BMW E85 E86 Z4 M Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide

Do you need the perfect high-performance meaty fitment for your 2002-2008 BMW E85 E86 Z4M? Our fitment guide will provide you with all the information needed to achieve a flush look while increasing the performance of your Z4M coupe or roadster. These tried and tested wheel options include our Forged lightweight VS-5RS, EC-7RS, and SM-10RS Sprint Line wheels as well as our hardcore track-focused VS-5RE and SM-10RE Enduro wheels. Our Flow Formed wheels include classic options like our ARC-8, EC-7, and SM-10s which provide high-quality options at a fantastic price. All Z4Ms can run these wheel fitments. If you’re looking for standard Z4 wheels, be sure to check out our BMW E85 E86 Z4 Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide.

These fitments prioritize (in order): 1. Ease of fitment 2. Aesthetics 3. Performance

Ideal for the driver who wants a no-nonsense direct bolt-on fitment. These fitments are a small step up from stock wheels and tires, and offer a small but noticeable performance improvement.

Staggered Setups

Maintains stock-like handling characteristics, tires can only be rotated left to right. Maximizes both front and rear tire width.

Wheels

• Front Wheel size: 17x8.5" ET40
• Rear Wheel Size: 17x9.5" ET35
• Available in: ARC-8, ARC-8RT
• 12mm rear spacers recommended for flush fitment.
• 17x10" ET25 rear wheels may also be used as a direct fit.

Tires

• Apex Staff Pick:
• Front Tire Size: 235/40-17
• Rear Tire Size: 275/40-17

Wheels

• Front Wheel size: 18x8.5" ET35, ET38 (ARC-8), ET40
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x9.5" ET22
• Available in: ARC-8, ARC-8RT, EC-7, SM-10, VS-5RS
• Popular fitment.

Tires

• Apex Staff Pick:
• Front Tire Size: 235/40-18
• Rear Tire Size: 265/35-18
• Direct fit.
• 275/35-18 tires can be used in the rear as a direct fit.

Wheels

• Front Wheel size: 19x8.5" ET35
• Rear Wheel Size: 19x9.5" ET22
• Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, SM-10, VS-5RS
• Popular fitment.

Tires

• Apex Staff Pick:
• Front Tire Size: 235/35-19
• Rear Tire Size: 265/30-19
• Direct fit.
• 275/30-19 tires can be used in the rear as a direct fit.

These fitments prioritize (in order): 1. Aesthetics 2. Performance 3. Ease of fitment

Ideal for the driver who wants to fill out the wheel wells with the widest possible rubber and perfectly flush offsets. Sometimes these fitments are a direct bolt-on, but often times require small spacers, negative camber, or rolled fenders for the sake of dialing in the perfect blend of function and form.

Staggered Setups

Maintains stock-like handling characteristics, tires can only be rotated left to right. Maximizes both front and rear tire width.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 17x9" ET30
• Rear Wheel Size: 17x10" ET25
• Available in: ARC-8, VS-5RS
• 245/40-17 front tires may also be used with moderate negative camber.
• 3mm or 5mm front spacers are required with certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.

Tires

• Apex Staff Pick:
• Front Tire Size: 235/45-17
• Rear Tire Size: 275/40-17
• Direct fit.
• 245/40-17 front tires may also be used with moderate negative camber.
• 3mm or 5mm front spacers are required with certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x9" ET30 or ET31 (EC-7)
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x10" ET25
• Available in: ARC-8, ARC-8RT, EC-7, EC-7RS, SM-10, SM-10RS, VS-5RS
• Popular fitment.

Tires

• Apex Staff Pick:
• Front Tire Size: 235/40-18
• Rear Tire Size: 275/35-18
• Front negative camber may be required.
• 245/40-18 front tires may also be used with moderate negative camber.
• 3mm or 5mm front spacers are required with certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 19x9" ET28 (ARC-8) or ET30
• Rear Wheel Size: 19x10" ET25
• Available in: ARC-8, ARC-8RT, EC-7, SM-10, VS-5RS

Tires

• Apex Staff Pick:
• Front Tire Size: 245/35-19
• Rear Tire Size: 275/30-19
• Front negative camber may be required.
• 3mm or 5mm front spacers are required with certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.

These fitments prioritize (in order): 1. Performance 2. Ease of fitment 3. Aesthetics

These fitments are effective for both performance-oriented street cars and weekend track warriors. The suspension type, alignment settings, and tire brand/size can be changed accordingly to work for either scenario.

Square Setups

Recommended for most types of street and performance driving. Allows proper front-to-rear tire rotation to extend tire life & improve handling balance.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 17x9" ET30
• Rear Wheel Size: 17x9" ET30
• Available in: ARC-8, ARC-8RT, VS-5RS
• Approximately 2 degrees or more of negative camber required.

