E46 M3 18" or 19" wheels?

[toastboy]

I'm finally getting round to chopping in my 330ci and getting an M3. I love the look of the 19" wheels but the reviews seem to suggest the 18" are the ones to go for. Are they really that much better?

[JAYZ4]

The 19's look far better IMO than the 18's. As far as performance goes I had no issue with the 19's, in real world terms the difference must be ever so slight so I would pick 19's as they make the car look that much better.

[taffyracer]

19's seem to be the ones to have for residuals but ride is better on the 18's

[vixpy1]

18's look shite, but oh boy do you sacrifice some ride comfort

[chilli]

18's look "normal"... 19's look quality.... 19's all the way.

[dazren]

I'd save the premium charged for cars with 19s and go for 18s on the basis the UK roads are not track smooth! The car will have been designed to run on 18s although the marketing department will have come up with the idea of 19s.........

Edited by dazren on Friday 9th March 16:07

[gregg13]

Specced my old M3 with 18" on the advice of the magazines and after driving a car on both. In my opinion 19's look better but I didn't look at them from inside the car!

[kex]

No point in getting one with 18's; you'll only end up buying a set of 19's shortly after!

Or, keep a set of 18's for track days and put the 19 boots on for the road.

[deutscher]

This subject comes up every week!

Anyway, 18s are for drivers and 19s for tarts.

And it's hard enough not to kerb 18s; impossible with 19s.

[Scott Parker]

I have both and can honestly say i can not really tell the difference, The 19's do look better but since i use the 18's for track i'm getting used to them. I look at 18's in a different way now i use them for track, they look meaner especially with track rubber

[baz1985]

18s all the way. Much cooler and better for B road bashing!

[drakart]

deutscher said:

This subject comes up every week!

Anyway, 18s are for drivers and 19s for tarts.

And it's hard enough not to kerb 18s; impossible with 19s.

Couldnt agree more. I got my dad to change from 19's to 18's before we drove it away from the garage due to the fact that he is a very experienced driver and prefers subtlety. The correct decision. (and m3's on 19's are driven by estate agents and thats not a good look.)

Edited by drakart on Monday 12th March 21:44

[968ant]

19 all the way!! they just look so much better, really don't understand 18's unless your on the track.

[WBC]

I must be the only person that thinks the M3 looks far better with 18's. Just looks more purposeful and less 'bling'. Function over fashion any day!

[Zod]

I've driven lots of them on both types of wheel and there really isn't much difference. As for kerbing, if you are close enough to a kerb, you will kerb either the 18" or the 19".

[toastboy]

Thanks for your replies, I feel I should go for the 18s as they are probably better for ride and handling. But seeing as they are so damn ugly I'm going to go for the 19s and put up with the estate agent jibes, I currently get those for driving a 330ci anyway.

[deutscher]

I just don't understand why people (other than tarts and estate agents) prefer 19s. Apart from negative effects on handling, they look too flash. I guess people who like 19s also like yellow cars and gold jewellery.

[cj.ok]

deutscher said:

And it's hard enough not to kerb 18s; impossible with 19s.

After 12 months of ownership my 19s were as they came out of the factory.

Put simply from someone who has driven an M3 with 18s and 19s.... Not much difference in the driving in reality, 18s might be slightly cheaper for tyres and as for kerbing - if you can't even park properly you shouldn't be buying such a powerful car!!!

[toastboy]

deutscher said:

I just don't understand why people (other than tarts and estate agents) prefer 19s. Apart from negative effects on handling, they look too flash. I guess people who like 19s also like yellow cars and gold jewellery.

Are you fishing? LOL. I'm not an estate agent, love Ferraris and Lambos in yellow but not BMWs and don't wear gold. I do wear a titanium Breitling which some people think is too bling but wouldn't buy a Casio, even if it keeps time better, because I don't like the image. Call me shallow but the M3 18s ruin the look of an otherwise good looking car. I guess people who like 18s also like beige cars and cardigans.

[gregg13]

toastboy said:

deutscher said:

I just don't understand why people (other than tarts and estate agents) prefer 19s. Apart from negative effects on handling, they look too flash. I guess people who like 19s also like yellow cars and gold jewellery.

Are you fishing? LOL. I'm not an estate agent, love Ferraris and Lambos in yellow but not BMWs and don't wear gold. I do wear a titanium Breitling which some people think is too bling but wouldn't buy a Casio, even if it keeps time better, because I don't like the image. Call me shallow but the M3 18s ruin the look of an otherwise good looking car. I guess people who like 18s also like beige cars and cardigans.

In years gone by I was an estate agent, I also wear a Breitling, and my M3 was Carbon Black with 18"s. Christ I've just remembered it was also convertible with Imola red leather...I'm confused!

Edited by gregg13 on Tuesday 13th March 12:13