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2005 Z4 3.0 Tyre question

feket663

Member
Hello! I have a nice 05 Z4 3.0i with 18 inch wheels (8x18 and 8,5x18 wide rims). What happens if I put 225/40 R18 tires on all 4 wheels?
Can I do that? Or should I avoid them? Anyone tried that?
Street use (mainly canyon riding), not race track.
Thanks for help!

mv2.jpg
 
I suppose my question would have to be why?
You still have staggered wheels so you're not making them interchangeable (hough you could in an emergency).
It wouldn't exactly balance the set up either, as the rears would be stretched to fit the wider rims.

However, if you had the 5-series E60 over there with MV2 wheels then another option would be to source a pair of those swheels and put them on the back. They are ET20 but only 8" wide, so they fill the arches far better without the need for spacers, and they would take 225s.
 
A few photos to show you what I mean. On my wife's car, with standard Z4 front wheels.
As you can see they are more dished than the standard ones.
IMG_1131.JPG
IMG_1133.JPG
IMG_1137.JPG
IMG_1138.JPG
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enuff_zed said:
I suppose my question would have to be why?
You still have staggered wheels so you're not making them interchangeable (hough you could in an emergency).
It wouldn't exactly balance the set up either, as the rears would be stretched to fit the wider rims.

However, if you had the 5-series E60 over there with MV2 wheels then another option would be to source a pair of those swheels and put them on the back. They are ET20 but only 8" wide, so they fill the arches far better without the need for spacers, and they would take 225s.

The reason is twofold. I'd like a bit more playful rear side, and want a more stable car in street's long ribs.

plenty said:
225s will fit on an 8.5 inch rim but will be heavily stretched and not advisable.

I don't think an 1/2 inch (12,5 mm) wider rim cause "heavy stretched" tyres.
 
feket663 said:
plenty said:
225s will fit on an 8.5 inch rim but will be heavily stretched and not advisable.

I don't think an 1/2 inch (12,5 mm) wider rim cause "heavy stretched" tyres.
Well, I'm speaking from experience as I once bought a set of 225s (Goodyear Assymmetric 3s) on 8.5 Rotas that were stretched like goatse. Although I drove on those pretty hard and they didn't cause me any trouble.

The ideal tyre width for 8-inch rims is 235. Most 225s will be a slight stretch even on 8s. It does vary by tyre make - some 225s are wider than others.
 
plenty said:
feket663 said:
plenty said:
225s will fit on an 8.5 inch rim but will be heavily stretched and not advisable.

I don't think an 1/2 inch (12,5 mm) wider rim cause "heavy stretched" tyres.
Well, I'm speaking from experience as I once bought a set of 225s (Goodyear Assymmetric 3s) on 8.5 Rotas that were stretched like goatse. Although I drove on those pretty hard and they didn't cause me any trouble.

The ideal tyre width for 8-inch rims is 235. Most 225s will be a slight stretch even on 8s. It does vary by tyre make - some 225s are wider than others.

Many thanks for the info! I think I have enough time until spring to think about it, and I will.
 
If I wanted to run tyres the same size front and rear I'd look for a set of "square" wheels like the OE 17s.

Or if you are set on 18s I've had a set of four front 224s, replica CSLs and replica MV2s that were all 8J x 18 all round.

I really wouldn't want to fit 225s to an 8.5 inch rim. :o
 
I run 18x8.5 up front with a 225/40/R18 tire no problem. No issues with understeer even with 18x9.5 wheels with 255/35/R18 tires in the back, an even bigger stagger wheel wise than what you have. I use it on mountain roads all the time (upwards of 50 runs on a 34 mile route). If you were doing trackwork, I would advise a square wheel and tire setup, but for your usecase, this is fine.

In terms of stretch, it is perfect for me. It is basically flush with the wheel. Warning that this will increase the chance of kerbing your wheels as opposed to a slightly wider tire though.

Edit: Here is a picture of them:
Screenshot_20231127_134514_Gallery.jpg
 
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