What is it with these big wheels?

[GTWayne]

I have spoken to a fair few different people over the past few years with regards to fitting bigger wheels to a car; Bigger in diameter and width, and interestingly most have been of the opinion that wheels have become TO big and some are even advocating the use of smaller rims. This type of thinking has many advantages some of which are better tyre choice, lighter wheel and tyre combo, all previous more affordable etc. Just wondered what your views are?

[clabcon]

I personally would spend £700 on some 17" motorsports with good tyres for an E36 M3 over some 18" split schnitzers for just over a grand second hand with good tyres. I would only go 19" over 18" on an E46 M3 if using genuine CSL items.

[GTWayne]

^ And for what reason may I ask?

[Kam125]

Smaller generally means lighter (CSL etc) will use light weight materials. Lighter wheels, especially unsprung, will give you better sterring response and dampning.

Big wheels look silly, unless they are used for larger brakes.

Too wide will also kill the geometry settings.

Kam

[MattOz]

My 19" BBS CH's are lighter than my standard 18" BMW alloys, so smaller isn't always lighter. The 19's also look better IMHO

Matt

[TimR69]

It can't be a coincidence that all the E92 M3s on the press launch had 18 inch wheels and the journos recommended that as the best choice for actually using the car.

[stevesingo]

MattOz said:

My 19" BBS CH's are lighter than my standard 18" BMW alloys, so smaller isn't always lighter. The 19's also look better IMHO

Matt

Ah, but what is the difference in tire weight. I'm having this dilemma now. Fitting AP's to my E30 M3 and I'm faced to use a larger wheel, which is lighter, but when I figure in the weight of the larger tire, the overall weight is more.

Worth thinking about.

Steve

[GTWayne]

^ Another thing to factor in is that with a larger diameter wheel you are moving the weight ( even if it is no more ) away from the hub and this will increase the gyroscopic effect. I will be fitting AP's latter on in the year and will deliberately be using a disc size that does not limit my options.

[Pugsey]

TimR69 said:

It can't be a coincidence that all the E92 M3s on the press launch had 18 inch wheels and the journos recommended that as the best choice for actually using the car.

Amazing that they made that recomendation BEFORE having tried the 19"s!!!!

IMO journos were just being lazy and regergitating findings from E46 M3 which WAS better on 18"s. Same as they all automatically said the steering wheel was too thick (another standard line from E46 days) despite no owners complaining.

In actual fact if they'd (journos) had done their homework - and back to backed cars with 18" and 19"s on - they would have found out that the E92 has actually been set up to run on 19"s, BMW having learnt from the E46. When we back to backed the E46 it was way better on road on 18"s but marginally better on track on 19"s. With the E92 you'd be hard pushed to tell the difference - it's only very very slightly more 'nuggety' ride wise on road with 19"s which some may actually prefer.

[RLK500]

stevesingo said:

MattOz said:

My 19" BBS CH's are lighter than my standard 18" BMW alloys, so smaller isn't always lighter. The 19's also look better IMHO

Matt

Ah, but what is the difference in tire weight. I'm having this dilemma now. Fitting AP's to my E30 M3 and I'm faced to use a larger wheel, which is lighter, but when I figure in the weight of the larger tire, the overall weight is more.

Worth thinking about.

Steve

I have AP's on my E30 and they will fit inside 7 x 15's and 8 x 15's. I have 7x15 compo's that fit and 8x15 compo's that fit (which are for sale....blatant, I know...).

[stevesingo]

I know there is wheels that will accommodate AP calipers, but these are not in the style I am looking for. I'm waning to maintain the stock look as much as I can.

What calipers/disc size are you using? Is it the kit from BG?

Steve

[RLK500]

I am pretty sure the disks are 284mm. The kit was supplied and fitted by Geoff Steel Racing.