helpme...18, 19 or 20 in wheel?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: bay area
05 E55t, 07 R63, 04 Mini R53 (SOLD):01 s4 avant st3, 06 q7
helpme...18, 19 or 20 in wheel?
ok guy... what size is the best performance?
I am in the process of buying a new wheel. but I keep on going back and forth on the rim size. I know the 20 will look (bling factor) best. but in term of 18 and 19.... what is better. I really want performance. but have alitte bling would not be bad..... right now I am running stock 18 x 9 in my front and rear with 275/35/18. or should I just get a sl550 rear that is 18 x 10 with 295/30/18 and be happy......?
I am in the process of buying a new wheel. but I keep on going back and forth on the rim size. I know the 20 will look (bling factor) best. but in term of 18 and 19.... what is better. I really want performance. but have alitte bling would not be bad..... right now I am running stock 18 x 9 in my front and rear with 275/35/18. or should I just get a sl550 rear that is 18 x 10 with 295/30/18 and be happy......?
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02 996 Turbo, 05 CLK55 AMG
do the search if I remember corectly this topic was discussed many times... 18" performace 19" balance between perfromance and looks 20" looks
Last edited by SaMaS; Jan 12, 2008 at 09:03 PM.
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06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
+1...If you are worried about performance and/or ride quality, don't go 20". I went with 19", but still go with stock 18" when I go to the drag strip...I'm in the works of even going to 16" in the rear.
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2024 911 ST, 2025 G63, 2023 Bentley Flying Spur Speed, 2024 Porsche Taycan Turbo S, 2025 SL63S E
Stick with 18's
Here's my experience not my opinion...unless you live in a land where the roads are pristine you will forever regret going to 19's. In one year ordinary potholes in the northeast took-out and or bent my wheels 3 times. I had to replace 2 tires. Albeit I drive hard and fast but with the airmatic dialed down to its firmest position there is very little give in the suspension and virtually none in the PS2's on 19 inch rims. I recently returned to HRE 18's and have never regretted that decision even once. Plenty of bling with HRE's with a big fat 3'' lip!
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06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
Here's my experience not my opinion...unless you live in a land where the roads are pristine you will forever regret going to 19's. In one year ordinary potholes in the northeast took-out and or bent my wheels 3 times. I had to replace 2 tires. Albeit I drive hard and fast but with the airmatic dialed down to its firmest position there is very little give in the suspension and virtually none in the PS2's on 19 inch rims. I recently returned to HRE 18's and have never regretted that decision even once. Plenty of bling with HRE's with a big fat 3'' lip!
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Got bad news for ya. the SL550 rims are only 18X9.5s. they do hold 295s well, but are only 9.5s.
if you honestly want performance, then 18 is the only way to go. just get lighter and wider rims. BUT, make sure that performance is what you want. Mine have NO bling.
if you honestly want performance, then 18 is the only way to go. just get lighter and wider rims. BUT, make sure that performance is what you want. Mine have NO bling.
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Your worst nightmare...
Here's my experience not my opinion...unless you live in a land where the roads are pristine you will forever regret going to 19's. In one year ordinary potholes in the northeast took-out and or bent my wheels 3 times. I had to replace 2 tires. Albeit I drive hard and fast but with the airmatic dialed down to its firmest position there is very little give in the suspension and virtually none in the PS2's on 19 inch rims. I recently returned to HRE 18's and have never regretted that decision even once. Plenty of bling with HRE's with a big fat 3'' lip!
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That's what I did and am 100% happy
Good luck on you choice
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06 EuroElites E55
well Im gettin rid of that old myth of 18s being better for performance. well at least in the quarter mile. on 18" stock rims and DRs I ran 11.7 with 19" HREs with street tires I ran a 11.7. I am now gettin ready to put on 20s and I bet I run a 11.7 or better if the track ever gets preped.
When I had my 19s I hated every second of it rims look way to small on the car. they were HRE C-20s
When I had my 19s I hated every second of it rims look way to small on the car. they were HRE C-20s
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2015 S212
well Im gettin rid of that old myth of 18s being better for performance. well at least in the quarter mile. on 18" stock rims and DRs I ran 11.7 with 19" HREs with street tires I ran a 11.7. I am now gettin ready to put on 20s and I bet I run a 11.7 or better if the track ever gets preped.
When I had my 19s I hated every second of it rims look way to small on the car. they were HRE C-20s
When I had my 19s I hated every second of it rims look way to small on the car. they were HRE C-20s
If you really want to see your car run, try an 18" HRE or CCW. By going up in rim size you have to make a choice. Either you run a taller wheel/tire combo (which will raise your gearing), or you run a shorter sidewalled tire, which will have less flex for good hookup. Either way, you lose performance on a 1/4 mile track and that doesn't even get into the radius of mass and the resulting drag from that. It is the same as having a short or long wrench. A longer radius is going to give the car more drag. That is simple. The weight is farther from the center.
Your car is gorgeous and I'd agree that larger rims and lips look good, but to say they actually perform better is just not right.
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06 EuroElites E55
Dude, you are seriously fooling yourself by comparing a stock (30lb) rim to a forged alloy HRE 19 (~20lb).
If you really want to see your car run, try an 18" HRE or CCW. By going up in rim size you have to make a choice. Either you run a taller wheel/tire combo (which will raise your gearing), or you run a shorter sidewalled tire, which will have less flex for good hookup. Either way, you lose performance on a 1/4 mile track and that doesn't even get into the radius of mass and the resulting drag from that. It is the same as having a short or long wrench. A longer radius is going to give the car more drag. That is simple. The weight is farther from the center.
Your car is gorgeous and I'd agree that larger rims and lips look good, but to say they actually perform better is just not right.
If you really want to see your car run, try an 18" HRE or CCW. By going up in rim size you have to make a choice. Either you run a taller wheel/tire combo (which will raise your gearing), or you run a shorter sidewalled tire, which will have less flex for good hookup. Either way, you lose performance on a 1/4 mile track and that doesn't even get into the radius of mass and the resulting drag from that. It is the same as having a short or long wrench. A longer radius is going to give the car more drag. That is simple. The weight is farther from the center.
Your car is gorgeous and I'd agree that larger rims and lips look good, but to say they actually perform better is just not right.
Jangy you are different than 95% of the people on this site your a performance junky. some think they are but they are not. I thought I was thats why I switched rims the first time. I figured out real fast im not.
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2015 S212
no bro never said they perform better. but I doubt there is alot of difference. I was just posting my times on different set ups. and Ill post my times when I get my new 20s on there. for the true performance junky it might be worth goin 18s but to me the trade off is not worth it. I goto the track maybe 5-10 times per year. I roll on the streets 200-250 times per year. Ive only had 1 street race with a M3 and it only lasted a second cuzz I crushed it so fast.
Jangy you are different than 95% of the people on this site your a performance junky. some think they are but they are not. I thought I was thats why I switched rims the first time. I figured out real fast im not.
Jangy you are different than 95% of the people on this site your a performance junky. some think they are but they are not. I thought I was thats why I switched rims the first time. I figured out real fast im not.
What are you talking about? Doesn't everyone think the E55 is a sports car? Hehe!!
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From: West
2005 E55 Wagon
Since you have a wagon, I say maintain as much of the "stealth" look as possible and get the 18s. And, 18s are better for performance. I believe Adam is looking to trade stockers plus some cash for Renntech monolites 18 (which is also lighter then stock). Do a search and see if that is what you are looking for. Good luck!!!!
Rock on fellow 55 wagon
Rock on fellow 55 wagon
