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      05-29-2008, 11:09 AM   #1
knifegun
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18" vs 19" OEM M3 Rims

I have a Graphite Metallic M3 sedan with the 18" OEM wheels. I really like the stealth look it gives the car. I have noticed that almost all videos and all people on this forum have the 19" wheels. I definitely like them and wish that my car would have come with them (bought it off the lot).

My question is what is the difference in performance between the two? I have heard that the 19"s are heavier than the 18"s. But of course, the 19"s will be harsher as they have less rubber. But that is not always the best when you track the car. Any thoughts?
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      05-29-2008, 12:04 PM   #2
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19s are actually lighter but 18s provide better ride comfort and better for tracking due to cheaper tires.
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      05-29-2008, 12:14 PM   #3
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I have the 18's on my SG Coupe, and I think it looks great! Lot's of people have remarked how much they like the wheels on the car. Didn't know it had "cheaper" tires than the others?

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      05-29-2008, 01:09 PM   #4
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Thanks for the replies. It is funny because it seems like every video uses the 19"s. Aside from tire price, will the 19"s give you better performance on the track?
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      05-29-2008, 04:25 PM   #5
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The 18's are marginally lighter, provide better comfort, have cheaper tires, and according to the BMW NA boss are the better handling wheel. However, the 18's are not forged which make the 19's bargain for the price if you have to have that look. If I were to get the 18's, I would skip EDC due to the thicker side wall but would not get the 19's without EDC due to the lack of side wall.
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      05-29-2008, 04:34 PM   #6
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I have the 18s and they look great although they will soon be relegated to track/winter wheels when my black breyton gts race 19s arrive.

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/8523/1009217ty2.jpg

Pic is huge so i linked rather than adding IMG tags
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      05-29-2008, 04:58 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Leg View Post
I have the 18s and they look great although they will soon be relegated to track/winter wheels when my black breyton gts race 19s arrive.

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/8523/1009217ty2.jpg

Pic is huge so i linked rather than adding IMG tags
The EU 18's do look great, the NA versions not as much.
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      05-29-2008, 05:34 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ruff View Post
The EU 18's do look great, the NA versions not as much.
What is the difference?
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      05-29-2008, 07:31 PM   #9
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Bloody EU, I'm English not European.
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      05-31-2008, 03:23 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hawkeye-se View Post
What is the difference?
I was also not aware there is a difference...they look the same.
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      05-31-2008, 03:40 PM   #11
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My only thought is ...

19s are sexy.

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      06-02-2008, 01:45 AM   #12
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I might jump on the 19's soon....will i have to get an alignment if i upgrade from the OEM 18's to the 19's?
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      06-02-2008, 08:46 AM   #13
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I will never use anything but forged wheels on the shitty New Orleans roads. I've bent cast wheels but my current 19's on the E46 have survived almost 5 years of this. When my car comes in I'm posting a pic of one of the streets next to my house so everyone understands what I am talking about...
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      06-02-2008, 08:51 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Manny212 View Post
I might jump on the 19's soon....will i have to get an alignment if i upgrade from the OEM 18's to the 19's?
good question...i'm curious about this too.
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      06-02-2008, 09:55 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Manny212 View Post
I might jump on the 19's soon....will i have to get an alignment if i upgrade from the OEM 18's to the 19's?
I would be surprised to find any difference. Is it not true that the M3 like Audi offer a winter alloy/tyre option and in the case of the S5 the option is an inch smaller rim size. Unless the offset is different then I can't see any problem.
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      06-03-2008, 12:26 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MDCTFTW View Post
My only thought is ...

19s are sexy.

Agree

No disrespect to those with 18"s but I really don't like them
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      06-03-2008, 01:55 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SpencerM3 View Post
Agree

No disrespect to those with 18"s but I really don't like them
From the state that brought us BLING I wouldn't have expected any different a comment. (j/k)
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      08-05-2008, 03:34 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by knifegun View Post
I have a Graphite Metallic M3 sedan with the 18" OEM wheels. I really like the stealth look it gives the car. I have noticed that almost all videos and all people on this forum have the 19" wheels. I definitely like them and wish that my car would have come with them (bought it off the lot).

My question is what is the difference in performance between the two? I have heard that the 19"s are heavier than the 18"s. But of course, the 19"s will be harsher as they have less rubber. But that is not always the best when you track the car. Any thoughts?
I just took my 18s off and put on a set of new 19s. Yes the 19s look a little better, and cost a arm and a leg. You will give up ride quality as well. I'm probably going back to my 18s.
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      09-04-2008, 09:38 PM   #19
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The 19s R sexy. It really depends what YOU like more. They ride great also. Comfort mode is really smooth and dont even feel the bumps on the rode. Plust they're forged! Anyone wanna buy my 19's?? =)
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      09-05-2008, 12:09 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EricMack View Post
Didn't know it had "cheaper" tires than the others?

They aren't cheaper in quality, they are the exact same tire just a different size. The 18" are less expensive. And BMW says the car handles better with the 18s than the 19s. I'm not sure how that is quantified, but perhaps the 18s turn better lap times than the 19s.

Quote:
Originally Posted by knifegun View Post
Thanks for the replies. It is funny because it seems like every video uses the 19"s. Aside from tire price, will the 19"s give you better performance on the track?
What videos are you referring to?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Manny212 View Post
I might jump on the 19's soon....will i have to get an alignment if i upgrade from the OEM 18's to the 19's?
No, why would you think that? It's a direct bolt on replacement, no other adjustments needed.
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      09-06-2008, 07:45 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skierman64 View Post
They aren't cheaper in quality, they are the exact same tire just a different size. The 18" are less expensive. And BMW says the car handles better with the 18s than the 19s. I'm not sure how that is quantified, but perhaps the 18s turn better lap times than the 19s.
One thing is for certain, the 18" make the ride quality measurably better.
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      09-07-2008, 12:02 AM   #22
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Am I the only one who thinks the 19" wheels look exactly like MatchBox wheels?
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