18" wheel width question

tonywham · 02-25-2017, 06:38 PM

may be dumm questions cos I am a newbie...but thanks in advance for answers and suggestions

my 16 M3 with ZCP wheels really gives me hard time on poor road surface in the south...I want to downsize them to 18". I checked couple of tire shop websites, and all of them gave me the choice as 18*8 ET35 front with 255/40, and 18*9 rear ET35 with 275/40. The limitted choices might because I chose the bolt pattern as the original one 5*120. SO I was wondering if the bolt pattern is import, or I can choose anything that's 5*?

I am also not sure if the suggested 18" wheels will cause any alignment problems, as I think the 18" wheels on the M3 are 18*9 ET 29 front, and 18*10 ET 40 rear. I would like to go with the standard 18" ones, but they are really hard to find in the non OEM wheels. any suggestions?

swifty · 02-26-2017, 12:37 AM

Apex wheels in 18s are available for the F80 in various offsets. They are very good quality as well considering the price.

Apex rep is here on the forum so u can pm directly.

If you are willing to pay extra, get custom made 18s as well.

Don't settle for local shops only when it comes to wheels.

I'm running apex ec7 18 inch wheel on my winter set and yes it's much more comfortable. For summer weather down south, go with 265/40 & 285/40 18s in PSS if available in those sizes.

mercedesc63 · 02-26-2017, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonywham

may be dumm questions cos I am a newbie...but thanks in advance for answers and suggestions

my 16 M3 with ZCP wheels really gives me hard time on poor road surface in the south...I want to downsize them to 18". I checked couple of tire shop websites, and all of them gave me the choice as 18*8 ET35 front with 255/40, and 18*9 rear ET35 with 275/40. The limitted choices might because I chose the bolt pattern as the original one 5*120. SO I was wondering if the bolt pattern is import, or I can choose anything that's 5*?

I am also not sure if the suggested 18" wheels will cause any alignment problems, as I think the 18" wheels on the M3 are 18*9 ET 29 front, and 18*10 ET 40 rear. I would like to go with the standard 18" ones, but they are really hard to find in the non OEM wheels. any suggestions?

Lol forget putting 8 inch wheels on the front and 9 on the back buddy that would look just weird...

If I had the option of going 18 I would most definitely go with 265/40 front and 305/35 rear. On a 9 in front and a 11 in rear. Apex EC7s are a cheap option and look good.

tonywham · 02-27-2017, 01:05 AM

Thanks for suggestions. I am now thinking about 265/40/18 on 18*9 et 35 front, and 285/40/18 on 18*11 et 35 rear. Just one more question, will the dealership willing to do the alignment? as the wheels are non standards. Can they use the specifications for the base M3 (18") to do the alignment?

CanAutM3 · 02-27-2017, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonywham

Thanks for suggestions. I am now thinking about 265/40/18 on 18*9 et 35 front, and 285/40/18 on 18*11 et 35 rear. Just one more question, will the dealership willing to do the alignment? as the wheels are non standards. Can they use the specifications for the base M3 (18") to do the alignment?

Changing wheels does not require an alignment.

The dealer can still do the alignment even with aftermarket wheels. Wheels do not change the alignments specs.

rx7gslse · 02-28-2017, 03:01 PM

I'm planning to do the same thing.. downsize the 20s to 18s... I'll keep teh 666s for when I'm feeling showy, but the 18s will be the DD and track day wheels. Should remove a ton of weight and be less harsh as well.. plus I love the meaty tire look!

Struggle I'm having is widths in the right height tires. Conti DWs are on super clearance now (265/285-40, same width as stock on our ZCPs) or their replacements, the Conti Extremecontact Sport) are reasaonable cost too. Everything else I see requires to step down in height (comfort) to a 35series tire...

Ideally I'd like to do a 275/295 (0r 305, but those don't exist outside R-comps)

Eitherway, I'd suggest at least a 9.5" front, and a 10.5" rear. Anything less than that is a downgrade from stock.

Apex is what I ran on my last car, probably what I'll run agaain.. here's the range that they offer for our cars.
https://www.apexraceparts.com/shop-b...f8x-m3-m4.html

02-25-2017, 06:38 PM	#1
tonywham Private First Class 27 Rep 151 Posts Drives: 16 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Memphis iTrader: (0)	18" wheel width question may be dumm questions cos I am a newbie...but thanks in advance for answers and suggestions my 16 M3 with ZCP wheels really gives me hard time on poor road surface in the south...I want to downsize them to 18". I checked couple of tire shop websites, and all of them gave me the choice as 188 ET35 front with 255/40, and 189 rear ET35 with 275/40. The limitted choices might because I chose the bolt pattern as the original one 5120. SO I was wondering if the bolt pattern is import, or I can choose anything that's 5? I am also not sure if the suggested 18" wheels will cause any alignment problems, as I think the 18" wheels on the M3 are 189 ET 29 front, and 1810 ET 40 rear. I would like to go with the standard 18" ones, but they are really hard to find in the non OEM wheels. any suggestions?
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02-26-2017, 12:37 AM	#2
swifty Colonel 314 Rep 2,448 Posts Drives: F80, Levante & Tesla 100D Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: canada iTrader: (7)	Apex wheels in 18s are available for the F80 in various offsets. They are very good quality as well considering the price. Apex rep is here on the forum so u can pm directly. If you are willing to pay extra, get custom made 18s as well. Don't settle for local shops only when it comes to wheels. I'm running apex ec7 18 inch wheel on my winter set and yes it's much more comfortable. For summer weather down south, go with 265/40 & 285/40 18s in PSS if available in those sizes.
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02-27-2017, 01:05 AM	#4
tonywham Private First Class 27 Rep 151 Posts Drives: 16 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Memphis iTrader: (0)	Thanks for suggestions. I am now thinking about 265/40/18 on 189 et 35 front, and 285/40/18 on 1811 et 35 rear. Just one more question, will the dealership willing to do the alignment? as the wheels are non standards. Can they use the specifications for the base M3 (18") to do the alignment?
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02-28-2017, 03:01 PM	#6
rx7gslse Recovering Mazda Addict 19 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 17 SO ZCP F80 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: DFW, TX iTrader: (0)	I'm planning to do the same thing.. downsize the 20s to 18s... I'll keep teh 666s for when I'm feeling showy, but the 18s will be the DD and track day wheels. Should remove a ton of weight and be less harsh as well.. plus I love the meaty tire look! Struggle I'm having is widths in the right height tires. Conti DWs are on super clearance now (265/285-40, same width as stock on our ZCPs) or their replacements, the Conti Extremecontact Sport) are reasaonable cost too. Everything else I see requires to step down in height (comfort) to a 35series tire... Ideally I'd like to do a 275/295 (0r 305, but those don't exist outside R-comps) Eitherway, I'd suggest at least a 9.5" front, and a 10.5" rear. Anything less than that is a downgrade from stock. Apex is what I ran on my last car, probably what I'll run agaain.. here's the range that they offer for our cars. https://www.apexraceparts.com/shop-b...f8x-m3-m4.html __________________ How can I be so thirsty this morning when I drank so much last night?
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