Larger Alloys - How do they affect Z handling

[Zont]

Hi all,

I was looking for some info in regards to how fitting larger alloy wheel sizes (17", 18", 19" etc) affects the Z's balance and handling characteristics, if at all.

Also what kind of suspension upgrades are people running with larger wheels, as Z cars I've seen with 18"+ need lowering for sure, can't be driving around on stilts!

 

[Grumps]

I'm running on 18's and it's lowered 30mm. It does tramline on occasion but I'm having the suspension bushes changed soon so that will probably help. I certainly wouldn't go any bigger. I'd actually drop to 17's if her indoors would let me change the wheels

 

[billz]

We went to 18s from 17s when we had the Z3 3.0 and with the new rubber removed the tram lining completely. We ran the Bilstein set up with Apex springs but because it had the sports suspension only dropped it by around 15mm

 

[GazHyde]

Ran with 18's on both my Z3s with no issues at all. Eibach 30mm lowering springs with Sachs shocks on the 2.2 and it handled sweet as!

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[Sean d]

Lowered, suspension wide wheels, grip like s*** to a blanket staggered 18s, 30mm lowered Eibach, but the rest of your running gear must be in good order

 

[Antm72]

Had mine sat on 17's and a few sets of 18's handles very well and never rwally had any tramlining issues at all.
In the middle of a rebuild but moving to Bilsteins and at present on Apex springs but may move to Eibachs. Depends how it sits with a refreshed rear end

 

[t-tony]

I put my 3.0i on Eibach springs after seeing some of the guys on here do their cars. Went from BMW Sport springs so only about 15mm drop and then fitted some 18" 108 style wheels on Goodyear F1 Eagle tyres. Great road holding, a bit of tramlining on certain roads but front lower arm bushes are on my hit list now. Soon to have new tyres as the wheels are away being refurbished.

Tony.

 

[DavidM]

I’ve had 18s on and currently run 17s with 30m lowering applicable to both - no issues. Worn tyres on front will present issues though.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

19s on mine, e46 M3 if you're interested, started out on M-sport suspension and then lowered it another 10mm or so with Spax springs and dampers, polybushed all round, and can't fault it. Still rides comfortably and sticks like a very sticky thing indeed.

 

[Tearoom]

Hi Zont

I have a pre facelift 1.9 so it has the narrow rear wings. I have 17" wheels (7.5j) on it and they are absolutely fine.
However, I wouldn't try staggered wheels as they would probably stick out at the back.
If your zed is a face lift it will have the wider rear wings as standard, so not a problem.
I'm just saying, which size wheels you use may depend on whether you have wide body or not.