Newbie, looking for alloy inspiration!

[garyp159]

Hi all,
Recently bought a 2.8 widebody, a more refined option after a TVR S3 (my wife is much happier). Had an E30 for many years previously.
I'm very happy with it, except for the alloys... they're staggered 17" 7.5J & 8.5J with nearly new Avon AV7 225/45 & 245/40.
Tyres are good, drives fine, I just want a different look... retro with a modern touch maybe?
I'd like to fill the rear arches a bit more, maybe 9J or 9.5J (I believe the latter fits without mods?)
I ran silver DTM style alloys with deep polished dish on my E30, I still like that look but keep thinking gloss black would look better on the Z3.
Undecided, hence looking for inspiration!
Thanks,
Gary

 

[t-tony]

Hi Gary and welcome from me near Lincoln. I dislike black wheels on any car, I think bright wheels make a car. But as I always say "It's your car, so do what you like", just enjoy it!

Tony.

 

[AntStark]

A lot on here fit wheel spacers..relatively cheap, change the look but keep the originality. 15-20mm back 10-15mm front usually

 

[ExMX5owner]

Or you could go full monty on it..Like this,

Not everybody's cup of tea though, and keep your originals...but welcome from down here...

 

[t-tony]

Most people fit 20mm on the rear of a Z3, which i did and 14mm on the front. These then went onto my E85 Z4.

Tony.

 

[Shelly]

 

[Paul Rice]

As said before its your car, personally as the Z3 ages and becomes a modern classic i prefer the stock look.
Car looks great

 

[Ianmc]

I like the wheels. If the car was mine, I would shadow chrome the wheels, lower it a bit and add rear spacers. Just remembered, this is what I have done to my M44.

Keeps the OEM look but personalises it a bit,

 

[Mint]

Hi Gary and to the forum from me too in Stafford. I like my style 78s but they are a PITA to clean properly.

 

[garyp159]

Hi Gary and welcome from me near Lincoln. I dislike black wheels on any car, I think bright wheels make a car. But as I always say "It's your car, so do what you like", just enjoy it!

Tony.

So long as they're kept shiny!
I'm too busy/lazy for that...

 

[garyp159]

A lot on here fit wheel spacers..relatively cheap, change the look but keep the originality. 15-20mm back 10-15mm front usually

I wouldn't mind keeping the originality if the wheels were nicer, I just find the stock 5 spokes a bit bland...

 

[garyp159]

I like 78's
Saw a set on eBay but they were too damn expensive!

 

[garyp159]

I like the wheels. If the car was mine, I would shadow chrome the wheels, lower it a bit and add rear spacers. Just remembered, this is what I have done to my M44.
View attachment 259915
Keeps the OEM look but personalises it a bit,

I've thought about buying 2nd hand BMW OEM wheels and refurbishing them, not ruled that out yet...

 

[garyp159]

Or you could go full monty on it..Like this,

View attachment 259873
Not everybody's cup of tea though, and keep your originals...but welcome from down here...

Looks psuedo-muscle car, wider and slightly taller at the rear? I like it!

 

[garyp159]

As said before its your car, personally as the Z3 ages and becomes a modern classic i prefer the stock look.
Car looks great

I'll keep the original wheels so I can swap back if the mood takes me

 

[t-tony]

I wouldn't mind keeping the originality if the wheels were nicer, I just find the stock 5 spokes a bit bland...

A bit bland, but, one of the easiest to clean whether black or silver. I put style 108s on my E85 because being 5 spoke were easy to clean.

Tony.

 

[Scooblitz]

Welcome to the site.

Looks a nice zed. Used to have one in Montreal blue a few years back.

As for wheels, I'd start with deciding if you want 17s or 18s+

Tyre sizes for 17s max out at 255 wide in the rear but still has a good amount of sidewall for pothole road compliance.

BBS RS741 17x9J et26 - Took me over a year to make a rear pair. There are various fitments of this available in more readily available sizes.

1 Picture is a borowed photo from instagram, Swiss z3. 8.5j et41 in rear. Bit less dish than I'm going for.

 

[garyp159]

Welcome to the site.

Looks a nice zed. Used to have one in Montreal blue a few years back.

As for wheels, I'd start with deciding if you want 17s or 18s+

Tyre sizes for 17s max out at 255 wide in the rear but still has a good amount of sidewall for pothole road compliance.

BBS RS741 17x9J et26 - Took me over a year to make a rear pair. There are various fitments of this available in more readily available sizes.

1 Picture is a borowed photo from instagram, Swiss z3. 8.5j et41 in rear. Bit less dish than I'm going for.

View attachment 259965
View attachment 259959View attachment 259961

These are almost identical to the wheels I ran on my E30. Unfortunately the wheels I had are no longer made. Do you know what these are?

 

[Z Victor 1]

Kerb magnets! Look nice, but big is not always better. Don't listen to anyone else , it's your car. Enjoy it.

 

[Scooblitz]

These are almost identical to the wheels I ran on my E30. Unfortunately the wheels I had are no longer made. Do you know what these are?

Top pic 'Swiss Z3' - 'Style 42' BBS RS 723 17x7.5 ET41 & RS724 17x8.5 ET41.

I will be using the 8.5 as a front wheel with the 17x9j on the rear. Even with a 9j, it's not relatively wide. There's space for more with the right offsets or mods.

You thinking 17s?