Forged 405m 18” on Z4C

[DaveD]

Thought I’d do a test fit of the OEM 405m wheels I’ve been running on my 330d over winter. They’ve got 225/45/18 sottozeros on the 8” rim. They are also in need of a clean.

I’ve been wanting to try a square set up for some time and have been impressed on the small amount of driving so far. Unsurprisingly balance is improved with the rear being more mobile. There is less grip, not least because the winters don’t have as much anyway, but it’s a more playful road chassis as a result.

The wheel are light (around 7.1kg each I believe) and this is noticeable down my local bumpy B roads. There seems to be less body movement as I presume the lighter wheels track the ground more effectively. With proper summer tyres rather than run flat winters, I’m sure this would be improved.

There is no rubbing at all on my set up - m sport springs and max camber up front by pulling alignment pins. Wheels are 18x8 ET34

I’m looking at either staying with m tyre sizes or perhaps going 235/40/18 instead for more tyre width and halfway house on ride height/tyre wall increase. 225/45/18 Michelin pilot supersports are tempting and I do like the chunky sidewalk look.

Pics below. What do you think?

 

[mr wilks]

They look well beefy id want to lose a little rubber on the front as it looks a little "heavy" 225 -40 18 with a 245 40 rear would be my choice

 

[2dogs]

Good looking wheels
Really suits the Z 8)

 

[jamie_z4]

Sorry not a fan. Looks a bit under wheeled to me

 

[Mr Tidy]

I suppose it depends on whether you want to focus on how it looks, or how it drives!

I'm guessing if you go for wider rear tyres than fronts, even on square rims it'll handle more like it did on the staggered OEM wheels - but I'm no expert.

Really interested to see what you do go for, and your impressions afterwards.

I'm running my Coupe on staggered 18 RFTs at present, but got a set of square 8J x 18 CSL reps with fairly worn cheapy non RFTs last year. When the weather gets better I plan to put them on and see how different it is!

 

[DaveD]

I suppose it depends on whether you want to focus on how it looks, or how it drives!

I'm guessing if you go for wider rear tyres than fronts, even on square rims it'll handle more like it did on the staggered OEM wheels - but I'm no expert.

Really interested to see what you do go for, and your impressions afterwards.

I'm running my Coupe on staggered 18 RFTs at present, but got a set of square 8J x 18 CSL reps with fairly worn cheapy non RFTs last year. When the weather gets better I plan to put them on and see how different it is!

Definitely focusing on how it drives. I’m thinking of going 225/45/18 square. I could stagger the back and I agree that it would help the looks, but as you say, it encourages understeer again. I’m going to drive round a bit longer with the winters on it - makes for an entertaining drive!

 

[kis]

I like them.

You want to watch the fronts tho, think you may experience some arch rubbing. Maybe not on full lock if your suspension is holding up but on cornering and a bumpy Road?

I'm on 225/45 and getting rubbing. Don't know how but I certainly am getting it!

 

[DaveD]

I like them.

You want to watch the fronts tho, think you may experience some arch rubbing. Maybe not on full lock if your suspension is holding up but on cornering and a bumpy Road?

I'm on 225/45 and getting rubbing. Don't know how but I certainly am getting it!

Thanks mate. I’m not getting any rubbing even on hard compressions on bumpy B roads. I have dialled max camber so that probably helps and the arches have been rubbed back a bit already after a previous experiment with 20mm spacers .

Other option would be 235/40/18 for a bit more width but a bit less height vs 225/45/18.

 

[Mr Tidy]

You should be OK to avoid rubbing on those wheels, although you may get some with 235/45 x 18 tyres.

I'm running 295s on my Coupe (an E89 wheel) and the fronts are 8J x 18 with an ET of 29, and with 225/40 tyres I haven't had any rubbing yet although "mr wilks" says I may do if I'm pushing on a bit on and hit a mid-corner bump - time will tell! :lol: