18's vs 19's

[TacoShop]

I tried to search around, but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for.

Who here has run both 18's and 19's? Which do you prefer and why? How does the ITS drive with 18's vs 19's? I really enjoy the drive with the stock size, but would like a lighter set of wheels.

I've been looking for a new set of wheels and tires. I much prefer the look of the 19's, but it seems to be extremely difficult to find wheels that I like in 19's with the width I want and correct offset. The few wheels I like seem to be 18+ months special order, and I'd like to not have to wait that long.

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks!

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[Underdog]

I have two sets of the 19’s for my ITS, but have run different wheel diameter setups on other street cars. The most practical effect of going to 18” is a much greater selection of tires. The extra half inch of sidewall may give some additional isolation, but really that’s going to depend on the characteristics of whatever tire you go with; an 18” tire with a relatively stiff sidewall may feel more rough than a 19” with a more compliant sidewall.

You will find that while the wheel weight goes down with the -1” sizing, the weight of the tire goes up. Generally speaking, shifting the mass outward radially comes with a larger moment of inertia (flywheel effect). You can easily shave a few pounds of rotating and unsprung mass with the 19” wheel category. I think my 275/30-19 setup on OZ Leggeras shaved 4-5lbs per corner, and those were off-the-shelf ~$400 wheels. In terms of ride quality, reducing unsprung mass gives a similar effect to increasing suspension stiffness. So while it is tempting to go for the absolute lightest setup you can find, it isn't always the most desirable if you want to preserve the suspension tuning.

Aesthetically some people prefer a more chonky tire, while others prefer the proportions of a 19" wheel for the overall look of the car. I opted to stay with 19" so I had tire fitment cross-compatibility across my wheel sets, starting with the factory Michelin PS4S.

 

[StingertimeNC]

I'm 19 x 9.5" at the moment, with 275/30 tires and will stay that way for the daily/street.

I am going to get a set of dedicated 200TW tires and 18 x 9.5" wheels, with 275/35 tires for the track.

I'll go a total of 7 days this year so that's enough track time to warrant it. I went with a large group of FL5's recently and everyone running really fast times at the track was on 18" rims. Several were running Enkei options, 18 x 9.5, 265 and 275 tires. Oh +45 offset. They looked really good and did shave about 4Lb's in wheel weight over the stock wheels. (more tire though so probably negligible weight savings)

Best part is Tire rack sells those wheels for $276 per.

 

[Nivek2slick]

Apex wheels offer extremely light wheels ..mine are 19x10.5 +45 offset apex v5rs tires I'm running 285/30/19 wheels are 17 lbs each

 

[Victorofhavoc]

Underdog is 100% spot on.

Source: the 28 wheels and tires in my basement and garage right now. I burn through 2 to 3 sets of tires per year and rotate summers/winters for street on two cars twice per year.

I prefer 18s for track use in general because of far more tire availability, better adjustability range with tire pressure, and more sidewall to eat curbing.

I prefer 19s on the street because looks. No other reason and no other benefit that I've found. Nothing but drawbacks to 19s, imo... Tire selection, higher pressure, more likely to get curb rash, harsher ride (on equivalent tires), and hard to find a backup tire in case one goes. I just like how 19s look on this car because it's a very large car and looks a little fat with less wheel and more tire. The 19s make it look like it's on a diet.

Here's a photo of 18s with a proper 200tw tire.

 

[StingertimeNC]

Wow. That’s lighter than my Apex 19 x 9.5’s. Same model. Maybe my memory is off.

 

[Nivek2slick]

My fault your right 19pbe half asleep over here 19.7 to be exact still lot lighter then stock

 

[slowcountry]

DE4 stock wheels are like 28 lbs each. I'm planning on the Enkei TFR which are 18 lbs each.

Stock DE4 is 18x8 +45 with 235/40R18 tires.

Will be going with 18x8.5 +45 w/ 245/40R18 dws06+

 

[TacoShop]

I'm 19 x 9.5" at the moment, with 275/30 tires and will stay that way for the daily/street.

I am going to get a set of dedicated 200TW tires and 18 x 9.5" wheels, with 275/35 tires for the track.

I'll go a total of 7 days this year so that's enough track time to warrant it. I went with a large group of FL5's recently and everyone running really fast times at the track was on 18" rims. Several were running Enkei options, 18 x 9.5, 265 and 275 tires. Oh +45 offset. They looked really good and did shave about 4Lb's in wheel weight over the stock wheels. (more tire though so probably negligible weight savings)

Best part is Tire rack sells those wheels for $276 per.

Thanks for the insight. What offset are your 19x9.5's? I think that's what I want to go with, but I haven't seen offsets I like yet. I want a flush or slightly tucked look. Also, are you lowered? This car won't get track time, so I want to do a mild drop, probably Eibach Pro Kit or something similar.

Do you have pictures of your 19's?

Apex wheels offer extremely light wheels ..mine are 19x10.5 +45 offset apex v5rs tires I'm running 285/30/19 wheels are 17 lbs each

I didn't know you could run a wheel that wide. I wouldn't mind doing that, but would rather go slightly smaller/lighter unless I find something I really like. Does that spec fit your car without rubbing? Are you lowered at all?

I've got a Type S, if that helps.

 

[Nivek2slick]

Thanks for the insight. What offset are your 19x9.5's? I think that's what I want to go with, but I haven't seen offsets I like yet. I want a flush or slightly tucked look. Also, are you lowered? This car won't get track time, so I want to do a mild drop, probably Eibach Pro Kit or something similar.

Do you have pictures of your 19's?



I didn't know you could run a wheel that wide. I wouldn't mind doing that, but would rather go slightly smaller/lighter unless I find something I really like. Does that spec fit your car without rubbing? Are you lowered at all?

I've got a Type S, if that helps.

Type S as well no rubbing at all and lowered on h&r springs but any bigger tires it'll rub

 

[StingertimeNC]

Pics: 19 x 9.5, + 45 offset. 275/30. Lowered on Eibach Pro kit. Apex VS-5RS. Looks amazing on this car IMO.

It's aggressive looking, but not crazy. A couple pics are on the track with the 275/30's.

A couple pics have the stock tires or are on stock rims with 15mm spacers, so still effectively a +45 offset.

I think this is the perfect fitment.

 

[TacoShop]

Pics: 19 x 9.5, + 45 offset. 275/30. Lowered on Eibach Pro kit. Apex VS-5RS. Looks amazing on this car IMO.

It's aggressive looking, but not crazy. A couple pics are on the track with the 275/30's.

A couple pics have the stock tires or are on stock rims with 15mm spacers, so still effectively a +45 offset.

I think this is the perfect fitment.

This is pretty much exactly what I am looking for. The fronts look a little less tucked than the rears, Is that the case? Or just the picture making it look that way?

 

[StingertimeNC]

Fronts slightly less tucked, yes. Essentially same as when you're on stock springs. The top edge of the rear fender is usually a hair lower than the front. I think you'll be happy enough with the pro kit.
If you aren't planning on tracking the car, definitely stick with 19's. Also, the Continental Extreme Contact sport 02's have been great tires. Even solid at the track. So it's a good option if you want to go ahead with the 275/30 tires on 19 x 9.5 wheels.

 

[TacoShop]

Fronts slightly less tucked, yes. Essentially same as when you're on stock springs. The top edge of the rear fender is usually a hair lower than the front. I think you'll be happy enough with the pro kit.
If you aren't planning on tracking the car, definitely stick with 19's. Also, the Continental Extreme Contact sport 02's have been great tires. Even solid at the track. So it's a good option if you want to go ahead with the 275/30 tires on 19 x 9.5 wheels.

Interesting. Id prefer to have them be tucked about the same amount. I might look into running a small spacer to get that look, or modifying the front offset a little to tuck a little more. Obviously only if it will fit.

I've considered going with coils, but I want to retain the capability of the electronic suspension. I think the pro kit will be perfect for what im looking for.

Ill honestly probably try the Kumho's. I run them on my 550i, and have been extremely impressed with them on the street. Especially for the price.

Thank you very much for the insight. Id love to have a set of

 

[optronix]

I have two sets of the 19’s for my ITS, but have run different wheel diameter setups on other street cars. The most practical effect of going to 18” is a much greater selection of tires. The extra half inch of sidewall may give some additional isolation, but really that’s going to depend on the characteristics of whatever tire you go with; an 18” tire with a relatively stiff sidewall may feel more rough than a 19” with a more compliant sidewall.

You will find that while the wheel weight goes down with the -1” sizing, the weight of the tire goes up. Generally speaking, shifting the mass outward radially comes with a larger moment of inertia (flywheel effect). You can easily shave a few pounds of rotating and unsprung mass with the 19” wheel category. I think my 275/30-19 setup on OZ Leggeras shaved 4-5lbs per corner, and those were off-the-shelf ~$400 wheels. In terms of ride quality, reducing unsprung mass gives a similar effect to increasing suspension stiffness. So while it is tempting to go for the absolute lightest setup you can find, it isn't always the most desirable if you want to preserve the suspension tuning.

Aesthetically some people prefer a more chonky tire, while others prefer the proportions of a 19" wheel for the overall look of the car. I opted to stay with 19" so I had tire fitment cross-compatibility across my wheel sets, starting with the factory Michelin PS4S.

GREAT post. I never actually thought about the rotating mass with the heavier tires... but overall I think everyone agrees that 18s are the best choice for moderate to heavy track use, 19s are best for aesthetics (for this car at least- FL5 can more easily get away with it IMHO.)

This is pretty much exactly what I am looking for. The fronts look a little less tucked than the rears, Is that the case? Or just the picture making it look that way?

It's because of camber. On springs, the front camber is about 1 degree less than the rear (i.e., 1 degree less negative camber, so technically more... anyway). Anyone considering lowering the car should consider planning for adjusting the camber as well- either camber arms in the rear to bring the rear back in line with OEM @ ~1.5 degrees all around, or ball joints in the front to at least -2.5 degrees. I opted for the latter and it looks amazing, and drives even better. This is how the car should have come from the factory IMO (although steering is just a bit more twitchy).

You could also go with coils with adjustable top hats and skip the ball joints.

I don't have a picture that truly does it justice - I need one that shows the full front of the car from a bit of distance to show how menacing it looks with the front camber- but hopefully this helps. I have the same Apex VS-5RS in 19 x 9.5 +45, just satin bronze. Also on Eibach Pro-kit, with -3.5 camber in the front.

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