Back thinking about wheels for the e46

Alanstrainor

I've posted this before, but funds never permitted anything happening. But now, I should be good to go soon. So currently my car looks like this:



Bit of an artsy shot, but you get the idea, and I'm looking at changing the wheels. I've been thinking some BBS CH reps. Now I've found an almost identical picture with the wheels fitted. The only difference is the wheels in this pic are 19, and I want 18's:



What do yee reckon? Got quoted 870 for a set of reps, with Uniroyal rainsport 3's fitted.

ugglasdav

would look very nice, i would probably go with the 19's but, or if you do settle on the 18's maybe if you could get a set of lowering springs just to fill the archs abit

have you considered any BM wheels, CSL reps would also be a choice

Alanstrainor

ugglasdav wrote: »

would look very nice, i would probably go with the 19's but, or if you do settle on the 18's maybe if you could get a set of lowering springs just to fill the archs abit

have you considered any BM wheels, CSL reps would also be a choice

Mine is already lowered on a H&R cup kit.

I have been looking at BM wheels, but struggle to find a decent set. Got very close to taking the plunge on a genuine M3 wheels, but then realised they wouldn't fit!

I'm just kind of torn at the moment with the amount of cash I'd dump into it. But it would take it to the next level in terms of looks imo.

Tigger

i think if you think its good then its good

there were three 141's in tesco this evening all were daciac dusters


they are idiots you are not
i hope you get my point
do yer own well informed thing

i like those wheels

JimmyCrackCorn

Looks awesome.

Really work with the car and at 870 how can you go wrong.

Ciano35

Definitely a +1 on buying them, they look great!

tossy

Look great but hold out for genuine ones, do yourself and the car a favor.

Noccy_Mondy

Them ones really do suit the car, but I'm a sucker for the ones that are already on it. Love seeing them wheels on a bmw!

Alanstrainor

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

Them ones really do suit the car, but I'm a sucker for the ones that are already on it. Love seeing them wheels on a bmw!

Cheers! But they're a very common wheel, and I'm just looking for a change really

tossy wrote: »

Look great but hold out for genuine ones, do yourself and the car a favor.

Surely there's a huge jump in cost for a decent 2nd hand set? Considering the reps fitted with a set of Uniroyal rainsport 3's for 875? And I guess we're talking lighter, better quality metal and such in terms of difference here?

tossy

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Cheers! But they're a very common wheel, and I'm just looking for a change really


Surely there's a huge jump in cost for a decent 2nd hand set? Considering the reps fitted with a set of Uniroyal rainsport 3's for 875? And I guess we're talking lighter, better quality metal and such in terms of difference here?

I'm not sure about BBS in BMW fitment (as regards availability second hand) but i paid 750 euro for my BBS CKs second hand, i would expect to pay that for most of the single piece BBS wheels in 18'', you will probably need to factor in fitting tyres yourself. The thing is you could keep them for 3 or 4 years and sell them for a loss of maybe 100e max (providing the are kept in good nick)

The are lighter, stronger and just feel right on the car, i went from reps to BBS RC's on an old golf i had and the difference in the handling and steering feel of the car was vast. I've had BBS on cars for the last 8 years give or take (2 different sets) and i've never bent or buckled one.

Alanstrainor

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I'm just kind of torn at the moment with the amount of cash I'd dump into it. But it would take it to the next level in terms of looks imo.

If you think it will look better, then I'd go for it. I'm sure you'll sell the older wheels anyway, to help you out with some of the cost of the new ones. So if nothing else that will alleviate your overall pocket emptiness after buying them.



However, I'm not a BMW person (I like cars in general, but dont know much about specific ones, and I'm more an SUV/Jeep fan), but I can honestly say, I'm really not seeing an €870 difference between those two pictures.

The wheels are very, very similar looking to me. Slightly wider spokes?

If it were me personally, I'd be looking for wheels that are a fair bit different to justify the purchase, or I'd be looking at just keeping the current wheels (and the €870).



