Wheel suggestions.

[Grumps]

I love the look of the car. I had the wheels refurbished in shadow chrome when I had the car painted. The ride is very hard but it's booked in at Zed shed midlands Ltd later in the year for suspension so would it be better to wait and see what difference that makes to the ride before changing the wheels? The other issue is I have a small stretch on the front tyres due to the offset being wrong which I really don't like. Thanks to everyone that's imputed.

 

[Jack Ratt]

http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/

Have a look at these Grumps

 

[Grumps]

http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/

Have a look at these Grumps

Blimey there's some there to choose from @Jack Ratt! Some proper mingers as well!

 

[Jack Ratt]

Blimey there's some there to choose from @Jack Ratt! Some proper mingers as well!

Careful mate .....One man's minger is another man's beauty

 

[Bozzy]

Good luck @Grumpy it's a bloody mine field out there,i got fed up with looking after a week as the choice is huge
So decided to stick with what I've got and have them re- furbed.
I must say though I was so grateful for the help I got on here,save me from making a potentially very costly mistake.
Personally I'd wait till you get your suspenders sorted and see from there.

Steve

 

[t-tony]

I have another suggestion, assuming my Z3 is still loitering on my drive at the end of next month, you could borrow a set of staggered 17" wheels and tyres and try them for yourself. At least then you would know how Reggie would ride on 17's, assuming you can get the security distracted!

Tony.

 

[Dino D]

I love the look of the car. I had the wheels refurbished in shadow chrome when I had the car painted. The ride is very hard but it's booked in at Zed shed midlands Ltd later in the year for suspension so would it be better to wait and see what difference that makes to the ride before changing the wheels? The other issue is I have a small stretch on the front tyres due to the offset being wrong which I really don't like. Thanks to everyone that's imputed.

If you are still in original shocks then refreshing them will make the biggest difference (more so than 18-17's I think).
I can definitely tell the difference between my 18's and 17's but fresh suspension made the biggest single difference.

However going from 18's to 16's was a very noticeable difference in comfort but finding 16's that also look nice could be hard.

Or you could go 17's and increase the sidewall a bit from standard.

Bearing in mind I've always had coilovers on mine so any change is noticeable.
Is yours is still on OEM? The OEM set up is very comfy with quite a lot of travel so I don't think the shell size will make such a big impact.

You can always pop down to Kent and put my 17's on and see how you like it (in the summer, they on the car now!). We have bad enough roads here for you to test the difference...

But first fresh suspension I reckon.

 

[zedonist]

I think you should look at a set of Alpinas, or these below:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/17-BMW-M-...469611?hash=item2a5e58452b:g:6gIAAOSwHQ9WaUuC

Alternatively if you don't mind replica where's the get a set of deep dish wider rear CSL's

 

[zedonist]

As for you suspension I would replace your shocks with some Bilstein B4's, these are more reactive than oem but do it in progressive way, have them on the T5 turned from a barge into a limousine

 

[Grumps]

Careful mate .....One man's minger is another man's beauty

I have another suggestion, assuming my Z3 is still loitering on my drive at the end of next month, you could borrow a set of staggered 17" wheels and tyres and try them for yourself. At least then you would know how Reggie would ride on 17's, assuming you can get the security distracted!

Tony.

That could be a plan oh kind one! Let me see how security is and I'll get back to you!

 

[littlefeller]

how about something completely different and buck the trend - chrome plated wire wheels

 

[Bozzy]

Whilst we're on the subject of wheels does any one know any thing about having alloys "diamond cut" ?
Saw it on wheeler dealers a while ago with a Nissan sports car of some sort,and the wheels were diamond cut from the factory. They were looking shabby so they had them re-done some where and it really took my fancy.
Gives a highly polished look to the wheels and they are clear lacquered to protect the finish.
Apologies @Grumpy I don't mean to high jack your thread
Any info appreciated

Steve

 

[Jack Ratt]

how about something completely different and buck the trend - chrome plated wire wheels
View attachment 25376

Don't think you cay buy these new now. I've been looking for a set myself

 

[littlefeller]

Don't think you cay buy these new now. I've been looking for a set myself

try here http://www.daytonwirewheels.com/gallery/luxurycars/luxurycar006.php

 

[GazHyde]

Don't think you cay buy these new now. I've been looking for a set myself

If I recall correctly @PeterJ bought his from http://www.daytonwirewheels.com. Not cheap I'm afraid....

