
BMW Z8 E52 — Wheel Fitment & Specs
Overview
The BMW Z8 E52 is a roadster produced by German automotive manufacturer BMW from 1998 to 2003. Developed under the codename 'E52' between 1993 and 1999, it was designed as a styling exercise evoking the iconic 1956–1959 BMW 507. The Z8 features an all-aluminium chassis and body with a longitudinally mounted front engine and rear-wheel drive layout. It is known for its distinctive design by Henrik Fisker and Scott Lempert's interior work, as well as its powerful V8 engine shared with the E39 M5.
Wheel fitment
| Bolt pattern (PCD) | 5x120 |
| Centre bore | 72.6 mm |
| Bolt / thread | M12 x 1.5 (bolts) |
| Wheel-bolt torque | 115 Nm |
| Seat type | tapered |
| Factory setup | staggered |
| TPMS | none |
Aftermarket wheel sizes — read per position:
| Position | Width | Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 8J–9J | ET15–ET30 |
| Rear (staggered) | 9J–10J | ET15–ET25 |
As a rule, each extra 1J of width wants roughly +8–10 ET to keep the wheel tucked. The exact offset and any spacer are confirmed by the fit-check.
UK popularity & demand
Based on DfT VEH0124 vehicle-parc data (2025), there are approximately 29 BMW Z8 on UK roads, placing it in the top 65% of car models by volume across our fitment database. That makes its wheel fitment a high-demand size to keep in stock — one reason we track its exact spec here.
Source: DfT/DVLA licensed-vehicle statistics (VEH0124), matched to the AIWheelTech fitment database.
Engines & drivetrain
| Variant | Engine | Fuel | Power | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S62 | 4.9L V8 | petrol | 400 hp | RWD |
| M62 (Alpina version) | 4.8L V8 | petrol | 373 hp | RWD |
Performance
| Variant | Power | 0–62 mph | Top speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| S62 | 400 hp | 4.2 s | 155 mph |
| M62 (Alpina version) | 373 hp | 159 mph |
Dimensions
| Length | 173 mm |
| Width | 72 mm |
| Height | 51 mm |
| Wheelbase | 98 mm |
| Kerb weight | 3494 kg |
Body styles & production
| Body styles | Roadster |
| Produced | 1999–2003 |
| Units produced | 5,703 |
Trim levels
Factory colours
History & notable variants
The Z8 was developed from 1993 to 1999 under Chris Bangle's leadership. A concept called Z07 previewed the production model at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 1997, leading to minor adjustments for practical and regulatory reasons before its release. The car was produced until November 2002 when it was replaced by the Alpina Roadster V8, a more refined grand touring variant.
Reliability & owner notes
- Pros: Powerful V8 engine, distinctive design, all-aluminium construction
- Cons: High price point, limited production run