CSL wheels / tire sizes?

[BKarre]

I really love the look of the velocity motoring CSL replicas and I'm thinking about getting a set for my 1999 M3. I am now having trouble deciding between the 18x8.5 or the 19x8.5.

Does anyone have the 19" wheels, or is everyone just buying the 18s?

What advatages/ disadvantages would there be to upgrading to the 19 vs. the 18?

If I bought the 19s and started upgrading the suspension (tastefully lowered) would I have rubbing issues?

Would it be possible to run 245/35/19 tires all around with it lowered a little?

If spacers would be necessary, how do I know what size to get?

I greatly appreciate any help or insight you can give.

[BKarre]

no one?

[m3cowboy]

Don't get the 19's for E36 M3. I've gone that route before and wasted $1500 in three days. 19's GREATLY reduce the M3's performance. You'll feel like ur driving a 328. I bought a set of 19's Maya STM's which cost around $5000 with tires. I had em for 3 days... it was unbearable so sold them back to the dealer for $3500. The worst decision i've ever made is to go 19's on M3. Width should be no problem unless you go above 255's. You might have to roll fenders but thats easy to do. Hope that helps and hope you don't learn it the hard way like me.

[The HACK]

Do a search. Topic of 18" vs 19"s has been discussed on a daily basis.

[Don Nguyen]

Follow the link in my sig.

[SiGmA]

So, what size spacer would be best for a 245/35-18?

[SiGmA]

So, what size spacer would be best for a 245/35-18? 12mm?

[Stück]

I run 18x8.5 ET40 CSL's all around.
I also run 245/35R18 tires all around.

No spacers. No fender rolling. No modification of any sort. Direct bolt on and drive. Oh.. and no understeer either :)

[SiGmA]

Yeah I wish I could run same size all around but I'm afraid that with the turbo that is going on, I will be having some traction issues.

With lowering, a spacer more then likely will be needed, right? Seeing as how with my stock 15's, I really *should* have a 5mm spacer to limit rubbing. I ordered some wheel studs and 12mm spacers and whatnot from ModBargains, we will see how it fits. Oh, and Don's customer support is amazing.

[Stück]

I don't see you having traction issues if you run good tires.

I run Toyo T1R, a pretty damn sticky street tire, and I chirp into 2nd.. and barely at that. Back with the 245 Kumho ASX the car came with.. I could roast all up to 3rd.

Tire width isn't everything.. treadcompound and pattern has alot more to do with overall traction.

[SiGmA]

I know, but the pure factor of ~400-500rwhp will have a major effect on traction. We'll see how the BF Goodrich gForce KDW2's work out, I have a set of 245/255 staggered on order right now.

[Stück]

You know traction issues are easily sorted out by your right foot? Its called restraint... know when you can actually use all the power.

You could have 325's in back and still roast them anytime you wanted with that kind of power.

What do you nred all that power for anyways?

[SiGmA]

The better question is what don't I need all that power for. Mostly lower track times.

So wider rubber will not increase the max power that can be applied while in a turn?

[BKarre]

stuck - I see that in your "mods" section you list your suspension as stock, but do you think that with a moderate drop you would still have no rubbing issues? I know it would mostly be speculation but do you have any idea on the fitment? That's exactly the setup I want to run, maybe different tires though.

[BKarre]

well now the debate heats up

I was completely sold on the idea of getting 18s instead of the 19s, but now I finally got a price quote with tires/mounting/balancing and the difference is $128. I feel like that's just too good to pass up. The same tires, same rims only larger for just a little bit more!

Maybe if it affects my performace so greatly it would be incentive to put more power down....

Seriously though, does anyone feel that it's worth $128 for an extra inch of wheel? Does anyone with the CSL's wish they had gotten 19s instead?

[themadhatter]

I know, but the pure factor of ~400-500rwhp will have a major effect on traction. We'll see how the BF Goodrich gForce KDW2's work out, I have a set of 245/255 staggered on order right now.
well over 400 whp here and as Jordan stated, it's easy to modulate with your right foot. currently running 255/35s in the back and can spin them in 4th but it's a choice of choosing to do so or not.

if you're really worried about controlling that power, invest in proper driver trainer and a race logic system.

[Stück]

Does anyone with the CSL's wish they had gotten 19s instead? No.

[Gregg]

Don't get the 19's for E36 M3. I've gone that route before and wasted $1500 in three days. 19's GREATLY reduce the M3's performance. You'll feel like ur driving a 328. I bought a set of 19's Maya STM's which cost around $5000 with tires. I had em for 3 days... it was unbearable so sold them back to the dealer for $3500. The worst decision i've ever made is to go 19's on M3. Width should be no problem unless you go above 255's. You might have to roll fenders but thats easy to do. Hope that helps and hope you don't learn it the hard way like me.

:confused I have real OEM ZCP/CSL's on my car. (Four fronts 19X8) and love them. Now it may be that it's because they are forged but I noticed no ill effects from them and my performance it fine. Of course I have to sell them or swap plus cash them due to the wife's medical condition but if I had my choice I would keep them. They are awesome and very light!:D

[BKarre]

do the velocity motoring 19s weigh more than the original CSLs? I know they're .5" wider, but anyone know how they would compare?

[Last E46 M3]

Follow the link in my sig.

nice link. :)
thank you.

[themadhatter]

:confused I have real OEM ZCP/CSL's on my car. (Four fronts 19X8) and love them. Now it may be that it's because they are forged but I noticed no ill effects from them and my performance it fine. Of course I have to sell them or swap plus cash them due to the wife's medical condition but if I had my choice I would keep them. They are awesome and very light!:D
it's the fact that yours are real and do not weigh as much as the replicas. the rotational weight of the replicas show a marked decrease in performance but this is expected when going with a larger mass regardless of design.

[BKarre]

hmm....

so is it worth saving the $128 and putting it towards other mods?

I wouldn't mind a slight loss of performance, I already have a supersprint catback and a 3.91 LSD....maybe larger wheels would help balance out the 3.91....

Anyway I have high hopes for this car and I don't ever want to look at something I did and regret it. If I went with the 19s I doubt I would regret it as much as I may if I don't get them...

[themadhatter]

heavier wheels will tax your suspension and brakes along with slowing down your acceleration. take that into consideration when choosing your wheels.

[BKarre]

are the CSL replicas particularly heavy? would the extra inch make a huge difference in weight?

[themadhatter]

are the CSL replicas particularly heavy? would the extra inch make a huge difference in weight?
it's not heavy compared to other 18" wheels but it is generally more heavy then the typical 17" wheel & tire combo.

when swapping from ultralight Kosei K1s (17" @ 16.7 lbs each) to the CSL Replicas (from Umnitza), I immediately noticed the difference.

I believe the CSLs really make the car.

http://www.rsiwerks.com/project332is/wheels/cslblur.jpg