Refurbed 108s what tyres and spacers

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olsonn

Active member
I know this has probably been discussed a million times over the years, but I am just about to have a set of 108s refurbished and I have read so much on here about tyre sizes being different for back and front and spacers being used, but it is as clear as muck to me. All I want is a set up that gives me better road holding and one that enhances the look of the wheel arches, can anybody explain what is required in simple mans terms??
 
Spacers:
20's at back no issues. I would suggest 10's at front but if you drive on well maintained (not 'B' roads) then 15mm's work also.
I fitted 15mm at front (20mm rear) but I have issues on 'B' roads when driving hard at front end.........so the 15mm spacers have been removed until i have spacers machined down.
Nice and simple. Check out a site that provides spacers and wheel fasteners that are the correct length.
 
On any standard Z suspension you could go M size rubber to close arch gap & increase ride quality
Once at that stage on the car you would see what spacers would then move the wheels to where you want but 15mm rear/10mm fronts should enhance the stance & looks 100%
 
Is there any specific manufacturer of spaces I should look for, or are they all of a similar quality? M size rubber??
 
M size rubber would be the tyre sizes are slightly up on the sidewall at 225 45 18 front & 255 40 18 rear
I changed from the usual 225 40 18 255 35 18 on my previous 2.5 Z & the difference was noticeable in comfort & arch gap reduction without lowering springs
 
Thanks Mr Wilks, that makes it sound nice and simple, at least I know what to ask for when I go to get tyres fitted, any particular manufacturer you would recommend?
 
olsonn said:
Thanks Mr Wilks, that makes it sound nice and simple, at least I know what to ask for when I go to get tyres fitted, any particular manufacturer you would recommend?
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We all have our favourites with many liking the Goodyear F1s but in M spec sizes my choice would be from these 3 dependent on sizes, supply & budget
Michelin Pss http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/michelin/pilot-super-sport/255-40-zr18-95y-289363
Vredestein http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/vredestein/ultrac-vorti/255-40-zr18-99y-65233
Hankook Ventus http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/hankook/ventus-s1-evo2-k117/255-40-zr18-99y-182774
 
I would personally stick with factory tyre sizes. Not sure why the ///M has larger profiles, but maybe the suspension has been tweaked to account for that, whereas the standard Z4 hasn't.

225/40/18 fronts and 255/35/18 rears are what you need. Recently got myself some vredestein sessanta fronts and Hankook s1 evo 2 rears and the ride is noticeably smoother. It's still firm, but much better than when I had worn tyres on.

Spacers - I have 20mm on the rears of my wheels and it sits absolutely perfect. I did have 25mm on before which also sat lovely, but I sold them to another member last year. No problems, even when lowered.

DSC_2985_zpsf0ba0c01.jpg
 
Bear in mind that all these spacer recommendations will make your car understeer more than it already does because you are adding more track to the rear than the front. Wider track generally equals more grip.
 
I wasn't happy with the look of my 108s and was going to get 19" wheels but thought I'd give spacers a go first as a cheaper option. I put 20mm on the rear and 15mm on the front with M suspension and in my opinion it's a huge improvement.
 
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