Wheels, Run Flats and Jacks

[step_change]

Sorry for newbies questions but just consulting the Z4 Oracle.... I want to put some 18" 108's on my car that are on sale in the Z4 merchandise section. This is my car currently. The current wheels are in major need of refurbishment.

It would be OK for me to take the wheels off of a 3.0 put then on a 2.5? I am pretty sure but just checking. The pattern of the bolts on the hub is a standard right?

So next question. Moving from run flats to "ordinary" tyres. Do folks carry a space saver spare wheel? Is there such thing as "slime" like there is for bike tyres to get you home sort of thing?

And finally I want a jack. Maybe a jack to carry with me to change aforementioned space-saver spare and maybe some axle stands and a trolley jack. Any opinions on the ones to go for please? And a good wheel brace/torque wrench for removing the wheels?

Thanks for looking and answering newbie questions.

 

[G600]

Wheels are the same, you can get a can of foam if you get a puncture, worth carrying a small compressor with you as well. I believe the jack from an e46 will work with the Z4 jacking points.

 

[biojo]

I do have a jack from a previous car and a hockey puck thing.

But if you do plan on keeping a spare, make sure you can get the alloys off, mine was a very tight fit and needed rubber mallet to assist

 

[kis]

BMW wheels are same figment I don't think I've seen anything different to 5x120 PCD.
It's the offsets you have to watch out for. ET around 30-50 should be fairly standard. Don't think ET goes further than ET50? The closer you get to ET30 the more chances you are to have arch rub. I think ET33 or 34 is fine. It's when you get to ET27 you might have issues.

As mentioned by G600 e46 and e85/86 have many similarities. So wheels, jacks etc can be cross-used between the two.

Posted a while back on this thread about the space saver, I'm on non-runflats atm and carry a space saver.

 

[Marlon]

Couple of these and a small compressor

 

[kis]

IMO Emergency Tyreweld / Inflation canisters could be handy given quote 'ideal' puncture circumstances. The kind of circumstance when you take a tyre with a nail (in the centre of the width) and Kwikfit agree to simply repair it and not demand you need a whole brand new tyre (basically not very often).

Many punctures aren't straightforward. I posted a photo on the thread I mentioned above which shows a split in the tyre. No chance of revival. It's for that reason I carry the space saver. My past experience is, if I can change a tyre safely and get of the hard shoulder of a motorway quicker, well I'm happier. I'm safer. Waiting on the verge in typical British weather (not particularly hot or dry) isn't very pleasant. I know my space saver will work. I'm capable of changing the tyre and can work my way round most mechanical parts of the car. If I had a canister, maybe I'd be okay, maybe not.

To summarise, if you're not particularly confident or need the boot space for something else canister is the way forward. If that fails you can always give AA a buzz

 

[lordgrover]

My granddad would spin in his grave, but I call the AA.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

I carry tyre weld and a small compressor so I can get home if it's a reasonable distance. Anything more than that, or on the motorway, I'd be using recovery, it's not worth the risk. A runflat will only get you about 50 miles anyway. While a space saver might be a good idea - where would you put the full size flat one?

 

[NickDE]

BMW wheels are same figment I don't think I've seen anything different to 5x120 PCD.

In the good old days BMWs had four bolt wheel fittings

 

[kis]

I carry tyre weld and a small compressor so I can get home if it's a reasonable distance. Anything more than that, or on the motorway, I'd be using recovery, it's not worth the risk. A runflat will only get you about 50 miles anyway. While a space saver might be a good idea - where would you put the full size flat one?

If I can't re-shuffle the boot then the passenger seat. I've got a few of those tyre storage bags so It'll keep the filth off the seat (or the boot) - if it ever comes to it

BMW wheels are same figment I don't think I've seen anything different to 5x120 PCD.

In the good old days BMWs had four bolt wheel fittings

Good to know!

 

[NickDE]

BMW wheels are same figment I don't think I've seen anything different to 5x120 PCD.

In the good old days BMWs had four bolt wheel fittings

Good to know!

Yes, but totally useless information unless you are driving an E30 or earlier. Still, no one said the forum had to be useful

 

[kis]

But good to know, well kind of! i.e. don't just assume it's always 5x120!!

I guess you do learn something new every day! :wink: