New 2009 2010 BMW Z4 - ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   New 2009 2010 BMW Z4 - ZPOST > BMW Z4 Forum (E89) > 2009-Current Z4 Forum (E89) General Discussion

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      05-23-2010, 12:35 PM   #1
///carbon
tuned
Austria
524
Rep
696
Posts

Drives: BMW M4
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: vienna

iTrader: (1)

wheels question... help!!

hi guys.

just picked up my 2010 Z4 yesterday and i am thinking about changing wheels.

i have 19" but am considering mounting 20".

is this a good idea or simply too BIG?




THANK YOU
__________________
cheers, Silviu...

Z-Performance///M4: https://www.facebook.com/ZPerformanceM4
Appreciate 0
      05-23-2010, 12:51 PM   #2
Vintage
Colonel
Vintage's Avatar
United_States
378
Rep
2,588
Posts

Drives: BMW G80 (MT), 718 Spyder
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Austin, Texas

iTrader: (0)

I think this is just personal taste - I think the 20s are too big and it will make your ride a little harsher. However, do what you want. I will say - I drove on the streets of Vienna during my ED trip last summer in our e89 with 19s, and I would not want to try the 20s.
Appreciate 0
      05-23-2010, 01:05 PM   #3
teagueAMX
Colonel
teagueAMX's Avatar
United_States
60
Rep
2,087
Posts

Drives: Some are road worthy
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: So Cal, USA

iTrader: (0)

+1

I think you'll have problems with wheel damage. With the Z's OEM tire size, you'll have about 1.91 cm tire sidewall. Virtually any pothole or significant crack in the pavement is greater than that. From an appearance standpoint, IMHO, 20"'s are too large for the scale of the car. Your handling will suffer as well by increasing your unsprung weight.

Based on the photo in your sig, I can tell you like large scale hoops, so as VintageBMW said, you have to suit your own tastes.
__________________
"Political correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional liberal minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end".-- Unknown


Last edited by teagueAMX; 05-23-2010 at 01:10 PM..
Appreciate 0
      05-23-2010, 02:51 PM   #4
rmorin49
Major
rmorin49's Avatar
United_States
53
Rep
1,162
Posts

Drives: 11 335d/10 Z4 s30i
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Hagerstown, MD

iTrader: (1)

Bigger wheels usually means more unspring weight = lower acceleration. The ride will also deteriorate in most cases. BMW, like most manufacturers spends a lot of time designing their cars to perform with the wheel and tire packages offered by the factory. In my younger days I would often install larger wheels and tires. Now in my golden years I have realized that the engineers who design these cars know more than I do and I stick with the OEM sizes in both wheels and tires. Just my 2 cents, do whatever makes you happy.
__________________
Colonel (Retired), US Army/Hagerstown, MD
2016 518ixdrive/MSport AW/Ivory White
ED-01-10 2010 Z4s30i AW/Beige/Burl/ 6MT/SP/PP/CWP/NAV/ipod/USB/CA (retired)
2011 335d BS/Oyster/PP/CWP/NAV/ipod/USB(Daily Driver) 30+ mpg(retired)

Last edited by rmorin49; 05-23-2010 at 05:15 PM..
Appreciate 0
      05-23-2010, 02:59 PM   #5
Lewis@MWDesign
Banned
Canada
261
Rep
1,499
Posts

Drives: 2010 BMW Z4 3.5i 6spd
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Hong Kong | Vancouver, BC Canada

iTrader: (28)

20" Wheels fills the wheel arches just right in my opinion.

This is how they look on my project car at the moment. Rear will be dropped a little bit more later in the Summer.
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      05-23-2010, 03:39 PM   #6
mikeinaustin
First Lieutenant
United_States
42
Rep
362
Posts

Drives: 2010 z4 3.0 crimson red
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: austin, tx

iTrader: (0)

I think 20's would look hot!
Appreciate 0
      05-23-2010, 03:42 PM   #7
teagueAMX
Colonel
teagueAMX's Avatar
United_States
60
Rep
2,087
Posts

Drives: Some are road worthy
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: So Cal, USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lewis@MWDesign View Post
20" Wheels fills the wheel arches just right in my opinion.


This is how they look on my project car at the moment. Rear will be dropped a little bit more later in the Summer.
What size tires are you running?

I also noticed you're running a full splitter. What other suspension mods have you applied?

Edit: I remember you have tuner front and rear fascias, don't you?

Car does look very nice, but I'm curious if you notice much difference in the steering? What your roads like up there?
I didn't find any photos of your car on the web site.

