Apex arc-8 wheel and tyre size recommendation for e85

[steve_naive]

03 E85 3.0 Roadster.

I want some 18 inch wheels in a gunmetal/Hyper Black colour and there’s not much about. So am going to invest in a nice light set.

I believe the closest to stock are 8.5 ET45 and 9 ET30?

What size tyres would fit best? Michelin have a deal on PS4’s and I’ll probably take advantage of that.

Many thanks.

On and I’m lowered slightly on Eibachs, would that cause any rubbing?

[Mr Tidy]

Stock staggered 18s are 8J ET47 fronts and 8.5J ET50 rears on non-M E85/86s.

Based on that I would have thought 8.5J ET45 fronts ought to be fine, or better still 8.5J ET40 if that is an option. But I'm not sure if 9J ET30 rears might sit a bit too far out, especially as your car is lowered. Can you get a 9J with an ET more like 40? I had 8.5J ET40 rears on my previous E86 and I'm sure a 9J with that offset would have fitted fine.

Tyre wise you could probably stick with OE sizes, so 225/40 fronts and 255/35 rears, but 235/35 or 40 fronts might be an option. Sometimes your choice is limted by the sizes offered in the tyres you want.

Looking forward to seeing them fitted.

[steve_naive]

They do a square 8.5j ET38.

Thoughts?

[Haggisman]

03 E85 3.0 Roadster.

I want some 18 inch wheels in a gunmetal/Hyper Black colour and there’s not much about. So am going to invest in a nice light set.

I believe the closest to stock are 8.5 ET45 and 9 ET30?

What size tyres would fit best? Michelin have a deal on PS4’s and I’ll probably take advantage of that.

Many thanks.

On and I’m lowered slightly on Eibachs, would that cause any rubbing?

I have the same model Z and fitted Apex arcs front 8.5 x 18 et 38 with 225 x 40’s. Rear is 9.5 x 18 et 35. PS4’s all round. Currently on standard suspension and clearance at rear is fine but marginal on front, very occasional rubbing on outside inner arch near the front bumper under aggressive compression. Have a set of eibachs and koni’s about to be fitted, car is just too high at rear and needs to be a bit lower at front, will need a bit more neg camber at front to stop rubbing I suspect.

[Haggisman]

03 E85 3.0 Roadster.

I want some 18 inch wheels in a gunmetal/Hyper Black colour and there’s not much about. So am going to invest in a nice light set.

I believe the closest to stock are 8.5 ET45 and 9 ET30?

What size tyres would fit best? Michelin have a deal on PS4’s and I’ll probably take advantage of that.

Many thanks.

On and I’m lowered slightly on Eibachs, would that cause any rubbing?

I have the same model Z and fitted Apex arcs front 8.5 x 18 et 38 with 225 x 40’s. Rear is 9.5 x 18 et 35. PS4’s all round. Currently on standard suspension and clearance at rear is fine but marginal on front, very occasional rubbing on outside inner arch near the front bumper under aggressive compression. Have a set of eibachs and koni’s about to be fitted, car is just too high at rear and needs to be a bit lower at front, will need a bit more neg camber at front to stop rubbing I suspect.

Meant say that rear tyres are 255 x 35 x 18 and wheels happen to be Hyper Black, great wheels.

[steve_naive]

03 E85 3.0 Roadster.

I want some 18 inch wheels in a gunmetal/Hyper Black colour and there’s not much about. So am going to invest in a nice light set.

I believe the closest to stock are 8.5 ET45 and 9 ET30?

What size tyres would fit best? Michelin have a deal on PS4’s and I’ll probably take advantage of that.

Many thanks.

On and I’m lowered slightly on Eibachs, would that cause any rubbing?

I have the same model Z and fitted Apex arcs front 8.5 x 18 et 38 with 225 x 40’s. Rear is 9.5 x 18 et 35. PS4’s all round. Currently on standard suspension and clearance at rear is fine but marginal on front, very occasional rubbing on outside inner arch near the front bumper under aggressive compression. Have a set of eibachs and koni’s about to be fitted, car is just too high at rear and needs to be a bit lower at front, will need a bit more neg camber at front to stop rubbing I suspect.

Meant say that rear tyres are 255 x 35 x 18 and wheels happen to be Hyper Black, great wheels.

Thanks for the info. Apex say their 8.5j et35 or 38 are a direct fit. I'm a bit concerned about the slight drop provided by the Eibachs.

I think Hyper Black would look great with my sterling grey. They even do a bronze, which would be very cool. Waiting on a restock though.
Typical.

Do you have any pics?

[Haggisman]

I have the same model Z and fitted Apex arcs front 8.5 x 18 et 38 with 225 x 40’s. Rear is 9.5 x 18 et 35. PS4’s all round. Currently on standard suspension and clearance at rear is fine but marginal on front, very occasional rubbing on outside inner arch near the front bumper under aggressive compression. Have a set of eibachs and koni’s about to be fitted, car is just too high at rear and needs to be a bit lower at front, will need a bit more neg camber at front to stop rubbing I suspect.

