Z4 Roadster on E92 Sport 197s

[rlc]

I installed these Style 197s on my 2004 Z4 2.5i, replacing the stock Style 104 16 inchers. I'm very happy with the results.

The 197s are the E92 Sport Package 18" wheel. The offset is 34 Front and 37 Rear. I bought this set from a private party and they came with the stock Bridgestone RFTs (225/40/18 Front and 255/35/18 Rear). I think this setup pushes the outside of the tires just far enough while still providing clearance and no rubbing. For those who care I noticed the 197s are made by BBS (stamped on the inside) which explains why they resemble several models of the BBS rims.

[EdmM3]

Nice upgrade - it looks like a completely different car!

[Feyd]

i have been thinking about this same thing!

ever since i saw the 328's i've been wondering what this would look like.

looks awesome!

[rlc]

Thanks,

More Pics here http://www.zpost.com/forums/showpost...4&postcount=10

[GP20]

Looks very nice and definitely a huge improvment. By the way, all BMW stock wheels are made by BBS. The front offset (-34) is pretty aggressive. That set-up is guaranteed to rub the inner fenders for a regular Z4 with stock sport suspension (it's been proven again and again). You got away with it since you have the non-sport suspension.

[rlc]

Originally Posted by GP20

Looks very nice and definitely a huge improvment. By the way, all BMW stock wheels are made by BBS. The front offset (-34) is pretty aggressive. That set-up is guaranteed to rub the inner fenders for a regular Z4 with stock sport suspension (it's been proven again and again). You got away with it since you have the non-sport suspension.

Thanks for that info. I posted a question on the stock vs. sport suspension awhile back and never got an answer. My stock E90 Sport is lowered, but I was under the impression there was no difference on the Z4 Sport other than different wheels, tires that had 47/50 offsets which provided the clearance. Believe me, I've been checking clearances closely since I put these on and haven't found any problem so far. The car drives a little better now, especially in turns and seems smoother even though I still have the stock runflats. Maybe a couple of years of technology have improved the runflats since the 2004s I replaced. My main worry now is if I will have bearing or tire wear problems later. Any suggestions on that matter?

BTW, the 104s I pulled off don't appear to be BBS - made in Mexico by Ronal (I think thats right).

[inTgr8r]

Nice...
Those look a lot better on the Z4 than the E90

[Rick Hunter]

Good choice - looks the business.

[mPlasticDesign]

I love it! car looks great. I think I want the the CSL or ZCP on my car. Has anyone on here done that on an Mcoupe? I am worried the 19" will be too harsh. Maybe 18" reps would be a better choice?

[TROYJEUP]

nice setup...

As far as these being "way close to rubbing", I think you are fine. I have 18x9 40mm wheels with 255/35r18 tires up front on my Z4 and my E46 without any issues. Both on sport suspension. It is all about offset.

[rlc]

Originally Posted by jeuprx-8

nice setup...

As far as these being "way close to rubbing", I think you are fine. I have 18x9 40mm wheels with 255/35r18 tires up front on my Z4 and my E46 without any issues. Both on sport suspension. It is all about offset.

The offsets on the 197s (34/37) ended up pushing both the front and rears out 1" with virtually no change in overall diameter of the tires. I haven't found any sign of rubbing at all. The change did add a little weight - Front Wheel w/Tire weighs 6.4 lbs. more - Rear Wheel w/Tire weighs 7.7 lbs. more for total added weight of 28.2 lbs.

Thanks for the nice comments.

[jefflazo]

So still no rubbing? I am looking at a different set of eXX wheels with the same offset and just wanted to check with you.

Thanks!

[rlc]

Originally Posted by prodpi

So still no rubbing? I am looking at a different set of eXX wheels with the same offset and just wanted to check with you.

Thanks!

No rubbing. I have driven the car as hard as I would ever expect to and can find no evidence of rubbing on the tires or in the wheel well. The closest clearance I can find is on the front tires when the steering wheel is turned to the stop there is only a finger's depth ~1/2" of clearance between the edge of the tire and the wheel well at the front or rear of the enclosure (see pics) .

Of course, I guess it might be possible to rub inside the enclosure if the wheel is turned to the stops and you go over a speed bump with some speed and compress the shocks quite a bit, but that maneuver is not in my plans. I can't really see any way in normal driving that any of the tires is going to rub.

Just in case you missed it in previous posts I don't have the Sport Package suspension setup. Some others have posted that if I did have Sport Package there might be a problem with E9x offset wheels.

[jefflazo]

Great! Thank you for the picture as well. I don't have the sport suspension, so I with your help I am confident that all should be fine!

Thanks!

[rlc]

Originally Posted by prodpi

Great! Thank you for the picture as well. I don't have the sport suspension, so I with your help I am confident that all should be fine!

Thanks!

Man, now I've done it. Please double check and make sure the stuff you are buying matches the specs of what I put on my car. I'd hate for you to spend $$ on something that won't work. The guy I bought my wheels/tires from would have taken them back if I couldn't make it work - which is hard to find.

Good luck - can't wait to see the pics.

[3002 tii]

looks great, i've been looking for a mint set of these (with tpms) on ebay for past few months. but dont want to spend more than 1200 for them.