Hi and welcome. I have 18's on mine not staggered. 8.5j all round which makes it tight on the front, I don't have any rubbing or any other issues tho but I think 8.5j on the front is the absolute max to could go to.
POPULAR UPGRADES for older Z3's
- Thread starter SIMON WINDSOR
- Start date
I've had 16's, 17's, 18's and even tried 19's on mine and its lowered. All are fine without any problems apart from 19's require a little bit of the arch trimmed back. I currently run staggered 18's in the summer and staggered 17's in the winter. I don't really notice any difference between any set as the car is low and quite a hard ride anyway.
16's
17's
18's
19's
As long as you get the wheels within the correct specs you will be fine increasing the size.
16's
17's
18's
19's
As long as you get the wheels within the correct specs you will be fine increasing the size.
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2014
- Points
- 181
- Model of Z
- Z4 coupe sport.
Hi Simon and welcome from me in HERTFORDSHIRE 
Nothing like a new set of wheels to lift the look as well as lift your fondness of your Z. That said wheels are a personal thing and what someone else likes you might not. The choice out there is quite overwhelming and you need to be carefull of going too big width wise, you've done he right thing in asking the forum so now if your buying new you'll be adle to choose and get feedback before parting with the cash and getting cought out with something which won't fit or rubs. Can't say more than that as you've not told us what model and wheel/tyre size your currently running, can say that even if your Z is the standard early one you'll be able to enhance the look, but the width is the problem you might encounter.
Mine is a facelift and came with 17in staggered OEM but am now running 18in, 8.5in front, 9.5in rear 35 offset.
I'm afraid the choice doesn't end there cos once you've purchased the wheels you'll then be faced with tyres which is also a personal thing, and again don't be afraid to ask cos we're all running all sorts of makes and prices of tyres.
Pic of mine with OEM 17in staggered.
Now with 18in.plus personal plate and other add ons.
Don't be put off with the standard look of your Z. The Z's standard look can hold its own against many of the newer cars on the road today.
Good luck in your search to make your Z unique to you, it's not easy but well rewarding. "Roll on Summer"
Rha, Roy.
Nothing like a new set of wheels to lift the look as well as lift your fondness of your Z. That said wheels are a personal thing and what someone else likes you might not. The choice out there is quite overwhelming and you need to be carefull of going too big width wise, you've done he right thing in asking the forum so now if your buying new you'll be adle to choose and get feedback before parting with the cash and getting cought out with something which won't fit or rubs. Can't say more than that as you've not told us what model and wheel/tyre size your currently running, can say that even if your Z is the standard early one you'll be able to enhance the look, but the width is the problem you might encounter.
Mine is a facelift and came with 17in staggered OEM but am now running 18in, 8.5in front, 9.5in rear 35 offset.
I'm afraid the choice doesn't end there cos once you've purchased the wheels you'll then be faced with tyres which is also a personal thing, and again don't be afraid to ask cos we're all running all sorts of makes and prices of tyres.
Pic of mine with OEM 17in staggered.
Now with 18in.plus personal plate and other add ons.
Don't be put off with the standard look of your Z. The Z's standard look can hold its own against many of the newer cars on the road today.
Good luck in your search to make your Z unique to you, it's not easy but well rewarding. "Roll on Summer"
Rha, Roy.
Longhorn 123
Dedicated Member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2016
- Points
- 40
Anyone got Schnitzer 16" wheels fitted ?
Are you getting a set? I'd love a set but just never come up for sale over here unless attached to an ACS built car!! JIM
Have been looking but can only ever find 15" or 17" or bigger still.as my wheels are ok for the winter they will probably need a refurb next year.
I don't want the expense of new tyres and pretty happy with 16" that are on car nice ride and star wheels look decent.
There's a set of 15" on eBay but they will need new tyres and not sure about going smaller.
If none come up will be getting my wheels refurbished next spring as they suit car.
