BMW E85 and E86 Wheels and Tyres Thread

[Paul Morgan]

A great post with lots of useful info. Thank you for putting in the effort to produce it.

 

[Reamesy]

Great write up. I’ve not long had my Z4. It had run flat MPS3 tyres all round with the rears down to 3mm with the fronts at 6mm. Although the rears were still legal, they were reaching their end of life, especially given the wet season starting.

So I had to make a decision; replace with like for like or replace all four with conventional tyres.

After reading many posts and this post, I chose to replace all four. I opted for GY Eagle A5’s as I’ve used these for years on Mercs, BMW 4 series and Audi A5 with no complaints.

My first impression was WOW! No more fighting the steering to stay in a straight line. It was very twitchy.

Then the ride. It’s now super smooth and much less crash and bang.

Overall I’m very pleased with the changes.

Cheers for the great info

 

[Gdubs]

This is my first post on this forum. I have a 2004 2.5i z4 with the sport package. Currently it has the 17x8 style 106s on it and am on the stock sport suspension. I am thinking about switching to style 224s, however due to the aggressive offset of the rear wheels I was planning on fitting four fronts. Has anyone done this? Is it a good idea, and if so, what size tires should I run?

 

[Panta Rhei]

224s fit non m even on eibachs. Been there done that.
Of coure you need non m tyre sizes, being 225/40 and 255/35 and you are safe.
Rear looks really good and thicc :evil:

 

[Gdubs]

Thanks for the info Panta. And thanks Kis for writing up this thread.

 

[GeeGee]

I keep coming back to this thread... it's super useful!

I have a query about running staggered E46 M3 wheels (Style 67 - 18-inch) on my otherwise standard E86 Coupe 3.0Si Sport - the fronts will be fine I'm sure at 8J ET47 but the rears at 9J ET26 will protrude out a fair way... even with my standard-fit 255/35/18 tyres. Has anyone fitted these wheels to their Zed before please? (image borrowed from http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/)



Thanks in advance.
G

 

[kis]

I'm glad its still proving useful!

I have a query about running staggered E46 M3 wheels (Style 67 - 18-inch)

I think it'll be too aggressive! You're safer running two front wheels! :lol:
I think MachineMonkey had a set of these, but he milled off some material on the rears, effectively making them a higher ET (and so less aggressive). If it were me, I'd do a specific post in the E85/E86 z4 discussion section. This gets much better traffic than this Wheels & Tyres section. Best of luck!

 

[Panta Rhei]

Considering 8.5 ET 50 rears as OE and 20 mm spacers on the rear are no problem you are left with 8.5 ET 30.
Keeping that in mind and 9.5 ET 45 feels safe.
I do not recommend 255 tyre on 9,5. 265/35 if it's R18 and 265/30 if its R19.
9,5 on front is even worse idea. 4x 9,5 is the worst idea.
Try 8 - 8,5 front and 8,5 - 9,5 rear.
225 on 9,5 will get you to civic gen. VI forums.

 

[mpc007]

Great fipo, loads of useful info for new Z4 owners like myself.

Got a question too - currently I got Style 108s with Bridgestone RFTs in the stock sizes (it’s what the car came with) and I read that fitting Z4M Style 224s can cause rub. But I’m thinking how is this possible since bodywork on M and non M cars is identical and on the M cars they run even larger sidewall (40 RR 45 FR instead of 35 RR 40 FR), wouldnt the M cars then not all rub from factory?

Other question: I always thought brakes on the Z4 3.0 were identical to E46 330 (and 2.5 with 325 etc) but then how is it possible you can fit 16 inchers on a Pre LCI 3.0, since that is not possible on E46 330.

Hope someone can clarify

 

[Panta Rhei]

Suspension in Z4 M is completely different to that of a standard Z4. In fact there are more similarities to e36 M3 in Z4 M suspension than to non-m Z4. That is why they run different offsets from standard Z4, so that they can be equipped with 225/45 and 255/40. Those tyres fill the wheel arch very well on Ms to be honest.
224s rear offset is aggresive for non-m but it fits on 255/35, even on Eibachs. Front goes outside 5 mm which is perfect, because OE wheels with 10-12 mm spacers might cause rubbing on tyres such as Michelin (which are wider compared to other manufacturers, even if the size stays the same).
5 mm is safe.
With 10 - 12 mm spacers tyre rubs in that part of a wheel arch from the inside where it covers side marker light of the bumper.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Other question: I always thought brakes on the Z4 3.0 were identical to E46 330 (and 2.5 with 325 etc) but then how is it possible you can fit 16 inchers on a Pre LCI 3.0, since that is not possible on E46 330.