.
__________________
"Political correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional liberal minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end".-- Unknown


Last edited by teagueAMX; 05-23-2010 at 03:49 PM..
Appreciate 0
      05-23-2010, 05:43 PM   #8
Lewis@MWDesign
Banned
Canada
261
Rep
1,499
Posts

Drives: 2010 BMW Z4 3.5i 6spd
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Hong Kong | Vancouver, BC Canada

iTrader: (28)

Quote:
Originally Posted by teagueAMX View Post
What size tires are you running?

I also noticed you're running a full splitter. What other suspension mods have you applied?

Edit: I remember you have tuner front and rear fascias, don't you?

Car does look very nice, but I'm curious if you notice much difference in the steering? What your roads like up there?
I didn't find any photos of your car on the web site.

.
I am running 245/30/20 F 285/25/20 R Toyo T1R Tires, best tire for the dry and wet climates.

Suspension is Eibach Pro-Kit Springs + H&R Sway Bars. Will be switching to KW V3s or H&R coils (whenever they are out) later in the Summer.

Roads up here are fine, I've been running 20" wheels on my past 2 project cars and this will be the 3rd one - no pot holes damage at all. Steering I have not felt any difference, in fact I am getting better handling with the fatter tires.

Yes I am running a custom CF Front splitter underneath the ACS front addon. Rear is full 3d Design (rear diffuser and rear spoiler).

The vehicle is done now but its currently at the dealership getting some software updates done, will try to get some official pictures up next weekend.
Appreciate 0
      05-23-2010, 05:53 PM   #9
Memphis1
Lieutenant Colonel
Memphis1's Avatar
United_States
89
Rep
1,838
Posts

Drives: Z4 SDrive 35i
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: CT

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ///carbon View Post
hi guys.
just picked up my 2010 Z4 yesterday and i am thinking about changing wheels.
i have 19" but am considering mounting 20".
is this a good idea or simply too BIG?

THANK YOU
hi, i'm considering Alloy Technic's Mesh

Front: 20" 9.0 et27
Rear: 20" 10.5 et27
Front: 255/30/20
Rear: 285/30/20

but like others have said if your roads are bad maybe stick to 19's
__________________

Last edited by Memphis1; 02-18-2011 at 10:13 PM..
Appreciate 0
      05-23-2010, 06:21 PM   #10
teagueAMX
Colonel
teagueAMX's Avatar
United_States
60
Rep
2,087
Posts

Drives: Some are road worthy
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: So Cal, USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lewis@MWDesign View Post
I am running 245/30/20 F 285/25/20 R Toyo T1R Tires, best tire for the dry and wet climates.

Roads up here are fine, I've been running 20" wheels on my past 2 project cars and this will be the 3rd one - no pot holes damage at all. Steering I have not felt any difference, in fact I am getting better handling with the fatter tires.
I just did a quick lookup based on Goodyear Eagle F1's found on tirerack.com just to get an approximate idea of size and weight going from a 19" to a 20" tire.

They didn't have Toyo's but I assumed Goodyear Eagle F1's. They add about two pounds per tire. Assuming that your 360 degree forged wheels would offset the increase. Otherwise, I'm sure the standard BMW wheels would weigh more, so you're likely looking at an increase of around 5 pounds per wheel/tire. Using the 6x factor for unsprung weight, that would equal 30 lbs at speed and in the curves. The wide tire width would help mitigate increase.

Also, using the Goodyear Eagle F1's 20" for approximate tire diameter, the sidewall would be larger than OEM sizes, and that helps with the sidewall issue I mentioned above.

To the OP: The moral to the story is get the best stuff you can afford to avoid altering your car's steering and handling.


Hate to be a grump but I've got three vintage muscle cars. The original owners always modify them, and I spent most of my time and money bringing back to stock so the run like the OEM had in mind.

I have to say Lewis your car does look Hot!
__________________
"Political correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional liberal minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end".-- Unknown


Last edited by teagueAMX; 05-23-2010 at 06:38 PM..
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2010, 10:04 AM   #11
Lewis@MWDesign
Banned
Canada
261
Rep
1,499
Posts

Drives: 2010 BMW Z4 3.5i 6spd
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Hong Kong | Vancouver, BC Canada

iTrader: (28)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Memphis1 View Post
hi, i'm considering Alloy Technic's Mesh

Front: 20" 9.0 et27
Rear: 20" 10.5 et27
Front: 255/30/20
Rear: 285/30/20

but like others have said if your roads are bad maybe stick to 19's
Alloy Technics would be good choice since they are really light but may I revise the wheel widths since the one above will not work on the Z4.

