[M2fan]

There hasn't been too much discussion about this option. The 19s certainly LOOK better in my opinion, but I imagine they make the ride more harsh as well as possibly diminishing the handling that I'd get the car for in the first place.

Would those who have mounted 19s please weigh in on this subject? Please comment regarding any pluses and minuses you've experienced.


Thanks

[Dylan86]

Ride quality is subjective, so is looks. But I prefer the 19's as a daily wheel and as long as you're not on run flats I think it's similar to an 18" PSS setup. My 18's are used for track/weekend mountain rips.

For reference, 19" 624m Wheels w/ Dinan lowering springs

[wntrsnowg]

They are louder, too

[rainfall]

my broker had a bmw with 19's in it. He said it's louder and more prone to bend. He did have to go back to 18's after he ran over a hole in the street.

As for looks, I prefer a profile that is 40% (225/40/18), but that's my personal preference.
For relatively small cars like the 2 series or the Golf GTI, I prefer 18's rather than 19's.

For bigger cars, 19's is the max I'd tolerate. I saw an M4 with competition package the other day. I think it had 20's with 35% tire wall. I think that was kind of too much, even for that size of car

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by M2fan

There hasn't been too much discussion about this option. The 19s certainly LOOK better in my opinion, but I imagine they make the ride more harsh as well as possibly diminishing the handling that I'd get the car for in the first place.

Would those who have mounted 19s please weigh in on this subject? Please comment regarding any pluses and minuses you've experienced.

Thanks

No offense, OP, but have you looked in this subforum? I'd say a third of the threads in there are about 19" fitment on the 2 Series.

[M2fan]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

No offense, OP, but have you looked in this subforum? I'd say a third of the threads in there are about 19" fitment on the 2 Series.

No, I had not, but thanks for the hot tip!

[mike@x-ph.com]

I like the 19" look

[430409M2]

I like my 19's. Just replace the run flats once you've run them bald.

[Fabspeed Motorsport]

I went with 18" custom forged Brixton's. I like the 19" look as well but the 18's with a decent tire look great as well.

[RotorOver]

Originally Posted by Fabspeed Motorsport

I went with 18" custom forged Brixton's. I like the 19" look as well but the 18's with a decent tire look great as well.

What are your wheel and tire specs? I'm considering custom 18's and would like to get to 235 Front & 265 Rear with a flush fitment and no spacers on Dinan springs. Thanks!

[Fabspeed Motorsport]

Originally Posted by RotorOver

What are your wheel and tire specs? I'm considering custom 18's and would like to get to 235 Front & 265 Rear with a flush fitment and no spacers on Dinan springs. Thanks!

They are 18x8's in the front and 18x9's in the rear, custom offsets, and the tires are the OEM MPSS' actually. Little bit of stretch but not much. Also on H&R lowering springs and no spacers.

Check your PMs, I'd love to chat more!

[sublimegolf]

I went with 19"....it just looks better and noticed very little sacrifice in ride quality.

[B_Rice]

I think "meaty fitment" looks better

[Heitzer]

Originally Posted by Dylan86

Ride quality is subjective, so is looks. But I prefer the 19's as a daily wheel and as long as you're not on run flats I think it's similar to an 18" PSS setup. My 18's are used for track/weekend mountain rips.

For reference, 19" 624m Wheels w/ Dinan lowering springs

Interesting since you can compare 18 and 19s side by side. You like the 18s best for spirited driving but 19s for regular driving. Just wondering why? Are the 19s more relaxed/fun to drive around at regular speeds - or is it the looks?

[Maynard]

Sometimes a big weight penalty for the larger sizes too.

[moldcad]

Originally Posted by Fabspeed Motorsport

I went with 18" custom forged Brixton's. I like the 19" look as well but the 18's with a decent tire look great as well.

I'm in the same boat as you; preparing to order custom-fitted BC Forged 18" wheels, but would like to run 235F/255R tires. I'd like it to be flush with fenders - hate poking; already decided for 8" front and 9" rear wheels, but still debating over the best offsets. Your car looks great, could you please share the offsets of your 18" wheels, please (might be a PM, if you prefer)... Thanks,

Piotr

[Shovelman]

Umm I like to consider handling, ride and practicality first in my "driver's car" and appearance a little further down the list. It's a d/d so it's 17's for me.

[Sportstick]

I always think back to what I learned from a leading Vehicle Development engineer at the car company from where I retired. He told me, "Designers love big wheels. Engineers don't." Same issues we've discussed before....higher/rotating unsprung mass and shorter sidewall effect on accel, braking, ride, the extra weight on the verticle pendulum being managed in jounce/rebound...all for what?

I'm much more interested in the engineering benefits than the aesthetic ones, so I'm not going big.

[harma24]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

I'm much more interested in the engineering benefits than the aesthetic ones, so I'm not going big.

Performance is beautiful. I've never been a fan of the oversized wheel / no sidewall look.

[MartyMcFly88MPH]

I'm on 19s and they're definitely louder. I love how they look and how they fill in the wheel wells better, making lowering pointless (IMO). As for performance... the most i've done is spirited canyon runs, so it's not a huge deal to me.

[frefer82]

hi there, can someone give me the specs of the wheels and tires of this M ?

Originally Posted by B_Rice

I think "meaty fitment" looks better

[Dylan86]

Originally Posted by Heitzer

Interesting since you can compare 18 and 19s side by side. You like the 18s best for spirited driving but 19s for regular driving. Just wondering why? Are the 19s more relaxed/fun to drive around at regular speeds - or is it the looks?

Great questions!

First off, my 19's have PSS's which are a great everyday performance tire. The ride quality is pretty subjective but I'd say it's minimal in regards to noise difference between the two. I am running Cup 2's on my 18's and prefer to have the tread for when I really want/need it. My 19's are pretty light, and forged, which may effect how I feel about the ride and performance between the two. The 19's make the car feel really "tight" if that makes sense..

The 18's are flow formed and pretty light also, but the grip difference is huge. They also provide a bit more clearance for suspension travel. So that said, when tossing the car around I absolutely prefer the 18's but the 19's not only look much better, they are the wheels that the car came with, so that's usually my "daily" wheel. I will end up with some HRE FF15's in 19" once I'm done modding the car. That way I have a daily set, track set, and show/shine set. That's usually how I equip my toys when it comes to wheels.

D