Hope someone can clarify

I think Panta Rhei has covered your question about wheels.

As I understand it pre-facelift 3.0i front discs are 300mm so 16"wheels work. Facelifts (3.0Si) have larger discs the same as the E46 and E90 330i/d so need 17s.

 

[mpc007]

Suspension in Z4 M is completely different to that of a standard Z4. In fact there are more similarities to e36 M3 in Z4 M suspension than to non-m Z4. That is why they run different offsets from standard Z4, so that they can be equipped with 225/45 and 255/40. Those tyres fill the wheel arch very well on Ms to be honest.
224s rear offset is aggresive for non-m but it fits on 255/35, even on Eibachs. Front goes outside 5 mm which is perfect, because OE wheels with 10-12 mm spacers might cause rubbing on tyres such as Michelin (which are wider compared to other manufacturers, even if the size stays the same).
5 mm is safe.
With 10 - 12 mm spacers tyre rubs in that part of a wheel arch from the inside where it covers side marker light of the bumper.

Thanks for your extensive reply and the pics. I guess it had needed to be something in the suspension area; otherwise it seemed indeed impossible the Z4M would be a nice fit with the larger sidewall tyres and the greater offset. Nice to know there are similarities to the E36 M setup, I always thought it was more like an E46 M setup.

So if I read you correctly I could use my current tyres which are on the style 108 set (225/40 front 255/35 rear) on a style 224 set might I want to go in that direction? Are the runflats a problem for the fit, since I believe the Z4M never came on those (apart from the discussion runflats generally suck ofcourse..)

I read that some people advise spacers on the front tyres when going 224s to make the front and rear combination look more flush but then I understand your point I might be wise to not do that in order to avoid rubbing. I'm not going to lower the car, it's on the factory M Sport suspension and I like it quite a lot so no need to change that.

Other question: I always thought brakes on the Z4 3.0 were identical to E46 330 (and 2.5 with 325 etc) but then how is it possible you can fit 16 inchers on a Pre LCI 3.0, since that is not possible on E46 330.

Hope someone can clarify

I think Panta Rhei has covered your question about wheels.

As I understand it pre-facelift 3.0i front discs are 300mm so 16"wheels work. Facelifts (3.0Si) have larger discs the same as the E46 and E90 330i/d so need 17s.

Took a look at my regular part supplier and to my surprise you're right! 300mm for the 3.0i, which matches the size I had on my E46 325Ci. Those can indeed have 16 inch alloys, nice to know. Thought the 3.0 had the 325mm from the 330i/d for sure, seems not. Quite strange tho, cars weigh almost the same and the Zed is even more performance orientated.. Now I want other brakes as well on the pre-lci

 

[Mr Tidy]

Yes, the M rear suspension is totally different to the non-Ms - it has a factory fit LSD!

224s on the front would be fine. They are the same 8J as 108s, just ET42 instead of ET47 so will sit just 5mm further out than 108s.

But the rear 224s are 9J ET30 whereas 108s are 8.5J ET50. So the ET will sit them 20mm further out, plus a bit of the extra half inch of rim width. Although I've seen non-Ms with 224s, but I don't know if they rub!

You could use the same size tyres but I don't think run-flats would be a good idea as 224s were only fitted to the M, which never had run-flats so may not be suitable for them.

Years ago I did get a set of four front 224 wheels which would work pretty well, and be much cheaper! But I never got around to fitting them.

I was surprised about the 3.0i brakes too!

But BMW did similar things with the original 1 Series. My 123d hatch had the same larger brakes as the 130i, but the 125i Coupe didn't. :?