But that said, I know if it was my car, and I knew the difference, then it would seem a much more reasonable purchase. It's really down to what you personally want.

For example, if i could choose (in your case) a wheel that looks like the spokes are just slightly further apart, or a week in spain, I think I'd begin to see that my money could be better spend elsewhere.


(but that said, I've no idea what kind of money you'd sell your own wheels for, so that'd obviously help balance it out, and reduce the "real" cost of the new wheels).


But I'm just rambling now... Sorry.


EDIT: Keep in mind I'm not at all informed about this kinda thing. I'm one of those uninformed people who feel the need to spout out their opinions anyway. :P

vectra

Pics of my sons e46 with 18" ch reps on it,
Might give you an idea as to how it would look.
That price you got with uniroyals fitted.
Were they new tyres?

Alanstrainor

Wow, that's a stunner! Yeah, that was with new tyres for that price. Granted I enquired about a non-staggered set, but those pictures you posted might make me go staggered!

Alanstrainor

Deleted User wrote: »

If you think it will look better, then I'd go for it. I'm sure you'll sell the older wheels anyway, to help you out with some of the cost of the new ones. So if nothing else that will alleviate your overall pocket emptiness after buying them.



However, I'm not a BMW person (I like cars in general, but dont know much about specific ones, and I'm more an SUV/Jeep fan), but I can honestly say, I'm really not seeing an €870 difference between those two pictures.

The wheels are very, very similar looking to me. Slightly wider spokes?

If it were me personally, I'd be looking for wheels that are a fair bit different to justify the purchase, or I'd be looking at just keeping the current wheels (and the €870).



But that said, I know if it was my car, and I knew the difference, then it would seem a much more reasonable purchase. It's really down to what you personally want.

For example, if i could choose (in your case) a wheel that looks like the spokes are just slightly further apart, or a week in spain, I think I'd begin to see that my money could be better spend elsewhere.


(but that said, I've no idea what kind of money you'd sell your own wheels for, so that'd obviously help balance it out, and reduce the "real" cost of the new wheels).


But I'm just rambling now... Sorry.


EDIT: Keep in mind I'm not at all informed about this kinda thing. I'm one of those uninformed people who feel the need to spout out their opinions anyway. :P

Totally get what you're saying man.

But my wheels, (despite the pics) are actually not in great nick, and my tyres are on there way out, not the worst mind, but getting there. So this will solve that. And I love the CH look on the e46.

Cheers for the responses lads, really appreciate all the opinions!

vectra

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Wow, that's a stunner! Yeah, that was with new tyres for that price. Granted I enquired about a non-staggered set, but those pictures you posted might make me go staggered!

Bloody hell
That was a seriously cheap price.
New ch reps and new uniroyals..!
My son got the receipt for these when he bought the car and as far as I recall the wheels were over 700 alone.
Oh, yes. The staggered suits them.
I think he is talking of changing them.

BillJ

That Price seems seriously good, the tyres alone that I currently have were about 700, vredestian ultrac sessantas, which would be of the same level of the uniroyals I think.

For me though you cant beat MV1's on a e46 coupe, especially the pre-facelift. CH's are lovely too. Where are you purchasing?

Alanstrainor

Was supposed to get these wheels 3 weeks ago, and have been d1cked around by the company that gave me the price with rainsports. First the wheels didn't come into stock, then a week later they did come in on a Monday, I told them I'd be out on the Saturday to get them on, then got an email late on the Friday saying the wheels were damaged. Asked them to give me a call twice, on the Monday after, and nothing.

Have been in touch with others, and most don't have them in stock, so I'm stuck. Never thought it would be this hard to drop almost a grand. Unbelievable stuff.

JimmyCrackCorn

That's bad luck but I've come to the conclusion its a petrol head thing to have all estimates jump on a logarithmic scale.

I have a car in a panel beaters for two months now. Just waiting on an oem bonnet to arrive.

