Is Bigger Better?

e46mom · 06-26-2002, 07:18 PM

Hi- I am new to this board and I am amazed at what can be done with these cars. What a great way to deplete one's cash!
I want to change my wheels and rims to a bigger size-- 18 or 19's.
How will this change the way my car drives? It is so smooth right now. Will the ride be rougher because there will be less tire space between the wheel and the road? What are the pros and cons?

Edison@JleviSW · 06-26-2002, 09:52 PM

Some people report a drastic change in ride quality and some say it's a minor change. I think it really depends on the tire and or wheels. Either way, you are going to experience some change in ride quality, more noticeably with the 19's. You have to be VERY careful with the 19's though, they can get bent and ruined by the smallest potholes so if you are not into avoiding every small hole at all cost, I would stick with 18's. 19's do look cool in the end, but for practicality, if this is your main car, I would stick with 18's! Keep us updated with pics and tell me how it goes!

als · 06-27-2002, 12:08 AM

I notice a different ride quality when I change from 17" to 18"... it becomes harder. So yeah, you can assume that it'll effect your ride quality. I'll stick with 18" because they are many pot holes around here and I don't it to bend easily.
Imo, get 18". It should look good enough.

Joker444 · 06-27-2002, 12:43 AM

I recently changed my tires/rims to 18x8.5 inch Hm2, p700 tires(235/40/18)at D2. I also got "Eibach" spring to drop the car. Yes, there is a big change, I feel more grip when I make turns and start the car from 0. Plus I feel more secure and it seems to me that I have MORE HORSE POWER like 50 horses added. And the looks...oh my god..from 16 inch to 18 inch x 8.5....It looks 200 times better, and my HM2 almost looks like 19 inch.. I think you should get HM2 if you wanna get 19 inch looks with 18 inch rims.

Make sure you use "EIbach " when you lower the car!! it gives even drop..almost perfect, 1 finger gap for front and back! IMO 18 inch is more practical(no need to worry about road condition and bent wheels) and it looks better. It is hard to explain, but 18inch rims have more "tires" around the wheel while cars with 19 inch wheels look like they are driving with wheels only. Not enough tire parts showing for 19 inch rims. There should be more tire parts showing for 19 inch rims IMO.

06-26-2002, 07:18 PM	#1
e46mom Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 2 My Ride: 330ci View My Garage	Is Bigger Better? Hi- I am new to this board and I am amazed at what can be done with these cars. What a great way to deplete one's cash! I want to change my wheels and rims to a bigger size-- 18 or 19's. How will this change the way my car drives? It is so smooth right now. Will the ride be rougher because there will be less tire space between the wheel and the road? What are the pros and cons?

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06-26-2002, 09:52 PM	#2
Edison@JleviSW 1.888.JLEVISW Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Santa Clara Posts: 28,337 My Ride: BMW Duh View My Garage	Some people report a drastic change in ride quality and some say it's a minor change. I think it really depends on the tire and or wheels. Either way, you are going to experience some change in ride quality, more noticeably with the 19's. You have to be VERY careful with the 19's though, they can get bent and ruined by the smallest potholes so if you are not into avoiding every small hole at all cost, I would stick with 18's. 19's do look cool in the end, but for practicality, if this is your main car, I would stick with 18's! Keep us updated with pics and tell me how it goes!

06-27-2002, 12:08 AM	#3
als Aku. Soku. Zan. Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,793 My Ride: 2002 325i View My Garage	I notice a different ride quality when I change from 17" to 18"... it becomes harder. So yeah, you can assume that it'll effect your ride quality. I'll stick with 18" because they are many pot holes around here and I don't it to bend easily. Imo, get 18". It should look good enough.

06-27-2002, 12:43 AM	#4
Joker444 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: LA Posts: 48 My Ride: 2000 323I View My Garage	I recently changed my tires/rims to 18x8.5 inch Hm2, p700 tires(235/40/18)at D2. I also got "Eibach" spring to drop the car. Yes, there is a big change, I feel more grip when I make turns and start the car from 0. Plus I feel more secure and it seems to me that I have MORE HORSE POWER like 50 horses added. And the looks...oh my god..from 16 inch to 18 inch x 8.5....It looks 200 times better, and my HM2 almost looks like 19 inch.. I think you should get HM2 if you wanna get 19 inch looks with 18 inch rims. Make sure you use "EIbach " when you lower the car!! it gives even drop..almost perfect, 1 finger gap for front and back! IMO 18 inch is more practical(no need to worry about road condition and bent wheels) and it looks better. It is hard to explain, but 18inch rims have more "tires" around the wheel while cars with 19 inch wheels look like they are driving with wheels only. Not enough tire parts showing for 19 inch rims. There should be more tire parts showing for 19 inch rims IMO.