Get the wider wheel. Opens up option for 245, as long as you are OK with slightly larger rolling diameter.
MASTER THREAD: Aftermarket Wheels on Model 3
- Thread starter kbecks13
- Start date
Get the wider wheel. Opens up option for 245, as long as you are OK with slightly larger rolling diameter.
justaute
Member
Thanks. In general, I do prefer wider wheels, but also want to keep them as light as possible.
Yup. That's the target, that's why VS forged is one of the most attractive options.
The added weight for an extra .5" of extra barrel is minor.
With that said, I went with 19x8.5" with 245/40/19's because:
1. slightly lighter
2. more protection against curb rash/damage
3. if michelin comes out with acoustic 235 or 245/40/19's, either will work great on 8.5" wheels. 235's on a 9" wheel will work but it'll look slightly stretched (unless they decide to make them a little wider than normal, like the current 20" tires), IMO.
justaute
Member
I had read that 235/45-118 tires on OEM 18" wheels are slightly stretched. Thus, 245/40-19 should be just right on 19x8.5 VS Forged, but I don't it for sure.
It's astonishing to see the level of fear expressed on this forum about so-called stretching of tires. Tire is not stretched until the wheel width is greater than the section width. That means a 235 tire is not stretched until you put it on a 10 inch rim. Even 9.5 inch rims do not stretch the tire in a technical sense. Most certainly 9 inch rims do not
justaute
Member
Not me. I don't drive against the curb.
Oh, I wasn't calling you out specifically.
I go by the tread width. The 235/20's on the stock 20x8.5" wheels look just about right. The sidewall looks parallel with the wheel/perpendicular to the ground. Put it on a 10" wheel and it will look stretched, at least to my eyes.
justaute
Member
I know. Just being playful -- and, yes, a lot of people worry about curbing.
Well you have some information that is correct but some of it is not. First of all the 235 / 20s are in fact 8.8 inches wide in terms of their tread. But that isn't really the crucial variable it's the section width. I'm not recommending a 10in wheel for that tire and in fact if you read my prior post I would say a 10 inch wheel is a stretch fit on that tire at 9.5 in of inches of section width. When you say the 235 / 35 looks about right on an 8.5 inch wheel, are you aware that most folks who track the car or who do autocrossing or racing would argue that an 8.5 inch wheel is not wide enough to get Optimum performance from the tire? A wider wheel that is at least equal to the section width is generally deemed as the optimal solution to keep the tread patch square and resist rolling up under cornering forces. Now that has other downsides, chief of which is that the wheel is more exposed to curb rash. But like everything else it's all trade-offs. If you want the best performance at least get your wheel width to be equal to the section width of the tire. That's section width not tread width
I was speaking strictly to the looks. I'm sorry if that wasn't clear. Lots of different considerations when looking at street v. the track. I won't argue about the track stuff but taking a look at a track oriented car like the new ZR-1:
Wheels are 19x10.5" and 20x12."
The stock tire sizes are 285/30/19's and 335/25/20's.
Section widths are 11.4" and 13.5" and tread widths are 11.3" and 13"
The people buying ZR-1's are mostly likely going to have a dedicated set for the track, though. Maybe they'd get wider wheels (all other things being equal.)
The GT3RS also runs larger sectional widths (about an inch wider) than the wheel width, front and back.
My tire installer does a lot of work for the car club members in the area and tracks his cars as well. He recommended staying in the middle of the recommended wheel width range provided by the manufacturer of that particular tire (whether it's an all season for the street or a sport cup2 for the track), and if anything, err slightly to a wider wheel for the track (as you stated.)
Last edited:
Glamisduner
Active Member
@dfwatt thanks for all your input. It sounds like a 245/40/19 would be perfect for my commuter 3, and I have ditched the idea of going with what Michelin specifies. Sounds like I want a Michelin Pilot Sport 4S for the in 245/40/19.
Other option could be to get the PS4S in 265/35/19 and go with 19/9.5 wheel? However this seems like it will kill range in a car I mostly commute in.
Or just keep it stock with the 18's and change my tires when they wear out
Other option could be to get the PS4S in 265/35/19 and go with 19/9.5 wheel? However this seems like it will kill range in a car I mostly commute in.
Or just keep it stock with the 18's and change my tires when they wear out
Yes it's a perennial dilemma. Do you want a Cruz mobile or do you want a Batmobile? The 265 / 35 on a 9.5 inch wheel would be an awesome Batmobile option. The 235 or 245 would be the cruise mobile option. It's all trade-offs.@dfwatt thanks for all your input. It sounds like a 245/40/19 would be perfect for my commuter 3, and I have ditched the idea of going with what Michelin specifies. Sounds like I want a Michelin Pilot Sport 4S for the in 245/40/19.
Other option could be to get the PS4S in 265/35/19 and go with 19/9.5 wheel? However this seems like it will kill range in a car I mostly commute in.
Or just keep it stock with the 18's and change my tires when they wear out
If it's at all pertinent I have not taken a range hit by putting 275 / 30 tires on the rear of my car. That may be because they're on the rear and in that sense there's less of an aerodynamic penalty. On the front is still the stock 235 / 35
4agemr2
Member
These are 20s correct?
I found this picture online, they are flow forged wheels, but I think the VS V01 would look similar?
VS Forged VS01 | Vertini VS01 | Split 5-Spoke Wheels
Tesla Model 3 on TSW Bathurst gunmetal concave staggered rotary forged wheels - 2 by TSW ALLOY WHEELS, on Flickr
I''m kind of thinking 19x9 with 35 offset. Or maybe 19x9.5 with 35 offset depending on tire choices.
What size tires would fit the 19x9's the best? Anyone recommend a good wheel size calculator?
I found this calculator, but I'm not sure which size would be best on the 3 Tyre Size for Rim Size/Width Calculator - What's the best tyre size for my rim?
Another thing, I like the dark brushed metal finishes, but I worry that if I were to ever damage them that it would be impossible to repair vs a standard matte finish? Am I thinking correctly or worrying for nothing?
The 265's weigh about 3 lbs more than the 245's. Static tire weight > static wheel weight due to physics and all that.@dfwatt thanks for all your input. It sounds like a 245/40/19 would be perfect for my commuter 3, and I have ditched the idea of going with what Michelin specifies. Sounds like I want a Michelin Pilot Sport 4S for the in 245/40/19.
Other option could be to get the PS4S in 265/35/19 and go with 19/9.5 wheel? However this seems like it will kill range in a car I mostly commute in.
Or just keep it stock with the 18's and change my tires when they wear out
Glamisduner
Active Member
I'm not sure I just found that picture online. Most likely it's a 20" setup and apparently staggered too according to the flickr description. Probably why it looks so good plus being lowered. I think discount tire sells these. I just used it for an example, I think straight spokes look great on the 3, but maybe I have strange taste and those new fanged Y spokes are where it's at.
Your installer is correct. All this boils down to a simple conclusion - keep your wheel width really close to your section width. If you want more performance, make them the same or even slightly larger on the wheel width. If you want cheaper wheels, less weight, less vulnerability to curb rash, you can make the wheel somewhat narrower than the section width.
As for speaking to looks, this is clearly an area where beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I personally love the look of wheels and tires where the the wheel width nails the section width on the nose - and the wider wheel makes the tire look wider, which I also like.
Yep I have the same 107's as you. I'll let you know when it warms up and will post some pics. I have the LR RWD.
