What's the ideal wheel size you want for your Model 3

[2018M3]

I have the Model 3 for one week now and the only bad thing that stands out are the Aero OEM 18inch wheels.

If money is no issue, what size wheels would you do and why?

Also any reason why performance package has 20inch wheels? Look only or it help performance also?

 

[LyftupX]

I was one who went back and forth on the wheels.... even said what if I purchase after market 20’s ... the Tesla ones.

But now that I’ve had the at I have not felt once looking at it or inside I need better wheels. The car experience is so much more. My Aeros are on and cap kit still sealed in the box.

 

[Gavyne]

18 inch aeros will give you the best range. Take aeros off will arguably look better, but gives you less range, but still better than any 19 or 20" wheels.

If range is what you're after, stick with 18". If looks, go for 19/20.

 

[tyguy]

Actually, I chose what I wanted, the 18" wheels without aero caps. I've done the wagon wheel thing before and I have zero interest in super low profile tires ever again. I love the look of the 18" wheels and appreciate a little more tire between aluminum and potholes.

 

[run-the-joules]

18s. I don't need to impress strangers with big wheels, crappy ride quality, and expensive tires.

 

[Garlan Garner]

20's Hands down.

I have already traveled to Mississippi with it - just fine.....so I don't have a range issue.

 

[saltsman]

Zero.

Until then, I'll go with 18's with the aero rims removed.

 

[kbecks13]

I'd go with 19x9.5" to get something nice and wide then lower the car a little to kill some fender gap, but that's just me

 

[2018M3]

I'd go with 19x9.5" to get something nice and wide then lower the car a little to kill some fender gap, but that's just me

wider tires help the traction correct?

 

[evannole]

The 18s are great. The car still handles like it's on rails. I took my car in for a tiré rotation at the place where I have been buying tires and getting oil changes for nearly 20 years yesterday. One of the first things the owner, who always greets me by name, said was, "I really like those wheels, and didn't even realize that they had plastic covers." If they catch the eye - in a good way - of a guy whose livelihood is tires and wheels, they're good enough for me.

While I agree that some of the sport wheels look, well, sportier, I had enough of low profile tires (first 17s and then 18s) on my last two cars to cure me of them for life. I actually lost track of how many blowouts I had from potholes on I-285.

 

[kbecks13]

wider tires help the traction correct?

Yup but mainly only useful for track or autocross use, i'm running 265 tires instead of the stock 235. Keep in mind that simply adding wider tires doesn't do much, you also need to get a wider wheel to get the most out of it. The stock wheel is only 8.5" wide, for reference.

 

[2018M3]

Yup but mainly only useful for track or autocross use, i'm running 265 tires instead of the stock 235. Keep in mind that simply adding wider tires doesn't do much, you also need to get a wider wheel to get the most out of it. The stock wheel is only 8.5" wide, for reference.

Can you share some photos of the 19x9.5 265/35/19 look? What brand, offset and etc. Did you notice major difference while driving?

 

[kbecks13]

Can you share some photos of the 19x9.5 265/35/19 look? What brand, offset and etc. Did you notice major difference while driving?

Sure, i'm running VMR wheels V710FF with a +33 offset and 265/35/R19 tires. The tires are pretty grippy (RE-71R), so i definitely have more road noise and the low speed steering is heavier but that's expected. It still handles incredibly well and corners even better now.

I'm getting some Unplugged Performance coilovers in the next few weeks to lower the car and then i think it will look even better.

 

[2018M3]

Sure, i'm running VMR wheels V710FF with a +33 offset and 265/35/R19 tires. The tires are pretty grippy (RE-71R), so i definitely have more road noise and the low speed steering is heavier but that's expected. It still handles incredibly well and corners even better now.

I'm getting some Unplugged Performance coilovers in the next few weeks to lower the car and then i think it will look even better.

Looks awesome. Any reason you chose Unplugged over Mountain Pass Performance Coilover by KW?

 

[kbecks13]

Looks awesome. Any reason you chose Unplugged over Mountain Pass Performance Coilover by KW?

I'm based pretty close to Unplugged and have a ton of faith in them from their work with Bulletproof Automotive. They have crazy extensive connections in the industry to help design and fabricate a custom solution and i'm pretty confident the coilovers will be fantastic.

Top Gear thought they were nice too: Unplugged Tesla Model 3 review: modified car rivals M3

 

[CAAD]

Sorry but I really think the aeros are bugly.
I'm old school and always loved the shiny chrome wheels on a car and despise brake dust covering them.
Used to wash them so clean so even the insides were shiny.
I dont know what fashion or car started the black wheel craze.
kbeck's black wheels actually look nice. Still I dont want it on my car.

 

[Eno Deb]

I have the Aeros on my car and don't regret it. More efficient, more robust, better ride quality. I even like how they look with the covers on now, even though I initially thought I wouldn't (but you can take them off if you prefer a more traditional look). My guess is that in a few years most new cars will have similar wheel covers for aerodynamic reasons (I noticed that many of the new EVs coming to market have aero wheels). Bright silver aluminum wheels are so 2010.

Also any reason why performance package has 20inch wheels? Look only or it help performance also?

Looks. The bigger rims are heavier and will thus result in worse acceleration. The OEM 20" wheels will have better grip in warm weather, but that's not because of the size but the tires (the 20s come with summer tires while the other Tesla wheels by default come with all-season tires).

 

[2018M3]

I have the Aeros on my car and don't regret it. More efficient, more robust, better ride quality. I even like how they look with the covers on now, even though I initially thought I wouldn't (but you can take them off if you prefer a more traditional look). My guess is that in a few years most new cars will have similar wheel covers for aerodynamic reasons (I noticed that many of the new EVs coming to market have aero wheels). Bright silver aluminum wheels are so 2010.

Looks. The bigger rims are heavier and will thus result in worse acceleration. The OEM 20" wheels will have better grip in warm weather, but that's not because of the size but the tires (the 20s come with summer tires while the other Tesla wheels by default come with all-season tires).

So why they put 20s on the performance package, that's so wrong!

 

[Eno Deb]

So why they put 20s on the performance package, that's so wrong!

Well, apparently they think looks are important for people buying the performance version. That's also why they paint the brake calipers red and glue a spoiler lip on the trunk lid (or will if they ever get them in stock), and probably why they no longer offer the "stealth" performance version of the car.

 

[kbecks13]

Well, apparently they think looks are important for people buying the performance version. That's also why they paint the brake calipers red and glue a spoiler lip on the trunk lid (or will if they ever get them in stock), and probably why they no longer offer the "stealth" performance version of the car.

I agree that the wheels are kind of silly for a performance package, but the brakes are actually a higher performance part (not just red) and the spoiler will definitely help with high speed stability.