 

[Panta Rhei]

So if I read you correctly I could use my current tyres which are on the style 108 set (225/40 front 255/35 rear) on a style 224 set might I want to go in that direction? Are the runflats a problem for the fit, since I believe the Z4M never came on those (apart from the discussion runflats generally suck ofcourse..)

You asked about tyres. My advice is to get rid of rft tyres as soon as possible and put like Michelin PS4 or PSS, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 or 5 are very good, too. Of course non-rft. Standard proper tyres. Z4 Ms were equipped with Continentals ContiSportContact 3 from factory and they were not-rft.
Thing is, and that is why, I do not know if 224s are suitable for rft tyre. Alloy wheel has to be built that way to be able to receive rft tyre.
Other thing is to buy a set of: Bilstein B12 Pro-kit, thicker stabilizers, front swing supports (Meyle HD) and mentioned Michelins, and you have such a driver's machine it is impossible to comprehend And I recommend it, because Zeds are like 13-15 years old and if you have factory shock absorbers they are 100% trash today, so it is a time to get a set of a proper solution. This is the first thing I do with every Z4 I purchase.

But the rear 224s are 9J ET30 whereas 108s are 8.5J ET50. So the ET will sit them 20mm further out, plus a bit of the extra half inch of rim width. Although I've seen non-Ms with 224s, but I don't know if they rub!

I had 224s in my previous 3.0si and had 0 rubbing, all was fine plus it looks sick. Now I have 8x18 ET 37 up front (same as OE + 10 mm spacers) and I have seen some marks of rubbing on my inner wheel arch (tyres are Michelin PS4 225/40). Yes I am lowered. It is all because of the front bumper design. If it was more like a green line then even 12-15 spacers won't be a problem.

 

[ionofchios]

If you’ve made adjustments to the front and rear camber and they end up with similar values at the front and back, keep in mind that it’s better having more camber at the front. So a setup like 1.4 front and 1.3 rear.

I’ve got an e86 3.0SI, with Eibach lowering springs and all bushes replaced. I’ve been running the car on standard alignment all round, with 2.55 degrees camber on rear and stock toe. I find the rear end of the car to be a twitchy and laterally mobile going over 60 on bad roads, and it rear-tramlines and might be bump steering a bit. I want to improve this and also gain a more lively backend, in a good way (reduce understeer).

So, I decided to ditch the stock 3.0 settings and follow your advice. I’ve pulled the pins on the front and have as much camber as the can get, 1.4 degrees. Similarly, on the rear, I’ve adjusted the rear arms to get minimum camber, and have 1.5 degrees there. Front toe is about 0.06 degrees (or, will be when I fix it that way), and rear is 0.125 degrees.

Do you think this setup is theoretically “close enough”. Is it likely to make much difference if I can get rear camber less than front, with new adjustable rear arms, or should I not bother?

Car runs better with setup as it is now, and rear seems more stable. I have not really sorted the front out yet to spec described above, as I am just about to start a hydraulic conversion, so there’s no point in playing with alignment now with current steering gear. I’ll align it properly after that, but was thinking about doing the rear adjustable camber arms as well.

 

[JiIB49]

I am a new member, I have recently purchased a very low mileage 1 owner E86 to keep my Dakar yellow Z3 company

Excellent article on wheels Thank you for your research and effort, invaluable,

You can add Style 78 composite bolted split rims to the list of OE ‘offered wheels’
36 11 6 751 358 fronts 8x18
36 11 6 751 359 Rears 8.5 x 18

 

[Nasurock658]

Just Awesome Post Buddy . Very Informative Thanks to share With us

 

[TeeBee]

Hi folks. New boy on here.
I’ve a 2007 E85 2.5si SE running the original 16” rims & runflats.
The runflats need to go to smooth the ride, so it could be the time to change up to 17”.
Any thoughts, recommendations, or things to avoid?

 

[Panta Rhei]

I'd suggest styling 105. Why? Because they are the only 17" OE staggered E85/E86 option and 255 tyre on the rear looks really good. It needs it. Also easy to clean.
8x17 225/45
8,5x17 255/40
Can't go wrong with Michelin PS4 or PS4S
Consider Eibachs in the future + spacers 20 mm rear plus 5 mm front.

 

[TeeBee]

Thanks Panta