It'll be worth it in the end.

challengemaster

tossy wrote: »

I'm not sure about BBS in BMW fitment (as regards availability second hand) but i paid 750 euro for my BBS CKs second hand, i would expect to pay that for most of the single piece BBS wheels in 18'', you will probably need to factor in fitting tyres yourself. The thing is you could keep them for 3 or 4 years and sell them for a loss of maybe 100e max (providing the are kept in good nick)

As always tossy, you've a very valid point... but non-staggered 225/40/18 rainsports would come to ~600 for a set inc fitting +balancing. €870 for wheels + tyres is crazy cheap.

While buy cheap buy twice always applies, in this case you'd need to buy four full sets of reps to even be in the same price region as a genuine set. And plenty of people will buy them down the line.

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Was supposed to get these wheels 3 weeks ago, and have been d1cked around by the company that gave me the price with rainsports. First the wheels didn't come into stock, then a week later they did come in on a Monday, I told them I'd be out on the Saturday to get them on, then got an email late on the Friday saying the wheels were damaged. Asked them to give me a call twice, on the Monday after, and nothing.

Have been in touch with others, and most don't have them in stock, so I'm stuck. Never thought it would be this hard to drop almost a grand. Unbelievable stuff.

*cough* name *cough*

vectra

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Was supposed to get these wheels 3 weeks ago, and have been d1cked around by the company that gave me the price with rainsports. First the wheels didn't come into stock, then a week later they did come in on a Monday, I told them I'd be out on the Saturday to get them on, then got an email late on the Friday saying the wheels were damaged. Asked them to give me a call twice, on the Monday after, and nothing.

Have been in touch with others, and most don't have them in stock, so I'm stuck. Never thought it would be this hard to drop almost a grand. Unbelievable stuff.

I would take it that they have realized they under priced the wheels/tyres and this is their way of trying to get out of it.

Alanstrainor

I'll PM people the name of the crowd, based in Dublin if they want to know. They have advertised on forums about their discounted Rainsports.

So should I just order some staggered real brand new BBS CK's for around 1000 quid and find tyres!

http://www.performancealloys.com/wheel-details.aspx?ID=1072

Granted they're a different wheel, very similar, but cheaper than the real CH's.

Johnny Utah

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I'll PM people the name of the crowd, based in Dublin if they want to know. They have advertised on forums about their discounted Rainsports.

So should I just order some staggered real brand new BBS CK's for around 1000 quid and find tyres!

http://www.performancealloys.com/wheel-details.aspx?ID=1072

Granted they're a different wheel, very similar, but cheaper than the real CH's.

I think that both the BBS CH & CK wheels look great on an E46. The 19 inch CSL wheels also suit the E46 coupe really well.

However, be very careful of buying poor quality replicas. One of my friends bought a car with BBS LM reps fitted, which were in alright condition as they were relatively new. However, within about 12 months, they became badly corroded. They weren't kerbed or mistreated, they just showed signs of corrosion in various different places on the wheels. I think that they are cheap Chinese replicas.

Can you actually get a new set of genuine BBS CK alloys for €1,000?

If it were me, I think that I would probably get a genuine set of 18 inch BBS alloys for that price... (that is if you can source them for €1,000. I thought that they were much more expensive for a genuine set?)

vectra

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I'll PM people the name of the crowd, based in Dublin if they want to know. They have advertised on forums about their discounted Rainsports.

So should I just order some staggered real brand new BBS CK's for around 1000 quid and find tyres!

http://www.performancealloys.com/wheel-details.aspx?ID=1072

Granted they're a different wheel, very similar, but cheaper than the real CH's.

Any interest in my sons wheels on his E46?
He is changing them.

Alanstrainor

Johnny Utah wrote: »

I think that both the BBS CH & CK wheels look great on an E46. The 19 inch CSL wheels also suit the E46 coupe really well.

However, be very careful of buying poor quality replicas. One of my friends bought a car with BBS LM reps fitted, which were in alright condition as they were relatively new. However, within about 12 months, they became badly corroded. They weren't kerbed or mistreated, they just showed signs of corrosion in various different places on the wheels. I think that they are cheap Chinese replicas.