Meant say that rear tyres are 255 x 35 x 18 and wheels happen to be Hyper Black, great wheels.

Thanks for the info. Apex say their 8.5j et35 or 38 are a direct fit. I'm a bit concerned about the slight drop provided by the Eibachs.

I think Hyper Black would look great with my sterling grey. They even do a bronze, which would be very cool. Waiting on a restock though.
Typical.

Do you have any pics?

I prefer the hyper black which I have over the bronze, just my personal taste. I am in the opposite position to you, have the wheels and about to fit eibachs. As I mentioned, the rear should be fine on eibachs. I am concerned about the front. The Michelin ps4’s sidewall seems a bit more square than some other brands of tyres. I had 235 x 40 x 18 on the front but had to change to the 225’s as there was slight rubbing on compression and slight left lock.

Having said the above, the front ride height of my car is lower than it should be on factory standard suspension (non sport). The rear is where it should be. So, not sure why it is that way so I’ll try the Eibachs and see where the height ends up. I actually have a set of H & R springs but they lower the front even more than the eibachs so bought the eibachs. I see they have discontinued the Eibachs for this model of Z4.

As Mr Wilks has said previously, it can often be only millimetres that make a difference and that is what I believe in this case so a bit more negative camber (currently standard spec) should work. Also, new tyres with lots of tread can make a difference. Will be interesting for us to compare notes.

[steve_naive]

They look superb.

I see they have discontinued the Eibachs for this model of Z4.

Oh. That's a surprise. I'm just back from a spirited drive around the motorway and they're certainly an improvement on crappy surfaced roads.

Stuck two new tyres on today after snatching an MOT cancellation - long waiting lists where I am.
Bloody Pressure sensor is faulty - perhaps after being dislodged when I put the springs and shocks on. Oh well. At least I'll find out what else is wrong with her.

If it's not too expensive I'll get the Apex and sell my CSL reps.

[Haggisman]

They look superb.

I see they have discontinued the Eibachs for this model of Z4.

Oh. That's a surprise. I'm just back from a spirited drive around the motorway and they're certainly an improvement on crappy surfaced roads.

Stuck two new tyres on today after snatching an MOT cancellation - long waiting lists where I am.
Bloody Pressure sensor is faulty - perhaps after being dislodged when I put the springs and shocks on. Oh well. At least I'll find out what else is wrong with her.

If it's not too expensive I'll get the Apex and sell my CSL reps.

Big fan of the Apex wheels, managed to buy them direct from Apex in their sale, colours were slightly mismatched, had to get one wheel resprayed and Hyper Black is tricky to match but ended up cheaper than buying them off the shelf here in NZ. Shipping was a pain as it took 3 months from the US. Be good to see a photo of your car on the Eibachs. Cheers

[steve_naive]

These are my 19’s on eibachs, could be still settling:



Terrible angle but here’s the rear:


Car passed MOT so am looking to order the Arc 8’s now. The 19’s are fine but look a bit big to me. Maybe if they were darker I could live with them.

[Haggisman]

These are my 19’s on eibachs, could be still settling:



Terrible angle but here’s the rear:


Car passed MOT so am looking to order the Arc 8’s now. The 19’s are fine but look a bit big to me. Maybe if they were darker I could live with them.

Interesting, not as low as I thought, in one of the pictures you should see some blue tape on the inside liner where the 235 profile tyres were rubbing, 225’s seem fine. Personally I think the hyper black or even anthracite apex will look great on your car. Cheers.

[Warming]

Would like to buy a set, square all round or minimal staggered 8-8.5J. Where is the best place to order these from?

I'm guessing Apex themselves and would need to factor in import tax for a UK buyer?

[Haggisman]

Would like to buy a set, square all round or minimal staggered 8-8.5J. Where is the best place to order these from?

I'm guessing Apex themselves and would need to factor in import tax for a UK buyer?

I bought direct from Apex at a competitive price and paid import tax etc but still cheaper than buying through the agent here. Only thing was that shipping took about 3 months due to delays at NZ ports. As another option Turner Motorsports in the US often do a good deal and ship to the UK with shipping options, I’ve found FedEx great for shipping goods to New Zealand.

[Warming]

Thanks Haggisman, your Z looks just right with those wheels! Have discovered Apex have an import duties calculator, handy! I was originally thinking 17s but the 18s do look perfect, also tempted to get bronze as car is grey but anthracite or hyper black is always a winner.

[Haggisman]

Thanks Haggisman, your Z looks just right with those wheels! Have discovered Apex have an import duties calculator, handy! I was originally thinking 17s but the 18s do look perfect, also tempted to get bronze as car is grey but anthracite or hyper black is always a winner.

I dealt with Tom Maloney at Apex, very helpful email [email protected]
He is a BMW specialist at Apex. Personally not so keen on Bronze but clearly just my personal view. Cheers