WOW! New wheels are like new running shoes.

WAMz4 · 04-08-2009, 01:17 AM

Remember when you were a kid and your mom would buy you a new pair of track shoes? When you put them on you could suddenly run faster and cut and run better than ever.

I just dumped the 18 inch rims with RFT tires that came stock on my 2004 Z4 3.0 for a set of 17 inch wheels with non RFT tires and it’s an amazing difference. Just like new running shoes. It feels like a sports car now. I still feel the road but I roll over cracks instead of crash into them. I had BMW Ellipsoid wheels that come with the sport package and were staggered with wider rear wheels. I was going to replace just the tires but I don’t like large wheels with low profile tires and the Ellipsoids just don’t look sporty to me. They look like a track star wearing clown shoes.

So I asked the manager of a local wheel store if he had any BMW OEM wheels from a trade in. He let me search the back room and I found a set of 5 spoke 17 inch 8.5 wheels with a 40mm offset. Although they had BMW center roundel's they had no BMW stamped markings. They had "BMW 59326" in marker written on them, but a Google for that wheel looks a little different than mine. I don’t have the little holes between the lug holes shown online. But the guy was over loaded with used wheels and these had a few curb rashes on them so he sold them to me for 50 bucks apiece. I garaged the Ellipsoids and will change them out if I ever sell or trade in the Z4.

Here are before and after. With clown shoes, and without.

MMMazing07 · 04-08-2009, 01:48 AM

nice ditching the RFT but no offense you couldve gone with a nice looking wheel. those looks really boring and "old" . if those are just temporary then sweet deal. there are a lot of inexpensive wheel options available through this forum

Mikewarlover · 04-08-2009, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMMazing07

nice ditching the RFT but no offense you couldve gone with a nice looking wheel. those looks really boring and "old" . if those are just temporary then sweet deal. there are a lot of inexpensive wheel options available through this forum

+1

rc'Z · 04-08-2009, 05:37 AM

I like the 5 spoke a lot better than the pimpy looking "clown wheels". Good score on the price.

quickfast · 04-08-2009, 09:06 AM

the wheels are a little boring, but at the very least they look very classy, clean and oem. it is much better than some of the gaudy aftermarket junk some people have on their z's.

AtoB · 04-08-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikewarlover

+1

X2

WAMz4 · 04-08-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMMazing07

nice ditching the RFT but no offense you couldve gone with a nice looking wheel. those looks really boring and "old"

You mean "boring and old" like a Ferrari 360 Spider? I'll take it!

WAMz4 · 04-08-2009, 11:21 AM

Thanks for the comments guy's. I also think the 5 spoke wheel is a classic look so I must be getting old. I was too young for a 69 Camaro with chrome mags and I guess I'm too old for todays gaudy wheels. But I know A guy that wants the old rims for his Impala.

jgorman13 · 04-08-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAMz4

You mean "boring and old" like a Ferrari 360 Spider? I'll take it!

no i think we mean old and boring like 1990s german cars.

WAMz4 · 04-08-2009, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgorman13

no i think we mean old and boring like 1990s german cars.

Ahh the good old days. Before Gangstas pimped my wheels.

3002 tii · 04-08-2009, 08:13 PM

can't wait to ditch my runflats either. i've tried both cheap (kumho asx) and top of the line (michelin ps2) tires but i think end of day, i may settle for something in between like the general exclaim uhp's.

WAMz4 · 04-08-2009, 11:09 PM

Thats another great thing about the smaller, or at least non staggered wheels. Same decent price tires all the way around. 4 BFgoodrich tires, 130 bucks apiece. Old wheels, 200 - 300 for non RFT, each on the back wheels. The guy at the tire store says, "You realize without RFT tires you run the risk of getting stranded with a flat tire?" Umm, Thanks for the lesson Professor Goodyear.

MVF4Rrider · 04-09-2009, 01:08 AM

The wheels you removed are my favorites for the Z4. I would have just purchased non-runflats in 18".

MVF4Rrider · 04-09-2009, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAMz4

You mean "boring and old" like a Ferrari 360 Spider? I'll take it!

Those Ferrari wheels have character, unlike the ones he purchased. His new ones would make good winter wheels as they're not terrible to look at. I saw a black Z4 roadie yesterday with BBS CH wheels mounted (not very expensive). Looked fantastic!

