Hot Wheels

[IndyMike]

While finally replacing the front PS2's (32k miles) and rear PSS's (16k miles) with PS4's at all four corners, it was revealed that the 9.0J x 19" wheel on the right front was bent from several bouts no doubt with potholes. Not to mention the wheel was already rashed up a bit as well, so it didn't long to convince myself that a new wheel was in order.

Well, until I found out the replacement cost anyway. At $680 I admittedly took a big gulp after a even bigger , but bit the bullet anyway. The 10% BMWCCA membership did help out some to lessen the hit to the wallet, but you wonder why does BMW charge so much for this OEM wheel. Merely a rhetorical question, because I surmise the answers are (a) because they can, and maybe of less significance, (b) it keeps it exclusive as relatively few people are willing to shell out $2.75k for wheels.

And while ruminating on the subject of wheels its OEM wheels have always been a big attraction to me, especially back in the day when UDM was still a major part of every offerings DNA.

Without a doubt in my mind the 359M is at the pinnacle. It looks amazing in both static as well as rolling display. Polished silver finish definitely pops when the sun hits it just right.

Among the other wheels I favor are the Type 135 (aka ZHP wheel, albeit a PITA to keep clean) and the OEM Type 264's on the 135.

There are a lot more on my list, only limited by my memory of the nomenclature number they go by. As you get older you discover the less useless info you are able to retain.

I'm sure everyone has their own list of BWM OEM wheels they take a shine to, both contemporary and older vintage.

[dan]

Yep, loved loved loved the 359M since the CSL got shown off

[Nick M3]

Good looking wheel. Never understood why the ZCP got a heavier cast wheel vs. the lighter forged "base" 19" M3 wheel.

It's a wheel that somehow looks larger than it is, which is part of the attraction. I had a set on the E90 for a little while, and the cartoonish look was nice. I didn't like it enough to swap the tires around, though, and I also didn't like how prone they are to bending. (Mike had to get all of his straightened.)

[Josh (PA)]

The wheels on the blue 1er in your pic are style 261 (they're the ones I have on mine). 264s are closed spoke.

My favorite BMW wheels were always the e39 M5 wheel:

and the sport wheel from the e38 (style 37)



This site is a fun reminder of days gone by (UD///M )
http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/

[IndyMike]

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

The wheels on the blue 1er in your pic are style 261 (they're the ones I have on mine). 264s are closed spoke.

Thanks for the refresher Josh. It was the 264 that they used for 2008 when the E82 was launched, then both the 261 and 264 were available if my fading memory serves me right from 2009. I'm glad I skipped 2008, as in 2009 they offered both the 261 and Le Mans blue with that model year. Still to this day my favorite BMW color, although Valencia orange keeps creeping up on it as the years go by.

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

My favorite BMW wheels were always the e39 M5 wheel:

and the sport wheel from the e38 (style 37)

Both of those are great examples of classically beautiful double spoke wheels.

Can't argue with either examples being at the top of anyones list.

[Josh (PA)]

Originally Posted by IndyMike

Thanks for the refresher Josh. It was the 264 that they used for 2008 when the E82 was launched, then both the 261 and 264 were available if my fading memory serves me right from 2009. I'm glad I skipped 2008, as in 2009 they offered both the 261 and Le Mans blue with that model year. Still to this day my favorite BMW color, although Valencia orange keeps creeping up on it as the years go by.

That Valencia 1M just keeps getting better and better as time passes. Such a cool car.

[dan]

I never liked those E38 wheels or the E36 LTW wheels

[Terri Kennedy]

Originally Posted by IndyMike

Well, until I found out the replacement cost anyway. At $680 I admittedly took a big gulp after a even bigger , but bit the bullet anyway. The 10% BMWCCA membership did help out some to lessen the hit to the wallet, but you wonder why does BMW charge so much for this OEM wheel. Merely a rhetorical question, because I surmise the answers are (a) because they can, and maybe of less significance, (b) it keeps it exclusive as relatively few people are willing to shell out $2.75k for wheels.

Call Wheel Collision in Bath, PA. Ask them if there is a body shop close to you that sends wheels to them and if so, get the name. You probably just need to slip someone a $20 to get your wheel a free ride there and back - just tag it with your info.

[IndyMike]

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

That Valencia 1M just keeps getting better and better as time passes. Such a cool car.

Maybe I was oblivious before, but I seem to notice more car companies offering some hue of orange skin for their variants these days. Maybe orange has become the new red. Either way it is my new Crush now.

Originally Posted by Terry Kennedy

Call Wheel Collision in Bath, PA. Ask them if there is a body shop close to you that sends wheels to them and if so, get the name. You probably just need to slip someone a $20 to get your wheel a free ride there and back - just tag it with your info.

Thanks Terry. That is some exceptional advice you have offered. I also have even worse rash on the left front wheel, so the plan is to fix the right front first then swap it out with the left front and send that out for repair as well. That way I can either keep the spare around for the next incident, or sell it and recoup a little of the cost back. Most likely I will do the former. I currently have eight other wheels mounted on tires up in the attic, so what's one more. I guess you could accuse me of being a wheel hoarder, but I would deny it since my definition would be 10 sets or more.

Heaven help me if I ever jack up one of the rear wheels. I will be back on the that wheel merry-go-round again.

Have you had a positive experience with their services, or know someone that has? I'm not looking for them to come back perfect, just good enough so that it's at least not as noticeable as currently with the rash. Attached is the first wheel to be replaced. It's not "that" bad, but still bugs me, especially whenever I have to clean them, which is about once a month since I only put about 400 miles on them each month.

[wdc330i]

Looking at your list of cars. It is really is just a perfect combo. Just missing a convertible. A Boxster would totally round things out.