deciding on 18's or 19's

e90dass · 01-19-2013, 05:35 PM

Hey guys, youve prob come across this so much in the past but im goin outta ma mind trying to decide whether to get 18's /19 csl style rimms for my 05 e90??

im worried if i go bigger, then the ride would be very uncomfortable ie hitting dips in the road etc and causing a very bumpy sound and maybe even causing damage to rimms.

and if i go for 18's they may not look as good??/

please any advice would be much appreciated

many thanks

jay

e90Nate · 01-19-2013, 05:37 PM

19s for looks 18s for driveability

E90Flossin · 01-19-2013, 05:43 PM

You wont know the difference too much between the 2 on road condition. If you have sport suspension, ride might get a lil rough but not that bad, still comfortable

techwhiz · 01-19-2013, 05:51 PM

Went from 18" RFT to 19" Non-RFT. I can't tell the difference.

Game · 01-19-2013, 06:03 PM

If you're not going to drop the car, stick with 18's. Otherwise 19's for a more aggressive look.

jvsxn · 01-19-2013, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigNate

19s for looks 18s for driveability

Agreed. Also factor in price for larger wheel and tires. In my opinion 18" is the most versatile size in terms of performance and show.

BmerMeUp · 01-19-2013, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigNate

19s for looks 18s for driveability

+1

Buddy, I went throught the exact same struggle, as I'm sure many many have before and many still will. After much research I absolutely decided the best for me was 18's. Until I found 19's I really liked. Then I was absolutely decided the best for me was 19's.

You will get the following responses:
- Like BigNate already said: 19 for show, 18 for go
- I went 19 and can't tell the difference
- I went 19 and so glad I went back to 18, I'll never go 19 again
- I wouldn't be caught dead in 18's - will 20's fit my car?
- 19's bend and crack
- 18's bend and crack
- When you bend I see your crack
- I have smooth roads
- I have rough roads
- I have hemma-roads

Whatever. In the end I just said, "fkit" - a buhzillion others have 19's, they look awesome, I'm the only one in my car 90% of the time (no-one else to complain about the ride), and I'm on smooth highways about the same 90% - 19's it is.

Good luck.

catherineanh · 01-19-2013, 06:24 PM

19s

e90dass · 01-19-2013, 06:28 PM

Ah thanks guys, mixed suggestions there, I think i will probably go with 18's due to circumstances of family etc...

i am really loving the 19's but i guess ride quality is a must and ofcourse i want to lower the car also.

much appreciated.

thanks.

tmo24 · 01-19-2013, 07:01 PM

I really don't think BMW would offer 19's as an option on M3s if there was a performance issue. The difference is so slight that I bet if people here had their wheels swapped from 18's to 19's overnight and weren't told or saw that they were swapped, they couldn't feel a difference driving the next morning.

BEAR-AvHistory · 01-19-2013, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90dass

Ah thanks guys, mixed suggestions there, I think i will probably go with 18's due to circumstances of family etc...

i am really loving the 19's but i guess ride quality is a must and ofcourse i want to lower the car also.

much appreciated.

thanks.

You will be happy with your choice.

E92 M Sport · 01-19-2013, 08:41 PM

When shopping for my car I had read that the 19's give a punishing ride, so that's what I expected. When I drove one with the 19's I didn't think it was punishing. You just have to be more mindful of potholes, etc. with the 19's. I have the 225 Rims, I think they look awesome. And btw I bought the tire/rim protection for 5 yrs just to be safe.

Uiop · 01-19-2013, 08:53 PM

20s

zamboni · 01-19-2013, 11:28 PM

18 = inexpensive tires
19 = expensive tires

Depending on your budget but money is not the issue then go with 19" more aggressive look.

Sweattdogg · 01-19-2013, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E92 M Sport

When shopping for my car I had read that the 19's give a punishing ride, so that's what I expected. When I drove one with the 19's I didn't think it was punishing. You just have to be more mindful of potholes, etc. with the 19's. I have the 225 Rims, I think they look awesome. And btw I bought the tire/rim protection for 5 yrs just to be safe.

I have the 225's as well. Awesome rims. Sure you have to pay more attention, but totally worth it.

Turb0Surge · 01-19-2013, 11:59 PM

19 ftw. I went through what you're going and got 18's. I now wish that I had went with 19's.

psmitty95 · 01-20-2013, 12:09 AM

I run 19's in the summer and have no issues. Just be careful of potholes and other large bumps in the road

Envuks · 01-20-2013, 10:26 AM

I run 18s. I have a summer set and a winter set.

