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Anyone running 4 front 326’s as a square set up?

Specific discussion about the E89 2009 Z4 (sDrive35is, sDrive35i, sDrive30i, sDrive23i)
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True-Blue
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Anyone running 4 front 326’s as a square set up?

Post by True-Blue » Tue Apr 09, 2024 5:55 pm

Interested to know if anyone running front 326’s on the rear with a square tire set up? If so, any pics please?

Thank you :thumbsup:
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Previous Z4’s :E89 30i, E89 20i, E85 3.0Si (X4) E85 3.0i, E86 3.0 Si, E85 2.5si, E85 2.5i

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Anyone running 4 front 326’s as a square set up?

Post by B21 » Tue Apr 09, 2024 5:59 pm

A few people who have cracked rears have done it for cheapo reasons..technically no great reason why not on lower powered E89s..the 29mm offset mitigates the 30mm reduction in tyre width..will look almost identical from the side..the rear view will just have skinnier tyres inboard..
We choose to go to on with this endeavour at this time and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard…
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Anyone running 4 front 326’s as a square set up?

Post by True-Blue » Tue Apr 09, 2024 6:16 pm

B21 wrote: Tue Apr 09, 2024 5:59 pm A few people who have cracked rears have done it for cheapo reasons..technically no great reason why not on lower powered E89s..the 29mm offset mitigates the 30mm reduction in tyre width..will look almost identical from the side..the rear view will just have skinnier tyres inboard..
Yes, that’s exactly what I’m thinking… the Mrs E89 badly needs some new wheels as the 17”s make my eyes bleed.

It’s lovely, but it’s a 23i and a nice square tire setup on 19’s would meet her demands for looks and price :thumbsup:
Alpina Roadster S Lux no. 204 (1 of 15 uk cars in Alpina Blue)

Previous Z4’s :E89 30i, E89 20i, E85 3.0Si (X4) E85 3.0i, E86 3.0 Si, E85 2.5si, E85 2.5i

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Anyone running 4 front 326’s as a square set up?

Post by B21 » Tue Apr 09, 2024 6:31 pm

True-Blue wrote: Tue Apr 09, 2024 6:16 pm
B21 wrote: Tue Apr 09, 2024 5:59 pm A few people who have cracked rears have done it for cheapo reasons..technically no great reason why not on lower powered E89s..the 29mm offset mitigates the 30mm reduction in tyre width..will look almost identical from the side..the rear view will just have skinnier tyres inboard..
Yes, that’s exactly what I’m thinking… the Mrs E89 badly needs some new wheels as the 17”s make my eyes bleed.

It’s lovely, but it’s a 23i and a nice square tire setup on 19’s would meet her demands for looks and price :thumbsup:
For a 23i they’d be fine ..unless you put some Chinese ditch finders… :tumbleweed:
We choose to go to on with this endeavour at this time and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard…
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Anyone running 4 front 326’s as a square set up?

Post by True-Blue » Tue Apr 09, 2024 6:32 pm

B21 wrote: Tue Apr 09, 2024 6:31 pm
True-Blue wrote: Tue Apr 09, 2024 6:16 pm
B21 wrote: Tue Apr 09, 2024 5:59 pm A few people who have cracked rears have done it for cheapo reasons..technically no great reason why not on lower powered E89s..the 29mm offset mitigates the 30mm reduction in tyre width..will look almost identical from the side..the rear view will just have skinnier tyres inboard..
Yes, that’s exactly what I’m thinking… the Mrs E89 badly needs some new wheels as the 17”s make my eyes bleed.

It’s lovely, but it’s a 23i and a nice square tire setup on 19’s would meet her demands for looks and price :thumbsup:
For a 23i they’d be fine ..unless you put some Chinese ditch finders… :tumbleweed:
Nope, I’d never do that.
Alpina Roadster S Lux no. 204 (1 of 15 uk cars in Alpina Blue)

Previous Z4’s :E89 30i, E89 20i, E85 3.0Si (X4) E85 3.0i, E86 3.0 Si, E85 2.5si, E85 2.5i

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Anyone running 4 front 326’s as a square set up?

Post by Number5 » Wed Apr 10, 2024 10:25 pm

Yes I did on my E89.
I ran 4x fronts for 2 years or so with no issues, but still fitted the wider tyres on the rear as it’s only 0.5 J difference
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Anyone running 4 front 326’s as a square set up?

Post by True-Blue » Thu Apr 11, 2024 11:58 am

Number5 wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2024 10:25 pm Yes I did on my E89.
I ran 4x fronts for 2 years or so with no issues, but still fitted the wider tyres on the rear as it’s only 0.5 J difference
Thanks Alan, did the rears sit well?

