8J wheels on an E85?

[Number5]

You could reduce tyre size to a 225/35/18 (lower profile, but harder ride) on the front, or even a 215/35/18 (narrower tyre) to give yourself a few more mm on the turning within the arch to reduce rubbing.

...Or you could just hold out for a proper set of Z4 MV2’s with the correct ET47 & ET50 offsets that you know will work

 

[JamieIsf]

...Or you could just hold out for a proper set of Z4 MV2’s with the correct ET47 & ET50 offsets that you know will work

I reckon my spine is just about young enough to deal with a harsher ride! I've got a few days to decide yet, but we'll see.
Be interested to hear what others think/ if anybody is mad enough to have those wheels already on!

 

[DaveP]

There's a very good reason why manufacturers specify wheel offsets, and it's usually down to the way that the suspension and wheel behave dynamically, particularly under compression.

By drastically reducing that offset, you're effectively altering the way that your car handles - and probably introducing undesirable things like excessive camber or bump-steer.

If you're not driving your car hard, you'll likely not notice any difference. If you like enjoying your car enthusiastically, it's potentially a bad idea.

 

[enuff_zed]

There's a very good reason why manufacturers specify wheel offsets, and it's usually down to the way that the suspension and wheel behave dynamically, particularly under compression.

By drastically reducing that offset, you're effectively altering the way that your car handles - and probably introducing undesirable things like excessive camber or bump-steer.

If you're not driving your car hard, you'll likely not notice any difference. If you like enjoying your car enthusiastically, it's potentially a bad idea.

It's a 2.5i not a track racer. It looks good and still handles perfectly well when pushing on through the B-roads.................... or so I'm told as SWMBO won't let me behind the wheel. Compares favourably with the Evora she had as a company car at Lotus apparently.
She also tells me that even at the likes of Lotus and McLaren where she currently works, there is a compromise made to get the right 'look'. So I wouldn't get too hung up on it being a finely tuned suspension. :wink:

 

[DaveP]

It's a 2.5i not a track racer. It looks good and still handles perfectly well when pushing on through the B-roads.................... or so I'm told as SWMBO won't let me behind the wheel. Compares favourably with the Evora she had as a company car at Lotus apparently.
She also tells me that even at the likes of Lotus and McLaren where she currently works, there is a compromise made to get the right 'look'. So I wouldn't get too hung up on it being a finely tuned suspension.

I'm sure it's totally fine.

If you're driving carefully and slowly, the worst you'll ever notice is stuff like the car hunting out cambers and lorry tracks.

 

[JamieIsf]

There's a very good reason why manufacturers specify wheel offsets, and it's usually down to the way that the suspension and wheel behave dynamically, particularly under compression.

By drastically reducing that offset, you're effectively altering the way that your car handles - and probably introducing undesirable things like excessive camber or bump-steer.

If you're not driving your car hard, you'll likely not notice any difference. If you like enjoying your car enthusiastically, it's potentially a bad idea.

You're probably very correct, I think I'm trying to justify buying them, as they are exceptionally good value, in the colour I want (black), and pretty much ready to go on the car, and they don't need reconditionining. Guess I'll keep looking, thanks.

 

[JamieIsf]

There's a very good reason why manufacturers specify wheel offsets, and it's usually down to the way that the suspension and wheel behave dynamically, particularly under compression.

By drastically reducing that offset, you're effectively altering the way that your car handles - and probably introducing undesirable things like excessive camber or bump-steer.

If you're not driving your car hard, you'll likely not notice any difference. If you like enjoying your car enthusiastically, it's potentially a bad idea.

It's a 2.5i not a track racer. It looks good and still handles perfectly well when pushing on through the B-roads.................... or so I'm told as SWMBO won't let me behind the wheel. Compares favourably with the Evora she had as a company car at Lotus apparently.
She also tells me that even at the likes of Lotus and McLaren where she currently works, there is a compromise made to get the right 'look'. So I wouldn't get too hung up on it being a finely tuned suspension. :wink:

Wouldn't say I'm a complete maniac on the road, although, i do like to enjoy it!

My biggest concern is the front and whether they will rub. Half of me says take the risk, and see what they look like (can always resell i guess), wheras the other half says hold on..

