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denishogan 
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What’s this title thing about then? Joined: 29-March-2005 Location: Limerick, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 814 |
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 Topic: Big wheels on a Z3...Posted: 07-August-2007 at 11:20 |
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Hi all,
Just posting a question on behalf of a mate of mine. He has a 2.2l Z3 and wants to get a set of wheels to fill up the arches. He really wants to go with 18s. Will he be able to lower it a little (very very little) without the 18s rubbing the arches? What are the Zeds like to drive on 18s? I hope some of the Z3 owners can shed some light! Thanks, Denis |
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larzyh
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Joined: 25-February-2007 Location: Limerick Status: Offline Points: 633 |
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Posted: 07-August-2007 at 12:34 |
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My Mum drove a 2.5 (American model) Z3. Had 16's with 225/50. I am sure it would be possible to put something slightly wider on it something like 235. Use one of the excellent on-line calculators to calculate aspect if going with 18". Edit: 235/35/18 would maintain approximate diameter to 225/50/16. I would probably stick to 225's on 17"; remembering that even the Z3M had 17's. Edited by larzyh |
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Larzyh.
Previously or currently, in the family: '77 E21 320, '78 E21 320, '79 E21 320, '87 E28 520i, '88 E30 325iC, '95 E34 525i, '98 E39 528i, '98 Z3 2.5, '98 E38 740iL, '95 E36 Compact, '99 E36 318iT, '02 E46 318iT, '96 E34 525tdsT, '98 E38 740iL... |
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73touring
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Joined: 16-December-2005 Location: Dublin Status: Offline Points: 299 |
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Posted: 07-August-2007 at 12:47 |
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Hmm Irish roads and 18's id say it would be a bit teeth shattering
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Now
1973 BMW 2002 Touring (Algea) 1994 BMW 525i Sport Previously 1975 BMW 2002tii 1990 BMW 318i 1990 BMW 320i |
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larzyh
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Joined: 25-February-2007 Location: Limerick Status: Offline Points: 633 |
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Posted: 07-August-2007 at 12:56 |
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235/40/17" might be the best compromise. I suppose whether 18" are too harsh depends on what roads one finds oneself on; I put 18's on my E46 and did not find the reduction in comfort too severe.
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Larzyh.
Previously or currently, in the family: '77 E21 320, '78 E21 320, '79 E21 320, '87 E28 520i, '88 E30 325iC, '95 E34 525i, '98 E39 528i, '98 Z3 2.5, '98 E38 740iL, '95 E36 Compact, '99 E36 318iT, '02 E46 318iT, '96 E34 525tdsT, '98 E38 740iL... |
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b318isp
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Joined: 10-October-2002 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 2057 |
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Posted: 07-August-2007 at 13:14 |
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Is this not a red herring? You will not fill up the arches if the tyre diameter stays the same, wheel diameter, from this point of view, doesn't matter. Also, the suspension is E30 derived, so I'd not go bigger than 16". Sounds like lowering the car an inch or so may be the best way forward.
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Dergside
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Joined: 16-May-2004 Location: Mid West, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 4000 |
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Posted: 07-August-2007 at 14:15 |
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The last of the Z3 Sport's had 17's. I'd be cautious about going bigger than that. Having said that I've seen a couple with MV1 18's and they look reasonably good on it.
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Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93.
Prev: e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci. e39 523i SE. e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE. e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i. |
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Joey
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Joined: 13-May-2007 Location: Dublin Status: Offline Points: 86 |
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Posted: 07-August-2007 at 14:23 |
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would ruin the ride of the car and with the pot holes round here the wheels wouldnt last long either i rekon a set of 17's is the way to go
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its not what you drive its what drives you
(INITIAL D) E36 M3 Cabrio Cosmos Black |
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flyingalexf68
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Joined: 01-April-2006 Location: 53°19’59,6°14’56 Status: Offline Points: 2581 |
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Posted: 07-August-2007 at 17:24 |
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You can put 18's onto a Z3 and lower it 30mm on Eibach springs very
succesfully but I'd be worried about pot holes. Plenty of guys in the UK have done this. I think 18" MV2's look fabulous on the Z3. They won't rub the arches either. I was going to get a set when I had my Z3. zraodster.net is a great forum for Z owners if you want to have a look there. |
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1995 e36 3.0 M3 Coupe, Daytona Violet, AP Racing BBK, CCFL Angel Eyes, M3 Spoiler, M-Tec 3 Steering Wheel.
2000 530d Steptronic, Poverty Spec, 18" Alloys. |
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larzyh
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Joined: 25-February-2007 Location: Limerick Status: Offline Points: 633 |
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Posted: 07-August-2007 at 21:17 |
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b318isp - while I accept the point about the wheel/tyres staying the same dimension, I do think it will still make a difference to the look of the car. The current 3series is a good example; looks totally under-shod on standard wheels and tyres and much better on bigger wheels and wider tyres even without lowering. I would be more concerned about the (negative) effect of lowering on ride quality than going 17's. From an appearance point of view, lowering can make a car look a bit "pimped". The Z3 isn't particularly "gappy" in it's arches (have a look at a 360 Modena!). Edited by larzyh |
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Larzyh.
Previously or currently, in the family: '77 E21 320, '78 E21 320, '79 E21 320, '87 E28 520i, '88 E30 325iC, '95 E34 525i, '98 E39 528i, '98 Z3 2.5, '98 E38 740iL, '95 E36 Compact, '99 E36 318iT, '02 E46 318iT, '96 E34 525tdsT, '98 E38 740iL... |
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denishogan
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What’s this title thing about then? Joined: 29-March-2005 Location: Limerick, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 814 |
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Posted: 09-August-2007 at 08:35 |
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Thanks for all the info everyone! I have passed it on to my mate. He has been using various calculators and figures that if he goes with 18s with a "certain" (I say certain because I can't remember what he was talking about) size of tyre, the car won't be much higher than it already was. So I don't think he will bother lowering it. Anyhow, I'll try to put up some photos when he is done!
Thanks again!  |
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flyingalexf68
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Joined: 01-April-2006 Location: 53°19’59,6°14’56 Status: Offline Points: 2581 |
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Posted: 09-August-2007 at 22:51 |
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You must lower the car if you're putting big wheels on. If he puts 18's on
without lowering the car it will look like a giant roller skate. The 18's will have a very thin side wall but quality tyres will help with the ride quality. |
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1995 e36 3.0 M3 Coupe, Daytona Violet, AP Racing BBK, CCFL Angel Eyes, M3 Spoiler, M-Tec 3 Steering Wheel.
2000 530d Steptronic, Poverty Spec, 18" Alloys. |
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nero
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Just call me Tripod Joined: 15-October-2002 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 3131 |
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Posted: 10-August-2007 at 10:29 |
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Tell your mate to have a look and do a search on Zroadster.net
Someone was looking at fitting 19" wheels, but the consensus on the forum that anything over 18" was asking for trouble. Mine is a Sport with 17s. |
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Big wheels on a Z3...
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