Changing Rims/Tires

[raiyu]

I'm going to be switching the stock 18" rims on my 2005 M3 to 19x8.5" and 19x9.5" rims with probably Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. On my old 328Ci when I switched from the 16" to the 17" sport rims I could have sworn I saw a noticeable decrease in my fuel economy. I was just wondering when doing this switch if there would be any other noticeable changes, such as worse fuel economy, slightly worse acceleration as each wheel will have less traction because the weight is more spread out, or anything else?

I think the car will look a million times better with the new rims, but I dont want to sacrifice too much in terms of performance and it already eats gas like a m0f0. Any suggestions or experiences welcome. Thanks

 

[Average Jae]

your fuel economy might suffer due to having fatter tires, not bigger rims. (altho bigger rims will add a bit more to your overall weight, but it isn't as a big a factor as the fatter tires.) but even when going w/ 19s in your case, if you keep the tread width the same, it seems negligible.

any reason why you are going w/ the A/S tires? not like you can really roll in 19 inchers in snow, well why you would in an m3 for that matter.. potholes, salt etc.. altho in defense of A/S tires, it does suck to drive w/ winters when it's abnormally warm out 78 in detroit today!

 

[raiyu]

Hrm.. I was driving around with my stock rims/tires in some pretty heavy snow. I couldnt get up hills worth a damn, but otherwise I was actually extremely suprised at how much better the car handled when compared to my old 328Ci with michelin pilot sports (summer). I figured I would probably be too lazy to change to the old rims during the winter, so if the A/S can give me a bit of an improvement during the winter I thought it may be worth it. Cause the summer tires have zero grip in even light snow. Plus Im hoping for the amount of cash I'll be shelling out for them they'll have some decent performance in the summer too, heh.

 

[epj3]

Hrm.. I was driving around with my stock rims/tires in some pretty heavy snow. I couldnt get up hills worth a damn, but otherwise I was actually extremely suprised at how much better the car handled when compared to my old 328Ci with michelin pilot sports (summer). I figured I would probably be too lazy to change to the old rims during the winter, so if the A/S can give me a bit of an improvement during the winter I thought it may be worth it. Cause the summer tires have zero grip in even light snow. Plus Im hoping for the amount of cash I'll be shelling out for them they'll have some decent performance in the summer too, heh.

We'll have to meet up sometime this year.

 

[raiyu]

We'll have to meet up sometime this year.

No problem, I make it down to Atlantic City every so often, once a month or so, can meet ya half way if you like lol.

I went there last weekend and raced a white m3 down the altantic city express way doing a buck twenty

 

[Average Jae]

the choice is always yours, and A/S tires i believe were created just for the purpose you pointed out. if you know you'll be too lazy to change tires every season, A/S will be the choice.

but keep in mind that if you get high perf tires A/S or not, you won't get much in the way of tread life. and remember that as your tread gets near the wear bar, your traction, esp winter traction will get really bad.