Any advantage to 18's over 17's

vachss · 01-23-2008, 04:11 PM

Other than pure consmetics is there really any significant handling advantage to 18" vs. 17" rims on Z4s? I'm looking for a 2nd set of rims for summer tires (perhaps prematurely given the current weather) and while I'm inclined to go with another set of 17's for lower cost and likelihood of damage, would consider 18's if there's some non-bling benefit.

VoiD · 01-23-2008, 11:08 PM

shorter sidewall usually means stiffer sidewall which usually means better turn-in response.
also you can fit bigger brakes under 18" wheels.
but cosmetically it looks much better.. :P

scottmcke · 01-25-2008, 12:33 PM

Way better handling, however a much stiffer ride. I got the wheel insurance for mine. If the wheels get damaged BMW will repair or replace. Also, if I get a puncture on the tires, they will replace them. The 18" wheels are easier to damage when running over potholes and other road hazzards. With all that being said, I would not trade my 18" for anything. Oh yeah, they look WAY better too!

vachss · 01-25-2008, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottmcke

Way better handling, however a much stiffer ride. I got the wheel insurance for mine. If the wheels get damaged BMW will repair or replace. Also, if I get a puncture on the tires, they will replace them. The 18" wheels are easier to damage when running over potholes and other road hazzards. With all that being said, I would not trade my 18" for anything. Oh yeah, they look WAY better too!

I'm a little bit surprised by this. I've autocrossed other cars on tires ranging in aspect ratio from 70 to 50 and found that the big change in handling comes from 70 to 60 with a bit of an improvement from 60 to 50. If the jump from 45's to 40/front 35/rear is really significant I'll hold out for 18's, but I would have though that once you get to such low aspect ratios you'd reach the point of diminishing returns.

F87LUV · 02-01-2008, 08:45 AM

how about from 18 to 19s?

rc'Z · 02-01-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZGirl4U

how about from 18 to 19s?

The shorter side walls might give you quicker turn in, but how much do you need for the street. Might jar your teeth out on bumps. Might appeal to you in the looks department. Might change the shape of the tire contact patch which could change the handling one way or the other. But an 11" wide tire is an 11" wide tire regardless of the tire's diameter.

scottmcke · 02-03-2008, 11:42 AM

Does anybody have a tire/wheel warranty? I paid $500 for 5 years of protection. Turned in my first cliam the other day for $457 to replace one tire. They said I had two impact bubbles that prevented me from keeping tire pressure. Yes, I do have the 18" wheels. The price you pay for performance and style...

ZElephant · 02-03-2008, 12:21 PM

i have bmw tyre insurance and i had 6 tyres replaced in 1 week just before xmas no problems at all

recommend anyone getting a new car from bmw to take up the offer! well worth the money

F87LUV · 02-04-2008, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Invisible_kid69

i have bmw tyre insurance and i had 6 tyres replaced in 1 week just before xmas no problems at all

recommend anyone getting a new car from bmw to take up the offer! well worth the money

my dad and i both got the tire ins from bmw... its a pain in the fn ass... you have to come out of pocket then submit forms and receipts AND THEN you will eventually get reimbursed... its a fn hassle...

Hawkeye · 02-04-2008, 10:20 AM

No tire insurance for me. As soon as my runflats are dundy, I am getting some winter wraps for my stock rims and some BBS with real tires on 'em!

ZElephant · 02-04-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZGirl4U

my dad and i both got the tire ins from bmw... its a pain in the fn ass... you have to come out of pocket then submit forms and receipts AND THEN you will eventually get reimbursed... its a fn hassle...

i had none of that hassle

i had nails in 2 front tyres they caqme and collected the car (no cost to me) replaced the tyres (cost me £15 excess... which is better than £450 i would have paid if i had to cough up) a week later i had 2 new tyres fitted to the rear to even things up and a day after that some1 slashed all 4 tyres and scratched my car... called bmw the picked car up and sorted tyres out thro their insurance.

sounds like you have a bad dealer... they should do the work for you

scottmcke · 02-04-2008, 12:28 PM

I agree, your dealer should take care of those things for you. I dropped my car off and I signed a billed for $0.00.

F87LUV · 02-04-2008, 12:48 PM

WTF?! Seriously?

