18" vs 19" wheels 2018

Rh6363 · 08-09-2017, 04:29 PM

So I am going to be ordering my m3 very soon. I wanted to get opinions on what everyones feedback is with either the 18" or 19" wheels. I live in NYC

Super Spartan · 08-09-2017, 04:33 PM

go for the 20" 666M wheels and call it a day

Thescout13 · 08-09-2017, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rh6363

So I am going to be ordering my m3 very soon. I wanted to get opinions on what everyones feedback is with either the 18" or 19" wheels. I live in NYC

Everyone will have opinions on this. But from what I know of the Northeast having lived there for a short time, if your roads are generally shitty and this will be a year round rim that you swap winter tires onto for winter, go with the 18s, if not then the 19s. I personally like the look of the 19s better. Others on here in NY go with 19s as well. It really is a personal choice.

nicknaz · 08-09-2017, 04:40 PM

My car had 18s + passive suspension. Ride was great, I liked it. Agree that 19s look a bit better, and have better street tire choices. if I could order again, I'd go with 19s to be able to use RE71R tires on stock wheels.

alex2364 · 08-09-2017, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snappy Phoenix

go for the 20" 666M wheels and call it a day

+1

Go big or go home!

Ultimate Driving Giraffe · 08-09-2017, 05:08 PM

I have the 18s; I think they look great with their thin forged spokes and the chunky tire sidewall. I really like the extra rim protection (though with the top view cameras, this may be less important when parallel parking).

My prior car had 19s, and I hated how easy they were to curb (just *touch* a curb and you have at least $100 in damage) and how hard they were when they hit potholes and road hazards (I know, I know, but in traffic, you can't always avoid them).

The 18s on the BMW don't really ride much better than the 19s over rough or choppy pavement, but they deal with larger potholes and road expansion gaps much better. Plus they're lighter!

The downside is a surprisingly limited selection of tires in the OEM stock sizes for the 18" rims. I've never been in a car with the 666 20s.

Super Spartan · 08-09-2017, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex2364

+1

Go big or go home!

my favorite statement! Go big or go home!!

Super Spartan · 08-09-2017, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultimate Driving Giraffe

I have the 18s; I think they look great with their thin forged spokes and the chunky tire sidewall. I really like the extra rim protection (though with the top view cameras, this may be less important when parallel parking).

My prior car had 19s, and I hated how easy they were to curb (just *touch* a curb and you have at least $100 in damage) and how hard they were when they hit potholes and road hazards (I know, I know, but in traffic, you can't always avoid them).

The 18s on the BMW don't really ride much better than the 19s over rough or choppy pavement, but they deal with larger potholes and road expansion gaps much better. Plus they're lighter!

The downside is a surprisingly limited selection of tires in the OEM stock sizes for the 18" rims. I've never been in a car with the 666 20s.

Don't remind me man, those 19s seems like they're made outta freakin' plastic! Just slightly touch a pavement or curb and boom, the wheel is destroyed......had it happen to my previous M4 thrice and had to pay $200 USD each time to get each one repaired........ Damaged my RIM!

ArieArie · 08-09-2017, 05:45 PM

As most people said here, it is a personal choice. I drive an E39 M5 and I have the OEM 18" wheels.
My new M3 (on a ship, US bound) has the comp package which comes with the 20" wheels. I opted for the 19" because of the rough roads I end up driving over, and because I am not crazy about the look of the 20" wheels

Curb rash is less to do with the size of the wheels and more to do with tire construction. Some tires come with a nice band that protrudes right above the rim and will protect the rim to a certain degree.
The 0.5" difference in height (road to the edge the of rim) will not help in protecting the rim.

Rh6363 · 08-09-2017, 09:39 PM

Thanks all I think I know what to get.

The Swami · 08-09-2017, 09:51 PM

I went with the 19's and go back and forth between Pilot Super Sport and Pilot AS3+ during the Winter.

AhsanU · 08-11-2017, 10:10 AM

I'd say it depends on your mods.

NYC roads are very unforgiving. The first few mods I did was install a set of Swift springs, and while I enjoy the look of the car and the increased turn in capabilities, the ride suffered immensely on the ZCP 20's. It was so bad that I questioned whether or not the install was done properly!

Once I installed a set of 19's, the ride became bearable again and now I'm used to it.

If you're going to lower your car with stiffer springs and comfort is a major deal to you (it isn't to me) then I'd say stick to 18's. If not, 19's are great.

x.shell · 08-11-2017, 10:35 AM

Parallel parking is tough. That's why I got a dark paint color. I can hit the bumpers of other cars while parking and the paint chips don't show as much as it would on a white car.

