New to the Forum and 'wheels - how to?'

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Flashgordon

Member
Hi All,

I've been lurking in the backgournd for a while, and now i have finally bought my car thought i would join and say "hello".

I am a complete car Novice, i get in, i drive, i get out. This is why i thought i would get a Zed to try and livin things up a bit, i have to say other than the fuel bill ( gone from a a3 tdi to a 2.5 Pertrol) i love.

However, my car has standard 16" alloys, which i NEED to change.

My question is, how, is it as simple as just swapping them other with some more, or do you need to have anything else changed ECU wise?

If anyone can point me to a place nice where i can sort original second hands BMW wheels with tyres, that would be awesome.

Cheers

Al
 
Ecu? Why exactly?

If it's the speedo you're worried about, basically, your 16" wheels will have thick tyres, by the time you've fitted bigger wheels, the thinner tyres will allow for this difference, essentially keeping the speedo etc correctly calibrated.

It's as simple as this, buy bigger wheels, fit bigger wheels (without dropping the car or doing anything wrong) and enjoy.

What sort of wheels are you looking for exactly? Look through some members photos on here and pick out any you like.

Wheels are often best bought through here, or somtimes ebay. BM Autosport also sell on standard second hand wheels, or brand new replica options.

Hope that helps.

Welcome to the club also.
 
To keep the speedo calibration accurate (or as accurate as it was), you will need to reduce the tyre profile as you increase the tyre diameter.

So to change from a 225/50r16 front wheel/tyre to an 18" wheel/tyre would need something like a 225/40r18 - as the bigger wheel is now taking up more of the overall diameter that it was.
 
Yes it was the speedo i was thinking about and the tyre pressure sensors. (if it has them)

I like 108's, MV2s, the Eplipsoid ones, CSL. I will keep my eye open for some coming up. I need to new rears so want to get a shift on.

I have tons of daft questions though.
 
Z4 doesn't have pressure sensors as other ar do, it detects flat tyre true the dsc system. You can fit any wheels whit any tyres and it will work straight away.

Sent from my LT18i using Tapatalk 2
 
Flashgordon said:
Yes it was the speedo i was thinking about and the tyre pressure sensors. (if it has them)

I like 108's, MV2s, the Eplipsoid ones, CSL. I will keep my eye open for some coming up. I need to new rears so want to get a shift on.

I have tons of daft questions though.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum and remember there's no such thing as a daft question, plenty of people to help you out on here :thumbsup:

Why not say Hi in the newbies section and do an intro with some pics, we love that :thumbsup:
 
Flashgordon, welcome to the forum :thumbsup:

The first three wheels you mention you like were OEM options for the Z... So if you fit them with the /right size rubber then you will be fine. CSLs, not OEM for the Z, but many on here have them so can give advice.

I may be wrong, but I also think the first three generally come in staggered 18" sets, i.e. the rears are wider than the fronts. The rears need 255x35 18" and the fronts 225x40 18" tyres as standard. The only think you may need to do is have a four wheel alignment done (£60-80 I believe) after changing the wheels otherwise you may suffer from uneven wear. Not a bad idea anyway as I think many owners fail to ever have this done... And 6-10 years of driving over the pot-holes in our roads takes a big toll on the car's suspension.

There are no stupid questions - though many have been asked before, so have a wander and use search... If you ask you will pretty much always get an answer on here 8)
 
I've put some stuff on the newbie bit. It's 100% standard. Sterling grey, I think. Black heated leather, 6 cd, hardtop. Nothing else I don't think. Wouldn't mind a few mods.

Would these fit?


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251273051791?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
 
I'm trying not to rush. Sadly need to new rears though.

I like csls. Seen some oem a few weeks back 108s. Not seen any for a bit thouhh
 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121113482418?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619

Sorry last question. What do I need to find out to see if these will fit?
 
If you're going for a BMW wheel, other than CSL reps, go genuine.

Those MV2's are reps.

MV1's are not a good look.

Personally, 108's, or MV2's, or 224's if you can find them ;)
 
Is there an issue with reps? I want bmw wheels really. Just finding them.

It's not the best photo that. It's mint though, needs a polish now. It wiggles well 8)
 
There's not an issue with reps as such, just anything other than CSL's are often a false economy.

CSL's are very expensive when new, and genuine are very expensive second hand too. Other BMW wheels do not have this same logic applied to.

So, rather than some old MV2 reps, you'd be better off with second hand genuine BMW MV2's, same goes for 108's or 107's etc.

Personally, try and buy with half decent tyres, as it'll save you a lump of cash.
 
Though this is not a particularly popular option on here.

There is a half way house, 17 inch wheels.

A secondhand set will cost you around £200 and the tyres will be cheaper
~ £420 for a set of goodyear asymmetrics ~
and you will benefit from a more compliant ride.

18 alloys will be 200 - 400 quid and the tyres will cost you more,
possibly as much as an extra £300 for a set. £200 is more likely.

The difference will be enough to fit a set of winters to your old 16s.

Personally I chose 17.
But then I am tight, old, and not very vain.
 
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