ZElephant · 02-05-2008, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZGirl4U

WTF?! Seriously?

lol yes >.<

Dammmittt · 02-05-2008, 08:10 AM

Bigger wheels means you have more room for bigger brakes.

01-23-2008, 04:11 PM	#1
vachss Captain 55 Rep 815 Posts Drives: Z4 Coupe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ventura County, CA iTrader: (1)	Any advantage to 18's over 17's Other than pure consmetics is there really any significant handling advantage to 18" vs. 17" rims on Z4s? I'm looking for a 2nd set of rims for summer tires (perhaps prematurely given the current weather) and while I'm inclined to go with another set of 17's for lower cost and likelihood of damage, would consider 18's if there's some non-bling benefit.
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01-23-2008, 11:08 PM	#2
VoiD Private First Class 14 Rep 199 Posts Drives: Z4MC >>> C63 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Z4 M Coupe [0.00]	shorter sidewall usually means stiffer sidewall which usually means better turn-in response. also you can fit bigger brakes under 18" wheels. but cosmetically it looks much better.. :P
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01-25-2008, 12:33 PM	#3
scottmcke Enlisted Member 1 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2004 BMW Z4 3.0i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2004 Z4 3.0i [7.00]	Way better handling, however a much stiffer ride. I got the wheel insurance for mine. If the wheels get damaged BMW will repair or replace. Also, if I get a puncture on the tires, they will replace them. The 18" wheels are easier to damage when running over potholes and other road hazzards. With all that being said, I would not trade my 18" for anything. Oh yeah, they look WAY better too!
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02-01-2008, 08:45 AM	#5
F87LUV Lieutenant General 3689 Rep 15,081 Posts Drives: '16 M2, '23 GT4 Join Date: May 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (4) Garage List 2023 Porsche GT4 [5.00] 2016 BMW M2 [8.66]	how about from 18 to 19s? __________________ IG: Trackinheels
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02-03-2008, 11:42 AM	#7
scottmcke Enlisted Member 1 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2004 BMW Z4 3.0i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2004 Z4 3.0i [7.00]	Does anybody have a tire/wheel warranty? I paid $500 for 5 years of protection. Turned in my first cliam the other day for $457 to replace one tire. They said I had two impact bubbles that prevented me from keeping tire pressure. Yes, I do have the 18" wheels. The price you pay for performance and style...
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02-03-2008, 12:21 PM	#8
ZElephant Private First Class 10 Rep 199 Posts Drives: ///M Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	i have bmw tyre insurance and i had 6 tyres replaced in 1 week just before xmas no problems at all recommend anyone getting a new car from bmw to take up the offer! well worth the money
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02-04-2008, 10:20 AM	#10
Hawkeye Brigadier General 2070 Rep 4,365 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 Coupe, '21 X3, '16 GMC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 GMC Sierra SLT [10.00] 2008 Yamaha R6 [9.00]	No tire insurance for me. As soon as my runflats are dundy, I am getting some winter wraps for my stock rims and some BBS with real tires on 'em! __________________ 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP 2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Premium Plus 4x4 2017 Harley StreetGlide • Denim Black • V&H Tune 2021 BMW x30i • Phytonic Blue Metallic • Fully loaded
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02-04-2008, 12:28 PM	#12
scottmcke Enlisted Member 1 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2004 BMW Z4 3.0i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2004 Z4 3.0i [7.00]	I agree, your dealer should take care of those things for you. I dropped my car off and I signed a billed for $0.00.
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02-04-2008, 12:48 PM	#13
F87LUV Lieutenant General 3689 Rep 15,081 Posts Drives: '16 M2, '23 GT4 Join Date: May 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (4) Garage List 2023 Porsche GT4 [5.00] 2016 BMW M2 [8.66]	WTF?! Seriously? __________________ IG: Trackinheels
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02-05-2008, 08:10 AM	#15
Dammmittt My favorite sign. 167 Rep 4,333 Posts Drives: 2007 M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Der Autobahnen iTrader: (0)	Bigger wheels means you have more room for bigger brakes. __________________ 07 ///M Coupe (Premium Package) Black Saphire Ext. Imola Red Int. Best Website EVER!
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