 

[enuff_zed]

It's a 2.5i not a track racer. It looks good and still handles perfectly well when pushing on through the B-roads.................... or so I'm told as SWMBO won't let me behind the wheel. Compares favourably with the Evora she had as a company car at Lotus apparently.
She also tells me that even at the likes of Lotus and McLaren where she currently works, there is a compromise made to get the right 'look'. So I wouldn't get too hung up on it being a finely tuned suspension.

I'm sure it's totally fine.

If you're driving carefully and slowly, the worst you'll ever notice is stuff like the car hunting out cambers and lorry tracks.

Oh sorry Ayrton

 

[DaveP]

It's a 2.5i not a track racer. It looks good and still handles perfectly well when pushing on through the B-roads.................... or so I'm told as SWMBO won't let me behind the wheel. Compares favourably with the Evora she had as a company car at Lotus apparently.
She also tells me that even at the likes of Lotus and McLaren where she currently works, there is a compromise made to get the right 'look'. So I wouldn't get too hung up on it being a finely tuned suspension.

I'm sure it's totally fine.

If you're driving carefully and slowly, the worst you'll ever notice is stuff like the car hunting out cambers and lorry tracks.

Oh sorry Ayrton

Sorry. Not intending to sound like a know-it-all.

Just a bit of experience from having done the same thing many moons ago, and then researching why it was happening.

 

[Mr Tidy]

That's what the rear ones are on mine. Too far out for the front though I'd guess?
Mr Tidy, can you advise?

Hmm, I don't know for sure but I think an 8J ET20 wheel on the front might be a problem.

That 2nd photo of my car was with an 8J ET29 on the front, so an ET20 would sit 9mm further out than that. Sadly I think that might be bad news for the wheel arch liners!

 

[JamieIsf]

That's what the rear ones are on mine. Too far out for the front though I'd guess?
Mr Tidy, can you advise?

Hmm, I don't know for sure but I think an 8J ET20 wheel on the front might be a problem.

That 2nd photo of my car was with an 8J ET29 on the front, so an ET20 would sit 9mm further out than that. Sadly I think that might be bad news for the wheel arch liners!

Yes, looking at yours, and if yours is 29, then that may be too tight, yours look pretty close as it is..

Shame!

 

[enuff_zed]

I'm sure it's totally fine.

If you're driving carefully and slowly, the worst you'll ever notice is stuff like the car hunting out cambers and lorry tracks.

Oh sorry Ayrton

Sorry. Not intending to sound like a know-it-all.

Just a bit of experience from having done the same thing many moons ago, and then researching why it was happening.

My apologies for snapping back at you. Been a long day at the 'office'.
I suspect different cars behave in different manners, and in this case we got lucky.

 

[DaveP]

Oh sorry Ayrton

Sorry. Not intending to sound like a know-it-all.

Just a bit of experience from having done the same thing many moons ago, and then researching why it was happening.

My apologies for snapping back at you. Been a long day at the 'office'.
I suspect different cars behave in different manners, and in this case we got lucky.

No harm, no foul.

Just thought I'd weigh in with a bit of the technical detail about why offset is important, and how changing it affects a car's behaviour beyond wheels catching arches.

 

[dans6490]

For comparison I recently put 18 x 8 et20 and 18 x 9 et22 on my e85. I went from 19’s and the ride is considerably better now. I previously had tramlining issues that I just couldn’t resolve. No rubbing and I’m as low as possible in coilovers. I did try a 20mm spacer in the rear but this did cause rubbing on full compression.

On tyre sizes 215/45/18 and 235/40/18 you’d have no issues with rubbing even particularly if lowered

 

[enuff_zed]

For comparison I recently put 18 x 8 et20 and 18 x 9 et22 on my e85. I went from 19’s and the ride is considerably better now. I previously had tramlining issues that I just couldn’t resolve. No rubbing and I’m as low as possible in coilovers. I did try a 20mm spacer in the rear but this did cause rubbing on full compression.

On tyre sizes 215/45/18 and 235/40/18 you’d have no issues with rubbing even particularly if lowered

BC42C251-0591-470D-9E73-476B152D45A0.jpeg691478E4-6295-4849-B5A4-17FCFB97D00E.jpeg44EDEC7F-37F1-43B2-8E72-EC44D782EB7A.jpeg

That's interesting that your rears look further in than mine do?
Maybe the suspension set up? More rear camber tucking the top in?
You have 235/40 on a 9" rim, I have 245/40 on an 8" rim. (Plus you have 2mm more ET)
But your experience on the front suggests a standard E60 8Jx18 with a 215/45 'may' suit the OP?

 

[DaveP]

For comparison I recently put 18 x 8 et20 and 18 x 9 et22 on my e85. I went from 19’s and the ride is considerably better now. I previously had tramlining issues that I just couldn’t resolve. No rubbing and I’m as low as possible in coilovers. I did try a 20mm spacer in the rear but this did cause rubbing on full compression.

On tyre sizes 215/45/18 and 235/40/18 you’d have no issues with rubbing even particularly if lowered

BC42C251-0591-470D-9E73-476B152D45A0.jpeg691478E4-6295-4849-B5A4-17FCFB97D00E.jpeg44EDEC7F-37F1-43B2-8E72-EC44D782EB7A.jpeg

Did you have your alignment done after fitting/lowering? If so, do you know what sort of figures you ended up with?

 

[JamieIsf]

For comparison I recently put 18 x 8 et20 and 18 x 9 et22 on my e85. I went from 19’s and the ride is considerably better now. I previously had tramlining issues that I just couldn’t resolve. No rubbing and I’m as low as possible in coilovers. I did try a 20mm spacer in the rear but this did cause rubbing on full compression.

On tyre sizes 215/45/18 and 235/40/18 you’d have no issues with rubbing even particularly if lowered

BC42C251-0591-470D-9E73-476B152D45A0.jpeg691478E4-6295-4849-B5A4-17FCFB97D00E.jpeg44EDEC7F-37F1-43B2-8E72-EC44D782EB7A.jpeg

Interesting, thanks, mine is standard.
I think the issue would be the front, but as has been discussed, maybe a 215/45 or 40 may work.

Just looking at the photos, the rears look like they protrude slightly out at the bottom, guess that has never lead to any issues? and if you've got ET 22 on the rear, that would also mean ET20's in considering protrude 2mm further out than that?

 

[enuff_zed]

For comparison I recently put 18 x 8 et20 and 18 x 9 et22 on my e85. I went from 19’s and the ride is considerably better now. I previously had tramlining issues that I just couldn’t resolve. No rubbing and I’m as low as possible in coilovers. I did try a 20mm spacer in the rear but this did cause rubbing on full compression.

On tyre sizes 215/45/18 and 235/40/18 you’d have no issues with rubbing even particularly if lowered

BC42C251-0591-470D-9E73-476B152D45A0.jpeg691478E4-6295-4849-B5A4-17FCFB97D00E.jpeg44EDEC7F-37F1-43B2-8E72-EC44D782EB7A.jpeg

Interesting, thanks, mine is standard.
I think the issue would be the front, but as has been discussed, maybe a 215/45 or 40 may work.

Just looking at the photos, the rears look like they protrude slightly out at the bottom, guess that has never lead to any issues? and if you've got ET 22 on the rear, that would also mean ET20's in considering protrude 2mm further out than that?

The rears have a negative camber as standard. Lowering it would emphasis that more, hence the reason they look like they're sticking out at the bottom. If you look at mine, on a standard suspension they don't look so far out.
As we've discussed, I don't think the rears will cause you an issue. And now it is looking like the fronts are a possibility as well, with the right tyre.

 

[kis]

Think the ET20 is from an E39?
You could always pair a E39 ET20 rear wheel with a standard E46 ET47 front wheel. Negating the need for spacers. Although saying this, is obviously a lot easier than actually acquiring the wheels in practice (probably quite hard to find ET20 wheels).

 

[enuff_zed]

Think the ET20 is from an E39?
You could always pair a E39 ET20 rear wheel with a standard E46 ET47 front wheel. Negating the need for spacers. Although saying this, is obviously a lot easier than actually acquiring the wheels in practice (probably quite hard to find ET20 wheels).

Well the ET20 seemed to come from the E60 according to the link I got from another thread.
And the idea of pairing with a standard front was what led me to suggest finding another E85 owner who may want the wider looking rears as well, assuming the offer is for a set of four all ET20.