BMW E85 E86 Z4 M Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide

Vehicle Covered in this Guide 2002-2008 Z4M Roadster (E85) and Coupe (E86). Fitment is identical between all Z4M models.

Chassis Introduction The E85/86 Z4M is a favorite among many for its performance potential and unique styling. Because of the dramatic offset difference front-to-rear, the Z4M really lends itself both visually and mechanically to staggered fitments. With the right suspension and alignment modifications, rotatable square fitments can be used as well.

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.

• Front: 17x8.5" ET40 with 235/40-17 tires // Rear: 17x9.5" ET35 with 275/40-17 tires
• Available in: ARC-8 only
• 12mm rear spacers recommended for flush fitment.
• 17x10" ET25 rear wheels may also be used as a direct fit.
• Front: 18x8.5" ET35, ET38 (ARC-8), ET40 (VS-5RS) with 235/40-18 tires // Rear: 18x9.5" ET22 with 265/35-18 tires
• Direct fit.
• Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, FL-5, SM-10, VS-5RS
• Popular fitment.
• 275/35-18 tires can be used in the rear as a direct fit.

• Front: 19x8.5" ET35 with 235/35-19 tires // Rear: 19x9.5" ET22 with 265/30-19 tires
• Direct fit.
• Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, SM-10
• 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.

• Front: 17x9" ET30 with 235/45-17 tires // Rear: 17x10" ET25 with 275/40-17 tires
• Direct fit.
• 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.
• Front: 18x9" ET30 or ET31 (EC-7) with 235/40-18 tires // Rear: 18x10" ET25 with 275/35-18 tires
• Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, FL-5, SM-10, SM-10RS, VS-5RS
• Popular fitment.
• 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.
• Front: 19x9" ET28 (ARC-8) or ET30 with 245/35-19 tires // Rear: 19x10" ET25 with 275/30-19
• Front negative camber may be required.
• Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, SM-10, VS-5RS
• 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.

• Front & Rear: 17x9" ET30 with 255/40-17 tires
• Available in: ARC-8, VS-5RS
• Approximately 2 degrees or more of negative camber required.
• 3mm or 5mm front spacers required with certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
• Front & Rear: 17x9.5" ET35 with 275/40-17 tires
• Available in: ARC-8, VS-5RS
• Front negative camber required.
• Front 5mm or larger spacers required for suspension clearance.
• Rear 12mm spacers recommended for proper rear track width.
• Front & Rear: 18x9" ET30 or ET31 (EC-7) with 255/35-18 tires
• Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, FL-5, SM-10, SM-10RS, VS-5RS
• Approximately 2 degrees or more of front negative camber required.
• 3mm or 5mm front spacers required with certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
• Front & Rear: 18x9.5" ET35 with 265/35-18 tires
• Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, FL-5, 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.
• 12mm front spacers required with certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
• Rear 12mm spacer recommended for proper rear track width.

• Front & Rear: 18x9.5" ET22 with 265/35-18 tires
• Available in: ARC-8, 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.

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

• Front: 17x9" ET30 with 235/45-17 tires // Rear: 17x10" ET25 with 275/40-17 tires
• Available in: ARC-8, VS-5RS
• Popular fitment.
• Direct fit.
• 245/40-17 front tires can also be used with some additional front negative camber.
• Available in ARC-8 design only.

• Front: 18x9" ET30 or ET31 (EC-7) with 255/35-18 tires // Rear: 18x10" ET25 with 275/35-18 tires
• Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, FL-5, SM-10, VS-5RS
• Front negative camber required

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.

• Front & Rear: 17x10” ET25 with 275/40-17 tires
• 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.
• Front & Rear: 18x10” ET25 with 275/35-18 or 285/35-18
• Popular fitment
• Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, FL-5, SM-10, SM-10RS, VS-5RS
• 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.