Z4MR Square Setup - APEX ARC8 18x9.5 et35 & 275/35/18 Michelin PSS

[joenationwide]

Here are my specs:

Wheels: 18x9.5 et 35 APEX ARC8
Tires: 275/35/18 Michelin PSS
Suspension: Bilstein PSS10 with 525# Eibach front springs
Ride Height: about 3/4" lower than OEM
Camber: -2.8deg front, -1.8deg rear


I wanted a square setup on my Z4M roadster, and I wanted to know how wide I could go in the front.
I didn't see anyone running 275s in the front, it looked like 265s were the widest anyone had gone.

After doing some research and looking at tire specs, I figured I'd be able to fit 275/35/18 Michelin PSS all around on 18x9.5" APEX ARC8s.

Here they are after being mounted and balanced. All of them balanced out with very few weights.






Here you can see the difference in the new vs old fronts.
Despite being much wider, the new wheels are noticeably lighter than the OEM fronts, and much lighter than the OEM rears.








Here is the clearance in the front.
There's about 3-4mm clearance between the tire and the strut body.
About 5-6mm clearance between the wheel and strut body.
Plenty of clearance to the spring perch.
I am not running spacers.





Here are a few shots showing the front fitment. No worries at all.








Here she as at the current ride height. I believe this is about 3/4" lower than stock. The PSS tires measure 25.6in tall, OEM is 26in tall.





A few more shots







Hope this helps others to know just how wide you can go, especially if you don't like the staggered wheel and tire route and want to go for maximum grip.

Next I think I might get some 12mm spacers for the rear since they are more inset than the fronts. No worries since I already have wheel stud conversion.

[Shutterspeed]

Chooot that front clearance is tight. Would have me nervous all the time. Guess you went with a 35 offset so you could cram the 275 in the front.

[F360C]

Your going to love this on the track/autox.... yeah the fitment can be a bit tight in the front but the increase in grip is totally worth it! I went square 275 a couple years ago and I am never going back.

[jns_e85]

Nice! I run 255/40/17 on 17X8.5 on kosei K1 for autocross, but this is tempting to say the least. For the camber, are you running plates or a camber bolt kit?

[joenationwide]

Originally Posted by Shutterspeed

Chooot that front clearance is tight. Would have me nervous all the time. Guess you went with a 35 offset so you could cram the 275 in the front.

Its not that bad. The pics I took were not properly "gun sighting" the fender, so it looks more poked out than it is. No rubbing under compression.

Originally Posted by F360C

Your going to love this on the track/autox.... yeah the fitment can be a bit tight in the front but the increase in grip is totally worth it! I went square 275 a couple years ago and I am never going back.

Thanks, yeah I can't wait. Just need some track pads and its going to be so much fun!

Originally Posted by jns_e85

Nice! I run 255/40/17 on 17X8.5 on kosei K1 for autocross, but this is tempting to say the least. For the camber, are you running plates or a camber bolt kit?

I have the Vorshlag camber plates. I figured I'd need them in the long run, and its nice I can adjust from street and track.
I think the camber washers will bring the wheel closer to the strut, which means you'll likely need a 5mm spacer, and as you can see there's not much more room to poke out of the fender.

[ZeD4Mr]

This is a detailed awesome post and exactly what I've been looking for with the square setup that I wish to run. I have 245/40 MPSS up front with 18x9.5 camber maxed out with OE suspension. Looking to install camber plates with coilover and square out the tires.

PSS10, GC, KW V3/CS are the usual suspects other than the top end Moton and Jrz etc. Any comments on the Fortune 510? They look promising for suspension noob like me. Comes with plates, custom rates, rebound, swift option, digressive valving and 5 year warranty. Thoughts?

[joenationwide]

Originally Posted by ZeD4Mr

This is a detailed awesome post and exactly what I've been looking for with the square setup that I wish to run. I have 245/40 MPSS up front with 18x9.5 camber maxed out with OE suspension. Looking to install camber plates with coilover and square out the tires.

PSS10, GC, KW V3/CS are the usual suspects other than the top end Moton and Jrz etc. Any comments on the Fortune 510? They look promising for suspension noob like me. Comes with plates, custom rates, rebound, swift option, digressive valving and 5 year warranty. Thoughts?

Thanks for the kind words!

I am a big fan of the PSS10s. I've had Bilstein PSSX suspensions on my E36M3s, E46M3, and now the Z4M. They last forever, and I believe they are the best value for the money.

I made a thread of all my mods on my Z4M roadster. The link below is my installation and review of the Bilstein PSS10 kit (and Vorshlag camber plates) for the Z4M.

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showpost...54&postcount=7


*EDIT* - I'm a little hesitant on the Fortune Auto coilovers. My friend had a set built for his E39 wagon and they were just awful. The valving was very bad, one of the most uncomfortable riding cars I've been in. Now, I believe it was the first kit they made for that car so it wasn't as good as some of their more popular setups, but it really didn't give me a good feeling. Bilsteins are well established, have very high quality and longevity, and I can confirm the kit for the Z4M is very good. Take a look at my review and let me know if you have any questions.

[AriuSen]

I?m running 275 on 18x10 Et25
But my camber is -3.7 front and -3.0 rear.

[Michael9218]

Looks like your photobucket account links aren't working....you need to pay the $400 ransom...

[Shutterspeed]

Originally Posted by Michael9218

Looks like your photobucket account links aren't working....you need to pay the $400 ransom...

That's how half this site looks right now

[scrammer]

Originally Posted by AriuSen

I?m running 275 on 18x10 Et25
But my camber is -3.7 front and -3.0 rear.

Please see my BBS-CH 18/8.5 et 35 w/ 235/40-18 P-Zero tires on the front ... flush!

... this dude's off-set is minus 13 mm for the wheel and add-on a 40mm wider tire which equals 20mm per side ... sorry it wont fit without huge camber settings!!!

[Beedub]

can you host these pics elsewhere so they can be visible id love to see this post

[Azeka1]

Just refreshed my setup with new specs. Hope this helps!

Wheels: APEX Arc 8 18x9.5 et35
Tires: Toyo Proxes R888R 265/35/18 (these run big - more like a 275)
Suspension: Tckline Coilovers
Spacers: Front None | Rear 12mm
Camber: F: -2.8 (Camber Plates) | R: -2.0
Toe: F: 0 | R: 1/8 Total
Caster: Maxed Out

[Over it]

Originally Posted by Azeka1

Just refreshed my setup with new specs. Hope this helps!

Wheels: APEX Arc 8 18x9.5 et35
Tires: Toyo Proxes R888R 265/35/18 (these run big - more like a 275)
Suspension: Tckline Coilovers
Spacers: Front None | Rear 12mm
Camber: F: -2.8 (Camber Plates) | R: -2.0
Toe: F: 0 | R: 1/8 Total
Caster: Maxed Out

What is your ride height vs stock or what is the measurement to the top of your wheel arches and what is stock?

Did you corner balance?

Looks like the front is past the fender, is it?

Is it known if this set-up can be run on stock suspension and camber bolts

I know I have to watch my tire sizes(brands)

Thanks so much, Carl

[Shawkinguk]

Running 18x9.5 square
Apex arc 8
Direzza star spec 275/35/18 square
Incredible front end grip
Car is glued

[jbass524]

APEX ARC8s 18x10 ET25 around with 275/35 Nitto NT01s. Running - 3.5 camber in front and - 2.2 in the rear. KW Clubsports w/helper springs removed.

Fenders were flattened but not pulled and some parts of the liners were cut away.

No rubbing.

Check the rear wheel. Looks like it wants more neg. camber