Can you actually get a new set of genuine BBS CK alloys for €1,000?

If it were me, I think that I would probably get a genuine set of 18 inch BBS alloys for that price... (that is if you can source them for €1,000. I thought that they were much more expensive for a genuine set?)

1060 euro for the genuine BBS CK staggered set (from the site linked above), with 8 and 8.5 widths. Then a full set of Matador tires is roughly 400 euro.

It really does probably make more sense to go with that option, at least come selling time I could sell the wheels for a reasonable amount, unlike the reps, which are worthless the second they leave the shop.

Alanstrainor

There's far too much indecision in this bloody thread...i should just order the fuckin things at this stage to be honest.

Johnny Utah

Alanstrainor wrote: »

1060 euro for the genuine BBS CK staggered set (from the site linked above), with 8 and 8.5 widths. Then a full set of Matador tires is roughly 400 euro.

It really does probably make more sense to go with that option, at least come selling time I could sell the wheels for a reasonable amount, unlike the reps, which are worthless the second they leave the shop.

Yeah, I would go with that option tbh. As one of the posters said above, the genuine wheels are lighter than the reps and will just feel right. They also make the car much more saleable when you decide to put it on the market for sale.

challengemaster

Johnny Utah wrote: »

Yeah, I would go with that option tbh. As one of the posters said above, the genuine wheels are lighter than the reps and will just feel right. They also make the car much more saleable when you decide to put it on the market for sale.

Actually he'd be better selling the wheels and car separate for making the most money out of it

Alanstrainor

Right lads, got paid today...so feck it. BBS CK wheels and matador tires.

Need to clarify sizing though:

18x8 ET45 Front (tires: 225/40/18)

18x8.5 ET34 Rear (tires: 235/40/18)

The guys selling the wheels say they can't be certain that the rears wont rub. But I'm finding it difficult to figure out, with widths/offset and tire size. Yer mano reckons 235 will fit, but isn't certain!

MuppetCheck

I'd ask on an owner forum. Better chance of a definitive answer.

Alanstrainor

MuppetCheck wrote: »

I'd ask on an owner forum. Better chance of a definitive answer.

Cheers, yeah I'm over on e46 fanatics asking. I'll have to wait and see if I get a response!

MuppetCheck

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Cheers, yeah I'm over on e46 fanatics asking. I'll have to wait and see if I get a response!

You already have a reply from CM.

You were talking about the main motors forum, right:pac:

kdevitt

Edit - I ran 235's on my CH's up front, 265's at the back. Very slight rubbing, but they were 19's, so you should be absolutely fine with them on 18s.

vectra

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Right lads, got paid today...so feck it. BBS CK wheels and matador tires.

Need to clarify sizing though:

18x8 ET45 Front (tires: 225/40/18)

18x8.5 ET34 Rear (tires: 235/40/18)

The guys selling the wheels say they can't be certain that the rears wont rub. But I'm finding it difficult to figure out, with widths/offset and tire size. Yer mano reckons 235 will fit, but isn't certain!

This is what my son has on his E46

8.5 x 18 ET35on front

9.5 x 18 ET40 rears

Currently he has 225/40/18 on the fronts and
255/35/18 on the rears with absolutely no rubbing.

Alanstrainor

Cheers for all the input fellas! Wait til next week when I post pics!

Alanstrainor

Look decent enough I reckon, maybe even nicer than the CH's!:

kdevitt

I like the CK's - and them on my GTi, but I prefer the concavity on the CH's, especially on an E46. They're a lovely wheel all the same - might still get them for the current GTi.

Edit - hope your bolts and RAD locknuts were included?

Alanstrainor

kdevitt wrote: »

I like the CK's - and them on my GTi, but I prefer the concavity on the CH's, especially on an E46. They're a lovely wheel all the same - might still get them for the current GTi.

Edit - hope your bolts and RAD locknuts were included?

I have bolts, but no locknuts...which is a problem!

Also, I was given the BBS valve caps, would you expect them to come with BBS valve stems too?

kdevitt

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I have bolts, but no locknuts...which is a problem!

