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[cbad335]

After several sets of 19" wheels, I've decided that for me, the cosmetic value of a 19" wheel isn't worth the sacrifice in ride quality or performance over an 18" wheel. Granted, my aftermarket wheels have been gravity, and low pressure cast aftermarket wheels, but I've never been able to justify the cost or depreciation of forged wheels for a 3 series daily driver.

I recently replaced a set of 19" LM reps (two of which were bent) with APEX ARC-8 wheels (18x8.5 +37F, 18x9.5 +35R). Primarily designed for the track, APEX wheels are manufactured using flow form casting, resulting in strong, light wheels (18.45lbs F, 18.85lbs R). I wrapped them in Conti Extreme Contact DW tires (235/40 F, 265/35 R). Besides having a little more rubber to combat poorly maintained SoCal roads, and hopefully protect the wheels, the ride quality of my vehicle has noticeably improved. In addition, the steering feels more responsive, with less resistance, and braking modulation feels much improved. With the significant drop in unsprung weight, acceleration is better, as well. The difference in weight over my last set of wheels (26lbs F, 27.5R) is substantial.

As far as looks go, I was pleasantly surprised, especially since appearance was not my primary consideration. The ARC-8's have a CSL styling that works well with BMW center caps to maintain a factory effect. Despite looking flat in pictures, the fronts are slightly concave. The rears have a deep concave face.

To sum it up, I'm done with 19's, extreme offsets, and stretched, low profile tires. I'm stoked with the way my car drives now, which is why I purchased a Bimmer in the first place.

Thank you to my friend, TJ, for the pics. Despite driving an Audi, he's a pretty cool guy.

[XDEEDUBBX]

i was in the same boat as your were. I'm over 19's. Loving my 18" style 219's...

[fdriller9]

I run a 19" square setup on my xi during the spring, summer, and fall and have no problems with ride quality.

I run my stock 17" 159s in the winter.

The only thing that bothers me about my 19"s is the road noise. But that's because of the tires I have on them. BF Goodrich g-force t/a tdw tires are known to have alot fo road noise.....I got my 19's used so I couldn't choose the tires.

Can't wait for them to wear out!

[jose_sonictuning]

Originally Posted by cbad335

After several sets of 19" wheels, I've decided that for me, the cosmetic value of a 19" wheel isn't worth the sacrifice in ride quality or performance over an 18" wheel. Granted, my aftermarket wheels have been gravity, and low pressure cast aftermarket wheels, but I've never been able to justify the cost or depreciation of forged wheels for a 3 series daily driver.

I recently replaced a set of 19" LM reps (two of which were bent) with APEX ARC-8 wheels (18x8.5 +37F, 18x9.5 +35R). Primarily designed for the track, APEX wheels are manufactured using flow form casting, resulting in strong, light wheels (18.45lbs F, 18.85lbs R). I wrapped them in Conti Extreme Contact DW tires (235/40 F, 265/35 R). Besides having a little more rubber to combat poorly maintained SoCal roads, and hopefully protect the wheels, the ride quality of my vehicle has noticeably improved. In addition, the steering feels more responsive, with less resistance, and braking modulation feels much improved. With the significant drop in unsprung weight, acceleration is better, as well. The difference in weight over my last set of wheels (26lbs F, 27.5R) is substantial.

As far as looks go, I was pleasantly surprised, especially since appearance was not my primary consideration. The ARC-8's have a CSL styling that works well with BMW center caps to maintain a factory effect. Despite looking flat in pictures, the fronts are slightly concave. The rears have a deep concave face.

To sum it up, I'm done with 19's, extreme offsets, and stretched, low profile tires. I'm stoked with the way my car drives now, which is why I purchased a Bimmer in the first place.

Thank you to my friend, TJ, for the pics. Despite driving an Audi, he's a pretty cool guy.

Looks good! Nice tire choice.

[edirtaynine]

dang those do look good!!

[ShowTime12]

18's are ight. The Apex you got look nice too. I'll stick with my 19s though since I don't track car. Those BBS reps on your sig look realllly nice too OP.

[TSM330i]

Very nice! I too went with 18" for lighter weight and a little more sidewall. Never regretted it!

[ghost chili]

I think I may have found my new wheels...

[tibra1]

Im gonna have to say that my car handles and rides much better w 19s and non-rfts than w 18s and Rfts..that said the only draw back to 19s is potholes..but u guys in the non-winter states have the buttery smooth roads.. so wtf?

[Syndicategt]

Originally Posted by tibra1

but u guys in the non-winter states have the buttery smooth roads.. so wtf?

LOL Peoples Republic of Kalifornia is far from having buttery smooth roads...quite the opposite! I lived in the NE for 30+ years and never experiened roads as bad as CA. Great looking wheels, and on the weight savings! That's a huge reduction in rotational force, should vastly decrease track times. If you threw some spacers on there, the flush look would almost make you appear to have 19's.

[mikeith]

well dang now i'm scared cause i just ordered a set of 19's! i only plan on keeping em for 6 months to a year or so, then sell em and get some 18" ccw lm20's after i get some more performance orientend mods like meth, dp's, diverters, intercooler etc etc

[Dark_Knight_335]

The difference in ride quality between 18s and 19s is negligible at best. Get a good set of tires and you're left splitting hairs.

