18" vs 19" Wheels

Silverstar said:
Lazza said:
19” with non run flats are better in every way than 18” with run flats. Especially the Bridgestone RFs.
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My point was that anyone complaining about the ride on 19s with RFs should just try non RFs before swapping to 18s. It’ll probably give all the improvement anyone would need. The difference between 19s and 18s both with non RFs is relatively small in comparison.
What about 18" with non run flats?
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GoSteve said:
So, we have discussed the virtues of the 3.0 N52 6 cyl engine over the sense of the 2.0 N20 4 pot.
But what about the wheels.

I am running 18" rims, which offer great road manners on notoriously poor roads, and look amazing on the Zed.
But the 326 (or 296) 19" rims have a shocking reputation for cracking. Plus, 19" rims make, what is already a harsh ride worse.
But they also look particularly good on the Zed.

If you could choose either the 18" rims or 19" 326 (or 296) rims, what would it be?
I suspect there is a part of us that thinks, the 19" is a more expensive and posher choice.
  • But are they better?
  • Do they look better?
  • Do they ride better?
  • Do they still crack, even at the thought of leaving a motorway or A road?

Zed on 18" Rims (not sure what pattern they are)
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I upgraded mine from the 18" 325M (on runflats) to 19" 437M (on Non-runflats) and honestly the ride comfort is FAR superior to the 18s and handling has improved dramatically. Steering is lighter and bumps in the road aren't as noticeable. I wouldn't have described the ride as harsh, even before the upgrade, but it's now definitely even less so. I'd put it down to the tyres more than the size of the rims. Fitted Non-runflat Eagle F1s. It was well worth the cost of the upgrade, and I'm glad I did it. Car also looks better too.
 
BeardyJon said:
GoSteve said:
So, we have discussed the virtues of the 3.0 N52 6 cyl engine over the sense of the 2.0 N20 4 pot.
But what about the wheels.

I am running 18" rims, which offer great road manners on notoriously poor roads, and look amazing on the Zed.
But the 326 (or 296) 19" rims have a shocking reputation for cracking. Plus, 19" rims make, what is already a harsh ride worse.
But they also look particularly good on the Zed.

If you could choose either the 18" rims or 19" 326 (or 296) rims, what would it be?
I suspect there is a part of us that thinks, the 19" is a more expensive and posher choice.
  • But are they better?
  • Do they look better?
  • Do they ride better?
  • Do they still crack, even at the thought of leaving a motorway or A road?

Zed on 18" Rims (not sure what pattern they are)
Click to expand...

I upgraded mine from the 18" 325M (on runflats) to 19" 437M (on Non-runflats) and honestly the ride comfort is FAR superior to the 18s and handling has improved dramatically. Steering is lighter and bumps in the road aren't as noticeable. I wouldn't have described the ride as harsh, even before the upgrade, but it's now definitely even less so. I'd put it down to the tyres more than the size of the rims. Fitted Non-runflat Eagle F1s. It was well worth the cost of the upgrade, and I'm glad I did it. Car also looks better too.
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Wheel weight is important, all the OE wheels that come with the Z4 are cast so weigh a lot, the genuine 437M wheels are forged so stronger and lighter.
 
R.E92 said:
Wheel weight is important, all the OE wheels that come with the Z4 are cast so weigh a lot, the genuine 437M wheels are forged so stronger and lighter.
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They're replica 437s so definitely not forged.
 
Also a 19" wheel / tyre combo is about 1kg heavier per wheel than the same rolling radius 18" wheel..

https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/?wheel1=225-40-18X8ET29&wheel2=225-35-19X8ET29&fcl=50mm&wcl=30mm&scl=50mm&sr=0mm
 
enuff_zed said:
R.E92 said:
Theivz said:
19s all day long

Not 326s though any decent aftermarket wheel. Comfort is fine for a roadster. :driving:
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Those exhaust tips look awful. Removing the badges and changing the wheels I can see as being a matter of personal preference but those exhaust tips are just offensive to the eyes :rofl:
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Phew! I'm glad it's not just me!
I initially thought it was a still from 'The Guns of Navarone'. :rofl:
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Haha! Yes sorry very marmite .. all my modding is like that

It was a Lexus style slanted quad custom exhaust full system. Last system I had built was a standard m3 style quad so i felt like trying something different. It wasn't quite right however but fun while it lasted lol
 
Theivz said:
enuff_zed said:
R.E92 said:
Those exhaust tips look awful. Removing the badges and changing the wheels I can see as being a matter of personal preference but those exhaust tips are just offensive to the eyes :rofl:
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Phew! I'm glad it's not just me!
I initially thought it was a still from 'The Guns of Navarone'. :rofl:
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Haha! Yes sorry very marmite .. all my modding is like that

It was a Lexus style slanted quad custom exhaust full system. Last system I had built was a standard m3 style quad so i felt like trying something different. It wasn't quite right however but fun while it lasted lol
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No prob. Each to their own. :thumbsup:
 
Baza said:
Its all in the eyes of the beholder
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Great choice - I had a set of 295s on my 2nd Coupe and loved them. They're really easy to clean too! But if people are desperate for 19s the 230s look the same. :lol:
 
mr wilks said:
Baza said:
mr wilks said:
better looking " i'm struggling with that one
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Its all in the eyes of the beholder
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Of course & they aren't bad wheels but i'm yet to come across anyone who "upgraded " to 18s from 19s for better looks :oops:
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I think you are right of course but as I said in my earlier post I’m more interested in how satisfying the car is to use, not just look at. I didn’t have experience of putting non RFT’s on 19’s but I did have experience of a previous E89 on 18’s so it was a safer (i.e. no risk of an expensive mistake in buying a set of tyres that perhaps wouldn’t deliver what I wanted) decision. Looks are subjective though and I’m very happy with my choice :D
 
I've got some 19s for sale BTW if you're interested will do a good price as I'm keen to get rid. My missus is on my back now about them... I love them and was hoping to use them on another BM but hey ho

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=121853
 
Just resurrecting this one for a quick question.

It seems the19” 296 Style wheel has a terrible reputation for cracking especially when wearing the ever popular RFT tyre. How do the 18” versions fare by comparison? Do they fare better as 18 inchers i.e. is cracking still common if RFTs are fitted, or all but eliminated with normal rubber?
 
Big Bad Boris said:
Just resurrecting this one for a quick question.

It seems the19” 296 Style wheel has a terrible reputation for cracking especially when wearing the ever popular RFT tyre. How do the 18” versions fare by comparison? Do they fare better as 18 inchers i.e. is cracking still common if RFTs are fitted, or all but eliminated with normal rubber?
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Not aware 296’s are available as 18 inch rims
 
EssexZed said:
Big Bad Boris said:
Just resurrecting this one for a quick question.

It seems the19” 296 Style wheel has a terrible reputation for cracking especially when wearing the ever popular RFT tyre. How do the 18” versions fare by comparison? Do they fare better as 18 inchers i.e. is cracking still common if RFTs are fitted, or all but eliminated with normal rubber?
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Not aware 296’s are available as 18 inch rims
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296's are 19" only.

I believe there aren't any problems with the 18" wheel options.
 
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