I might be able to pick up 4 pretty decent fronts from two different sources, so working in that now 👍🏻
Alpina Roadster S Lux no. 204 (1 of 15 uk cars in Alpina Blue)

Previous Z4’s :E89 30i, E89 20i, E85 3.0Si (X4) E85 3.0i, E86 3.0 Si, E85 2.5si, E85 2.5i

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Anyone running 4 front 326’s as a square set up?

Post by Fady » Thu Apr 11, 2024 12:56 pm

True-Blue wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2024 11:58 am
Number5 wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2024 10:25 pm Yes I did on my E89.
I ran 4x fronts for 2 years or so with no issues, but still fitted the wider tyres on the rear as it’s only 0.5 J difference
Thanks Alan, did the rears sit well?

I might be able to pick up 4 pretty decent fronts from two different sources, so working in that now 👍🏻
If you do get stuck - I've got 2 front 326's in decent shape which I will be letting go of for a very nominal fee, e.g. beer money + postage
- adhering to forum protocol of course and would obviously post photos.

My car has after market wheels but I picked up the originals as part of the purchase. Rears are toast and now obvious to me as a E89 newbie that you virtually have to pay dealer prices for replacements whereas fronts seem to be ten a penny secondhand!
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Anyone running 4 front 326’s as a square set up?

Post by True-Blue » Thu Apr 11, 2024 1:35 pm

Fady wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2024 12:56 pm
True-Blue wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2024 11:58 am
Number5 wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2024 10:25 pm Yes I did on my E89.
I ran 4x fronts for 2 years or so with no issues, but still fitted the wider tyres on the rear as it’s only 0.5 J difference
Thanks Alan, did the rears sit well?

I might be able to pick up 4 pretty decent fronts from two different sources, so working in that now 👍🏻
If you do get stuck - I've got 2 front 326's in decent shape which I will be letting go of for a very nominal fee, e.g. beer money + postage
- adhering to forum protocol of course and would obviously post photos.

My car has after market wheels but I picked up the originals as part of the purchase. Rears are toast and now obvious to me as a E89 newbie that you virtually have to pay dealer prices for replacements whereas fronts seem to be ten a penny secondhand!
Definitely interested, where are you based? Do they need a referb?
Alpina Roadster S Lux no. 204 (1 of 15 uk cars in Alpina Blue)

Previous Z4’s :E89 30i, E89 20i, E85 3.0Si (X4) E85 3.0i, E86 3.0 Si, E85 2.5si, E85 2.5i

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Anyone running 4 front 326’s as a square set up?

Post by Fady » Thu Apr 11, 2024 2:15 pm

True-Blue wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2024 1:35 pm
Fady wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2024 12:56 pm
True-Blue wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2024 11:58 am

Thanks Alan, did the rears sit well?

I might be able to pick up 4 pretty decent fronts from two different sources, so working in that now 👍🏻
If you do get stuck - I've got 2 front 326's in decent shape which I will be letting go of for a very nominal fee, e.g. beer money + postage
- adhering to forum protocol of course and would obviously post photos.

My car has after market wheels but I picked up the originals as part of the purchase. Rears are toast and now obvious to me as a E89 newbie that you virtually have to pay dealer prices for replacements whereas fronts seem to be ten a penny secondhand!
Definitely interested, where are you based? Do they need a referb?
I'm Sussex/Surrey to your Bristol/Bath so collection or delivery is unfortunately not viable. I do have boxes for them from the replacements, so would need to get an idea on how much they are to post.

I have the service receipts and in March 2022 was reported that "nearside rear wheel has 2 cracks and all wheels scuffed - remove and send off for repair and refurb". Wheels were then change shortly after the following year's service (crack in other rear) having covered around 4k miles. I don't think the previous owner was as careful as I am (!) and wheels weren't cleaned before being put in the box, but at first glance, they are more than passable.
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Anyone running 4 front 326’s as a square set up?

Post by The.Analyst » Thu Apr 11, 2024 4:22 pm

Running a 255 tyre on a 326M front which is 8J is definitely not clever

245 is the maximum most tyre suppliers would suggest

The rears are 9j

Conti handbook helpfully states that for an 8J in 35 profile the permissible range is 215 through 245 with the preferred option as 225
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Anyone running 4 front 326’s as a square set up?

Post by sars » Thu Apr 11, 2024 4:38 pm

The standard fitment on my 3.0l e89 was 225/45 R17, it was comfortable and quiet even on RFT's Swapped them to 225/40 R18 non RFT's and it remained comfortable and quiet :thumbsup:

The 35i probably needs 255's because of the extra torque, the NA's not so much.
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