If my BMW has standard 16" factory wheels and I put brand new 18" alloys on them will I have to also change the calipers and disk brakes all round?
I was reading in a book that chav’s always make the mistake of putting a fancy body kit and huge wheels but leaving on the tiny factory brakes?
I am not sure if this applies to a BMW, its not the latest one its just a 3 series. But I want to make sure I do it right.
Thanks.
Hi
No, you do not need to change your brakes, there’s no need as the callipers, pads and discs you have are not influenced by the size of the wheel.
The only reason you may want to change them is so that they look better, a purely cosmetic reason.
The bottom of the range current 3 Series in Europe is the 316i, it comes with 16 inch wheels, however, the 18 or 19 inch wheels can be specified from new without BMW making any changes to the brakes.
Andy
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Well a small tip here buddy. Don’t do it coz u’ll need to change the whole suspension kit wid a sporty one and so is da disk brakes plus all of dat it will slower ur car coz it will b heavy than u think.
References :
Hi there,
When you increase the wheel size you also increase the gap between the caliper and the wheel. Best to try a wheel on and judge for yourself. Brake conversions can be costly so be prepared!!
ps 16 to 18 inch only creates a gap of 25mm greater than what you have now
References :
veh tech 25yrs+ exp
You shouldnt have to change the capipers. Alot of people only do that for looks, becuase with aftermarket and oversized wheels your calipers and rotors show. So alot of people go with upgraded brake systems to kind of make it look better.
Main concern is making certain those wheels will clear everything all the way around.
Myself i would just go with a nice looking aftermarket wheel but stick with 16s. I put 18s on a car of mine, it road HORRIBLE. I could feel every bump on the ground. You really lose alot of "cushion" from your tires with larger wheels. I went back to my factory wheels and tires.
References :
No, you don’t need to do anything to the brakes, unless it’s for cosmetic reasons.
References :
Hi
No, you do not need to change your brakes, there’s no need as the callipers, pads and discs you have are not influenced by the size of the wheel.
The only reason you may want to change them is so that they look better, a purely cosmetic reason.
The bottom of the range current 3 Series in Europe is the 316i, it comes with 16 inch wheels, however, the 18 or 19 inch wheels can be specified from new without BMW making any changes to the brakes.
Andy
References :
I have a 1998 218i that came with 15 inch wheels now on 18 inch ones without changing the brakes
I owned 1 2003 325ci with standard 18 inch wheels and standard brakes
I own a 2008 318i with standard brakes but specified 18 inch wheels rather than the standard 17 inch ones
Know a lot about BMWs
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