[BrettKA7]

Edit: feel free to ignore this thread. I didn't realize the wheels say ferric grey on one spoke and orbit grey on another

My car's build sheet says Ferric Grey. The wheels are clearly painted Ferric Grey. The finish looks OEM besides some spots that had improper curb rash repair, which I'm having redone this month.

However, I noticed during wheels-off cleaning that the wheels say Orbit Grey in the inner spokes. Probably doesn't mean much but I find it off/funny BMW presumably took the time to make different casts for the different colors of the same wheel, yet managed to paint these wheels Ferric Grey when they were destined to be Orbit Grey.

[aerobod]

You can also see the last 7 digits of the wheel part number for the specific colour is shown in the other part of the spoke next to the colour name.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by BrettKA7

the wheels say ferric grey on one spoke and orbit grey on another

I think an owner with no other information may be able to tell which color he or she has by the paint dots next to the part number corresponding to the correct color.

For example, these two images show what's on the back of one of my rear Orbit Grey wheels:

"Orbit Grey" – Part No. 36117847414


"Ferric Grey" – Part No. 36117845871

[Maynard]

But you'd need to remove the protective layer of brake dust to see those, and then the inner surface of the wheel would look all gross and shiny like yours does.... I mean really, keep 'em like that and you'll be seeing any stress cracks as soon as they start

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Maynard

But you'd need to remove the protective layer of brake dust to see those, and then the inner surface of the wheel would look all gross and shiny like yours does.... I mean really, keep 'em like that and you'll be seeing any stress cracks as soon as they start

Yeah, the wheels come off regularly for a thorough cleaning; otherwise, I don't think the DTC-70 dust would ever come off of them. As it is, it's a major drama getting them clean – I'm just pleased I finally figured out a routine that will get that dust off.

Now that I'm not going to the track anymore, the OEM pads are going back on. Dust-wise, I'm hoping that will be a major improvement.

I'm not expecting stress cracks from the 436Ms, but you never know, do you. I learned from a race car that regular cleaning and examining of wheels is just part of taking care of a car.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by dradernh

I think an owner with no other information may be able to tell which color he or she has by the paint dots next to the part number corresponding to the correct color.

I just looked at the back of my Ferric Grey wheels. They have no colored paint dots, so that may be the end of that theory.

[swilson317]

I ran into this situation the hard way. There seem to be many wheels available online, but mislabeled Orbit Grey! Came across the name on the inside of the spoke, while looking with a mirror, but didn't notice that Ferric Grey was also stamped on another spoke. Ended up ordering a replacement for what I thought was Orbit Grey, but turned out to be Ferric Grey. Had to spend $108 to ship the wheel back. <sigh>

In the attached photo, Ferric Grey is on the car and Orbit Grey is standing next to it.

[harma24]

Just put it on the car and drive. Two days in, all four wheels will be "brake dust black". Problem solved!