Widest Wheel/Tyre on Z3 (Widebody)

[YBTurbo]

Hi,

Newbie on here, Recently bought a 2.8 Z3, I don't like the way the rear wheel sits into the arch... It's a Style 50 8J ET47 with a 225/45 tyre.

What is the ideal wheel width offset and tyre to fill the arch fully? (Without arch rolling etc..)
Would I fit an E39 Style 66 9J ET26 with 245/40 ?

Here's my Z.

[BladeRunner919]

Just use a tape measure to work out how much further out you would like the wheel to sit, then calculate your ideal sizes/specs from there. You'll probably need spacers to get it just right, unless you are very lucky to find a style of wheel you like with exactly the right specs.

[deni2s]

10J E33 is ideal rear wheel size/offset on 2.8 - in line with the arches. I use R17/245/40 tire (small stretch). Other variants you can calculate here using this baseline: http://www.willtheyfit.com/

[YBTurbo]

Very helpful, Thank you!

I presume archs are standard (Not rolled or trimmed?)

Using your 10J ET33, E39 Style 66 (9J ET26) will poke 5.7mm less than your set-up. Sounds ideal as I'll get 33.7mm more poke than my current set-up. (8J ET47)

[Brian4]

Wheels from an E39 will need 'spigot rings' as the centre bore is a bigger diameter than those for the Z3. I think it was only E39 for some reason had the bigger bore and most others will fit.
E39 are 74.1mm and most of the rest are 72.5mm,

[Mugs]

of course, if you like your current wheels then a 15-20mm hubcentric spacer will widen the stance on the rear.

[deni2s]

I presume archs are standard (Not rolled or trimmed?)

Yes, they are standard.

[YBTurbo]

Yes I know about spigots (74.1 - 72.6)

Basically I'm hoping to run 17" E39 Style 66 without arch trimming/rolling,

8J ET20 Front with a 215/45
9J ET26 Rear with 235/40

Reason is I already have Style 66 and have the tyres (Although not fitted to the rims)

Back will be fine according to above, But front will probably be tight?


I think the best thing to do is just get my tyres fitted and just try them on!

[Mor61e]

I think my wheels are probably exactly the same spec as yours but they're 32s

Might give you an idea to the fitment you can expect

There's some pictures in my blog in the gallery

[Mugs]

I think my wheels are probably exactly the same spec as yours but they're 32s

Might give you an idea to the fitment you can expect

There's some pictures in my blog in the gallery

i still can't see how your front wheels don't stick out of the arches?
i've tried my rear 5 series 17" x 8" ET20 style 32 on the front and they stick out of the arch a long way.

[Mor61e]

i still can't see how your front wheels don't stick out of the arches?
i've tried my rear 5 series 17" x 8" ET20 style 32 on the front and they stick out of the arch a long way.

Have you got a picture of one fitted Mugs?

[Robert T]

The optional BMW staggered tyre fitment on 17's was 225/45 front and 245/40 rear, but what will actually fit will depend upon the offsets.

Cheers R.

[Mugs]

i still can't see how your front wheels don't stick out of the arches?
i've tried my rear 5 series 17" x 8" ET20 style 32 on the front and they stick out of the arch a long way.

Have you got a picture of one fitted Mugs?

not yet but i'll put one on tomorrow and take one.

[YBTurbo]

Tried my 8J ET35 RH Topline with a 215/45R17 tyre and a 15mm spacer on the front, So basically 8J ET20...

Sticks out a bit too far.

Don't want to go camber/stretching, Just want a nice set of BMW wheels to fill archs nicely with normal tyres without spacers.

Only thing I can think of is Style 32, but I'm not really a fan of them.
E36 front 7.5J ET41 or 8J ET47 with a 225/45 for the front,
E39 rear 9J ET26 with a 245/40 on the rear.

[gookah]

error post

[deni2s]

Tried my 8J ET35 RH Topline with a 215/45R17 tyre and a 15mm spacer on the front, So basically 8J ET20...

Sticks out a bit too far.

Baseline for fronts is 8.5J ET33 with 225/45R17.

[YBTurbo]

Using willtheyfit.com and the above figures means it'd stick out 6.7mm.

[deni2s]

Using willtheyfit.com and the above figures means it'd stick out 6.7mm.

Yes, your wheels would stick out 6.7mm more than my. That's what you told before:

Sticks out a bit too far.

[YBTurbo]

Going to source some Style 32.

E36 front 7.5J ET41 and E39 rear 9J ET26, Seems to be ideal set-up
Think I should be able pull it off with maybe a gunmetal colour!

Unsure about tyre size though (I won't be lowering the car) Either 215/45 & 235/40 or 225/45 & 245/40?

Opinions?


Sorry about all the questions and thanks for the advice so far, It's my first Z and I want to get wheel fitment spot on! (While still looking OE)

[Mugs]

basically the same set up as me (style 32) only i'm using Z3 7.5 x 17 et 41 on the front and E39 8x17 et20 with 20mm spacers (1.9 wide arch conversion so narrower axle).
i have 225 45 17" front and 245 40 17 rear (or at least i will when the rear wheels come back from their refurb).

[Mugs]

i still can't see how your front wheels don't stick out of the arches?
i've tried my rear 5 series 17" x 8" ET20 style 32 on the front and they stick out of the arch a long way.

Have you got a picture of one fitted Mugs?

here's a photo of the spare 8 x 17 et20 from an E39 on the front of my Z3:





it sticks out a fair bit from the arch.