[Kev.k]

I’m seriously considering buying a i8.

I never thought I would be in this position, as I was not keen at all when it was launched. I thought there were many other cars I would buy if I had £100k, but used they seem very good value.

My initial ignorance to the i8 meant that I didn’t bother reading or watching reviews. I’m shocked at what a good car they actually are and how good the engine (for what it is) sounds.

I’ve watched various road test and the biggest negative issue seems to be the width of the front tyres.

Does adding wider wheels negatively effect anything or invalidate warranty?

I know BMW’s warranty policy is a lot stricter than it once was.

Thanks

[Kev.k]

Apologies. Found the search function.

https://bmwi.bimmerpost.com/forums/s...1124398&page=2

[Maxxsirrah]

Originally Posted by Kev.k

I’m seriously considering buying a i8.

I never thought I would be in this position, as I was not keen at all when it was launched. I thought there were many other cars I would buy if I had £100k, but used they seem very good value.

My initial ignorance to the i8 meant that I didn’t bother reading or watching reviews. I’m shocked at what a good car they actually are and how good the engine (for what it is) sounds.

I’ve watched various road test and the biggest negative issue seems to be the width of the front tyres.

Does adding wider wheels negatively effect anything or invalidate warranty?

I know BMW’s warranty policy is a lot stricter than it once was.

Thanks

In reality driving on UK roads, I never have had an issue with lack of front end grip. Have traction issues sometimes pulling away in edrive mode, especially if damp, but you get plenty of grip from those narrow tyres for everything but track driving.

[Kev.k]

Originally Posted by Maxxsirrah

In reality driving on UK roads, I never have had an issue with lack of front end grip. Have traction issues sometimes pulling away in edrive mode, especially if damp, but you get plenty of grip from those narrow tyres for everything but track driving.

I’m not keen on the standard wheels, I just don’t like narrow wheels. The car I’m interested in has the “w” design type.

I think a set of wider 21” forged wheels really transform the look and character of a i8.

[Maxxsirrah]

Originally Posted by Kev.k

I’m not keen on the standard wheels, I just don’t like narrow wheels. The car I’m interested in has the “w” design type.

I think a set of wider 21” forged wheels really transform the look and character of a i8.

Well, if its about changing the look then that's a different matter. Choose whatever you like. I had my W wheels powder coated black, just makes it look a bit meaner without mucking about with the standard set up.

[Kev.k]

Originally Posted by Maxxsirrah

Well, if its about changing the look then that's a different matter. Choose whatever you like. I had my W wheels powder coated black, just makes it look a bit meaner without mucking about with the standard set up.

That looks great.

They’re the same wheels the one I’m looking at has. If I buy it plan too keep them for when I sell.

I think the i8 looks better with wider wheels, but that is subjective.

[stressdoc]

Freude am fahren ... IMO the priority for a high performance car like the i8 is just that: performance. Looks are important, but wheels/tires are a key component of performance. Unsprung weight, offsets, front/rear balance have a significant influence on handling. My advice is to get wheels that look good to you, and improve the performance of your car. Widest is not always best.

[Kev.k]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

Freude am fahren ... IMO the priority for a high performance car like the i8 is just that: performance. Looks are important, but wheels/tires are a key component of performance. Unsprung weight, offsets, front/rear balance have a significant influence on handling. My advice is to get wheels that look good to you, and improve the performance of your car. Widest is not always best.

Any wheels I buy will be forged and lightweight. They will also be the correct offset and spec. Extra tyre weight kills and savings though.

Turn in is said to improve with wider wheels.

Not cheap but worth it imo. I really think they make a huge difference to the look of the car.

I understand bmw we’re trying to get a few more miles per gallon with the wheel design, but I really don’t like them.

[P.K.]

I guess I went the other way - 19" - lighter, mass closer to the torque, lowers the car 3/4 inch, 9 inch front 10inch rear. As you can see - the tires are covered in debris but my wheel wells stay clean.

[rastaman777]

+1 for me - looking for wider tires, but with either maintaining or improving handling.

[stressdoc]

I will opt for wider tires. Hoping for more front end grip to allow better power slides. Still hoping to find set of black stock 516 wheels.

[mws]

Originally Posted by P.K.

I guess I went the other way - 19" - lighter, mass closer to the torque, lowers the car 3/4 inch, 9 inch front 10inch rear. As you can see - the tires are covered in debris but my wheel wells stay clean.

this is intriguing. I would want to go full forged (lose weight) and stay the same diameter, but VS forged, does not have any forged billets smaller than 8.5" wide. I can still be under stock with the rim, but as some mention, a wider 20" tire might negate any weight savings and put you right back where you started.

Can you please post the rim size and ET? did you do any weighing before and after?

Any rubbing issues?

Most people go larger than 20", and then, wider, which I can imagine might not rub, but you went smaller AND wider. I would expect potential issues, unless you have none.

[stressdoc]

The stock 516 wheels are outstanding, low weight. I put slightly wider Michelins on and I love it.

[mws]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

The stock 516 wheels are outstanding, low weight. I put slightly wider Michelins on and I love it.

the weight of those rims is not easy to find on the web. I found this,

https://www.facebook.com/i8Procar/ph...2845716719486/

which asserts they weigh about 17.6 lbs for the rears. hard to imagine. There's lots of potentially bad info on the web. I'd love some corroboration. Have you ever weighed yours with tires off?

[stressdoc]

I think BMW states something like 19 front, 21 rear.
The only weight-saving option that I am aware of are the BBS FI-R

[mws]

those two posts from you are almost a year part. So you found a set of 516s? Then for stock BMW rims that is decently light, considering I am seeing (have not weighed yet) the 625s are in the 24-ish lb range.

this website says 625s are in the 24 lb range for fronts and even more in the rear.

https://www.carsaddiction.com/en/wheels/BMW/style-625

The BBS-FI-Rs are indeed light, great tip--thanks, but pricier than I would be willing to go.

[stressdoc]

Car came w 516s.