difference is an issue but the car is a firm riding car, and even more firm with 19inch wheels.

Wed, Jun-26-2002, 05:46:00 PM	#2
Dekard Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 104 Reputation: 0 Location: Los Gatos, California	18 Inch Or 19 Inch Wheels To me the 19" wheels looks like someone with really big teeth I think they are too big for the body and style. I'd go with the 18", the perf gains you get with 19" are not worth it in my opinion. Unless you race a lot on the track.

Wed, Jun-26-2002, 05:56:00 PM	#3
Sharks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 428 Reputation: 0 Location: Walnut Creek, CA	18 Inch Or 19 Inch Wheels This was a tough decision. With the roads here in the bay area I went w/ 18s. But 19s look awesome. Had to go w/ ride quality.

Wed, Jun-26-2002, 05:58:00 PM	#4
Frank Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 602 Reputation: 0	18 Inch Or 19 Inch Wheels I like the 18" wheels..first i think they look alittle better IMHO. the 19's look almost too big..and the edge of the rim seems to be further out than the tire. Regarding ride, I have not felt the 19's but the 18's are already pretty firm..especially coming from the E36 M3. I scratched the wheel on my first E46 M3 with the 18's the first month i had it..not even a curb hit...ran over a couple of markers on the road. I would imagine the 19's especially the way they stick out will be even worse. plus the cost is i think almost $2k for the option! i would rather get some aftermarket if i wanted 19's for that kind of money and still have the 18's. just my two cents

Wed, Jun-26-2002, 06:40:00 PM	#5
Leo Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 892 Reputation: 0 Location: Germany	18 Inch Or 19 Inch Wheels Well guys, I disagree with your observations. I've got the 19" and as you can see, they look awesome IMHO. Ride quality is only just abit harsher than the 18" wheels.

Wed, Jun-26-2002, 06:48:00 PM	#6
Frank Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 602 Reputation: 0	18 Inch Or 19 Inch Wheels ok I stand corrected. to have that car with that scenery! very nice.

Wed, Jun-26-2002, 07:08:00 PM	#7
nicsmgm3 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2 Reputation: 0 Location: Montreal, QC, Canada	18 Inch Or 19 Inch Wheels I ordered my car with 18" and finally bought a cancelled order with 19".I do not regret my choice. I live in Montreal Canada and we have extremely bad roads, the ride is not that bad. It easily compares to my previous car which had thicker tires. One not neglectable cool aspect of the 19" are the dark gray interior which does not seem to get dirty as quickly as light gray ones. And of course, I love big theet... Nic.

Wed, Jun-26-2002, 07:31:00 PM	#8
Dekard Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 104 Reputation: 0 Location: Los Gatos, California	18 Inch Or 19 Inch Wheels Does anyone have a close up picture of the 18" rims? Or a link? Thanks <small>[ 06-26-2002, 03:32 PM: Message edited by: Dekard ]</small>

Wed, Jun-26-2002, 07:49:00 PM	#9
Frank Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 602 Reputation: 0	18 Inch Or 19 Inch Wheels here's a pic of my first one... Pic of 18" E46 M3 wheel

Wed, Jun-26-2002, 08:40:00 PM	#10
Marc Yonker Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 10 Reputation: 0 Location: Tampa, Florida USA	18 Inch Or 19 Inch Wheels I got the 19" wheels on my topaz blue coupe. I think they make the car. 18" wheels just look too small. I was a little worried about the ride before I got it, but the ride is much better than expected. It rides like a lexus compared to my 91 Porsche 928GT.

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