Narrowing Rims

[ZetaTre]

We recently bought some CSL Replicas rims form a former forum member & Z4 owner (http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=12431). They are VMR rims and they look great.

The only thing is that the 18" they only come in 8.5" wide which they are, IMHO, too wide for the front, where 225 are mounted. BMW uses 8" in the front. The wheel kinda look a little akward.

I found this place nearby that widens and narrows rims (Eric Vaughn Machine). My neighbor used him to widem his IS300 rims... I'm thinking about taking them rims over and remove 1/2".

Anyone has experience with similar shops/mods?

 

[Incompatible]

I've got 8.5" up front with 40 offset and think they fill out the wheel well nicely. The gunmetal color looks good.
Those wheels look like one piece cast, I would go with buying other wheels before having yours narrowed. Considering cost, strength, and balance concerns on a wheel that will see some spirited driving (by you or the better half) I wouldn't do it.

 

[SittingBull]

We recently bought some CSL Replicas rims form a former forum member & Z4 owner (http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=12431). They are VMR rims and they look great.

The only thing is that the 18" they only come in 8.5" wide which they are, IMHO, too wide for the front, where 225 are mounted. BMW uses 8" in the front. The wheel kinda look a little akward.

I found this place nearby that widens and narrows rims (Eric Vaughn Machine). My neighbor used him to widem his IS300 rims... I'm thinking about taking them rims over and remove 1/2".

Anyone has experience with similar shops/mods?

What dope are you on? The Z4MR/Coupe comes with 8.5/9.5 inch rears & they seem to have fitted the bodywork perfectly well. My last 3.0 Z4 had 19 inch 9.5/10.5 inch ACS rims with no problems. I'll guess that you are a 17 year old with super rich parents & not a clue about cars?

 

[z4alfie]

We recently bought some CSL Replicas rims form a former forum member & Z4 owner (http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=12431). They are VMR rims and they look great.

The only thing is that the 18" they only come in 8.5" wide which they are, IMHO, too wide for the front, where 225 are mounted. BMW uses 8" in the front. The wheel kinda look a little akward.

I found this place nearby that widens and narrows rims (Eric Vaughn Machine). My neighbor used him to widem his IS300 rims... I'm thinking about taking them rims over and remove 1/2".

Anyone has experience with similar shops/mods?

What dope are you on? The Z4MR/Coupe comes with 8.5/9.5 inch rears & they seem to have fitted the bodywork perfectly well. My last 3.0 Z4 had 19 inch 9.5/10.5 inch ACS rims with no problems. I'll guess that you are a 17 year old with super rich parents & not a clue about cars?

A bit Harsh I think

 

[WLH]

SittingBull, personal insults and attacks are not welcome here.... :thumbsdown:
You will not get another warning...

 

[ZetaTre]

Thanks for the reply Incompatible, and I see your concerns about the strenght of the welding compared to a single cast. However it appears this shop does this and only this for a living. It's not some guy with a arc welder and a angle grinder choping up rims. I have a friend going over to check out his shop, but there is some pix of the welding on his website and they look impressive. I'll give you more detials on the technique used as I have them.

The problem is that CSL replicas in 18x8 don't exist, or I can't find them. But 225 tires ar enot ment to go on 8.5: BMW staggerd setup (225/255) is mounted on staggerd rims (8/8.5).

By removing the 1/2" form the inner half of the rim, the offset is demished by 1/4", thus the way the wheel appear in the wheel well is the same, but the tire fits the rim better.

But as said my problem was never on the way the wheel fits the wheel well, but more so the way the tire fits the rim...

 

[Incompatible]

....But 225 tires are not ment to go on 8.5: ......more so the way the tire fits the rim...

Luca, the 225/40/18 tire is spec'd for wheel widths of 7.5-9", 8 or 8.5" still keeps you in the middle of the range. If you're concerned with cosmetics, keep in mind that there will be some variation in both section and tread widths from brand to brand of tires and this will also to a minor degree affect the appearance.

In terms of performance, for a given tire, the wider wheel will stabilize the tire better, but for street use the difference is insignificant for 0.5". I'm still running the OE spec tire sizes 225/40/18 and 255/35/18 on wider then the OE (8/8.5) wheels (8.5/9.5). Fronts and rear tires are still within recommended specs with the wider wheels and handle just fine. Your call, but imho I think your looking at a fair amount of money and effort to go backwards or make little change in terms of performance.

 

[Kdawg]

I think it looks great. Love the rims and the gunmetal color. Looks real nice with the Sterling Gray. Maybe think about adding a 10-15mm spacer to the rear instead?

 

[Dark Schnitzer]

Sitting Bullshiz.......there is medication and counseling for your people skills.

Luca....wheels look great. Leave them alone. Incompatable has a valid point in regards to messing with a cast wheels integrity....regardless of this shops repute. The weld done in Heli-arc will be strong....but the cast alloy will change with the process. Not usually for the better.

DOn't worry so much about the tiny detail of fitment...your well within specs.

My wheels are 19x8.5 and 19x9.5. The rear tire is a 275.

Cheers,Vinny

 

[ZetaTre]

Sitting Bullshiz.......there is medication and counseling for your people skills.

Luca....wheels look great. Leave them alone. Incompatable has a valid point in regards to messing with a cast wheels integrity....regardless of this shops repute. The weld done in Heli-arc will be strong....but the cast alloy will change with the process. Not usually for the better.

DOn't worry so much about the tiny detail of fitment...your well within specs.

My wheels are 19x8.5 and 19x9.5. The rear tire is a 275.

Cheers,Vinny

Ok, well... I guess I put the thought to rest.. At least till next time... About the casting: ain't u guys giving too much credit to the wheels? I wouldn't be surprized if aluminum by the pound is more expansive that the weels themself.....

 

[ovrkll]

Don't let ShittingBull worry y'all,he's just full of it

 

[EdButler]

Im with the "Leave am Alone" camp - They look good and thinning the belt will potentially compromise safety...