[Hypermile]

My F31 is at the dealer having the alloy gator installed. Does anyone have any experience with this product? Some shops say they have to take the tire off the wheel to install, but my dealer is saying they can install without taking the tire off. I was looking for a red time attack solution for my OEM M 19"s, this product is be like shooting 2 birds with one stone. The aesthetics I want and the protection I need.

I will post pics after I get my car back.

[Billfitz]

The manufacturer instructions show how to install without removing the tire.

[beanbaguk]

I've seen these a number of times and they look pretty poor IMHO. Sorry.

The solution to avoid curbing your alloys is to avoid hitting kerbs. I'm not sure why this is quite so hard if you take care when driving and using mirrors properly when parking....

[Hypermile]

Originally Posted by beanbaguk

I've seen these a number of times and they look pretty poor IMHO. Sorry.

The solution to avoid curbing your alloys is to avoid hitting kerbs. I'm not sure why this is quite so hard if you take care when driving and using mirrors properly when parking....

Because $hit happens.

[Hypermile]

Alloy Gator Installed!

[Blubaron79]

Why are they red?

[John in VA]

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

Why are they red?

It's an homage to the Triumph TR6!

[Hypermile]

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

Why are they red?

My F31 is at the dealer having the alloy gator installed. Does anyone have any experience with this product? Some shops say they have to take the tire off the wheel to install, but my dealer is saying they can install without taking the tire off. I was looking for a red time attack solution for my OEM M 19"s, this product is be like shooting 2 birds with one stone. The aesthetics I want and the protection I need.

I will post pics after I get my car back

.

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by Hypermile

.

I thought it would be clear.

[M2Rush]

How much did it all cost? No close up pictures? How does the seam look? Flawless connection?

On a side note, imho I think if 'shit' was to happen like running up a curb in an attempt to dodge something, the rim will still get destroyed.

[Rolling]

Not sure about this one. I parallel park daily. Granted i have cameras now but maybe because I learned without cameras and PDC.

[tjlees]

I've got alloygator installed on mine for 50k miles and 3 years. It's saved kerbing multiple times by my OH on all four wheels! So saved a small fortune on refurbs

Main problem is if you are a spirited driver or track it - the front alloygators can ride out - so I keep a rubber mallet in the boot just in case. I had to tap the fronts back in after I'd been on a trackday before going home.

[SpenceRx]

These are getting really popular in my area. There is an Estoril Blue f30 wagon bear me that has bright green ones and looks kinda neat.

[Hypermile]

Originally Posted by Rolling

Not sure about this one. I parallel park daily. Granted I have cameras now but maybe because I learned without cameras and PDC.

I also drove RWD cars all year around without abs, no cameras, no dimming, tilting mirrors, not even injectors, no winter tires, nothing! I also did my own oil changes.

Time changes, priorities change, I can afford to pay for a bit of insurance, as I as can afford a $75K car. I can afford to pay someone to change my oil, even if I can and do like doing it myself.

Maybe 20-30 years ago, if I put a thread up about me installing winter tires, or getting abs on my car, I might get the same reaction...? "Been driving without....."

I drove my RWD in the winter without winter tires, without a hickup. Does that mean I should drive my state of the art AWD BMW without winter tires? Hell no! $2000 investment for a $75K asset (yes be it depreciating) is a sound decision. I spent $400 to protect my $3000 wheels and I also mentioned that I was looking for a red time attack solution.

[Hypermile]

Originally Posted by M2Rush

How much did it all cost? No close up pictures? How does the seam look? Flawless connection?

On a side note, imho I think if 'shit' was to happen like running up a curb in an attempt to dodge something, the rim will still get destroyed.

I will post up close up pics as soon as it stops raining for a few days and I can wash the car. There is a little connector piece. The cost at most BMW dealers is $399.00 plus tax. I used a $250 BMW gift cars I got from BMW Canada which I only had one year to use and my car is brand new with the maintenance plan.

WRT, $shit happens. I'm talking more in the lines of slow $shit happens. like pulling up to a curb to drop or pick someone up(I use top view to avoid that, but $hit hapnes..). I am that guy that tries to park away from other cars, if I cannot manage that, I try to park at an end spot and park hugging the side that has no parking spots, that side sometimes has a curbe which I have no issues seeing. However, if my exit from the spot is an immediate right, I may forget that I have to pull ahead half a car length before I start turning.

[Hypermile]

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

I thought it would be clear.

I don't think that even have clear. They have black though.

[jparnes1]

I programmed the memory 2 setting to be exactly the same as #1 except the passenger side view mirror tilts down and in so I can see the rear wheel and the curb. I just press the #2 button when I parallel park and I can see exactly where my wheel is in relation to the curb.

[kern417]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

I programmed the memory 2 setting to be exactly the same as #1 except the passenger side view mirror tilts down and in so I can see the rear wheel and the curb. I just press the #2 button when I parallel park and I can see exactly where my wheel is in relation to the curb.

That's a good idea. I'm kind of annoyed at how BMW only tilts one mirror down in reverse.