Staggered vs non staggered

[Muzz]

Im having a bit of a dilemma as to which route to go down with my new wheels. Looking at a set of 18" M6 reps, however they are not staggered.

I understand that 'staggered' wheels are wider on the rear? What is the effect on handling and ride with non-staggered wheels?

Many thanks

 

[ajolly]

staggered wheels mean larger wheels on the rear = more rubber on the road = more grip.

I have 18" 225's on all corners and have had no issues.

Andrew

 

[Darren M]

Wider wheels = more unsprung weight which obviously affects the weight of the entire car but also puts more strain on suspension components and affects handling.
If fitting wider tyres to the wider wheels they'll be heavier too, and you must get as close as possible to the correct tyre diameter. For example a 225*45 tyres is smaller in diameter (and obviously circumference) than a 245*45 tyre. If you fit the wrong size it will affect performance and may also rub.

Wider rear tyres and wheels on a car setup to have same sized tyres all round will result in more understeer.

I personally wouldn't fit a staggered set of wheels to a car not configured like that from the manufacturer.

 

[Mr Whippy]

All Z4's could be specced with optional staggered wheels, and all except M's would come on non-staggered.

I ponder this a great deal too, since the normal 17's are 225/45R17 iirc, but when you go to 18's they go to 255 at the back.

I'm not sure what that does for handling balance to be honest. The more I drive the Z4 the more I think it's setup is a bit odd generally... sorely tempted to get the full geometry setup by someone who knows what they are doing. The standard settings just don't seem to make sense... -3 deg rear camber for instance. What!? Just seems to make it roll off the contact patch and snap oversteer on rougher roads (where the tyre getting the camber gain is the one that goes light, the other is left running on the inside edge = no grip it feels like)


But to the OP, don't fit anything aftermarket and not the right size. They will be heavier, probably come with cheap naff tyres, and will cause more questionable handling traits.

Dave

 

[Darren M]

All Z4's could be specced with optional staggered wheels, and all except M's would come on non-staggered.

Dave

True, but it'll just add more to the understeer already built into the chassis. Setups that come with staggered setup will have suspension designed with the staggered setup. Not sure but I don't think a non-staggered setup availble fo the Si Sport ...Coupe at least?

In normal day to day driving using a staggered setup probably wouldn't be that noticable anyway I suppose

 

[Muzz]

Ok so non staggered seems to be the way forward, re tyres on 18s I need to be looking at 255 on the back and 225/235 on the front?

 

[Mr Whippy]

225/40r18 front and 255/35r18 rear

Pressures I have no idea on. Every tyre will be different.

Dave

 

[Muzz]

Thanks for the help