Tires

• Apex Staff Pick:
• Front Tire Size: 255/40-17
• Rear Tire Size: 255/40-17
• 3mm or 5mm front spacers required with certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 17x9.5" ET35
• Rear Wheel Size: 17x9.5" ET35
• Available in: ARC-8, ARC-8RT, VS-5RS
• Front negative camber required.
• Front 5mm or larger spacers required for suspension clearance.
• Rear 12mm spacers recommended for proper rear track width.

Tires

• Apex Staff Pick:
• Front Tire Size: 275/40-17
• Rear Tire Size: 275/40-17

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x9" ET30 or ET31 (EC-7)
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x9" ET30 or ET31 (EC-7)
• Available in: ARC-8, ARC-8RT, EC-7, EC-7RS, SM-10, SM-10RS, VS-5RS
• Approximately 2 degrees or more of front negative camber required.

Tires

• Apex Staff Pick:
• Front Tire Size: 255/35-18
• Rear Tire Size: 255/35-18
• 3mm or 5mm front spacers required with certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x9.5" ET35
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x9.5" ET35
• Available in: ARC-8, ARC-8RT, EC-7, EC-7RS, SM-10, VS-5RS
• At least 2.5 degrees of front negative camber required.
• 3mm or 5mm front spacers required for stock inner suspension clearance.

Tires

• Apex Staff Pick:
• Front Tire Size: 265/35-18
• Rear Tire Size: 265/35-18
• 12mm front spacers required with certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
• Rear 12mm spacer recommended for proper rear track width.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x9.5" ET22
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x9.5" ET22
• Available in: ARC-8, ARC-8RT, EC-7, EC-7RS, SM-10, SM-10RS, VS-5RS
• At least 3.0 degrees of front negative camber required
• Spacer-less alternative to the 18x9.5" ET35 square setup.

Tires

• Apex Staff Pick:
• Front Tire Size: 265/35-18
• Rear Tire Size: 265/35-18

Staggered Setups

Maintains stock-like handling characteristics, tires can only be rotated left to right. Maximizes both front and rear tire width.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 17x9" ET30
• Rear Wheel Size: 17x10" ET25
• Available in: ARC-8, VS-5RS
• Popular fitment.

Tires

• Apex Staff Pick:
• Front Tire Size: 235/45-17
• Rear Tire Size: 275/40-17
• 245/40-17 front tires can also be used with some additional front negative camber.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x9" ET30 or ET31 (EC-7)
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x10" ET25
• Available in: ARC-8, ARC-8RT, EC-7, EC-7RS, SM-10, VS-5RS
• Front negative camber required

Tires

• Apex Staff Pick:
• Front Tire Size: 255/35-18
• Rear Tire Size: 275/35-18

These fitments prioritize (in order): 1. Performance 2. Ease of fitment 3. Aesthetics

These no-compromise fitments are ideal for dedicated track / race cars. They rely on aggressive negative camber specifications and often require rolled rear fenders to prevent rubbing. Since you'll be using all available real estate under the fender arches to accommodate these wide wheels, coilovers with linear race springs are a must for inner clearance (JRZ, MCS, Ground Control, AST, Moton, etc.).

Square Setups

Recommended for most types of street and performance driving. Allows proper front-to-rear tire rotation to extend tire life & improve handling balance.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 17x10” ET25
• Rear Wheel Size: 17x10” ET25
• Available in: ARC-8, VS-5RS
• 5mm front spacers required with certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
• 275 or 285 tires will require at least -3.4 degrees of front negative camber and possibly rolled front fenders.

Tires

• Apex Staff Pick:
• Front Tire Size: 275/40-17
• Rear Tire Size: 275/40-17
• 5mm front spacers required with certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
• 275 or 285 tires will require at least -3.4 degrees of front negative camber and possibly rolled front fenders.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x10” ET25
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x10” ET25
• Available in: ARC-8, ARC-8RT, EC-7, EC-7RS, SM-10, SM-10RS, SM-10RE, VS-5RS, VS-5RE
• Popular fitment

Tires

• Apex Staff Pick:
• Front Tire Size: 275/35-18 or 285/35-18
• Rear Tire Size: 275/35-18 or 285/35-18
• 5mm front spacers are required with certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
• 275 or 285 tires will require at least -3.4 degrees of front negative camber and possibly rolled front fenders.

Aftermarket Z4M Suspensions Known To Reduce Inner Clearance (includes but not limited to):

• Bilstein PSS9 & PSS10
• KW Height-Adjustable Spring (HAS) kit
• KW Variants
• KW Clubsports
• Öhlins Road & Track

About Camber Plates Adjustable camber plates do more than just aid in wide wheel and tire fitment. They provide increased grip and reduced tire wear by spreading the load evenly during cornering. Learn more in our blog article, The Positives of Negative Camber.