Fitting new 108 wheels.

[Jonnysnapzzz]

Hi all,

I have a 2.8 Z3 currently on factory 16 inch wheels. I have an opportunity to buy a set of refurbished style 108 18 inch wheels which I am thinking about fitting. I know very little about wheels or mechanical things to be honest, I just drive the car and love it.
Can somebody in the know let me have an idea of how these wheels will alter the ride? Currently I find the car pretty stiff and you do feel the bumps in the road, will 18 inch wheels exaggerate this?
Also can I ask if these wheels can simply just be bolted on? They are staggered set and I currently have 20 mil spacers on the rear. Is it simply a case of switching these out? Will I need to remove the spacers ?
Many thanks

 

[Paul H]

They're quite firm rides these z3 compared to my other 2 cars.

I run 18 bayern mesh on mine, it feels no different to me than when I swapped them out for the 16 winter wheels a couple of months ago.

Oddly mine are non staggered, 225 all round. I have 20mm spacers on the rear and they fill the arches nicely. Your spacers may need to come off? Try wheels on 1st tho, if there's no rubbing your fine.

 

[Steve Medlock]

I have 108s on my 2.8 with 20mm spacers on rear. I've had 3 different sets of wheels and 2 different sets of suspension and the ride had always been firmer than I would have liked so I think that's just Z3s! (Just be careful what tyres you fit).

 

[GazHyde]

I've run 18's on my both my previous Z3's and a set of 108's for a while. Yes it will be a harsher ride for obvious reasons, but honestly I never got annoyed by the difference in ride when switching up from 16's on my first 2.0, and then from 17's on my 2.2. Also never really had much in the way of tramlining except when a bushes or ball joints needed replacing. The first set of second hand 18s I bought came with a random mix of budget tyres and it never bothered me. Can't even remember what brand of tyres came on the 108s I bought cheap either...

 

[Robert Hill]

My Z looks great with 18 inch

 

[Z Victor 1]

Not sure about the big is best view on wheels. BMW didn't think they were necessary. On pre facelift 1.9 s I think the original pepperpot wheels really suit the retro Z3 design. Still, everyone has their own opinions and should buy what they like.

 

[gookah]

17's:

18"s

19"s

 

[Dakar Z3]

I have 108s on my 2.8 with 20mm spacers on rear. I've had 3 different sets of wheels and 2 different sets of suspension and the ride had always been firmer than I would have liked so I think that's just Z3s! (Just be careful what tyres you fit).
View attachment 180373

Love this colour looks really great, I have 18’s and I’m thinking of putting spacers on the rear, do you have a rear shot of your car emphasising the spacers?

 

[Steve Medlock]

Love this colour looks really great, I have 18’s and I’m thinking of putting spacers on the rear, do you have a rear shot of your car emphasising the spacers?

This is all I can find this morning.

 

[Paul H]

This is all I can find this morning.

View attachment 180475

Love those quad pipes, I really want this for my 2.8

 

[Dakar Z3]

Looks a Beast

 

[Steve Medlock]

Love this colour looks really great, I have 18’s and I’m thinking of putting spacers on the rear, do you have a rear shot of your car emphasising the spacers?

This one may be more use.

 

[Dakar Z3]

Hello Steve,

Thank you for taking the time, this gives a much better view of the wheel in the arch,
looks like I’ll be purchasing some