My Comparison: OEM E46 M3 Style 67 19s vs. 18s- I like the 19s

[beem3]

This is more of a feedback thread in reference to the oem E46 M3 19s style 67 I just put on my M3. I had the oem M3 18s on it before. In terms of ride quality, they're pretty similar, I picked up both rims and for some reason the 19s actually felt lighter, but maybe that's because the tire was bald? Anyways, in terms of handling, through the corners, the car feels more stable with the 19s. With the 18s, in corners the car seemed to be too "bouncy", probably attributable to the 40 ratio vs. 35 ratio for the rears for example. Also, it is much easier to clean the 19s than the 18s because you don't have to clean the lip on the 18s, and the spokes are wider apart on the 19s making it easier access to clean. And as far as tires, as a comparison using the michelin pilot super sport as an example, they're only $35 more from 255/40 18 to 255/35 19 $260 vs. $295 per tirerack. Width wise, even though the rears of the 19s are 9.5 wide vs. 18s 9 wide, the difference with the 255 tires was only a few millimeters wider for the 19s. Height/diameter of the two were around the same, but I cannot be precise since the 19s had bald tires. As for the look, it makes the car look a lot beefier. And in my closing statement, I must say that the car looks alot sexier with the 19s.

Below are all the pictures I took with my canon digital camera comparing the 18s to 19s. My buddy also had a silver E46 M3 with 19s, I had 18s at the time, see pics below. Happy viewing.

[beem3]

I'm thinking about doing this too. Good info.

[cemimms]

like the pics....very helpful as i also own a silver e46 m, currently with 19s though i am thinking about switching to 18s, i really wanted a good visual comparison which you provided here, thanks!

super torn but i think i am going to try the 18s out for a while and if i am totally unhappy i can always through the 19s back on....or have a track set and a daily set, either way having options is always good i guess.

your post on the M3 board stirred up quite a bit of debate haha

[StinkyM]

The 19's are lighter than the 18's. The 19's are forged vs cast alloy wheels. IIRC the 18's aere 26 lbs each, the style 67's are 24 lbs and the ZCP's are 21-22 lbs each. Each of them were built differently. The OEM CSL wheels are Cast vs the OEM ZCP wheels being spin cast. Just some jeewiz information.

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=19

[beem3]

like the pics....very helpful as i also own a silver e46 m, currently with 19s though i am thinking about switching to 18s, i really wanted a good visual comparison which you provided here, thanks!

super torn but i think i am going to try the 18s out for a while and if i am totally unhappy i can always through the 19s back on....or have a track set and a daily set, either way having options is always good i guess.

your post on the M3 board stirred up quite a bit of debate haha

It's been a while since I checked this thread. Glad to hear it helped you out. Since there was so much debate about 18s vs. 19s, I figure I'd take pics so E46 M3 guys can compare closer. Yeah, way more posts and debate with my thread on m3forum.

The 19's are lighter than the 18's. The 19's are forged vs cast alloy wheels. IIRC the 18's aere 26 lbs each, the style 67's are 24 lbs and the ZCP's are 21-22 lbs each. Each of them were built differently. The OEM CSL wheels are Cast vs the OEM ZCP wheels being spin cast. Just some jeewiz information.

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=19

The madrussian.net website says 18s front are 24lb and 18s rear are 26lb. He says the 19in style 67 is within .5lb to the 18s.