Wire wheels...

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e9allan

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Not sure exactly where to post this, but here goes...
I came across an e23 parts car that has bolt on 5 lug wire wheels on it. They are 14 inches. I assume the offset is 20mm based on the educated guess that these are Dunlops. I haven't purchased the car. I'm not sure if it is worth it for the few parts I need. I was wondering if anybody would have an interest in these wheels? Guess I will cross post to the e3 section. At least one would need to be refinished as the chrome has bubbled up off a part of the rim and it is rusty.

Thanks
 
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aside from the cosmetic freshening, these vintage wire wheels would likely need some truing. those spokes do move, then they rust, even if you can find someone who knows how to do this, it is not cheap. Plus you never really know if they are true until they are back on your car and you feel vibration, or not. there is already a pretty large weight visible on the outside, sometimes a clue. Then again, these ones are bolted on, perhaps not as bad as ones mounted on a splined hub. Either way, in my opinion there are other wheels that look better on our Coupes.
 
Dayton Wire Wheel in Dayton, Ohio specializes in the manufacture and repair of all kinds of wires, if you're looking for a source. I suspect you could buy new ones for close to the cost of restoring these, if so inclined. Only makes sense if they were unique to the car, such as on a Duesenberg or Ferrari. I agree they seem out of place on a German car of the 70s or 80s.
 
I think wire wheels just might look really good on a coupe. That said, I don't want to be the first to give it a try.
 
i have had wire wheels on a mgb-gt back when i was in college. if i ever thought about having a car with them again, i give my consent for any of you to request that i have my head examined. i do NOT think they would look correct on a coupe.
 
OK, who started this...Time for "the rest of the story"... as Paul Harvey would reveal. Just went through this very thing. I have had 72 spoke wire wheels on my Healey 3000 since, well 1976. Even replaced them some time ago, but probably decades ago, Then finally got new tires, ...3 establishments, with the most modern balancing equipment, could not get the balance right. So, just ordered new Minilite splined magnesium wheels, balanced to perfection. That was the solution. Those wires just have built in balance problems, they go out of true with use. No one likes a shimmy at speed, stick with solid wheels, there are so many great choices for our Coupes.
 
rsporsche said:
i have had wire wheels on a mgb-gt back when i was in college. if i ever thought about having a car with them again, i give my consent for any of you to request that i have my head examined. i do NOT think they would look correct on a coupe.
Click to expand...

Those MG wheels would have been real, threaded hub knock-off style, which is far more authentic than these bolt-ons with a spinner. Either way, too delicate for a car with the formal lines of a BMW coupe.
 
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