Wheel Butchery

[Tmac]

Here is a relatively uninformed question from a newbie. Recently purchased a 2007 E86 in rubinschwarz (black/red) metallic and looking to go a black powdercoat/paint on the wheels. These wheels are OEM 18's in a 5 spoke triple star pattern and in very good condition - hopefully my avatar shows a pic.

Would I be butchering these by coating/spraying, or should I just go for it? Would I be better off cash-wise selling the wheels and buying rims already in black? Tyres are at about 50%.

Any views welcome. Thanks

[Stuart Truman]

Your car, your rules (as witnessed by many heated debates on here)

Whatever you do you'll find those that like and those that hate. If you do them, get them done properly by a recommended wheel place like Lepsons or Platinum.

Then put pics up so we can all say "ooh" and "ahh" and "I like those" and "dude, what were you thinking"

[chris g]

dealers choice

and one half of the forum will applaud your courage and love them and the other half will applaud your courage and hate them

as a black z4 owner i wrestle with the question too, if it were grey silver red or white, it would be easier and i look at gunmetals dark greys and silver rims, but i suspect for me personally - the second I kerbed them, id hate them - and i find the front wheels almost irresistible to kerbing

[Tmac]

Your car, your rules (as witnessed by many heated debates on here)

Whatever you do you'll find those that like and those that hate. If you do them, get them done properly by a recommended wheel place like Lepsons or Platinum.

Then put pics up so we can all say "ooh" and "ahh" and "I like those" and "dude, what were you thinking"

Yep - probably will get them done somewhere else though. Closer to Australia perhaps!

Gotta say, I think these wheels are dog ugly. I could be wrong here and they probably weren't a cheap option at the time. Maybe I'm failing to appreciate their true beauty?!

Really the question is: are these wheels worth saving for reasons I don't yet appreciate, or otherwise am I right to try to make them disappear by painting them black?

[Adamski]

If your car is ruby black, I'd be tempted to say leave the wheels in OEM finish, or go 'all black'.

End of t'day, it's your call. You choose sir, you choose


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[Tmac]

dealers choice

and one half of the forum will applaud your courage and love them and the other half will applaud your courage and hate them

as a black z4 owner i wrestle with the question too, if it were grey silver red or white, it would be easier and i look at gunmetals dark greys and silver rims, but i suspect for me personally - the second I kerbed them, id hate them - and i find the front wheels almost irresistible to kerbing

Damage is the big problem with wheel mods. I just sold a 07 Exige that we ran as track car. The black powdercoat wheels where almost silver after the first season. We then had them blasted and spray-painted instead. Paint can be touched up as often as you like and with a track car you're painting it every few months anyway.

Not sure if I can be bothered doing constant touch ups for a road car.

[Half Colin]

Go gunmetal.

[srhutch]

Those wheels are like hens teeth to find, but as you say don't think they suit the car very well.