Performance 21’ rims or 19’ Geminis..Are the 21’ worth the sleek look?

[FullBatt]

Hi,
I’m thinking of upgrading my rims to have a more aggressive stance on my Mod Y. Need feedback on weather it is the right move..

 

[spokey]

I regret the 20s. If I knew, I'd have bought a nearly identical TSportline 19" with the money

 

[HSATD]

The 21s with the MYP tires will sharpen your handling substantially but obviously not all the way to an MYP. If you don’t want that, then they’re not for you. I can’t say for sure but I’m reasonably confident that the 21s on a MYLR would be a nice compromise. The looks are entirely subjective. Folks that love the 21s really love 'em.

I found it worth it to swap to 19s on my MYP, partly for ride but also I just really don’t like the look of the black 21s on a white MY.

So…I haven’t answered your question. Really only you can. If you like the look and don’t mind spending the $, I’d say go for it. You can always swap back. Most asking prices for a set of Uberturbines with fresh tires (including mine, if you’re near Houston look me up!) are only a few hundred dollars over the cost of the tires.

 

[thisisdiddy]

Depending entirely on the quality of roads around you - rubber band thin tires w/ no sidewall will result in more frequent flat tires and dented rims.

 

[jf64k]

I have a 2020 MYLR that was about due for tires @ 35k miles. I had 19" Vossen HF-3's in Satin Black, but I decided to go with 21".

Got Vossen HF-5's in Matte Anthracite, and found a member here who was selling their MYP take-off springs to give it a little drop. Eddie from @GetYourWheels (a member here as well) gave me a nice deal, and the offset he spec'd on the Vossen's was perfect!! Just flush with no spacers needed.

I went wider on the tires than a stock MYP: 275/35 front, 295/35 rear. IMO, looks so much better than the stretched look on a stock MYP.

Had the springs installed and alignment done at parts3xpress in Temple City (Home | parts3xpress). They did a great job. Alignment was completely in spec when they were through.

Yes, looks are subjective. But I LOVE the way my MY looks and drives now. So glad I made the switch to 21"!!

Vossen HF-5
21x9.5 +35 Front
21x10.5 +40 Rear

Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4
275/35 ZR21 Front
295/35 ZR21 Rear

 

[bobbyjae]

Be careful what you wish for. Your ride can suffer with bigger rims.

Other downsides: more prone to curbing, flats, and increase cost of tires

 

[nate704]

Be careful what you wish for. Your ride can suffer with bigger rims.

Other downsides: more prone to curbing, flats, and increase cost of tires

Not really much.
if you hit a curb any size of wheels will be damaged, so the risk of curbing is the same.

 

[TSLY]

IMO black wheels look heavy and dirty on most color Teslas, with the exception of black. Never rode on 21" so I can't judge, but the consensus is they produces a harsh, bumpier, ride. Personally like the look of Gemini hubcaps on my white/white MYLR whereas I think naked Gemini wheels look like a fish skeleton.

 

[nate704]

IMO black wheels look heavy and dirty on most color Teslas, with the exception of black. Never rode on 21" so I can't judge, but the consensus is they produces a harsh, bumpier, ride. Personally like the look of Gemini hubcaps on my white/white MYLR whereas I think naked Gemini wheels look like a fish skeleton.

21" Ubers are more like dark/blue grey. It is way better than flat black color on 20" Inductions. Red Multi Coat with 21" Ubers are the best combo!

 

[GBMaryland]

Neither:

Model 3 Performance Uberturbine 20x9 wheels

You get 20in wheels and better range. Plus, the tires will be very slightly proud, thus protecting them from road rash!

 

[TomServo]

I'm still collecting data after swapping out my 21" UTs for some TSportLine 18's with 245/50 tires. Initial findings are the car rides and feel's better, it's faster and my efficiency is improving as the new tires break in. I was hoping for a 10% reduction in my wh/mi and I'm seeing much more.

I had 2500 miles on the OEM 21s (which included a 1900-mile road trip) before I made the change and only have 500+ miles on the 18s hence why I want to collect more data before posting my results. But aside from looks, I see no benefit in running the staggered 21s on a DD in a four-season environment on shitty roads.

Obligatory glamor shot:

 

[GBMaryland]

Yeah, from one Air Force vet to the other… I’m seeing about 10% with the 20 inch OEM wheels I put on the car.

 

[LostLuggage]

Be careful what you wish for. Your ride can suffer with bigger rims.

Other downsides: more prone to curbing, flats, and increase cost of tires

I agree. Buy touch up paint when you order the rims.

 

[pepperoni]

My personal opinion… the Geminis look great without wheel covers. I prefer them over the 20” or 21” options.

 

[Pinkaholic]

I keep changing my order going back and forth between wheels and colors.

I’m scared to do the 21” because I read the 19s are better in snow and make it more comfortable driving.

I’d get the 21” if I knew for sure they wouldn’t slide in the snow as I think they look better being bigger. I’m not someone who switches tires in the winter so whatever I pick is what’s staying on the car!

There are some nice hubcap options for the 19” wheels if you do pick those!

 

[gman2k4]

I'm still collecting data after swapping out my 21" UTs for some TSportLine 18's with 245/50 tires. Initial findings are the car rides and feel's better, it's faster and my efficiency is improving as the new tires break in. I was hoping for a 10% reduction in my wh/mi and I'm seeing much more.

I had 2500 miles on the OEM 21s (which included a 1900-mile road trip) before I made the change and only have 500+ miles on the 18s hence why I want to collect more data before posting my results. But aside from looks, I see no benefit in running the staggered 21s on a DD in a four-season environment on shitty roads.

Obligatory glamor shot:

This is nice… I was thinking about going to 19 Tsportline from my uberturbine but now that I seen this sheesh I’m going 18

 

[GBMaryland]

I agree. Buy touch up paint when you order the rims.

That need goes away if you put 20x9s on the car… was a pleasant surprise

 

[TomServo]

Some more info as I roll up more miles on the 18s. FTR when I swapped the tires/wheels my lifetime was at 294 Wh/mi. It’s now slowly dropping. Initially the new tires/wheels were running close to the 21s but at 300+ miles they must have broke in and suddenly the wh/mi started dropping like a rock, so at 500 miles I reset the renamed Trip A meter to get a more accurate reading.