[bigdnno98]

Looking to upgrade the crappy 17" wheels and RFT on my 09 e92 335i. I cannot keep any kind of traction so I am getting wider wheels and tires. Just wanted to know the forum's opinion on 18" staggered vs 19" staggered. Looking for performance related only, cosmetics not a big concern for me. And just to squash the LSD comments before they start, I am not in the market for one yet, still have 2yrs warranty on the car. LSD and meth will be the first 2 things I do the day the warranty is up.

Please, all opinions welcome. Right now I am leaning toward 18x8.5F, 18x9.5R with KooK V12.

[vasillalov]

Lightweight 17's will outperform anything else. You can have custom wider 17"s with meatier tires. If you MUST have bigger diameter wheels, go to 18's but make sure they are lightweight and strong. 19's is just a joke when it comes to "performance". There: I said it.

[E90SoFlo]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

Lightweight 17's will outperform anything else. You can have custom wider 17"s with meatier tires. If you MUST have bigger diameter wheels, go to 18's but make sure they are lightweight and strong. 19's is just a joke when it comes to "performance". There: I said it.

17 > 18 > 19

$$$ = Better performance

[bigdnno98]

That's what I was looking for. The problem is finding a set of 17x8.5 and 17.9.5 wheels.

Thanks for your input!

[vasillalov]

Originally Posted by bigdnno98

That's what I was looking for. The problem is finding a set of 17x8.5 and 17.9.5 wheels.

Thanks for your input!

http://www.ccwheel.com/
http://apexraceparts.com/

There are plenty more which either offer high quality 17's or will make you custom ones to your liking.

EDIT: Remember -> lightweight and strong! That's the key for wheels.

[tscdennab]

Here is a Car and Driver comparison of different wheel sizes:

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...sted-tech_dept

[bigdnno98]

You guys are awesome. Thanks.

[Kruz]

You never said anything about getting AWD!





j/k I find my 18" 8.5/9.5 setup to be excessively grippy. Almost no fun unless you REALLY push it.

[Brey335i]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

Lightweight 17's will outperform anything else. You can have custom wider 17"s with meatier tires. If you MUST have bigger diameter wheels, go to 18's but make sure they are lightweight and strong. 19's is just a joke when it comes to "performance". There: I said it.

Agreed. But the 19's look better and mine are lighter and have better turn in that my previous 18's.

[CarleeSWE]

I switched from heavy 33lbs 19" Breytons to 19lbs 18" BBS and I think it still looks good but I haven't noticed any big difference performance wise. Have you looked up TR Motorsport mt1 or OZ Alleggerita, looks good, very light and not very pricey

[ZURICH]

I have 19" x 8.5" 11Kg / 22lb OZ 166 reps with a square setup for winter
Running 225 35
and 19" offsets for summer 9,5" 255 40 rear 8,5" 235 35 fronts

[Will335i]

The smaller diameters are going to be easier to find in a lighter weight at a nice price. Think about it, smaller wheels equals less material equals less weight. Yes, you can find 19s that are lighter that 18s if you comparing after market to stock or say Breyton to BBS which is not really a fair comparison. IMO 19" are only for looks. 18" look just as good.

Another thing to look at is the price of tires and how it changes with diameter.

Just FYI I plan on going 18" Forgestar F14s light weight (19lbs) and cheap. Good luck

[bigdnno98]

Most people out there with 19" wheels have their car lowered right? I have no interest in lowering the car. Shiv has noticed issues with lowered cars with 400hp and drivetrain issues.

[Brey335i]

Originally Posted by bigdnno98

Most people out there with 19" wheels have their car lowered right? I have no interest in lowering the car. Shiv has noticed issues with lowered cars with 400hp and drivetrain issues.

I'm running on 19's. Lowered. And I have full bolt ons and even on my meth maps I didn't notice any issues

[CarleeSWE]

Originally Posted by bigdnno98

Most people out there with 19" wheels have their car lowered right? I have no interest in lowering the car. Shiv has noticed issues with lowered cars with 400hp and drivetrain issues.

what?? Not saying you are wrong but I've never ever heard anything like that Ive bin running FBO and H

[bigdnno98]

I read it on shiv's site. It may have been an isolated incident but as I recall he does not recommend lowering the car. The car in question had way over 400rwhp. I think it was procede/FBO/meth. I'll see if I can find it.

[CarleeSWE]

Originally Posted by bigdnno98

I read it on shiv's site. It may have been an isolated incident but as I recall he does not recommend lowering the car. The car in question had way over 400rwhp. I think it was procede/FBO/meth. I'll see if I can find it.

sure would be interesting to read. I've been running ~380rwhp H

[CPWINCH]

Originally Posted by bigdnno98

I read it on shiv's site. It may have been an isolated incident but as I recall he does not recommend lowering the car. The car in question had way over 400rwhp. I think it was procede/FBO/meth. I'll see if I can find it.

That is retarded. I wouldn't drive a 400whp without lowering it

[BMWsky]

Performance wise, 18's over 19's, 17's can be even better. I personally like the way 19's look, especially on a lowered car, but I still run 18's all the time.

As for lowering the car with FBO's and a tune...why not? Again, go to the track and you see many (if not most) cars lowered as it serves a purpose. Granted, most of the cars there have upgraded suspensions and components, but lowering does have a purpose.


I'm actually looking to put a square set of tires/wheels on for next season...still undecided whether or not it will be 17 or 18. (They will be a dedicated track set.)

[Transport3r]

Are there any more manufacturers that offer 18" options for us which are light, strong and affordable? (I know pick two right?) I'm talking <$1500 per set.
seems like most companies are too fixed on making 19" bling wheels...

[rismo]

19' sucks on the track, complete lack of flexibility.
17" lightweights are the best, with for example some michelin Super sports....

[quickawd]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

Lightweight 17's will outperform anything else. You can have custom wider 17"s with meatier tires. If you MUST have bigger diameter wheels, go to 18's but make sure they are lightweight and strong. 19's is just a joke when it comes to "performance". There: I said it.

Yes… lightweight 17’s will outperform heavier 18’s and 19’s. That doesn’t mean larger diameter wheels can’t offer performance improvements over the stock wheels.

It all comes down to your point of reference… the stock wheels and RFT are extremely heavy (my 17's weighed around 54 lbs each). A lightweight 18/19 inch wheel along with a lightweight tire can offer performance improvements over the stock set up. It all comes down to the moment of inertia (MOI) of the wheel AND tire. That’s not even mentioning the handling improvements you can make with less unsprung weight at all four corners.

I was in the same boat a few months ago, and after running the numbers I found out I could run 19’s (43 lbs in the front and 49 lbs in the back) while maintaining my performance on the street (the MOI's were almost identical). That being said, if I was looking to track my car I would look for the lightest 17” wheels and tires I could afford.