WAMz4 · 04-09-2009, 01:34 AM

The BBS CH is a nice wheel, It evokes a classic wire spoke. I saw them on a Z3 and they were perfect for the retro roadster look but I'd put that 2 grand toward a hard top for winter driving.

rjinaz85308 · 05-17-2009, 11:06 AM

do the run flats take a special wheel? The Z is my wifes and she likes the security of the run flats, so they have to stay.

aerobod · 05-17-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjinaz85308

do the run flats take a special wheel? The Z is my wifes and she likes the security of the run flats, so they have to stay.

Yes. The wheel needs a higher ridge to retain the tyre bead when there is no air pressure. You can run a non-RFT on a BMW RFT wheel, but not the other way around.

bc1144 · 05-22-2009, 01:48 PM

i actually like the clown shoes, and almost traded my 18" oem premium sport wheels or whatever you call em off my '06 and traded for someone with '03 clown shoes. but decided not to. i think i'm gonna go for the gangster black out look and get some black rims and new tires when the time comes.

Matty C · 06-01-2009, 11:09 AM

This is a very common rim here in Germany. I see many earpy models Z4s with this rim.

WAMz4 · 06-02-2009, 12:43 AM

It is common here too, In retrospect "Clown Shoes" may have been too harsh. Since I took them off I have to admit Ive grown to like them on the Z4 and will keep them to switch out summer winter tires.

jamboMR · 06-02-2009, 05:42 AM

I dont mind either wheel really, even the 'boring' ones I think theyre okay

look like they are from the Z3 2.8?

BackRoadster · 09-01-2011, 12:26 PM

Well, I actually like both styles of wheels pictured on your Z4. However, I lean a bit towards the 5 spoke! Oh well, call me "old fashion!"

I have style 104s on my 04, I like the looks , but what a PIA to clean! I also like the Style 102 which are 5 spokes but it seems to me that the 5 spokes like yours would be the easiest to clean!

Wait.....maybe I'm not old fashion, maybe I'm just lazy!

