Wheel Considerations

J

JohnHein

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Currently living in Houston North suburbs
For the opinion of the Forum:

It appears from my short time in this forum that decision to move to a (more) contemporary wheel goes in a descending order of preference;


  1. The venerable staggered Alpinas
  2. The ever elegant polished basket weave BBS's
  3. The gold or other colored center BBS or weave OEM
  4. Adapted OEM/Refurbs, turbins
  5. Anything chrome
  6. The dreaded aftermarket alternative (some pretty damn nice)
There are probably other choices - including staying with originals. I thought I would throw this out for fodder and to solicit some opinion on some adapted OEM that I am considering.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a3f6c4d5b
 
You'll need spacers, about an inch and a half.

My beef with the modern wheels is you lose the dish of the original...and you have to use spacers. :)

I say, if you want to be different...find some 5 bolt steelies and have them widened!
 
I have the '72 BBS basket weave on that needs a set of tires and an original set with some old rubber...I really like the original spoke design but those old BBS look sharp on right now...But the Alpina's would be a nice addition...
I'll go status quo, but, which one do I put new rubber on??
Jon
 
16" Alpina staggers. Contemporary and classic at the same time. Seems to have been more sets than usual on eBay over the last few months.
 
Opinion on the Z4 wheels: yuk!
 
The '79 Hartge 323irs I imported in '83 had nice wheels, Alpina look-a-like but not like the ones you show, those are nice.
 
For a sporting look on coupes, these are the rims I would only consider: 20 spokes turbines...16" staggered open lug Alpinas, 16" 3-piece Hardy&Beck rims, and the WED 2-piece rims. From a distance, all 3 of these rims look pretty similiar. Next would be the 16" staggered RS rims. NO other rim brands/styles need to apply! Personally, even the 14" CSL wheels look too old fashion, just too much sidewall rubbers. And, try to find performance tires for them, practically non-existent.
 
Has anyone ever taken the old 5 spoke 14" wheels, stripped them and polished them? I have seen the beautiful work done on the old BBS's etc. that polish out. Wondered if the polished 14" would buff out and could then be just sealed instead of painted again. Then I would go with some of those retro Vredensteins or Michellins and stick with that original look.

I have also been enamored of the recent trend in wheels where they are polished and have been - for lack of a better term - "accented" with a darker smokey or stain treatment. I have seen in on some new 5 series and some of the Infiniti's. No it not just brake pad powder!
 
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