Debating 20” Wheels

[BonnieD]

I’ve noticed several people who have wanted to switch their 20” wheels for smaller. Why? I was considering upgrading my Aero wheels to 20” wheels for aesthetics, but am curious as to why people are doing the opposite. Also wondering what impact this will have on range?

thanks!

 

[Solmors]

The main two benefits of going from the stock 20" to aftermarket 18" are potholes and weight. If you live in a place with lots of potholes, you will likely pop a tire and/or bend a rim with 20" wheels as the 18" give you 1" more sidewall. The stock wheels are also rather heavy, roughly 29lbs each. There are many aftermarket wheels that around ~21lbs each, losing 8lbs per wheel will increase range and acceleration.

Plus, if you get black wheels it is harder to tell the difference between 18" and 20" than if you got silver/light color.

 

[jkoya]

The main two benefits of going from the stock 20" to aftermarket 18" are potholes and weight. If you live in a place with lots of potholes, you will likely pop a tire and/or bend a rim with 20" wheels as the 18" give you 1" more sidewall. The stock wheels are also rather heavy, roughly 29lbs each. There are many aftermarket wheels that around ~21lbs each, losing 8lbs per wheel will increase range and acceleration.

Well said !!! Fear of a bent wheel or blown sidewall during a road trip is why I'm getting a set of 18"s....

 

[run-the-joules]

Worse ride quality, worse performance, worse range, worse durability.

They're fashion wheels for people who value form over function.

 

[dryland]

19's for the happy medium?

 

[ChadS]

18s likely are better for potholes in general. But they are no guarantee...the only wheel I have ever had crack was an 18". My 20s (and 21s for years on an S) never had a problem.

The larger wheels generally result in slightly sharper handling, too.

 

[run-the-joules]

The larger wheels generally result in slightly sharper handling, too.

In theory, sure. But given the same tires on the same car, at the same width? Anyone who claims to be able to notice the difference is either delusion, intentionally lying, or a professional driver.

 

[Kilotango74]

Worse ride quality, worse performance, worse range, worse durability.

They're fashion wheels for people who value form over function.

Or they are the wheels that come on a performance M3.

 

[ChadS]

In theory, and practice.

I am not a professional driver. Go ahead and pick whether I am lying or delusional.

 

[run-the-joules]

In theory, and practice.

I am not a professional driver. Go ahead and pick whether I am lying or delusional.

maybe you SHOULD be a professional driver. If you’re happy with em, that’s all that matters.

 

[run-the-joules]

Or they are the wheels that come on a performance M3.

sadly, yes. For dumb reasons.

 

[XLR82XS]

19's for the happy medium?

That's what I run.

 

[Stanwood Steve]

I've driven 28,000 miles on my 20's and no issues with cracked rims or blown tires. Maybe I'm just lucky.

 

[ChargedSociety]

19's for the happy medium?

+1. 19s at factory or slightly better weight aren't that hard to find and are usually easier on the wallet. They'll also have a bit more sidewall than the 20s.

That's what I'm doing for sure. Will probably have to drill out the holes for the 3's lugs on most reasonably priced aftermarket wheels but not that big a deal.

 

[jkoya]

I was set on 18s, but after reading the posts in this thread, I'm now considering the 19s also. There are way more choices of wheels in the 19" size that work with the Performance 3...