I think they're perfect for the car. Not enough sidewall on the tire rolling diameter when you go to 19s on these cars.

Can you do it? Of course, easily. People run 20s. But then again, people do a lot of dumb shit in this world. Yeah I went there

RoundelM3 · 01-20-2013, 10:28 AM

I stick with 18s...wheels are slightly lighter due to the 1" smaller diameter, and the tire sidewalls are slightly taller for a better ride, but in a 10/10ths handling situation, the 19s would have less "squirm" due to shorter sidewalls. The cost of the equivalent 19" tire to an 18" is also higher. I don't like runflats, so my opinion here is based on non-rft tires.

Runner340 · 01-20-2013, 10:45 AM

What size would you run for autocrossing? That would be my choice for street too. Lightweight and good handling.

e90-328i · 01-20-2013, 05:03 PM

I have sports suspension (non xdrive) I went from 17" runflats to 19" non runflat and really didn't notice the difference to be honest.
Watch potholes-yes.
19s Looks so much better!
Just get a quality wheel- try to avoid gravity cast.

chazzz · 01-20-2013, 05:51 PM

If there are many potholes and rough roads in England, it's a good idea to stick with 18 inch wheels.

I have 19 inch wheels because the roads in Southern California are 95% smooth, but still have to watch out for potholes here and there.

