Changing wheel size
- Thread starter mark1882
- Start date
They would look awesome 
. TBH, I would not bother going to 17", I would go straight to 18". I am sure there would be plenty in here that would have a valuable opinion to contribute, and a lot depends on your budget and whether you want a certain look. I am about to migrate from 17" to 18" - can't wait!
. TBH, I would not bother going to 17", I would go straight to 18". I am sure there would be plenty in here that would have a valuable opinion to contribute, and a lot depends on your budget and whether you want a certain look. I am about to migrate from 17" to 18" - can't wait!
North West Surrey
Depending what model you have, potentially not much apart from looks (and dearer tyres)!
As someone has said, I wouldn't bother with 17s if you plan to change anyway as they're just a half-way house.
If you don't mind a firmer ride 18s look much better, but whether you have M-Sport suspension and/or plan to use run-flats or non run-flats will also have a bearing.
It might be worth looking at the "Photo of the Day" thread to see some of the wheel options and work out what styles you like.
As someone has said, I wouldn't bother with 17s if you plan to change anyway as they're just a half-way house.
If you don't mind a firmer ride 18s look much better, but whether you have M-Sport suspension and/or plan to use run-flats or non run-flats will also have a bearing.
It might be worth looking at the "Photo of the Day" thread to see some of the wheel options and work out what styles you like.
Style over content.
16 comfortable - agreed by experts to be the most comfortable - no bad thing for z4 boneshaker suspension.
17 comfortable and better looking - A very good compromise
18 look good but uncomfortable - chosen by most for good looks and filling the wheelarch.
19 home for posers with jarred teeth and pummeled arses
16 comfortable - agreed by experts to be the most comfortable - no bad thing for z4 boneshaker suspension.
17 comfortable and better looking - A very good compromise
18 look good but uncomfortable - chosen by most for good looks and filling the wheelarch.
19 home for posers with jarred teeth and pummeled arses
I originally went from 16” runflats to 18” standard tyres and the comfort level improved dramatically. So, I guess there’s perspective around any change you make.
I think Roadwarrior and and Darkangel both have it right, I went from 17"runflats to standard tyres finding that comfort and stability were transformed. I then switched from a 17" square set-up to 18" staggered, again on non-runflats, this had no noticeable effect on comfort.
But, (and here's the controversial bit) the 17" square set-up drove better in my opinion. I felt the 17's were more agile on the turn-in and stable over mid-corner bumps and camber changes. The 18 staggered set-up looks better and will have have different oversteer characteristics. The brand and condition of tyre will make more difference to cornering G than wheel size so is irrelevant.
It's also a fact that 18's will slightly dull acceleration, use fractionally more fuel and cost more to replace. But vanity dictates I'm still on 18's
But, (and here's the controversial bit) the 17" square set-up drove better in my opinion. I felt the 17's were more agile on the turn-in and stable over mid-corner bumps and camber changes. The 18 staggered set-up looks better and will have have different oversteer characteristics. The brand and condition of tyre will make more difference to cornering G than wheel size so is irrelevant.
It's also a fact that 18's will slightly dull acceleration, use fractionally more fuel and cost more to replace. But vanity dictates I'm still on 18's
I went 18” to 19”. It’s not about posing. I think they look great and don’t really care what others think. Comfort is ok. A full suspension refresh and it isn’t as crashy as you would think. I suppose it’s trial and error because everyone and every car is different.
Sounds about right to me - of course it depends on how you drive and what sort of roads you drive on - and how many potholes there are on those roads.road warrior said:
I've got Msport suspension and just changed from a staggered 18" setup on Goodyear Eagles, to standard 17" setup on Uniroyal RainSport. Just had 1000 mile roadtrip and very happy indeed. In my opinion the ideal compromise.
Big wheels are pretty much a fashion thing. And if people will buy, then manufacturers will sell. The Z4 originally came with 17" as standard on the 3.0, so I'd reckon the suspension was designed with that rim size in mind; 18"s then being optional extras, for extra profit.
I bought my Z 3.0se Auto back in 2008 running on 108 rims with RFT and as said its a bit fidgety and can be unpredictable on some A roads but I love it and have driven for many hours no probs with the comfort but then I had a modified Vauxhall before and that could be at times like driving on square wheels 
1066 Country
I went from 18” mv2’s to 19” csl replicas and would do it again in a heartbeat. It is a definite sacrifice favouring aesthetics over function but to my mind it’s worth it. It’s not a huge difference anyway.
Do you often inspect other members arses? :wink:road warrior said:
and then what is the benchmark of a good pummel anyway
speaking of which
the onwards struggle to make my zed erm.... comfortable..
to day . ohhhh joy.. i put some eagle f1 mk 5's on the front today... oh bliss,,
sooo quiet and smooth, nice heavy steering, transformed the car - wonderful - at last.... :lol:
A question for Mark1882, what was the 16" tire size that was on your car? And where the front and rear tire sizes the same or different.
My Z4 has 18" rims where the front and rear have different sizes!
Thinking about a winter set of tyres.
Newbie Z4 owner. Jim
My Z4 has 18" rims where the front and rear have different sizes!
Thinking about a winter set of tyres.
Newbie Z4 owner. Jim
Mr. Tidy, I'm not quite sure what you mean by 'Facelift' ? My quess would be that the wheels where changed from stock by a prior owner, or something else? Thanks
Facelift is a common phrase for a manufacturer model update. Usually small changes