18" Wheels - Not Sure!!

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z3 roadster
Post Reply
User avatar
Hard Top
Joined: Sun 17 Jan, 2010 23:16
Posts: 1239

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Netherlands

18" Wheels - Not Sure!!

Post by Hard Top »

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)

Image


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)

Image
HT

Image

Titan's apprentice. :D
Titan wrote:Occupations ?
Official Devil's Advocate :devil:
Leg Puller
Micky Taker
http://www.lde.nu/index.htm
User avatar
unclemart
Joined: Tue 12 Aug, 2008 20:29
Posts: 279

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Thatcham

Post by unclemart »

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 8-)
Remember "To become old and wise - First you need to be young and stupid"

Titanium Silver 2.0
Image
User avatar
Jonttt
Z Register member
Joined: Sun 28 Dec, 2008 16:32
Posts: 6554

  M roadster S54
Location: Liverpool

Post by Jonttt »

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 :D

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 :wink:
Happiness is not around the corner........happiness is the corner
Image Video or Journal Garage: 2015 FFRR Black Edition, Porsche Boxster GTS, 1997 Porsche Carrara C4S, Ex 2001 BMW S54 Z3m Roadster
Naeem.m
Joined: Wed 19 Aug, 2009 21:57
Posts: 365

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Leicester

Post by Naeem.m »

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.
Image
macca
Joined: Fri 13 Aug, 2010 21:29
Posts: 603

  Z4 sDrive20i M Sport
Location: wisbech

Post by macca »

I don't mean to hijack the thread but if you change the wheels from say, 16" to 18", doesn't it affect the speedo readings ???
Dav
Joined: Sun 08 Aug, 2004 13:53
Posts: 1075

  Z4 roadster 3.0i
Location: Axbridge

Post by Dav »

macca wrote:I don't mean to hijack the thread but if you change the wheels from say, 16" to 18", doesn't it affect the speedo readings ???
Not if you change the tyre profile to keep the rolling radius the same and consequently the circumference will stay constant
Image

Dav the wheel nut
User avatar
GazHyde
Joined: Fri 26 Feb, 2010 21:27
Posts: 1347

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Royal Wootton Bassett

Post by GazHyde »

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.
brently
Joined: Thu 02 Oct, 2008 18:07
Posts: 64

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: St. Neots

Post by brently »

They look just like my 17" wheels fitted as OEM on my 3.0l. I find tyre pressures are critical in preventing tramlining. It's vital to get them all correct and no imbalance between left and right sides.
BenZ3-2.0
Joined: Mon 02 Oct, 2006 14:42
Posts: 430

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Bedford

Post by BenZ3-2.0 »

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!!
Image
User avatar
Hard Top
Joined: Sun 17 Jan, 2010 23:16
Posts: 1239

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Netherlands

Post by Hard Top »

Thanks everyone, it was good to read your opinions.
BenZ3-2.0 wrote:Dont change back to 16's that is a downgrade!!
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.

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

Image

Titan's apprentice. :D
Titan wrote:Occupations ?
Official Devil's Advocate :devil:
Leg Puller
Micky Taker
http://www.lde.nu/index.htm
Z3cade
Joined: Sat 09 Jan, 2010 18:18
Posts: 2634

  M roadster S50
Location: Peterborough

Post by Z3cade »

Have you thought of upgrading to 17s? thats what i did and havent looked back. 16s just look to small on the z3 in my opinion.
you can pick up a used set of oem 17 wheels for good prices on ebay etc....
///M Roadster - Evolve Stage 3
Image
Wrinkley
Joined: Fri 25 Jun, 2010 19:11
Posts: 103

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Beverley

Post by Wrinkley »

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
User avatar
TitanTim
Joined: Mon 23 Jun, 2008 18:56
Posts: 5488

  Z3 roadster 1.9i
Location: Stafford

Post by TitanTim »

I'm really pleased I swapped from 17s to 18s as they just give that little more presence especially on the Sports.

Image

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.
Image
2001 Z3 1.9 Roadster Sport - 2012 Z4 sDrive 2.0 M Sport
Bouchay
Joined: Mon 01 Nov, 2010 19:36
Posts: 6

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Hereford

Post by Bouchay »

TitanTim, those rims look awesome! My wifes Z3 has just got standard 16"'s on. I've been trying to get her to change her mind for ages now. I think i'll just show her a pic of yours!
User avatar
TitanTim
Joined: Mon 23 Jun, 2008 18:56
Posts: 5488

  Z3 roadster 1.9i
Location: Stafford

Post by TitanTim »

Bouchay wrote:TitanTim, those rims look awesome! My wifes Z3 has just got standard 16"'s on. I've been trying to get her to change her mind for ages now. I think i'll just show her a pic of yours!
Cheers Bouchay, hope it does the trick :lol:

Tim.
Image
2001 Z3 1.9 Roadster Sport - 2012 Z4 sDrive 2.0 M Sport
User avatar
GazHyde
Joined: Fri 26 Feb, 2010 21:27
Posts: 1347

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Royal Wootton Bassett

Post by GazHyde »

Bouchay wrote:I think i'll just show her a pic of yours!
Sits back, feet up and waits for the knob jokes to start... :D
Post Reply