To 19inch or not to 19inch

[ihyln]

Simple question. I understand it is subjective but I want to know what everyone felt (or ordered). I stuck with the 18" because I was afraid of delays but now I don't think I care anymore about delays. It will still be agonizing but I just want to make the right choice.

[KKSigs]

The 19" look great and a bargain for $1100, however if your going to upgrade to aftermarket wheels then stick with 18" to track and the 19"s to show or both

[GT3 Tim]

Originally Posted by KKSigua

The 19" look great and a bargain for $1100, however if your going to upgrade to aftermarket wheels then stick with 18" to track and the 19"s to show or both

+1 I ordered 19's because I like them better, and do not plan to get an aftermarket wheel.

[AwesomeM3]

+2 I like the 19's better, but keep in mind the 18's give you a little nicer ride than the 19's.

[rick berry]

+3. The 19's look great and I didn't want any aftermarket wheels. $1100 is a good deal for what you get.

[ihyln]

I just called the dealer and he brought up a very valid point about 19" wheels. The Tri-state area roads SUCK. So one bad pothole = bye bye rims. He also mentioned that ordering the 19" would bring about the strong possibility of my order being delayed since a previous customer did the same and his car still hasn't been delivered (no further details given on that). So, I guess I DO care about delays

It still feels like I'm reluctantly sticking with the 18s

[ChitownM3]

Originally Posted by KKSigua

The 19" look great and a bargain for $1100, however if your going to upgrade to aftermarket wheels then stick with 18" to track and the 19"s to show or both

Exactly, the rubber alone for the 19" probably costs more than $1100.

[Keto]

Originally Posted by ihyln

I just called the dealer and he brought up a very valid point about 19" wheels. The Tri-state area roads SUCK. So one bad pothole = bye bye rims. He also mentioned that ordering the 19" would bring about the strong possibility of my order being delayed since a previous customer did the same and his car still hasn't been delivered (no further details given on that). So, I guess I DO care about delays

It still feels like I'm reluctantly sticking with the 18s

Your dealer is dumb. The 19's are forged; the 18's are cast. Thus, the 19's are inherently stronger and that makes up for having less sidewall.

I live in New Orleans; the roads are built on what is essentially drained swamp and are TERRIBLE everywhere. I would never have a non-forged wheel.

[ihyln]

hmm... I thought both wheel types are pretty strong with the 18" being slightly better for rougher roads?

[ChitownM3]

Originally Posted by ihyln

hmm... I thought both wheel types are pretty strong with the 18" being slightly better for rougher roads?

Slightly more comfortable due to the wider sidewall of the tire on the 18".

[MDCTFTW]

AND if you're worried about pot holes then get the tire insurance. Your dealer is dumb.

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by KKSigua

The 19" look great and a bargain for $1100, however if your going to upgrade to aftermarket wheels then stick with 18" to track and the 19"s to show or both

hehe, i ordered 19´s and will buy some "cheap" ones for the track.
otherway around is also possible(i love the m-19s)

[umwolverine]

I ordered and love my 19's. I also got them because I did not want to go aftermarket on the rims. But, to each his own.

[Mack211]

I got the 18's and don't plan on going aftermarket. I think they look fantastic with Space Gray. They also give slightly better feel and much cheaper rubber price when you need new tires...

[BMoney]

19s here...bigger is better for me.

[Bama M3]

I went with 18s. I like how they look with MR, and I believe they look better with E90s than the 19s. I'll probably get some aftermarket 19s as well so I can have a couple of options AND leave enough tread on the original tires so I can turn them back in at the end of my 36-month lease.

But you can't really go wrong either way. The 19s aren't very expensive, and I don't think the delay is too bad right now.

[psuwcc112]

I went with 19s, its good deal for the bucks. I know i will regret not getting 19s and spend more money for a set of aftermarket 19s down in the road. I will not be too worried about the potholes though, like many said you can always get the wheel insurance. However if you are afriad of possible delay, perhaps u should stick with the 18s.

[sayemthree]

i ordered the 19's. I think the size fits the e92 better, I like the fact they are forged, and I didnt care for the dark color of the 18's.

[footie]

Regardless of what your dealer or BMW will officially tell you the car was developed with one tyres in mind and that was what comes on the car as standard. The 19" may give a slightly higher cornering speed due to the stiffer side wall but on feel, comfort and overall balance the 18" is a much better option.

[Davinhci]

Dude the 18's looked great. It is easy to clean.

[psuwcc112]

Originally Posted by Davinhci

Dude the 18's looked great. It is easy to clean.

Easier than 19s to clean? They both seems just as annoying to clean due to their pattern

[HotLap]

Good question actually, I was wondering the same thing. Go with the looks of the 19's or the comfort of the 18's. I'm leaning towards the 19's but do realize the better handling and looks will cause rougher ride and the potential for increased pothole damage...especially on a vert as we aren't buying it for the handling. I probably will end up with the 19's as $1200.00 is a steal - aftermarket would be in the $3K - $4.5K range! I put aftermarket 19's with lower profile tires on my Shelby GT500 vert and it was terrible...while the car handled better in the curves, the suspension was too stiff and the increased header shake was not worth it! I wish I hadn't spend that $4500! I'm hoping the M3 vert suspension will be "tuned" for the 19's as they are a factory option.