I don't want the expense of new tyres and pretty happy with 16" that are on car nice ride and star wheels look decent.
There's a set of 15" on eBay but they will need new tyres and not sure about going smaller.
If none come up will be getting my wheels refurbished next spring as they suit car.
I can't personnaly see going down an inch will adversely effect the ride and may even improve it as you will have more sidewall to absorb rough roads. I have a set of 15" BMW wheels and am saving for a set of wide whitewall tires. JIM
I have 16" Schnitzers on mine, 8J's. Not for sale though Tracy! Be warned though, I read somewhere that if you find 16" Schnitzer's at 7.5J they are fakes as they never made any in this size.
Hi @SIMON WINDSOR, 
to the forum from me too in Staffordshire.
to the forum from me too in Staffordshire.
Many thanks RoyHi Simon and welcome from me in HERTFORDSHIRE
Nothing like a new set of wheels to lift the look as well as lift your fondness of your Z. That said wheels are a personal thing and what someone else likes you might not. The choice out there is quite overwhelming and you need to be carefull of going too big width wise, you've done he right thing in asking the forum so now if your buying new you'll be adle to choose and get feedback before parting with the cash and getting cought out with something which won't fit or rubs. Can't say more than that as you've not told us what model and wheel/tyre size your currently running, can say that even if your Z is the standard early one you'll be able to enhance the look, but the width is the problem you might encounter.
Mine is a facelift and came with 17in staggered OEM but am now running 18in, 8.5in front, 9.5in rear 35 offset.
I'm afraid the choice doesn't end there cos once you've purchased the wheels you'll then be faced with tyres which is also a personal thing, and again don't be afraid to ask cos we're all running all sorts of makes and prices of tyres.
Pic of mine with OEM 17in staggered.
View attachment 45300
Now with 18in.plus personal plate and other add ons.
View attachment 45301
Don't be put off with the standard look of your Z. The Z's standard look can hold its own against many of the newer cars on the road today.
Good luck in your search to make your Z unique to you, it's not easy but well rewarding. "Roll on Summer"
Rha, Roy.
All very useful & reassuring. Decided to go for some 17" alloys that appealed to me & will put some 225x45x17's on them this weekend, all finished off with red locking wheel nuts! Now all I need is some sunny weather to show her off.
if the offset is correct you will notice the difference immediately, my old 15 inch (original wheels) gave me soooo much confidence in the corners. im sure (as you say) its all in the extra sidewall.
I think we are saying the same thing @ littlefeller. I like the ride I get on my 17" but also have a set of 15" I'm going to install wide whitewalls on and really expect it to improve handling and ride. Just saving up the $$! JIM
Theoriginalnoob
Regular Member
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2020
- Points
- 14
Right an update. Maybe helpful for anyone for future reference.
I got mv2 18 inch staggered rims, Front 8j x 18 ET47, Rear 8.5j x 18 ET50. I bought tyres sizes for front 225/40/R18 92Y, rear 245/35/R18 92Y. They went on with no issues to rubbing on back or front. So all is well in the end.
Hopefully when this covid goes away, we can have a meet up. Stay frosty
I got mv2 18 inch staggered rims, Front 8j x 18 ET47, Rear 8.5j x 18 ET50. I bought tyres sizes for front 225/40/R18 92Y, rear 245/35/R18 92Y. They went on with no issues to rubbing on back or front. So all is well in the end.
Hopefully when this covid goes away, we can have a meet up. Stay frosty
Theoriginalnoob
Regular Member
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2020
- Points
- 14
Forgot to post a pic.
Attachments
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2016
- Points
- 208
- Location
- Maybole , South Ayrshire
- Model of Z
- Z3 Individual Dakar / Orinoco Individual
You could have ran the rears with a 255/35/18
Theoriginalnoob
Regular Member
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2020
- Points
- 14
That did cross my mind but thought I’d play it safe. Due not having enough information or my brain not capable of calculating lol. I will try that when the rears wear out. Thanks all
