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      09-20-2014, 03:26 PM   #1
purdyawesome
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Winter Wheels Pecking Order

So -- I'm taking delivery next week of my M3. It is arriving with the 19" silver wheels. I created a thread a while back that was somewhat helpful in understanding the differences in wheels - brands, prices, construction, etc. But here's what I need help with:

THE GOAL - 2 sets of wheels-- one for winter months, one for summer months.
I want my second set of wheels to be STAGGERED to look like the stock setup. I am undecided between 18" and 19" wheels for the second set. I want the second set to be at least equal to the OEM 19's - in construction, weight, balance, aesthetics, performance. I'd like a brand that hides my "newbism" - meaning I'm not planning on mounting American Racing, OZ, or any other brand that belongs on a Charger - I'm not too proud... I want the M3 fanboy yuppy cool guy wheels that you would find some spoiled kid (spoiled - not rich) rolling on in Santa Monica - God that's embarrassing, but it's the truth.

THE DILEMMA - Do I mount winter tires on the OEM 19's and purchase summer wheels? Keep the stock summer tires and mount them on new wheels? Or do I purchase winter wheels and keep the OEM for summer?

I know, I know - this sounds like a dumb dilemma because it should just be a matter of preference. But - here's where I need help ---
I don't want to spend more than $3,000 for the new wheels and tires combined.
I came up with this price firstly because that's about what I can afford to spend after dropping $75k on a new M3 and secondly, this is roughly the cost of the 640M 18" BMW Winter Wheel Package. I would prefer to use 19" wheels because of the look - but if someone can come up with a compelling argument to use 18's, so be it... In this budget, I'm not overly concerned about pot holes because an individual wheel replacement wouldn't hurt too badly - we're not talking about $2500 custom forged wheels.

I've looked at VMR, Avant Garde, BMW 640m, and slightly out of budget - the HRE Flowform wheels, Velos, Ray's...

THE QUESTIONS:
What should I get? Is forged out of the question at this price point? Who makes the best wheel in the $600 range? Should I dedicate the OEM wheels to summer or winter usage? How do wheels in this range stack up against the OEM 19's? Sure I'd love some custom HRE's or BBS wheels - but I don't think I'd ever be able to justify spending 12-15% of the vehicle price on wheels for what I'll be using this car for...

Super lengthy post - but thanks in advance, and I look forward to hearing opinions. I'm close to Chicago and I'm guessing there are a lot of guys going through a similar thought process as summer slips away... Hopefully this helps a bunch of new owners!
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      09-20-2014, 03:28 PM   #2
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Bonus points if the suggestion supports the use of BMW center caps.
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      09-20-2014, 03:54 PM   #3
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My opinion is you can't replace the OEM wheels without spending a LOT of money if you want quality and weight. For me, I went with a dedicated winter set up as inexpensive options are plentiful. They are not the same quality as the stock wheels but don't need to be.

So...

1. Buy winter wheels in a square set up which allows rotation and easier to find tires.
2. Winter wheels can be less expensive and that's OK.
3. Replacing OEM wheels with summer wheels will be REALLY expensive if you want similar quality.
4. It makes no sense, to me, to have inexpensive summers and use the forged, light and strong OEM wheels in the winter.

Here is a link to a thread on the direction I went... http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1037506

You can get a set of 19" wheels with good winter tires to your door for under $3,000 no problem at all. To replace the OEM summers with similar quality would be $5,000+ for just wheels IMO. Makes no sense UNLESS you don't like the design of the 19" OEM.
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      09-20-2014, 05:12 PM   #4
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I would just get the OEM 18" wheels from bmw (what I am likely to do)

No issues with quality or fit.

In snow,narrower is better than wider so the 18s are probably better.

I am less fussed about going square for winters as I too like the staggered look and I never seem to have a problem findin tires.
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      09-20-2014, 05:19 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by myzmak View Post
In snow,narrower is better than wider so the 18s are probably better.
Agreed narrow is better but the OEM 18's are the same width as the 19's. However, 18's are better as there is more rubber profile which is useful in pothole filled winters. I just don't like the look (personal) but I suppose that for winter it doesn't really matter
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      09-20-2014, 05:34 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gthal View Post
Agreed narrow is better but the OEM 18's are the same width as the 19's. However, 18's are better as there is more rubber profile which is useful in pothole filled winters. I just don't like the look (personal) but I suppose that for winter it doesn't really matter
Really? Hadn't looked at the widths...just made a (wrong I guess) assumption. How wide is the rubber on your setup?

Edit: according to this the OEM 640Ms are 0.5 and 1" narrower than the OPs stock 19s which should mean narrowere rubber, no?

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=945713

Second edit: perhaps I should clarify that I was talking about the 640 package which is what I understand BMW is gonna sell as the package and what OP was referring to.
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      09-20-2014, 05:37 PM   #7
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Good replies- I've heard some mixed information on the OEM quality. Some say they are awesome forged wheels and some say, well... you get the point. I'll concentrate on finding winter wheels based on what you guys are saying. As for the stock 18's- I thought of this. Have had zero luck finding them. Dealer doesn't seem to be able to get. Also, lots of people make it sound like winter tires and wheels are just "bang around" wheels - well, mine stay on here in Chicago for like 30% of the year- so I want something that looks great and performs decently. I've also got to think that there is an OEM tax for the BMW branded wheels. The HRE Flowform have got to be comparable- right? Any brand suggestions?
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      09-20-2014, 05:38 PM   #8
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Seems like a good option. Are they pushed out past the fenders? I don't want anything that's 100% flush or extended past fenders for winter. Don't want anything kicking crap up...
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      09-20-2014, 06:07 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by myzmak View Post
Really? Hadn't looked at the widths...just made a (wrong I guess) assumption. How wide is the rubber on your setup?

Edit: according to this the OEM 640Ms are 0.5 and 1" narrower than the OPs stock 19s which should mean narrowere rubber, no?

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=945713

Second edit: perhaps I should clarify that I was talking about the 640 package which is what I understand BMW is gonna sell as the package and what OP was referring to.
Sorry... my mistake. I thought you meant the 18" OEM option for the M3/M4... didn't realize you meant the winter package 18's but I suppose that should have been obvious to me so not sure how I missed that. Reading comprehension isn't my strong suit

My set up is 255 width all around on 8.5" wheels.
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      09-20-2014, 06:21 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gthal View Post
Sorry... my mistake. I thought you meant the 18" OEM option for the M3/M4... didn't realize you meant the winter package 18's but I suppose that should have been obvious to me so not sure how I missed that. Reading comprehension isn't my strong suit

My set up is 255 width all around on 8.5" wheels.
It's saturday. You should be half asleep with a beer in your hand so reading comprehension is most definitely not required!

This will be first car I've put winters on that isn't awd so still getting used to extra options/variability I have when I'm not worried about frying the drive/Quattro/4matic/whatever.
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