This is what I'm getting at, If I'm reading that table correctly in real life and on a normal car(golf in this test) going from 18s to 19s will rob you of 0.1mph from 0-100, no difference in 0-60 and a drop of 0.8mpg. Day to day changes in the weather could have a bigger affect on the same parameters. Don't get me wrong I'm not a disbeliever, you can't argue with basic physics. I just feel we have to put this into perspective, the real world and with relevance to the OPs original post. There are far to many other factors to take into account but upsizing an
identical wheel by an inch does not mean he's going to ruin his car, mpg or spine.
And just to mix things up a bit my 20" OZs inc tyres are just over 4 kgs a corner lighter than the 19" rotors I have, OEM wheels are pretty heavy.
as what gaz said above, looks are fine but there will other factors that come into play that cannot be seen, but its a personal choice thing.
I'm borrowing a set of 19" rs4 reps tommorow from a friend who's changing rims , and i'll let you know after a few days what my thoughts are on the subject.
Stick one on the scales Rob before you pop them on, interested to see if reps are that much heavier than an OEM Le Man. Would also be good to see the difference to your DTM wheels too.
I noticed a difference just from 16 to 17's , 205 to 235 .
Noticed when going up a familiar steep hill definitely more sluggish , requiring a lower gear, but look better .
Some 18's with a spoke design that runs to the edge will look like 19's .
That it is a good point, 2 and 3 piece wheels usually look a size smaller than they actually are.
it's the unsprung weight , wheels and tyres are unsprung , eg, my duke has mag wheels which are a fraction of the weight of normal alloy wheels, and the difference it makes to handling is noticable, it is all relavant depending on the application and purpose, but if just for looks its all irrelavant.
Bike wheels are a different kettle of fish. The lower gyroscopic affect of a lighter wheel has massive impact on a bike but not so on a car.
Do you run magnesium on the road or just for tracks?
I like the looks but also I enjoy a decent handling car! I'll let you know how it plays out once i find some wheels.
Buy an RS4 rear arb, along with your coilovers and new wheels you'll have a great looking and handling car.
Look forward to seeing progress!!