Wheel size issue need some help pls

id101

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Dec 13, 2017
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I still struggle with understanding wheel fitment despite people trying to explaining it over and over, so ill ask.

I have a 2002 z3 3.0 which been lowered bilstein/eibach

Some wheels are available sized
17x8 front et20 offset
17x9 rear et20 offset

Am I going to have trouble with these?
 

Stevo7682

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The M44 Massive
Scottish Zeds
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Maybole , South Ayrshire
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Z3 Individual Dakar / Orinoco Individual
Yes you may the offset on both axles could leave wheels out too far .

I run style 18 on my 2.8 pre face-lift
Running rear wheel on front
17x 8.5 et41 ( factory offset)
And 5 series rear style 18
17x 9 et22 only just fits wheel sticks out over wheel arch but run 245 still on rear to keep tyre under arch.

You would really need to test fit to see how they look.

Stephen.
 

Pond

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British Zeds
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Dec 26, 2016
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Spaldingski, Lincs
Model of Z
3 litre Z3 pretending to be Italian exotica. Two previous E89 Z4s.
www.willtheyfit.com is your friend to help understand the difference offsets make.

You can put in your existing wheel criteria against another and it will show the differences they will make in relative terms. It can't tell you about any potential rubbing on arches, though.
 

id101

Zorg Addict
Joined
Dec 13, 2017
Points
59
Yes you may the offset on both axles could leave wheels out too far .

I run style 18 on my 2.8 pre face-lift
Running rear wheel on front
17x 8.5 et41 ( factory offset)
And 5 series rear style 18
17x 9 et22 only just fits wheel sticks out over wheel arch but run 245 still on rear to keep tyre under arch.

You would really need to test fit to see how they look.

Stephen.
Yeah this is the problem, id need to buy tyres for them as well so a risky purchase if they rub etc.
 

Rudyrov

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American Zeds
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Jan 29, 2014
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Location
Phoenix, AZ
Model of Z
2.8 L Roadster
Speaking of wheel size, has anybody experimented with the 16 inch wheel in a 60 series instead of the 50 profile?
Looking to bring down the RPM at highway speeds and get better mileage.
Thanks!
 

Duncodin

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Speaking of wheel size, has anybody experimented with the 16 inch wheel in a 60 series instead of the 50 profile?
Looking to bring down the RPM at highway speeds and get better mileage.
Thanks!
Yep. I've got 195/65*16 on the front and 205/65*16 on the back. Front wheels are 6.5" rears are 7"

IIRC the speedo error is around 6%. But it was about 6% wrong anyway so now its pretty much spot on.

Screenshot_20250719-180844_Gallery.jpg


I know it's not a standard z3 body but the transmission is standard z3. Means at motorway speed the car wouldn't be reving quite as high but it's hardly noticeable and I still find myself looking for the missing 6th gear. You'd need to go crazy big to make any real difference.

Go to willtheyfit.com to experiment with various sizes to see what % difference it makes.
 

Duncodin

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Points
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Location
Pontrhydyrun - in Crow Valley
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I still struggle with understanding wheel fitment despite people trying to explaining it over and over, so ill ask.

I have a 2002 z3 3.0 which been lowered bilstein/eibach

Some wheels are available sized
17x8 front et20 offset
17x9 rear et20 offset

Am I going to have trouble with these?
Go to the website willtheyfit.com willtheyfit.com where you can key in different sizes and you'll see a diagram of new over old and see how the height, width and offset affect things.
 

Stevo7682

Zorg Expert (I)
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The M44 Massive
Scottish Zeds
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Apr 1, 2016
Points
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Location
Maybole , South Ayrshire
Model of Z
Z3 Individual Dakar / Orinoco Individual
Hi had a look on will they fit this would be your differences between stock staggered 17
7.5 and 8.5 et41 225/45 fr 245/40 r

Screenshot_20260213_195310_Chrome.jpg
Screenshot_20260213_195436_Chrome.jpg


Threar you might just get away with you would be 2.4 mm further out than my rear its the front my 8.5 et41 pushes wheel out 12.7mm your et20 would push wheel out 27.4mm

20250508_204458.jpg
20251123_120700.jpg

This is a picture of mine and @Scooblitz Zed Stevie and i have similar setup both 8.5 et41 fr 9j rear mine et 22 Stevie et26
Still think rear should just get away with front rekon wheel stick out a chunk.

Stephen
 

Rudyrov

Zorg Guru (I)
American Zeds
Joined
Jan 29, 2014
Points
95
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Model of Z
2.8 L Roadster
Yep. I've got 195/65*16 on the front and 205/65*16 on the back. Front wheels are 6.5" rears are 7"

IIRC the speedo error is around 6%. But it was about 6% wrong anyway so now its pretty much spot on.

View attachment 356903

I know it's not a standard z3 body but the transmission is standard z3. Means at motorway speed the car wouldn't be reving quite as high but it's hardly noticeable and I still find myself looking for the missing 6th gear. You'd need to go crazy big to make any real difference.

Go to willtheyfit.com to experiment with various sizes to see what % difference it makes.
Thanks for the information, I will keep it in mind next time I need tires!
Rudy
 
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