[Jhalf]

Im shopping around for wheels, and I was curious as to what people have here and their preferences. I was set on 19s but I kind of changed my mind because I hit a couple pot holes every week on 495 and dont want to bend them.

Thanks

[cssnms]

I run 19's but most of my driving is over te weekend. If my situation were to change were I found myself commuting into DC by car I would swap to 18's forged. Either that or I would buy a beater for the same money.

[Eric the Ricer]

I've been on 19's for 2 years now, just watch the road and you'll be ok

[kmarei]

i've had both 19s and 18s
never going back to 19s
they look amazing
but if this is a daily driver, 19s put too much strain on the car
my 08 M3 started having a lot more interior rattles after i had the 19s
they transfer more energy into the car than 18s since there is less sidewall
plus the wheels tires on 19s are heavier, which is felt when you hit bumps
car takes longer to recover from a bump than on 18s

[Eugeinus]

My winters are 18s, and summers 19s. True that a lot of the roads are littered with potholes, but if you are careful you are just fine. 495 may be the worst highway I've driven. I usually drive 66 as my daily commute, and it's fairly smooth.

[toan414]

I had the stock 189's on my 335i on coils. That was a back breaker around here. Now I got the stock 19" on the M3. The rattle kmarei mention is there but not as bad. Want to lower my M3 but I live in Baltimore City, not worth the pain. 19" is not bad if you know the roads. I have EDC, trust me I can tell the difference between comfort and normal. I drive slow around the city and on any new roads. I also usually take the longer path if I know it is the smoother one. 18s or 19s, you still got a sport car. Cant drive it like a SUV

[Stucks]

Originally Posted by toan414

I also usually take the longer path if I know it is the smoother one. 18s or 19s, you still got a sport car. Cant drive it like a SUV

LOL I do the same thing toan! if its a better quality road, but adds a little on to my commute, ill choose it over the short but pothole-eff'd route.

[cotmfk]

I run 19's without runflats. I don't think the ride is worse than the 18's with run flats. I can see the argument for going to 18's no run flats strictly for performance reasons. I'll probably stick with 19's, though. I don't need my car to be the absolute fastest there ever was. Also, imay eventually go to a big brake kit.

[TREE3FIFE]

I just switched to VMR 19s from stock 193M with RFT about a week ago. I argue that compared with stock RFT's the ride is substantially smoother and a hell of lot quieter on level road. Spirited driving is like night and day. I dont drive it everyday, but I've made the drive to work from Woodbridge to Reston via 495 and 66 with 19's and the ride does feel quite rough on 495 with the damn construction every other mile. But IMO if you drive carefully where the roads are shitty, making the switch is well worth it.

[Pcemkr]

Originally Posted by TREE3FIFE

I just switched to VMR 19s from stock 193M with RFT about a week ago. I argue that compared with stock RFT's the ride is substantially smoother and a hell of lot quieter on level road. Spirited driving is like night and day. I dont drive it everyday, but I've made the drive to work from Woodbridge to Reston via 495 and 66 with 19's and the ride does feel quite rough on 495 with the damn construction every other mile. But IMO if you drive carefully where the roads are shitty, making the switch is well worth it.

You commute Woodbridge to Reston? How long does that take you?

Some things are unavoidable, but you need to learn how to drive a lowered car with 18"s-19"s.

[platnumdesi01]

I have 19' VB3's with Hankook tires and the car rides wayy better when it had stock run flats. But if I was commuting to DC I would def. sell the VB3's and either put stock rims on or get forged like mentioned above.

[TREE3FIFE]

Originally Posted by Pcemkr

You commute Woodbridge to Reston? How long does that take you?

Some things are unavoidable, but you need to learn how to drive a lowered car with 18"s-19"s.

Its not as bad as it sounds. I work off hours, 6 am to 2pm, and theres no traffic at that time. It takes me about 40 minutes.

[dcorn]

In the 1.5 yrs I had my E90, I bent a strut, knuckle and rim and bubbled the RFT on the passenger front (when I was completely stock) and bent a control arm on the driver's front end (lowered on H&R sport). One was a huge pothole up by baltimore and the other could have been any other numerous hits. The NoVa roads are the worst I've seen by far. Especially the beltway with all the construction. I've had 4 other cars with stiff, lowered suspension and never bent or broken anything on any of them, but that was mainly before I was in NoVa.

[bigdaddycane]

19's, not run flats....know your roads (see above).

[cssnms]

Originally Posted by dcorn

In the 1.5 yrs I had my E90, I bent a strut, knuckle and rim and bubbled the RFT on the passenger front (when I was completely stock) and bent a control arm on the driver's front end (lowered on H&R sport). One was a huge pothole up by baltimore and the other could have been any other numerous hits. The NoVa roads are the worst I've seen by far. Especially the beltway with all the construction. I've had 4 other cars with stiff, lowered suspension and never bent or broken anything on any of them, but that was mainly before I was in NoVa.

While I agree the roads in our area are not great I have not had a problem on 19" and 30/35 series non rft, lowered. RFT and stiffer/lower suspension, creates the perfect storm for bent rims and suspension.

[Jhalf]

Originally Posted by bigdaddycane

19's, not run flats....know your roads (see above).

The problem with knowing your roads around here is they change weekly, at least where I live.

[bigdaddycane]

how can road pavement change weekly?

[Jake@MOTIV]

I vote for 18s lol. I love my 19s. The car looks incredible but I am currently looking to trade someone for 18s. I just want to go back to the softer ride from teh meatier tire.

[forever_speed]

I was just pretty much sold on 19"s for my car. Now that I hear all this input I'm a little bit hesitant. What do you guys think about Michelle pilot sport run flats?

[Jhalf]

Originally Posted by bigdaddycane

how can road pavement change weekly?

Construction..

There are new pot holes and sections of disjointed pavement almost every time i drive my car.. have you been on 495 lately?

[Sam335ix]

I have 19's for summer and 18s for winter... The ride is a bit harsh on the 19's but only over bumps.

[bigdaddycane]

Originally Posted by forever_speed

I was just pretty much sold on 19"s for my car. Now that I hear all this input I'm a little bit hesitant. What do you guys think about Michelle pilot sport run flats?

It really comes down to personal preference. I don't mind the 19's, but just because Flylow and I love Chipotle , doesn't mean he will agree with me on running larger wheels on his 335. Try driving someone's car, that is similar to yours, with 19" wheels to get a better idea. Nothing beats real world conditions.

There are new pot holes and sections of disjointed pavement almost every time i drive my car.. have you been on 495 lately?

It's been a few years since I had a real commute, but I can't imagine the pot holes pop up daily.