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by Syndicategt

Great looking wheels, and on the weight savings! That's a huge reduction in rotational force, should vastly decrease track times. If you threw some spacers on there, the flush look would almost make you appear to have 19's.

LOL..some people thinking they are running in the Indy 500 or smthg..two words for u ..deep dish....

as said the weight diff between 18 n 19s is totally neligible to mean anything in handling on street...when i run track i swap wheels/tires anyway

[John_01]

It depends what you compare to. If comparing to OEM wheels, then the Apex rims can be actually have a significant effect on performance. Some of OEM rims are around 28lb, so these can save up to 10lb per corner which is easily noticable, not to mention better ride, better grip, and less chance of bending a rim with 18s.

[cvc 22349a]

Immitation is the sincerest form of flattery cbad
Just snapped a quick pic at Apex when I had these installed last week; sorry about the picture size.
I agree with the improved steering, handling and braking feel, but I actually feel bumps, potholes and ripples more compared to the heavier 19's that came off the car. I expected the opposite going down one size wheel and increasing sidewall. I guess it has to do with the significantly lighter weight

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by tibra1

Im gonna have to say that my car handles and rides much better w 19s and non-rfts than w 18s and Rfts..that said the only draw back to 19s is potholes..but u guys in the non-winter states have the buttery smooth roads.. so wtf?

This State gets alot more snow in the Sierras than NY and the roads are total crap!

[R1000K3]

Originally Posted by cbad335

After several sets of 19" wheels, I've decided that for me, the cosmetic value of a 19" wheel isn't worth the sacrifice in ride quality or performance over an 18" wheel. Granted, my aftermarket wheels have been gravity, and low pressure cast aftermarket wheels, but I've never been able to justify the cost or depreciation of forged wheels for a 3 series daily driver.

I recently replaced a set of 19" LM reps (two of which were bent) with APEX ARC-8 wheels (18x8.5 +37F, 18x9.5 +35R). Primarily designed for the track, APEX wheels are manufactured using flow form casting, resulting in strong, light wheels (18.45lbs F, 18.85lbs R). I wrapped them in Conti Extreme Contact DW tires (235/40 F, 265/35 R). Besides having a little more rubber to combat poorly maintained SoCal roads, and hopefully protect the wheels, the ride quality of my vehicle has noticeably improved. In addition, the steering feels more responsive, with less resistance, and braking modulation feels much improved. With the significant drop in unsprung weight, acceleration is better, as well. The difference in weight over my last set of wheels (26lbs F, 27.5R) is substantial.

As far as looks go, I was pleasantly surprised, especially since appearance was not my primary consideration. The ARC-8's have a CSL styling that works well with BMW center caps to maintain a factory effect. Despite looking flat in pictures, the fronts are slightly concave. The rears have a deep concave face.

To sum it up, I'm done with 19's, extreme offsets, and stretched, low profile tires. I'm stoked with the way my car drives now, which is why I purchased a Bimmer in the first place.

Thank you to my friend, TJ, for the pics. Despite driving an Audi, he's a pretty cool guy.

Good looking, thanks for sharing.

[spanner1751]

Thanks for posting the pics. Looks good. I'm thinking of getting the same setup for my LCI E90, only with 9.0 width on the rear.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

I agree with the improved steering, handling and braking feel, but I actually feel bumps, potholes and ripples more compared to the heavier 19's that came off the car. I expected the opposite going down one size wheel and increasing sidewall. I guess it has to do with the significantly lighter weight

What else is different... stiffness of tires and/or pressures wrong?

I'd be expecting the opposite as well, my lighter winter rims (same rim size as summer) refine the drive over bumps, potholes, etc. Helped by a bit of both, tire and rim weight.

HighlandPete

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

What else is different... stiffness of tires and/or pressures wrong?

I'd be expecting the opposite as well, my lighter winter rims (same rim size as summer) refine the drive over bumps, potholes, etc. Helped by a bit of both, tire and rim weight.

HighlandPete

Well, the PSS's might have a stiffer sidewall than the PS2's? They definately have more of a shoulder. I went with 34psi F, 37 psi R which is close to what I ran on my 19's. I'll try dropping the front psi a pound or so. GaryS posted something and added a link from Tire Rack about how adding significantly lighter weight wheels will increase the feel of bumps and potholes.

[LionOfGosforth]

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

Immitation is the sincerest form of flattery cbad
Just snapped a quick pic at Apex when I had these installed last week; sorry about the picture size.
I agree with the improved steering, handling and braking feel, but I actually feel bumps, potholes and ripples more compared to the heavier 19's that came off the car. I expected the opposite going down one size wheel and increasing sidewall. I guess it has to do with the significantly lighter weight

What finish are those? Hyper silver or hyper black? Looks great! i'm strongly considering these wheels for my BSM e92

Edit to add - did you go with a staggered setup? 8.5 front and 9.5 rear? hard to tell from that pic

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by spanner1751

Thanks for posting the pics. Looks good. I'm thinking of getting the same setup for my LCI E90, only with 9.0 width on the rear.

Check the offset of those 9" You still might want to run a spacer in the rear? Eddy at Apex is very knowlegable and a stand up guy.