Wheels

[Dino D]

Definitely do a wheel swap first to check.

Bear in mind that tyres and the wear patterns they'll have in them from being already used and worn a certain way also affect things.

I'd suggest a fulll wheel swap - all 4 of yours on the 2.8 and vice versa to see if your current wheels also affect the 2.8 - all in the name of science.

 

[Dino D]

Ps Some aftermarket rims can be very heavy especially compared with the 16 Z star alloys which were very light for an OEM wheel. I'd have thought the this weight would make any corruption of the sterribg worse.

 

[Sean d]

The geometry realignment made a massive difference on mine, one side was a mile out.

 

[Howard]

Ps Some aftermarket rims can be very heavy especially compared with the 16 Z star alloys which were very light for an OEM wheel. I'd have thought the this weight would make any corruption of the sterribg worse.

Hi Dino, I noticed how heavy the 18 inch wheels were when I swoped them front to back.
H

 

[DavidM]

Would inaccurate wheel balancing contribute to tram lining?

 

[t-tony]

I wouldn't have thought it could as it is more a steering geometry issue.

Tony.

 

[Jewell]

Hi Guys, IV just road tested my mates Z3 (2.8), it's fitted with standard 16 inch alloys with 225/50/16 Bridgestones.
Wow a completely different driving exsperance, no tram lining, not sent off centre by any type of poor road surface.
So after Xmas my loverly black 18inch wheels will have to go, I absolutely love the look of them but can't and won't
put up with this tram lining which seems to effect some Z3s.
I'm going to do a wheel swop when iv a spare 1hr or 2, then will make the final decision.
Howard

Do the wheel swop!! Been through the same experience. This car terrified me with the 18" wheels and I have gone back to standard. Now I'm totally in love again . . . It's solid and on the road. BMW don't design cars to be messed with :/

 

[gookah]

I have 19 's with no tramlining.
its all down to tyres.

 

[oldcarman]

It does seem to be @ gookah although I am running 17" with a cheaper set of tires and have no tramlining but I think it's just dumb luck that this tire pattern works so well. It's almost identical to tires others have had success with. JIM

 

[Howard]

Do the wheel swop!! Been through the same experience. This car terrified me with the 18" wheels and I have gone back to standard. Now I'm totally in love again . . . It's solid and on the road. BMW don't design cars to be messed with :/

Hi, which make of tyres did you put on your new wheels.
H

 

[Brian4]

The other cheapish fix is to change the front roll bar drop links and roll bar bushes as they make quite a difference. I see you have changed the front bushes to Poly did this make any improvement?

 

[Howard]

Hi Brian, originally the car was fitted with Style 64, 16inch wheels with a 45mm off set.
I have checked the anti roll bar links & the roll bar bushes and they have no movement in them.
I'm looking at Muk Munchen wheels in black with a 40mm off set. Will this 5mm make much
difference? I'm now looking possibly fitting Falken Zeix ZE914. Is seems lots of Z3s have them fitted.
H

 

[Nodzed]

I fitted Michelin Pilot Sports (someone on here recommended them) on my 2,8 after a suspension refurb (which helped) and the awful tram lining totally went.

 

[Brian4]

Hi Howard

If the drop links are original they will be soft, I thought the same as you but noticed an improvement when replaced. Mine ised to have style 64 but the ACSchnitzer wheels I have now are 35 offset 17" and the rears could do with 5 or 10 mm spacer to bring them to the edge of the rear arches but I'm happy as they are.

ps mine has conti sport on the front and Pzero on the rear.

 

[Antm72]

Fitted new rack ends to mine and its been on 17's and two different sets if 18's with a variety of tires and never an issue as said it may be the tracking be worth checking

 

[Lee]

I have 19 's with no tramlining.
its all down to tyres.

Agree with this but also think about the bush that keeps the wheels straight, if the rear wishbone bush is gone or soft your front wheels will wonder all over the place.

Food for thought.

 

[katkwak]

You can alway get the 16 black powder coated

 

[Howard]

You can alway get the 16 black powder coated

That's what I'm looking at after Xmas, possibly Mac Munchens in black & fitting Falken ZE914s
Here in France the wheels are considerably cheaper than the U.K., not sure about the tyres as they about
£58 ish ( exchange rate 1.18) delivered.
Picture below.
Howard

 

[Dino D]

That's what I'm looking at after Xmas, possibly Mac Munchens in black & fitting Falken ZE914s
Here in France the wheels are considerably cheaper than the U.K., not sure about the tyres as they about
£58 ish ( exchange rate 1.18) delivered.
Picture below.
Howard
View attachment 47054

That looks really nice, like the sought after BMW BBS style 78 a lot of us have.
I'd look at 17inch though as these designs get a bit lost when the rim size is small.
No issues on 17 (or 18s for me) but I find 17's the best compromise for all weather and roads (16's had too much sidewall flex for me). 18in the summer. My car is on fresh suspension and poly bushes all around so tyre changes are more noticeable to me than a standard cars

Here is some inspiration!

 

[Dobiwallah]

I had tram lining with the pirelli's who came with the Z. After I bought Goodyear F1s tram lining was gone. Front 225, rear 245s