Seriously guys? Basing your wheel decision on how it will hold up to a curbing? How about getting the wheel you want and work on getting better at parallel parking.

08-09-2017, 04:29 PM	#1
Rh6363 Second Lieutenant 160 Rep 281 Posts Drives: Soon to be bmw m3 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: New york iTrader: (0)	18" vs 19" wheels 2018 So I am going to be ordering my m3 very soon. I wanted to get opinions on what everyones feedback is with either the 18" or 19" wheels. I live in NYC
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08-09-2017, 04:33 PM	#2
Super Spartan Colonel 1554 Rep 2,419 Posts Drives: 2023 Nissan Z Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Dubai iTrader: (0)	go for the 20" 666M wheels and call it a day __________________ 2012 BMW M3 E93 (Fire Orange) Akrapovic Evolution Titanium Exhaust Arkym Style Front Lip/CF Diffuser/CF Side Skirt Extensions LUX H8 189 Angel Eyes 2023 Nissan Z Performance (Ikazuchi Yellow)
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08-09-2017, 04:40 PM	#4
nicknaz Lieutenant General 3187 Rep 10,509 Posts Drives: C6Z Join Date: May 2008 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	My car had 18s + passive suspension. Ride was great, I liked it. Agree that 19s look a bit better, and have better street tire choices. if I could order again, I'd go with 19s to be able to use RE71R tires on stock wheels.
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08-09-2017, 05:08 PM	#6
Ultimate Driving Giraffe Private 73 Rep 83 Posts Drives: F80 Alpine White M3 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: The 808 iTrader: (0)	I have the 18s; I think they look great with their thin forged spokes and the chunky tire sidewall. I really like the extra rim protection (though with the top view cameras, this may be less important when parallel parking). My prior car had 19s, and I hated how easy they were to curb (just touch a curb and you have at least $100 in damage) and how hard they were when they hit potholes and road hazards (I know, I know, but in traffic, you can't always avoid them). The 18s on the BMW don't really ride much better than the 19s over rough or choppy pavement, but they deal with larger potholes and road expansion gaps much better. Plus they're lighter! The downside is a surprisingly limited selection of tires in the OEM stock sizes for the 18" rims. I've never been in a car with the 666 20s.
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08-09-2017, 05:45 PM	#9
ArieArie Old man 322 Rep 349 Posts Drives: '18 F80 M3 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Norther California Bay Area iTrader: (0)	As most people said here, it is a personal choice. I drive an E39 M5 and I have the OEM 18" wheels. My new M3 (on a ship, US bound) has the comp package which comes with the 20" wheels. I opted for the 19" because of the rough roads I end up driving over, and because I am not crazy about the look of the 20" wheels Curb rash is less to do with the size of the wheels and more to do with tire construction. Some tires come with a nice band that protrudes right above the rim and will protect the rim to a certain degree. The 0.5" difference in height (road to the edge the of rim) will not help in protecting the rim. __________________ ArieArie
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08-09-2017, 09:39 PM	#10
Rh6363 Second Lieutenant 160 Rep 281 Posts Drives: Soon to be bmw m3 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: New york iTrader: (0)	Thanks all I think I know what to get.
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08-09-2017, 09:51 PM	#11
The Swami Enlisted Member 9 Rep 42 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Washington, D.C. iTrader: (0)	I went with the 19's and go back and forth between Pilot Super Sport and Pilot AS3+ during the Winter.
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08-11-2017, 10:10 AM	#12
AhsanU i can haz horsepowr ?? 3830 Rep 1,927 Posts Drives: inconspicuous white van Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Westchester, N.Y. iTrader: (2)	I'd say it depends on your mods. NYC roads are very unforgiving. The first few mods I did was install a set of Swift springs, and while I enjoy the look of the car and the increased turn in capabilities, the ride suffered immensely on the ZCP 20's. It was so bad that I questioned whether or not the install was done properly! Once I installed a set of 19's, the ride became bearable again and now I'm used to it. If you're going to lower your car with stiffer springs and comfort is a major deal to you (it isn't to me) then I'd say stick to 18's. If not, 19's are great.
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08-11-2017, 10:35 AM	#13
x.shell ▆ ✚✚ ▆▆▆▆▆▆ 6580 Rep 5,304 Posts Drives: ▋ ▉▉ Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: ▆▆▆ ▆▆▆ ▆ iTrader: (3)	Parallel parking is tough. That's why I got a dark paint color. I can hit the bumpers of other cars while parking and the paint chips don't show as much as it would on a white car. Seriously guys? Basing your wheel decision on how it will hold up to a curbing? How about getting the wheel you want and work on getting better at parallel parking.
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