16" Wheels For Winter - Will these fit a '57 3.0si?

DMike · Post by **DMike** » Tue Sep 07, 2010 1:56 pm

Without spacers the 102s sit fairly deep within the wheel arches, which prevents flying studs and gravel damaging the paint. More images...

DMike

cj10jeeper · Post by **cj10jeeper** » Tue Sep 07, 2010 2:05 pm

DMike - I think you're missing the point here.

Prefacelift 3.0i will take a 16" rim without problems. Post facelift 3.0Si had larger front calipers fitted (same as the old E46 330) and as such the minimum wheel that will fit on those is a 17".

Offset won't overcome this change.

SpaceCoyote · Post by **SpaceCoyote** » Tue Sep 07, 2010 2:07 pm

Cool studded tyres.

DMike · Post by **DMike** » Tue Sep 07, 2010 3:33 pm

Cj10jeeper,
sorry, missed the si. 300x25 vs 325x25 rotors on 3.0i and 3.0si, respectively. The fit is already quite tight on 300 mm rotors, so they certainly won't fit on 325s.

DMike

PawnSacrifice · Post by **PawnSacrifice** » Tue Sep 07, 2010 3:52 pm

DMike, some great pics there

Be good to hear a Scandanavian perspective, which tyre manufacturers have a good reputation? Excepting of course that I won't be buying studded tyres.

Wrighty · Post by **Wrighty** » Sun Jan 20, 2019 9:27 pm

DMike wrote: ↑Tue Sep 07, 2010 1:35 pm
SpaceCoyote wrote: I understand there may be some caliper clearance considerations with smaller wheels and wondered if anyone knows if these will fit?

Obviously the 108's I'm running at the moment are wider at the back, will this cause any problems with this wheel? I assume the wider profile is to get better grip, but is there anything else to it?
I read about caliper clearance considerations too. I have, however, a 2005 3.0i with the 16-inch 102s. They do fit fine (double checked with my dealer) and there has been no issues with accumulating ice within the wheels. As a bonus they're easy to clean. I've found out that Scandinavian spec'd Z4s have some differences to the UK ones (apart from LHD), but haven't read about differences in brake calipers. Higher profile and narrow tyres generally result in better grip on snow and ice.

DMike

Old thread but I'm glad I've read this Mike, also looking into fitting 16" winter wheels and tyres to my slightly older 3.0i Z4. There is far more second hand wheels available in 16"

Wrighty

HarryD · Post by **HarryD** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 2:44 am

For my 2003 I decided to go with a set of BMW 256 (17x7) wheels from a 1 series with Blizzak WS 80 205/50-17 tires. Correct offset etc.

Rides Great!

Wrighty · Post by **Wrighty** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 2:44 pm

Did you look into getting 16's at all Harry?

wingnut · Post by **wingnut** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 5:21 pm

Just a thought, I put 16in on mine for the winter. As you say, the 16in wheels are generally cheaper but when I was looking, the tyres were also cheaper, plus due to profile probably provide a better ride when road conditions are not good.

philbo909 · Post by **philbo909** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 10:10 pm

DMike wrote: ↑Tue Sep 07, 2010 1:35 pm
SpaceCoyote wrote: I understand there may be some caliper clearance considerations with smaller wheels and wondered if anyone knows if these will fit?

Obviously the 108's I'm running at the moment are wider at the back, will this cause any problems with this wheel? I assume the wider profile is to get better grip, but is there anything else to it?
I read about caliper clearance considerations too. I have, however, a 2005 3.0i with the 16-inch 102s. They do fit fine (double checked with my dealer) and there has been no issues with accumulating ice within the wheels. As a bonus they're easy to clean. I've found out that Scandinavian spec'd Z4s have some differences to the UK ones (apart from LHD), but haven't read about differences in brake calipers. Higher profile and narrow tyres generally result in better grip on snow and ice.

DMike

this is because you have a 3.0i
the 3.0si got bigger front brakes to get some more stoppage power for the extra horses

Z4-forum.com

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