01-19-2013, 05:35 PM	#1
e90dass Private 7 Rep 85 Posts Drives: e90 se Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	deciding on 18's or 19's Hey guys, youve prob come across this so much in the past but im goin outta ma mind trying to decide whether to get 18's /19 csl style rimms for my 05 e90?? im worried if i go bigger, then the ride would be very uncomfortable ie hitting dips in the road etc and causing a very bumpy sound and maybe even causing damage to rimms. and if i go for 18's they may not look as good??/ please any advice would be much appreciated many thanks jay
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01-19-2013, 05:37 PM	#2
e90Nate Colonel 285 Rep 2,146 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Canada iTrader: (4) Garage List 2011 335i xdrive M- ... [10.00]	19s for looks 18s for driveability
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01-19-2013, 05:43 PM	#3
E90Flossin Vroooomm 23 Rep 352 Posts Drives: Lci 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	You wont know the difference too much between the 2 on road condition. If you have sport suspension, ride might get a lil rough but not that bad, still comfortable
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01-19-2013, 05:51 PM	#4
techwhiz Colonel 453 Rep 2,973 Posts Drives: e90 335i Sedan - Arctic Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bay Area, Ca iTrader: (4)	Went from 18" RFT to 19" Non-RFT. I can't tell the difference.
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01-19-2013, 06:03 PM	#5
Game ------ 7358 Rep 10,186 Posts Drives: G87 M2 (sold) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Chicago'ish iTrader: (25)	If you're not going to drop the car, stick with 18's. Otherwise 19's for a more aggressive look. __________________
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01-19-2013, 06:24 PM	#8
catherineanh Captain 71 Rep 883 Posts Drives: 2014 435xi M Sport Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Montreal iTrader: (1)	19s
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01-19-2013, 06:28 PM	#9
e90dass Private 7 Rep 85 Posts Drives: e90 se Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	18s' n 19's Ah thanks guys, mixed suggestions there, I think i will probably go with 18's due to circumstances of family etc... i am really loving the 19's but i guess ride quality is a must and ofcourse i want to lower the car also. much appreciated. thanks.
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01-19-2013, 07:01 PM	#10
tmo24 Major 139 Rep 1,271 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i e92 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (3)	I really don't think BMW would offer 19's as an option on M3s if there was a performance issue. The difference is so slight that I bet if people here had their wheels swapped from 18's to 19's overnight and weren't told or saw that they were swapped, they couldn't feel a difference driving the next morning. __________________ 2007 335i Jet Black e92 6AT - VRSF Full street exhaust DP, Chargepipe 7.5 FMIC, MHD, XHP, Koni orange/Eibachs, some other stuff 2007 335i Jet Black e90 6MT - Eibachs, magnaflow exhaust, carbon hood, short shift kit, some other random stuff - being sold somewhere sometime soon probably 2010 335i AW e90 6 AT Msport - The GF took this one over... JB4, PE exhaust, Koni yellows/Eibachs, pink badges, fuzzy steering wheel cover ?
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01-19-2013, 08:41 PM	#12
E92 M Sport Lieutenant 287 Rep 398 Posts Drives: 2016 F82 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	When shopping for my car I had read that the 19's give a punishing ride, so that's what I expected. When I drove one with the 19's I didn't think it was punishing. You just have to be more mindful of potholes, etc. with the 19's. I have the 225 Rims, I think they look awesome. And btw I bought the tire/rim protection for 5 yrs just to be safe. __________________ 2016 M4 MW/SS 6mt
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01-19-2013, 08:53 PM	#13
Uiop Private First Class 8 Rep 156 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	20s
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01-19-2013, 11:28 PM	#14
zamboni I want to drive a Zamboni 1126 Rep 5,552 Posts Drives: 13 E93 M3 18 F80 M3 16 K71 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Monte Sereno, CA iTrader: (7) Garage List 16 K71 F800GT [10.00] 2018 F80 M3 [10.00] 2013 BMW E93 M3 [10.00]	18 = inexpensive tires 19 = expensive tires Depending on your budget but money is not the issue then go with 19" more aggressive look. __________________ 18 F80 Imola Red 6MT 16 K71 F800GT Montego Blue 13 E93 M3 Melbourne Red 2000 E46,2006 E90,09 E82,13 E93 328i,14 F30 335i,18 F80 M3 My next vehicle would be a Zamboni
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01-19-2013, 11:59 PM	#16
Turb0Surge Lieutenant Colonel 90 Rep 1,555 Posts Drives: BLACK e90 335i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Lincoln, CA iTrader: (0)	19 ftw. I went through what you're going and got 18's. I now wish that I had went with 19's. __________________
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01-20-2013, 12:09 AM	#17
psmitty95 Brigadier General 578 Rep 4,393 Posts Drives: '23 M340i xDrive Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (11)	I run 19's in the summer and have no issues. Just be careful of potholes and other large bumps in the road __________________ < Click picture for photoshoot E90 335i xDrive 6spd, Nav, Prem, Cold Weather, & Sports package - Msport Conversion Mods: JB4 + MHD, Doc Race ST, Pure 6266, AD-Eng PI/Mounts, Fuel-It st. 3, Custom Exhaust, Tuned by TwistedTuning More Pictures: Build Thread /// 683AWHP/675AWTQ
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01-20-2013, 10:26 AM	#18
Envuks Captain 25 Rep 741 Posts Drives: '08 e92 335xi Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: MA iTrader: (2)	I run 18s. I have a summer set and a winter set. I think they're perfect for the car. Not enough sidewall on the tire rolling diameter when you go to 19s on these cars. Can you do it? Of course, easily. People run 20s. But then again, people do a lot of dumb shit in this world. Yeah I went there __________________ Jet black e92 6mt 335xi: 18" BBS RGRs, KW v1, ESS Stage 2 flash, VRSF 7" FMIC, VRSF downpipes, JG Mods m-tech front, mtec V3 AEs, BMS OCC, hardwired valentine 1, p3cars gauge, amber delete, sport seats, factory oil cooler.
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01-20-2013, 10:28 AM	#19
RoundelM3 Major General 1830 Rep 6,983 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wendell, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	I stick with 18s...wheels are slightly lighter due to the 1" smaller diameter, and the tire sidewalls are slightly taller for a better ride, but in a 10/10ths handling situation, the 19s would have less "squirm" due to shorter sidewalls. The cost of the equivalent 19" tire to an 18" is also higher. I don't like runflats, so my opinion here is based on non-rft tires. __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
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01-20-2013, 10:45 AM	#20
Runner340 Lieutenant 367 Rep 465 Posts Drives: F30 340i xDrive Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New England iTrader: (2)	What size would you run for autocrossing? That would be my choice for street too. Lightweight and good handling. Last edited by Runner340; 01-20-2013 at 02:28 PM..
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01-20-2013, 05:03 PM	#21
e90-328i Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 2011 328i RWD! Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: yyz iTrader: (0)	I have sports suspension (non xdrive) I went from 17" runflats to 19" non runflat and really didn't notice the difference to be honest. Watch potholes-yes. 19s Looks so much better! Just get a quality wheel- try to avoid gravity cast. __________________ 2011 328i RWD Sports 6MT, BMW P/E, aFe Magnum stage 2, AA tune, P3cars gauge, LUX
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01-20-2013, 05:51 PM	#22
chazzz Captain 116 Rep 712 Posts Drives: 2018 Chrysler 300S Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southern California iTrader: (4)	If there are many potholes and rough roads in England, it's a good idea to stick with 18 inch wheels. I have 19 inch wheels because the roads in Southern California are 95% smooth, but still have to watch out for potholes here and there. __________________ SOLD - 2007 BMW 335i Sedan, Montego Blue with Lemon seats, AluFelgen CS7 rims & Continental DW tires CURRENT - 2018 Chrysler 300S, Crystal Granite Metallic.
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