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Wheelie Bad Ideas
We're testing some of the most adventurous tyre modifications possible - but will they be genius, or really wheelie bad ideas?
Words by: Andrew Woodhouse
Published on 9 December 2025 | 0 min read
Can a BMW Z4 run on train wheels?
Have you ever wondered what would happen if a sports car left the open road and ventured onto railway lines? In the first episode of our new YouTube series, Rory takes a BMW Z4, equips it with bespoke train wheels, and puts it to the test.
You’ll get a front-row seat for the full transformation: swapping rubber tyres for steel wheels, tweaking the suspension, and experimenting with traction and braking on the rails. With Top Gear engineer Peter Ross on board, we explore whether a car designed for smooth tarmac can handle such unconventional terrain. The episode covers every step, from modifying Audi-derived train wheels to adapting the BMW so they fit the track gauge, and even adding ballast and a parachute to improve performance. Stand by for surprises, hands-on engineering, and unexpected outcomes as we push what’s possible with a car you could pick up from Autotrader. Whether you’re fascinated by innovative engineering or simply want to see a sports car take on the British rail network, this first episode offers something a bit different. So, if you want to see a sports car behave in a way it was never designed to behave, or you just want to know what happens when curiosity meets engineering, this is the one. Found on Autotrader. Tested in the strangest way possible! Watch the full episode now and stay tuned for episode two.
You’ll get a front-row seat for the full transformation: swapping rubber tyres for steel wheels, tweaking the suspension, and experimenting with traction and braking on the rails. With Top Gear engineer Peter Ross on board, we explore whether a car designed for smooth tarmac can handle such unconventional terrain. The episode covers every step, from modifying Audi-derived train wheels to adapting the BMW so they fit the track gauge, and even adding ballast and a parachute to improve performance. Stand by for surprises, hands-on engineering, and unexpected outcomes as we push what’s possible with a car you could pick up from Autotrader. Whether you’re fascinated by innovative engineering or simply want to see a sports car take on the British rail network, this first episode offers something a bit different. So, if you want to see a sports car behave in a way it was never designed to behave, or you just want to know what happens when curiosity meets engineering, this is the one. Found on Autotrader. Tested in the strangest way possible! Watch the full episode now and stay tuned for episode two.