some advice please

[Rodney Blair]

Hello my name is Rodney from Northern Ireland I recently purchased a red z3 3.0 my from Scotland I have been in the look out for a 3.0 model for ages but none available locally so I had to fly over to Scotland to get the car I wanted it is not in to bad a shape full mot etc it badly needs a set of wheels standard 16" filled at present do need some advice on wheels 17"s or 18s.
The car also is in need a set of rear shocks as I found one leaking can some one point me in the right direction as I will probably lower the car when I get the larger wheels to give the car a better stance I was going to update the rear top mounts as well
Living in Northern Ireland limits the market place to get any decent Bmw parts some some advice would be very great fully received

 

[GazHyde]

Welcome,

Someone like @David Cullen as a fellow Irish zedder should be able to give you some local advice. Car looks a beauty

 

[Low Rider]

View attachment 19322 Hello my name is Rodney from Northern Ireland I recently purchased a red z3 3.0 my from Scotland I have been in the look out for a 3.0 model for ages but none available locally so I had to fly over to Scotland to get the car I wanted it is not in to bad a shape full mot etc it badly needs a set of wheels standard 16" filled at present do need some advice on wheels 17"s or 18s.
The car also is in need a set of rear shocks as I found one leaking can some one point me in the right direction as I will probably lower the car when I get the larger wheels to give the car a better stance I was going to update the rear top mounts as well
Living in Northern Ireland limits the market place to get any decent Bmw parts some some advice would be very great fully received

Nice photo

 

[oldcarman]

Welcome from Canada!! JIM

 

[andyglym]

to the forum from West Cumbria. Nice Zed you have there.

 

[Shelly]

Welcome from me too
From Bradwell near Great Yarmouth
Great looking Z you have

 

[DavidM]

Welcome from Ireland!

 

[FRANKIE]

View attachment 19322 Hello my name is Rodney from Northern Ireland I recently purchased a red z3 3.0 my from Scotland I have been in the look out for a 3.0 model for ages but none available locally so I had to fly over to Scotland to get the car I wanted it is not in to bad a shape full mot etc it badly needs a set of wheels standard 16" filled at present do need some advice on wheels 17"s or 18s.
The car also is in need a set of rear shocks as I found one leaking can some one point me in the right direction as I will probably lower the car when I get the larger wheels to give the car a better stance I was going to update the rear top mounts as well
Living in Northern Ireland limits the market place to get any decent Bmw parts some some advice would be very great fully received

Welcome to the forum, Rodney, from the other side of the pond. Frankie

 

[Bazza]

Rodders

 

[Jack Ratt]

Hello from Truro

 

[Grumps]

Welcome to the forum. Mine has 18"s on and would advise going with 17"'s. I have thought about changing myself but stuck with them as they are a nice wheel and are in such good condition. You'll find tyre sizes easier to deal with. Mine are too wide on the front and it means I have to have a slight stretch on my tyres which I'm not keen on.

 

[Rodney Blair]

Thanks for the welcome!! And advice on the wheels issue. my first move is a set of rear shocks and upgraded top mounts for the car any suggestions

 

[oldcarman]

I agree @Grumpy but it comes down to a matter of personal choice! I'm old school and can't get my head around the stretched look. I can't but think that the sidewalls were not designed for this "look" and are usually only two ply and must be stressed when stretched and possibly dangerous, but just me!! I also can't help but picture the kerbing that goes on leading to cracked wheels that go unnoticed and are an accident waiting for a place to wreak havoc! Again just me! Every size in diameter one goes up the shorter and stiffer the sidewall, would be akin to running no flats which few people seem to like. So the choice is yours to make @Rodney Blair!! JIM

 

[Grumps]

I agree @Grumpy but it comes down to a matter of personal choice! I'm old school and can't get my head around the stretched look. I can't but think that the sidewalls were not designed for this "look" and are usually only two ply and must be stressed when stretched and possibly dangerous, but just me!! I also can't help but picture the kerbing that goes on leading to cracked wheels that go unnoticed and are an accident waiting for a place to wreak havoc! Again just me! Every size in diameter one goes up the shorter and stiffer the sidewall, would be akin to running no flats which few people seem to like. So the choice is yours to make @Rodney Blair!! JIM

It is very slight @oldcarman. I don't like it but the J rating is just to big and the inner tyre wall catches on the spring otherwise.

 

[oldcarman]

Sometimes you have to make the choice between the look of the wheel you want and the one that really works properly. And it's sometimes difficult to duplicate and find the smaller size that gives you the same pleasure!! I was more so stating my opinions for @Rodney Blair as he has to determine what he likes and the pros and cons!! I know you will not drive on a rim that looked cracked as you are well aware of the consequence. I too love the look of your wheels though!! JIM

 

[Mrs Mint]

from Staffordshire - enjoy

 

[Eddie Zedder]

Hello and , enjoy your Zed!

 

[ZTec]

Hi and welcome to the forum from South Wales

 

[t-tony]

Personally I dislike the stretched look too, and mean S-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d. However not a testable item so the DVSA, as they now call themselves, don't consider it a dangerous trend. I tested a Beetle on Saturday with at least 1" of tyre and that's not including the wheel rim,outside the wheel arch and that's only an advisory item!

Tony.

 

[MartinN]

Hi, theres loads of choice for the shocks, I fitted bilstiens and eibach springs on my 1.9, and used OEM top mounts. I'm sure others have their own preference though. I went down around 30mm at the rear but used 16inch wheels so no chance of any rubbing.