Also, I was given the BBS valve caps, would you expect them to come with BBS valve stems too?

Sounds like whoever sold them stripped a bit of the kit out - which is common enough. All BBS wheels should come with a fitting kit which has a full set of bolts, a set of RAD locknuts, valve stems and the caps. Cheeky!

kdevitt

I can see your valve stems in your photo by the way.

Alanstrainor

So i have the spigot rings, the valve stem caps, and bolts.

I do not have the valve stems, nor do I have the RAD lock nuts. Do you happen to have any documentation that says what comes as standard with a set?

Cheers for this, I've already sent a mail to them.

kdevitt

Alanstrainor wrote: »

So i have the spigot rings, the valve stem caps, and bolts.

I do not have the valve stems, nor do I have the RAD lock nuts. Do you happen to have any documentation that says what comes as standard with a set?

Cheers for this, I've already sent a mail to them.

Your valve stem looks like its screwed into the valve cap from the picture you posted?

Don't have documentation, but I sell BBS wheels - they always come with a full fitting kit. That picture I posted is a proper fitting kit - you can see the RAD locknuts and adapter.

Alanstrainor

kdevitt wrote: »

Your valve stem looks like its screwed into the valve cap from the picture you posted?

Don't have documentation, but I sell BBS wheels - they always come with a full fitting kit. That picture I posted is a proper fitting kit - you can see the RAD locknuts and adapter.

There are 3 rubber valve stems...not 4, but I presume the rubber ones are what I want? But there are no RAD locknuts, just standard bolts.

kdevitt

Alanstrainor wrote: »

There are 3 rubber valve stems...not 4, but I presume the rubber ones are what I want? But there are no RAD locknuts, just standard bolts.

They're standard rubber valve stems - but yes, there should be 4.

Were the bolts and spigot rings packaged like in the photo I posted, or were they loose?

Alanstrainor

kdevitt wrote: »

They're standard rubber valve stems - but yes, there should be 4.

Were the bolts and spigot rings packaged like in the photo I posted, or were they loose?

No, they were loose. And the bolts are bagged, in such a way that doesn't look like they've been opened. Which would suggest they're most likely spurious. Do the spigot rings have any identifying marks? So I could determine if they are genuine?

Again, really appreciate this.

kdevitt

Spigot rings have no markings iirc. The bolts should all have BBS stamped onto the head.

kdevitt

A particularly grotty one -

Alanstrainor

Definitely spurious so.

Bastards!

Lets see what they say tomorrow. Cheers for the heads up with all this! Really appreciate it.

Alanstrainor

Hi,



These alloys came direct from the BBS importer.



When BBS went out of business the 2nd time the new BBS owner stopped supplying locknuts / lock bolts with the kit ,( at least 4- 5 years ago.)



After checking all boxes what are you missing ??





Regards

Tony McLornan

This is the response I got.

Any truth to this?

kdevitt

Alanstrainor wrote: »

This is the response I got.

Any truth to this?

Nah sounds like crap to me. His BBS importer is potentially removing the kits to sell on and keep prices down, or maybe his deal with BBS doesn't include the kits?

The RAD fitting key in the BBS kit is a different colour to the one supplied direct by RAD, and they come up on eBay a bit -

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/RAD-Wheel-Lock-Bolt-12mmx1-5-52mm-Shank-Ball-Seat-BBS-/250855918867?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a682d8d13

The fitting kit photo I put up is from my own CK's and was taken in Aug 2012. I source them through a German contact who buys direct from BBS, and the fitting kits are still supplied (last time I quoted someone was 6 months back and the kit was listed as FOC - so definitely nothing to do with them almost going out of business 4/5 years back)

Voodoomelon

Any luck with the supplier Alan?

tossy

That wheel bolt looks well used, i wouldn't accept that with a new set of wheels. :mad:

You should order some wheel bolt covers anyway, do BMW do them? I have VW ones on mine - i think it really tidys up the wheel.