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[WWM3]

I have 19'' Alufelgen SF-71 wheels and recently I hit a pot hole while driving at night which bent the wheel and put a bubble in the tire - so I replaced them. And then when I replaced those I noticed a very very slight bend on one of my rears! PA roads are getting worse and worse, especially the roads I have to drive everyday.

Anyway, has anyone downsized from a 19'' to 18'' for similar reasons? And regretted or not? Any thoughts?

[Syndicategt]

I know many CA drivers have downsized due to this reason, I don't think they have any complaints. I just bought new rims and seriously considered downsizing, but ended up with 19's again. Going with 18's will save you $ on rims and tires, they will be lighter, and your ride should be a little smoother.

[WWM3]

Originally Posted by Syndicategt

I know many CA drivers have downsized due to this reason, I don't think they have any complaints. I just bought new rims and seriously considered downsizing, but ended up with 19's again. Going with 18's will save you $ on rims and tires, they will be lighter, and your ride should be a little smoother.

Good points. Thanks for the reply. I am definitely considering it, but I don't know. I love the look of the sf-71s.

[edirtaynine]

im on 19s right now and my passenger front wheel already has two super slight bends stupid potholes... i pretty much know every road and lane i take when i drive to the usual places, but sometimes it just doesnt matter. cant be 100% pothole-proof... :/

once i get a serious bend on any of my wheels, im switching back to 18s.

[cvc 22349a]

I recently sold my 19" Alufelgen CS7's and went down 18" Apex Arc-8's with PSS's. I never did bend or damage the Alufelgens but when hitting potholes wished for more sidewall, so when the tire tread got low I sold them. The only downside is the 18's don't fill the fenderwell as much. Other than that, my 18's are way lighter which improves steering, braking and accelerating feel, 18" tires are cheaper and more options, and more sidewall to soak up the bumps/potholes. I won't switch wheels ever again

[anerbe]

Had 19's BBS 1 pc. forged on the M3, now 18's OEM on the 335. I would never go 19" on these cars in snow/semi driven areas unless they are high quality forged.

Potholes i've hit with the M3 in the past would knock my V1 off the windshield and cause me to black out for a second. Never a problem with the BBS.

The 18's ride much better and I worry less about hitting the occasional pot hole.

[mikeith]

18's FTW.... i'm definitely downsizing this next summer!

[SpmnE9zero]

Hmmmm most who do "downgrade", or those who choose 18's over 19's probably wouldnt call it a "downgrade" per say.

Having said that I dont track my car. If I tracked my car competitively I wouldnt be running 19's.

Since I am merely an aesthetic driven individual, not a performance driven individual, I choose 19's.

Aesthetics - 19's
Performance - 18's

[AllBlackBimmer]

I live in PA as well and am considering 19" wheels..

I am also going for "looks" and not performance, so i am not worried about weight... however, these PA roads scare the hell out of me hitting a pothole and having it eat my wheel. I do have tire warranty which I think is transferable to aftermarket wheels...

If I go with 19's, I wouldn't get anything but forged wheels... is that the right way to go?

[mikeith]

Originally Posted by SpmnE9zero

Hmmmm most who do "downgrade", or those who choose 18's over 19's probably wouldnt call it a "downgrade" per say.

Having said that I dont track my car. If I tracked my car competitively I wouldnt be running 19's.

Since I am merely an aesthetic driven individual, not a performance driven individual, I choose 19's.

Aesthetics - 19's
Performance - 18's

if you do it right you win with 18's all around! they can look way better than 19's when the offset and tires are set right..

[PKL]

Consider forged 19s