My 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster 2.5i

[Alex V.]

Hello everyone!

My names Alex and I just purchased my first BMW on 6/2/17 with 144,500 miles from a private seller. So far I completely love this little Z3 as it handles amazing. After taking it to some nice roads I decided it needs coilovers so I just purchased some BC Racing ones. Sway bars and strut tower brace will be next. I'm also looking into RPF1's for wheels since I will be making this more of a track/weekend car. Would love any insight on these cars since I am still new to them!

For example, I am not entirely sure what size or spec wheels to get. Enkei has their RPF1's as 18 x 8.5 +40, would that be a good setup or should I go with 17's?

Thank you all in advance and I look forward to seeing all the awesome rides! Feel free to message me with any advice you may have!

 

[Low Rider]

Welcome Alex.
We do love a photo of a Zed

 

[Dino D]

We never go the 2.5 here.

Interesting set up you going for. I run BC's too but in the US i believe you have more custom spring options for them.

As for 18 vs 17. I find 17's a bit more 'playful' and progressive than 18's but on track I'm not sure how that will translate- most of the Autocross cars I see on the US forums seem to use 17's.

 

[Alex V.]

I will have to snag some pictures when I get home from work for you guys to see!

As for the 2.5i I believe that it is somewhat of a predecessor to the 2.3 Z3's, could be mistaken though.

I appreciate the info on the 17's vs 18's as well Dino, I will have to speak with Enkei to see if I can have some 17's made. I'm thinking of some 235-245 tires all around.

 

[t-tony]

Hi Alex, we didn't get the 2.3 over here either, we had 2.2 and 2.8, 3.0 in the 6 cyl. motors. Welcome from me here near Lincoln UK. I would agree with Dino 17" wheels on a Z3 is about right, mostly over here people run a "staggered" set up with say 225 at the front and 255 ish at the rear end.

Tony.

 

[Dino D]

I will have to snag some pictures when I get home from work for you guys to see!

As for the 2.5i I believe that it is somewhat of a predecessor to the 2.3 Z3's, could be mistaken though.

I appreciate the info on the 17's vs 18's as well Dino, I will have to speak with Enkei to see if I can have some 17's made. I'm thinking of some 235-245 tires all around.

235 square set up makes for more fun but less grip at the back (not always a bad thing).
With 225/255 on 8,5/9,5j rims it sticks like rails in the dry. A square set up will reduce the uhdersteer but if you going for BC's you'll have camber top mounts to play with for that too.

 

[Alex V.]

235 square set up makes for more fun but less grip at the back (not always a bad thing).
With 225/255 on 8,5/9,5j rims it sticks like rails in the dry. A square set up will reduce the uhdersteer but if you going for BC's you'll have camber top mounts to play with for that too.

So even with a canyon/track setup I still want to go staggered? 225-235 up front and a 245-255 in the rear? Do you also have any idea what offsets of wheels work for our cars? Higher or lower offsets?

 

[Antm72]

Hi and welcome from me in South Yorkshire I run an 18 staggered 8.5 9.5 38 offset front 33 offset rear non coilovers and @8.5 38 front is tight may even need shimming to get a coilovers in.
Standard off set is et41 all round , take in to account though if running coilovers the space for the spring body for clearance, this will change the offset rule and front width to accommodate the set up.

 

[GazHyde]

Welcome

 

[Slam]

Welcome from London, interesting project

 

[andyglym]

to the forum from West Cumbria, England

 

[Shelly]

Hi and welcome from me too

 

[Alex V.]

Hi and welcome from me in South Yorkshire I run an 18 staggered 8.5 9.5 38 offset front 33 offset rear non coilovers and @8.5 38 front is tight may even need shimming to get a coilovers in.
Standard off set is et41 all round , take in to account though if running coilovers the space for the spring body for clearance, this will change the offset rule and front width to accommodate the set up.

Much appreciated with the offsets! I like how your car sits on it 18's this is a good representation for me to see exactly how they look.

 

[Alex V.]

Hi and welcome from me in South Yorkshire I run an 18 staggered 8.5 9.5 38 offset front 33 offset rear non coilovers and @8.5 38 front is tight may even need shimming to get a coilovers in.
Standard off set is et41 all round , take in to account though if running coilovers the space for the spring body for clearance, this will change the offset rule and front width to accommodate the set up.

How do you feel this setup would work?

17 x 8.5 +30 up front - 235 tire
17 x 9 +45 in the rear - 255 tire

Really clueless about offsets for BMW's since I am coming from Hondas.

 

[Antm72]

Try here
www.willtheyfit.com
If you work off a standard et41 offset square set up 7.5j 225/40/17 then put in what you want it will show and tell you the difference in measurement inner and outer old set up to new
My stock 2.8 setup was 7.5 front 8.5 rear both et 41 225 front 245 rear but the arch would allow a 20mm spacer and still be flush.
That said you could get an 8.5 et21 on the rear!
You really need to see what the car runs as stock pretty sure oem will be et41then use the calculator above to workout what you can fit.
I wouldn't aim for anything wider than a 225 for the front its pretty stock on most BMW's the rear depending on rim width 225 and up my 9.5 is only running a 255 nothing much bigger is the norm but that doesn't mean you can't but handling may not be great.

 

[Antm72]

So i have gone rear from an 8.5j et 41 to a 9.5 st 33 rear that fitted the same without the 20mm spacer just gave me a dish.

"No Limits"

• Antm72
• Jun 18, 2015

Pictured on a lazy summer afternoon wanting some nice pictures of the new Zed .
Noticed the...

Loud 'n' Low

• Antm72
• May 9, 2016
• 3

 

[DavidM]

Welcome from Ireland!

 

[Mint]

Hi @Alex V., to the forum from me too in Staffordshire, UK.

 

[Gundun]

How do you feel this setup would work?

17 x 8.5 +30 up front - 235 tire
17 x 9 +45 in the rear - 255 tire

Really clueless about offsets for BMW's since I am coming from Hondas.

Hello and welcome!
that combo would work (although at the front is very close to poking out) , the 255 at the back for the 2.5 are defo a lot of rubber...forget the skids!

to check beforehand gaps and clearances then planning a new set of rubbers you can do it on www.willtheyfit.com

 

[Alex V.]

Hello and welcome!
that combo would work (although at the front is very close to poking out) , the 255 at the back for the 2.5 are defo a lot of rubber...forget the skids!

to check beforehand gaps and clearances then planning a new set of rubbers you can do it on www.willtheyfit.com

Thanks for the info! I might end up using an 8 width up front. I used that website and it was a great help! Now to just measure where the stock wheels and tires are at now versus the new positioning to see if it works!