 

[littlefeller]

If I recall correctly @PeterJ bought his from http://www.daytonwirewheels.com. Not cheap I'm afraid....

certainly not cheap, and prob a real pain to clean, but nice though

 

[Jack Ratt]

I couldn't justify the cost of importing a set of wheels from overseas, they'd cost more than my car is worth. There used to be a UK wheel builder who made them to order, and they weren't cheap from them either.
Oh well, may be one day I'll win a few quid ........

 

[Brian4]

Whilst we're on the subject of wheels does any one know any thing about having alloys "diamond cut" ?
Saw it on wheeler dealers a while ago with a Nissan sports car of some sort,and the wheels were diamond cut from the factory. They were looking shabby so they had them re-done some where and it really took my fancy.
Gives a highly polished look to the wheels and they are clear lacquered to protect the finish.
Apologies @Grumpy I don't mean to high jack your thread
Any info appreciated

Steve

Hi @Bozzy here is some info on diamond cut wheels seems difficult to get a long lasting finish.
https://www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk/wheel-finishes/diamond-cutting/

 

[Dino D]

Whilst we're on the subject of wheels does any one know any thing about having alloys "diamond cut" ?
Saw it on wheeler dealers a while ago with a Nissan sports car of some sort,and the wheels were diamond cut from the factory. They were looking shabby so they had them re-done some where and it really took my fancy.
Gives a highly polished look to the wheels and they are clear lacquered to protect the finish.
Apologies @Grumpy I don't mean to high jack your thread
Any info appreciated

Steve

I have had diamond cut and laquered lips on mine. The lips at the rear a bit deep so the stones that hit the dish chip the laquer...Then the aluminum underneat the laquer starts corroding and continues even if you take the wheels off for the winter.

If you do low mileage, slow driving on roads without any loose stones then they great. You could go more than 2-3 years without them starting to looking shabby.

If you use the car 'normally' and have dishes then expect a refurb in 2-3 yrs.
Might be less prone to this issue if you don't have deep dishes/lips on the wheels.

Alloy refurbish is big business with the amount of new cars coming with diamond cut wheels..

When refurbinh my wheels I went diamond cut again on the dishes but have left them bare aluminum (no laquer at all). This means they need regular polishing (say every 2 weeks) with a good metal polish. Of couse they are for summer only...

These how they were after from the refurb.

If I use a drill attachment I get much more shine or conversely I can not try as hard for a more subdued shine. It's a nice hobby and good 'exercise'..

This how the wheels were (admittedly after 4yrs and 30k miles in all seasons):

This is how they were after about 18mths and mostly summer miles - you can see the chips already on the lips of you look closely:

I have just 'discovered' Chrome Powder coat.
This could a great compromise between shine and low maintainence.
Quite a few places offer it now but I've read that the finish can be variable depending on condition of the wheel and prep work.

http://www.pureklas.co.uk/past-work/chrome-powder-coating-wheels

Sorry for the thread detailment but I love talking shiny wheels!

 

[Bozzy]

Hi @Bozzy here is some info on diamond cut wheels seems difficult to get a long lasting finish.
https://www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk/wheel-finishes/diamond-cutting/

Many thanks @Brian4 had a look at the link,very enlightening.
This has changed my mind on diamond cut alloys as it seems high maintenance and costs a lot more than the usual re-furb.
Now i'm thinking gun metal chrome as per pic in that link .
Once again just by asking for advice/help on here has saved the day again

Steve