Front: 20x8.5 or 9 (max width)
Rear: 20x10 (max width)

Tire Sizes: 245/30/20 F 285/25/20 R or 295/25/20 R (max width)
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2010, 11:22 AM   #12
Vintage
Colonel
Vintage's Avatar
United_States
378
Rep
2,588
Posts

Drives: BMW G80 (MT), 718 Spyder
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Austin, Texas

iTrader: (0)

if I bought any wheel right now, I have settled on the ADV1 10.1 in 19" for my wife's car; I like the polished look with clear coat. very light and they look amazing IMO
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2010, 12:34 PM   #13
mikeinaustin
First Lieutenant
United_States
42
Rep
362
Posts

Drives: 2010 z4 3.0 crimson red
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: austin, tx

iTrader: (0)

lewis, why no window tint?
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2010, 03:40 PM   #14
Vintage
Colonel
Vintage's Avatar
United_States
378
Rep
2,588
Posts

Drives: BMW G80 (MT), 718 Spyder
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Austin, Texas

iTrader: (0)

I just tinted the windows at 35% with the latest ceramic film because I was worried about long-term damage to the interior; I like the car better without the tint looks wise but it does make it more comfortable in the hot Texas sun
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2010, 09:15 PM   #15
Lewis@MWDesign
Banned
Canada
261
Rep
1,499
Posts

Drives: 2010 BMW Z4 3.5i 6spd
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Hong Kong | Vancouver, BC Canada

iTrader: (28)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeinaustin View Post
lewis, why no window tint?
I've driven cars with 35% tint all around before, on my e46 and e53 X5. Both were huge cop magnets. Especially when I refuse to have a front plate which is illegal here.

Ever since my old Z4MCoupe, I decided not to tint the windows and its has been quite good.

Plus with the way the car looks now with its ultra aggressive look (not shown in the posted picture), definitely leaving tint out would a good idea if I don't want to get pulled over every time I drive it out. This car is a daily driver too.

Cops in Vancouver are lame like that.
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2010, 10:15 PM   #16
T89
Lieutenant Colonel
T89's Avatar
Switzerland
39
Rep
1,531
Posts

Drives: Z4 35i & Mini Cooper S
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Geneva & Joburg

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lewis@MWDesign View Post
I've driven cars with 35% tint all around before, on my e46 and e53 X5. Both were huge cop magnets. Especially when I refuse to have a front plate which is illegal here.

Ever since my old Z4MCoupe, I decided not to tint the windows and its has been quite good.

Plus with the way the car looks now with its ultra aggressive look (not shown in the posted picture), definitely leaving tint out would a good idea if I don't want to get pulled over every time I drive it out. This car is a daily driver too.

Cops in Vancouver are lame like that.
Lewis, what happened to those studio shots of your z4?


T
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2010, 11:04 PM   #17
Lewis@MWDesign
Banned
Canada
261
Rep
1,499
Posts

Drives: 2010 BMW Z4 3.5i 6spd
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Hong Kong | Vancouver, BC Canada

iTrader: (28)

Quote:
Originally Posted by T89 View Post
Lewis, what happened to those studio shots of your z4?


T
Its here still - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...2&postcount=23

But this was a quick photoshoot to test the new materials laid on the floors of the studio.

The final exterior look is now complete and will try to have some pics posted by this weekend.
Appreciate 0
      05-24-2010, 11:31 PM   #18
T89
Lieutenant Colonel
T89's Avatar
Switzerland
39
Rep
1,531
Posts

Drives: Z4 35i & Mini Cooper S
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Geneva & Joburg

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lewis@MWDesign View Post
Its here still - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...2&postcount=23

But this was a quick photoshoot to test the new materials laid on the floors of the studio.

The final exterior look is now complete and will try to have some pics posted by this weekend.
Ah my bad, no idea how I missed it. Front end looks great! Can't wait to see the end result.


T
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2014, 07:14 PM   #19
Tom Martin
Enlisted Member
United_States
3
Rep
36
Posts

Drives: 2012 BMW 335xi and 2011 Z4 Sdr
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Entiat, WA

iTrader: (0)

Just watched a video on the Velocity channel night before last. The video was an interview with some engineers from Yokohama tires who were talking about wheel sizes. They said that anything over 18" is bad news for weight, handling and ride. They definitely said to stay with 18" if that's what your car came with.
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2014, 10:21 PM   #20
z4z4z4
Lieutenant
z4z4z4's Avatar
United_States
45
Rep
548
Posts

Drives: 2002 M3
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: mild mediterranean breezes

iTrader: (1)

I saved over 20 lbs changing from 17" oem with rft to 19" BBS CH-R with PSS .
__________________
Sold 2011 Z4, kept 2002 M3
PM for various e89 parts 4sale.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:00 PM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST