E46 M3 18" vs 19"
Discussion
Since picking up my M earlier this year I've been running it on OEM 19s with Michelin Pilot Sports.
Last week I swapped to OEM 18s with Conti Winters on, given what I've read about the 18s vs 19s debate I was expecting a considerable difference in the handling and that I'd be looking for a set of 18s for the summer too.
My initial thoughts are that whilst there is a slight improvement in ride quality and that the steering is lighter it's not quite all I was expecting.
So I'm wondering if maybe this is to do with the winter tyres or if the difference in handling on 18s really isn't as great as magazines make out?
Last week I swapped to OEM 18s with Conti Winters on, given what I've read about the 18s vs 19s debate I was expecting a considerable difference in the handling and that I'd be looking for a set of 18s for the summer too.
My initial thoughts are that whilst there is a slight improvement in ride quality and that the steering is lighter it's not quite all I was expecting.
So I'm wondering if maybe this is to do with the winter tyres or if the difference in handling on 18s really isn't as great as magazines make out?
Edited by HerrSchnell on Friday 2nd November 21:05
Yay a reply 
Digging on the net doesn't give a definitive answer, the last thread I could find here illustrates the split.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=791...
I've also found a US thread where some guy has posted photos of both sizes on scales, the 19s are actually a few pounds lighter.
Be interested to hear what you think.
Digging on the net doesn't give a definitive answer, the last thread I could find here illustrates the split.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=791...
I've also found a US thread where some guy has posted photos of both sizes on scales, the 19s are actually a few pounds lighter.
Be interested to hear what you think.
19 can be lighter than 18 as you have to remember 18 inch tyres on same radius will add back about 1/2 kg to each corner.
Tbh the difference on track is negligible and on the road even more so. Slightly better ride with 18 inch but you'll never tel that either unless you buy the same tyres and test on both.
I've run 18 with Pirelli and Cups, 19 with PSS, PS2, PS1, Conti, Nangkangs, Federal. Tyres were by far the biggest difference, not the rims
Tbh the difference on track is negligible and on the road even more so. Slightly better ride with 18 inch but you'll never tel that either unless you buy the same tyres and test on both.
I've run 18 with Pirelli and Cups, 19 with PSS, PS2, PS1, Conti, Nangkangs, Federal. Tyres were by far the biggest difference, not the rims
Dynamically this one will be a very hard one to call due to this:
HerrSchnell said:
I've been running it on OEM 19s with Michelin Pilot Sports.
Last week I swapped to OEM 18s with Conti Winters on
In theory, putting summers on the 18s would make the ride a degree harder again, as winter tyres are generally a little more compliant.Last week I swapped to OEM 18s with Conti Winters on
i have just done exactly the same as the OP two weeks. For the driving I do it definately rides a lot better, moreso across uneven B roads. I do agree with the lightness in the steering, i have kept the widths the same so its not contact point differences, but it could be tyres? I was surprised how much of a difference moving 1in in rim sizes made, I have done this with older cars going from 55/60 to 35/40 profiles, but never noticed the steering weight changing. Interested to see others views/findings.
Stingercut said:
Good thread find. Another poster settled another issue for me, my 19 CSLs tramline annoyingly with Conti M3s, so it's Michelin PSS next time.
Maybe the best use of 18s is for winter tyres, softer more compliant ride and cheaper tyre sizes.
Pirelli P Zeros tramline like you wouldnt believe as well, like movie driving on a straight piece of road... Rules out Conti's if they do the same.. bugger! Maybe the best use of 18s is for winter tyres, softer more compliant ride and cheaper tyre sizes.
Maybe it depends on how good / bad your local roads are.
If you run 19's then you will have lower profiles than with 18's .. so the
ride on the same brand of tyre on very poor roads should be worse.
I run 18's on my E46 M3 and my local roads are just aweful. I ran a Fosuc RS which had 35 profile tyres and that banged and crashed everywhere.
The M3 on 18's is a limo in comparison.
If you run 19's then you will have lower profiles than with 18's .. so the
ride on the same brand of tyre on very poor roads should be worse.
I run 18's on my E46 M3 and my local roads are just aweful. I ran a Fosuc RS which had 35 profile tyres and that banged and crashed everywhere.
The M3 on 18's is a limo in comparison.
Edited by rev-erend on Wednesday 7th November 09:17
HerrSchnell said:
Since picking up my M earlier this year I've been running it on OEM 19s with Michelin Pilot Sports.
Last week I swapped to OEM 18s with Conti Winters on, given what I've read about the 18s vs 19s debate I was expecting a considerable difference in the handling and that I'd be looking for a set of 18s for the summer too.
My initial thoughts are that whilst there is a slight improvement in ride quality and that the steering is lighter it's not quite all I was expecting.
So I'm wondering if maybe this is to do with the winter tyres or if the difference in handling on 18s really isn't as great as magazines make out?
Horses for courses tbh; winter and summer tyres are very different. Winters only come into their own in ice and snow tbh; I'm surprised the snow tyre didn't feel poor relative to the standard tyres in 'normal' conditions; the front end turn in / understeer usually suffers most imho. Last week I swapped to OEM 18s with Conti Winters on, given what I've read about the 18s vs 19s debate I was expecting a considerable difference in the handling and that I'd be looking for a set of 18s for the summer too.
My initial thoughts are that whilst there is a slight improvement in ride quality and that the steering is lighter it's not quite all I was expecting.
So I'm wondering if maybe this is to do with the winter tyres or if the difference in handling on 18s really isn't as great as magazines make out?
Edited by HerrSchnell on Friday 2nd November 21:05
I've run winters on my old e36 and Z4 for 3 years now so know how the squirmy feeling and slightly vague turn in feels so have taken account for that.
Maybe I do need to try one on 18s on Pilot Sports to make a valid comparison but I still don't see it being the night and day difference which people talk about.
Maybe I do need to try one on 18s on Pilot Sports to make a valid comparison but I still don't see it being the night and day difference which people talk about.
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