18" Wheels - Not Sure!!
18" Wheels - Not Sure!!
A member of the Dutch forum has just bought a Z3 from another forum member, and is looking to swap 18" for 16" wheels.
He has had the car for two weeks and has had tram lining problems.
He has been to a well known Z3 specialist over here, who replaced bushings and other bits and bobs, but advised the owner to go back to 16".
So I am asking for your advice and comments, as all of you on this forum have a great deal more experience than myself.
HT
These are the wheels. (I have asked for better/close up photos)
These are my wheels, 16", which I like on the car. (But to much reading on here, and the Dutch forum, and the mod bug starts to bite)
He has had the car for two weeks and has had tram lining problems.
He has been to a well known Z3 specialist over here, who replaced bushings and other bits and bobs, but advised the owner to go back to 16".
So I am asking for your advice and comments, as all of you on this forum have a great deal more experience than myself.
HT
These are the wheels. (I have asked for better/close up photos)
These are my wheels, 16", which I like on the car. (But to much reading on here, and the Dutch forum, and the mod bug starts to bite)
HT
Titan's apprentice.
Titan's apprentice.
http://www.lde.nu/index.htmTitan wrote:Occupations ?
Official Devil's Advocate
Leg Puller
Micky Taker
When I swapped to 18'S as shown below - I did get a slight tramline which got progressively worse with tyre wear - I have just fitted the original 16's back on the car and it is sooo much nicer to drive.
I am going to keep to 16's from now on ......
the z does look better with the 18s
I am going to keep to 16's from now on ......
the z does look better with the 18s
Remember "To become old and wise - First you need to be young and stupid"
Titanium Silver 2.0
Titanium Silver 2.0
The general rule of thumb is that its OK to go 1 inch bigger diameter than the largest wheel fitted OEM.
The largest wheel fitted to the Z3 OEM was 17inch and so for me 18 inch is the perfect upgrade size.
As always fitting larger alloys will be detrimental to ride quality as there is less rubber between you and the road but there is plenty of comments about 18 inch being fine on a Z3 (its certainly better than run flats on more modern BMW's)
Those wheels look OEM and a larger version of the 17inch split rims offered as an option on the later sport models so to me look perfect on a Z3.
Having said that yours are one of the nicer 16 inch I've seen fitted to a Z3 but if you can get the others for a decent price I would go for it
You do realise that will quickly lead to lowering as 18inch alloys on a lowered Z3 really do make a vast improvement on the stance of the Z3's IMHO
The largest wheel fitted to the Z3 OEM was 17inch and so for me 18 inch is the perfect upgrade size.
As always fitting larger alloys will be detrimental to ride quality as there is less rubber between you and the road but there is plenty of comments about 18 inch being fine on a Z3 (its certainly better than run flats on more modern BMW's)
Those wheels look OEM and a larger version of the 17inch split rims offered as an option on the later sport models so to me look perfect on a Z3.
Having said that yours are one of the nicer 16 inch I've seen fitted to a Z3 but if you can get the others for a decent price I would go for it
You do realise that will quickly lead to lowering as 18inch alloys on a lowered Z3 really do make a vast improvement on the stance of the Z3's IMHO
I really love those 18inch wheels. Which style number if original BMW. Would love to have them if you don't go for them.
I have 18s on mine and I think have good tyres all round has really helped mine This along with lowering the car with eibach 30mm front and rear got rid of around 80% of the tramlining I'd say.
But I'm sure the ride comfort is better with 16's. As jontt mentioned there's alot more rubber between the alloy and road.
I have 18s on mine and I think have good tyres all round has really helped mine This along with lowering the car with eibach 30mm front and rear got rid of around 80% of the tramlining I'd say.
But I'm sure the ride comfort is better with 16's. As jontt mentioned there's alot more rubber between the alloy and road.
18" gets my vote. I found mine more stable on the 18's I have, certainly better than the 16's that I bought it with. OK, granted it is a little bumpier over rough roads...
I also have a front strut brace which helps a little bit. I fitted this a week after the wheels so I could see what difference there was to the handling before the brace.
Only really suffer in ruts which lorries nicely dig on the motorways, but they pull my 5 series all over the place too.
Gaz.
I also have a front strut brace which helps a little bit. I fitted this a week after the wheels so I could see what difference there was to the handling before the brace.
Only really suffer in ruts which lorries nicely dig on the motorways, but they pull my 5 series all over the place too.
Gaz.
BMW Z3 2.0 Titan Silver - Progress Thread
(Pictures - http://s852.photobucket.com/home/gazhyde/allalbums)
(Pictures - http://s852.photobucket.com/home/gazhyde/allalbums)
Had 18's on mine for the last 5 years. Started with some tramlining issues in the begining. Most importantly he needs to check tyres and tyre pressures (some tyre brands cause worse affects, I have always found falkens to be excellent).
Secondly Strut brace (I have the e-tech one)
and lastly poly bushes (I have powerflex).
Dont change back to 16's that is a downgrade!!
Secondly Strut brace (I have the e-tech one)
and lastly poly bushes (I have powerflex).
Dont change back to 16's that is a downgrade!!
Thanks everyone, it was good to read your opinions.
2litrezed , your 18's look very similar, in your signature photo, to the wheels I am discussing on here?
Today I called my mate at his garage, and he told me to nip in at some point, and he will stick a set of (used) 18's on the car so I can try them out.
HT
I think that he must have read your thoughts, as he is now planning to put new Falken rubber on all four corners and see how it goes.BenZ3-2.0 wrote:Dont change back to 16's that is a downgrade!!
2litrezed , your 18's look very similar, in your signature photo, to the wheels I am discussing on here?
Today I called my mate at his garage, and he told me to nip in at some point, and he will stick a set of (used) 18's on the car so I can try them out.
HT
HT
Titan's apprentice.
Titan's apprentice.
http://www.lde.nu/index.htmTitan wrote:Occupations ?
Official Devil's Advocate
Leg Puller
Micky Taker
Ours is booked in for a complete new suspension,springs and shocks,also wishbone bushes from the ///M,going to see what it's like after this but I am seriously considering going from 18" wheels to 17".
I do feel the 18" wheels make the whole geometry of the car feel it bit "skittish" for general rode use.
Brilliant on fast smooth sweeping A roads but not so clever on tighter B roads or town driving.
Steve
I do feel the 18" wheels make the whole geometry of the car feel it bit "skittish" for general rode use.
Brilliant on fast smooth sweeping A roads but not so clever on tighter B roads or town driving.
Steve
I'm really pleased I swapped from 17s to 18s as they just give that little more presence especially on the Sports.
Only slight downside I find is going from 7.5 to 8.5 width on the fronts which does increase tramlining at times especially on wet centre lines but is definitely not a problem.
I havent found ride comfort any worse off.
Go for it.
Tim.
Only slight downside I find is going from 7.5 to 8.5 width on the fronts which does increase tramlining at times especially on wet centre lines but is definitely not a problem.
I havent found ride comfort any worse off.
Go for it.
Tim.
Sits back, feet up and waits for the knob jokes to start...Bouchay wrote:I think i'll just show her a pic of yours!
BMW Z3 2.0 Titan Silver - Progress Thread
(Pictures - http://s852.photobucket.com/home/gazhyde/allalbums)
(Pictures - http://s852.photobucket.com/home/gazhyde/allalbums)