Downsized M3 Performance to 18 inch wheels

[nj1266]

My experience that stiffness and curve of sidewall on specific tire models and load rating influences sharpness more than tire sidewall height.

How is the stiffness off the sidewall measured though? I always thought the taller the sidewall the lower the stiffness.

 

[lbowroom]

How is the stiffness off the sidewall measured though? I always thought the taller the sidewall the lower the stiffness.

only hypothetically given all other variables are equal. A taller sidewall can be thicker, hence stiffer. Case by case basis. Have you seen the sidewall height on F1 cars? Granted they changed recently from 13” wheels to 18”.

 

[Mash]

How is the stiffness off the sidewall measured though? I always thought the taller the sidewall the lower the stiffness.

It's not part of specs. Cup 2s are much stiffer sidewall than 4s, for example.

Higher load rating does that too. My 19 inch 102 rating 4s are sharper than stock 20 inch 92.

 

[nj1266]

It's not part of specs. Cup 2s are much stiffer sidewall than 4s, for example.

Higher load rating does that too. My 19 inch 102 rating 4s are sharper than stock 20 inch 92.

So you are using load rating as a proxy for sidewall stiffness?

 

[Mash]

So you are using load rating as a proxy for sidewall stiffness?

On the same tire model and size higher load rating would be stiffer sidewall. Can't compare different models, though, because load rating is not only about how compressed a tire under specific load, but also how reliable side cords are and how fast the tire heats up from the same load.

 

[Spacep0d]

As one of you suggested, I got Chrome delete done on the car as well as PPF on the front of the car and tinted all the the glass areas. It looks much better now with the black wheels than before View attachment 560424View attachment 560425

Huge improvement!

 

[aspec818]

Geez I’m sure it rides well but that looks pretty horrid compared to oem.

 

[JssonB]

Since this post is almost 2 years old, how did the Yokohama Advan V601 tires work over the last couple of years?

 

[Petsur]

I sure wish Tesla offered the Performance M3 with 18" wheels. For a car that costs 70K, give me a choice please! For a daily driver I don't need $400+ tires that wear out real fast so I guess I'll just wait for my Long Range to deliver. But if I had the Performance I could run track days and autocross.....Oh well...

 

[heavyD]

I sure wish Tesla offered the Performance M3 with 18" wheels. For a car that costs 70K, give me a choice please! For a daily driver I don't need $400+ tires that wear out real fast so I guess I'll just wait for my Long Range to deliver. But if I had the Performance I could run track days and autocross.....Oh well...

Few if any manufacturers offer 18" wheels on their performance cars in the mid size segment. Even compact segment for the most part has moved to 19" wheels on performance models as you see on STI, Golf R, Civic Type R, etc.

 

[tm1v2]

Few if any manufacturers offer 18" wheels on their performance cars in the mid size segment. Even compact segment for the most part has moved to 19" wheels on performance models as you see on STI, Golf R, Civic Type R, etc.

This. I'm all for 18" on this car, that's what I switched our M3P to and I recommend 18" for any kind of street use even aggressive canyon carving, but the PUP should come with forged 19" as the right mix of style, function, and practicality for modern times.

I can't see Tesla wanting to squeeze 18" over the PUP brakes as a factory fitment. 19" is easier to sell and service. They could still offer 20" as an option. Stocking an extra wheel is easy and they already offer two wheel sizes for most cars in their lineup.

 

[Gauss Guzzler]

Indeed. The 19" Zero-G wheel should be the "standard" 3P offering in all markets, not just China. And the Uberturbine dubs should serve as the "baller" upgrade.

 

[tm1v2]

Indeed. The 19" Zero-G wheel should be the "standard" 3P offering in all markets, not just China. And the Uberturbine dubs should serve as the "baller" upgrade.

View attachment 853414

Whoa whoa whoa, hold the presses! Tesla has a 19" Zero-G wheel? Official Tesla wheels, not knockoffs? How did I not know about this? Why is it not on USDM M3P? Damn it Tesla. 19" Zero-G as the M3P wheel makes so much sense.

 

[Gauss Guzzler]

Yep. And it's the *only* wheel available on the Performance model in China - always has been.

And no, you can't get them anywhere else.

 

[lbowroom]

13” for the win. 6 minute abs.