BMW style 18s

[Ianmc]

From some research, it seems that the Style 18s (17inch), often found on widebody Z3, seem to run 245/40 R17 tyres. I like these muchly!
My narrow body car has 225/50 R16 from new. The door tyre sticker gives three options, including 225/45/R17. I have 12mm spacers on the rear but understand that to 20mm can be run without issues. Not sure how much wider the 17s are than the 16s?
Does anyone know if the style 18s will fit the narrow body (with 245/40/R17 tyres) and/or could the Style 18s be fitted with 225/45/R17 tyres?
Grateful for any information about this.
Thanks,
Ian

 

[DomiMik]

Ian, standard staggered wheels (7,5 inches with 225/45 in the front and 8,5 with 245/40 on the rear without spacers) will fit the narrow body without any problems. I've already seen a couple of pre-facelift four cylinder Z3s with staggered wheels here in germany, no problems with MOT or similar.
Staggered wheels came with the 2.8 engine, that's why they aren't officially declared as stock wheels for the narrow body Z3s.

Regards
Dominik

 

[RickyBobby]

I use this website to check fitment https://www.willtheyfit.com/ and this website to confirm offsets on genuine BMW alloys http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/

Like you I think the style 18's are the best looking wheels for the Z3 - I had a straight set on my M44 and a staggered set on my 2.8 - fortunately they were the supplied wheels on both cars. I'm now in an E85 so the spare staggered set from the 2.8 are for sale on the forum.

 

[Ianmc]

Thank you very much @DomiMik

 

[Ianmc]

One other factor, car is booked in a week Monday to have a BilsteinB12 Pro Kit fitted; it's specified for the M44 1.9 Z3. This will reduced the ride height by circa 25mm I believe.
Might this make any difference to the wheel fitting?