04-08-2009, 01:17 AM	#1
WAMz4 First Lieutenant 45 Rep 384 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 3.0si Roady Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Denver CO iTrader: (0)	WOW! New wheels are like new running shoes. Remember when you were a kid and your mom would buy you a new pair of track shoes? When you put them on you could suddenly run faster and cut and run better than ever. I just dumped the 18 inch rims with RFT tires that came stock on my 2004 Z4 3.0 for a set of 17 inch wheels with non RFT tires and it’s an amazing difference. Just like new running shoes. It feels like a sports car now. I still feel the road but I roll over cracks instead of crash into them. I had BMW Ellipsoid wheels that come with the sport package and were staggered with wider rear wheels. I was going to replace just the tires but I don’t like large wheels with low profile tires and the Ellipsoids just don’t look sporty to me. They look like a track star wearing clown shoes. So I asked the manager of a local wheel store if he had any BMW OEM wheels from a trade in. He let me search the back room and I found a set of 5 spoke 17 inch 8.5 wheels with a 40mm offset. Although they had BMW center roundel's they had no BMW stamped markings. They had "BMW 59326" in marker written on them, but a Google for that wheel looks a little different than mine. I don’t have the little holes between the lug holes shown online. But the guy was over loaded with used wheels and these had a few curb rashes on them so he sold them to me for 50 bucks apiece. I garaged the Ellipsoids and will change them out if I ever sell or trade in the Z4. Here are before and after. With clown shoes, and without. Attached Images __________________ The Internet said it. I believe it. That settles it! Last edited by WAMz4; 04-08-2009 at 01:34 AM.. Reason: Update
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04-08-2009, 01:48 AM	#2
MMMazing07 More than you can afford pal....ferrari 181 Rep 1,471 Posts Drives: Z4M Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	nice ditching the RFT but no offense you couldve gone with a nice looking wheel. those looks really boring and "old" . if those are just temporary then sweet deal. there are a lot of inexpensive wheel options available through this forum
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04-08-2009, 05:37 AM	#4
rc'Z Captain 13 Rep 821 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Convertible Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I like the 5 spoke a lot better than the pimpy looking "clown wheels". Good score on the price.
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04-08-2009, 09:06 AM	#5
quickfast Private First Class 7 Rep 160 Posts Drives: quickfast Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Brooklyn iTrader: (0)	the wheels are a little boring, but at the very least they look very classy, clean and oem. it is much better than some of the gaudy aftermarket junk some people have on their z's.
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04-08-2009, 11:21 AM	#8
WAMz4 First Lieutenant 45 Rep 384 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 3.0si Roady Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Denver CO iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the comments guy's. I also think the 5 spoke wheel is a classic look so I must be getting old. I was too young for a 69 Camaro with chrome mags and I guess I'm too old for todays gaudy wheels. But I know A guy that wants the old rims for his Impala. __________________ The Internet said it. I believe it. That settles it!
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04-08-2009, 08:13 PM	#11
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2289 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	can't wait to ditch my runflats either. i've tried both cheap (kumho asx) and top of the line (michelin ps2) tires but i think end of day, i may settle for something in between like the general exclaim uhp's. __________________ Follow for latest mods
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04-08-2009, 11:09 PM	#12
WAMz4 First Lieutenant 45 Rep 384 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 3.0si Roady Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Denver CO iTrader: (0)	Thats another great thing about the smaller, or at least non staggered wheels. Same decent price tires all the way around. 4 BFgoodrich tires, 130 bucks apiece. Old wheels, 200 - 300 for non RFT, each on the back wheels. The guy at the tire store says, "You realize without RFT tires you run the risk of getting stranded with a flat tire?" Umm, Thanks for the lesson Professor Goodyear. __________________ The Internet said it. I believe it. That settles it!
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04-09-2009, 01:08 AM	#13
MVF4Rrider PCA, BMWCCA 102 Rep 2,058 Posts Drives: 997S, MV Agusta F4, E46 M3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV iTrader: (0)	The wheels you removed are my favorites for the Z4. I would have just purchased non-runflats in 18". __________________ '08 Carrera S 6MT Guards Red/Black ext leather, Carbon fiber pkg, sport exh, sport chrono +, PASM, Nav, Bose, 19" forged turbos, red tranny tunnel '07 MV Agusta F4 1000 R 1+1, Corse Red/Silver, RG3 race pipes and factory race ECU
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04-09-2009, 01:34 AM	#15
WAMz4 First Lieutenant 45 Rep 384 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 3.0si Roady Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Denver CO iTrader: (0)	The BBS CH is a nice wheel, It evokes a classic wire spoke. I saw them on a Z3 and they were perfect for the retro roadster look but I'd put that 2 grand toward a hard top for winter driving. __________________ The Internet said it. I believe it. That settles it!
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05-17-2009, 11:06 AM	#16
rjinaz85308 Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jan 2007 iTrader: (0)	do the run flats take a special wheel? The Z is my wifes and she likes the security of the run flats, so they have to stay.
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05-22-2009, 01:48 PM	#18
bc1144 New Member 0 Rep 18 Posts Drives: '06 Z4 3.0si Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0)	i actually like the clown shoes, and almost traded my 18" oem premium sport wheels or whatever you call em off my '06 and traded for someone with '03 clown shoes. but decided not to. i think i'm gonna go for the gangster black out look and get some black rims and new tires when the time comes.
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06-01-2009, 11:09 AM	#19
Matty C First Lieutenant 20 Rep 324 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 M Roadster, 2006 M3 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bodensee iTrader: (0)	This is a very common rim here in Germany. I see many earpy models Z4s with this rim.
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06-02-2009, 12:43 AM	#20
WAMz4 First Lieutenant 45 Rep 384 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 3.0si Roady Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Denver CO iTrader: (0)	It is common here too, In retrospect "Clown Shoes" may have been too harsh. Since I took them off I have to admit Ive grown to like them on the Z4 and will keep them to switch out summer winter tires. __________________ The Internet said it. I believe it. That settles it!
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06-02-2009, 05:42 AM	#21
jamboMR Private First Class 9 Rep 192 Posts Drives: Z4MR sold sniff sniff Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Francisco / UK / Australia iTrader: (0)	I dont mind either wheel really, even the 'boring' ones I think theyre okay look like they are from the Z3 2.8?
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09-01-2011, 12:26 PM	#22
BackRoadster New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2004 BMW Z4 2.5i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (0)	Well, I actually like both styles of wheels pictured on your Z4. However, I lean a bit towards the 5 spoke! Oh well, call me "old fashion!" I have style 104s on my 04, I like the looks , but what a PIA to clean! I also like the Style 102 which are 5 spokes but it seems to me that the 5 spokes like yours would be the easiest to clean! Wait.....maybe I'm not old fashion, maybe I'm just lazy!
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