New Alloys Journey

W

Wrs

Member
 Surrey
I was recently forced into looking at alternative alloys for my 35is because one of the rear 326 M alloys had a hair line crack appear within 5 months of ownership :( .

I love the 326 M alloys as I think they suit the E89 perfectly but I do not love them enough to pay out (£500+) for a new one each time they crack.

1a.jpg
2a.jpg

I decided to check out aftermarket alloys instead. This was also a good excuse to ditch the run flats and upgrade each corner with some Michelin Pilot Super Sports. I purchased a set of Atomic CSL Style Alloys in Hyper Silver from CM Wheels, took delivery, applied Poor Boys wheel sealant and had them fitted right away.

1b.jpg
2b.jpg

I wasn't convinced :oops: . I mean CSL's look great on E85/E86's in fact this was one of the upgrades I regret not doing on my previous 3.0si roady.

I just couldn't help feel they didn't look quite right on my E89 :?. I wrongly(?) assumed Hyper Silver meant bright silver similar to the OEM colour but instead they were more of a "chrome" finish.

I headed over to Primo Alloys in Guildford and shared my thoughts to one of the painters, he headed outside to take a look and said "yes they look awful" :|. I booked my car in to have the alloys painted in a brighter silver / grey mix to blend better with the side mirrors. When I dropped the Zed off a week later the owner of Primo Alloys came out and said "I don't know why you are having them painted, I really like the chrome effect." Just shows horses for courses and all that :)

Anyways here is the final result...

1.jpg
2.jpg
3.jpg
4.jpg
5.jpg
6.jpg
7.jpg

I am a lot happier but if I am honest still not 100%. What do you guys think?

A moody pic to finish off.. :D

8.jpg

P.S. Big thanks to Mr Wilks for the offsets & tyre sizes assistance and Ash / hopz121 for recommending Primo Alloys :thumbsup:
 
If you want honesty,
The original 326 look far better. Sorry :( only IMO.
They do look better now you've had them painted. :thumbsup:
I know only 18" but wonder what 224's would look like on an E89 ?
 
I can see where your coming from , they don't jump out and catch the eye like the originals , is it maybe something to do with the ride height and dish on the rears ?
 
Grumpyowl said:
If you want honesty,
The original 326 look far better. Sorry :( only IMO.
They do look better now you've had them painted. :thumbsup:
I know only 18" but wonder what 224's would look like on an E89 ?
Click to expand...

No need to apologise. We are thinking exactly the same :).

Its funny you should say that re: 224's. I think they would look really good (especially after seeing Flimper & RickRob's in the flesh a few weeks back) and I have been keeping an eye out.. I was quite tempted by the recent lot sold on eBay from Germany but yes going down to 18's was/is playing on my mind.
 
Side on I think they look really good. I have always been 50/50 on CSL wheels on the e89 at times I think they look great others I prefer a simpler style of wheel.

Looks better after you had them painted I think they would grow on me if I had them on my car.
 
Paulwirral said:
I can see where your coming from , they don't jump out and catch the eye like the originals , is it maybe something to do with the ride height and dish on the rears ?
Click to expand...

Spot on re: not catching the eye like the 326's did. I am still under AUC warranty until April next year so I can't change the springs. Also I am not sure how this would affect the Adaptive Suspension setup.
 
Wrs said:
Grumpyowl said:
If you want honesty,
The original 326 look far better. Sorry :( only IMO.
They do look better now you've had them painted. :thumbsup:
I know only 18" but wonder what 224's would look like on an E89 ?
Click to expand...

No need to apologise. We are thinking exactly the same :).

Its funny you should say that re: 224's. I think they would look really good (especially after seeing Flimper & RickRob's in the flesh a few weeks back) and I have been keeping an eye out.. I was quite tempted by the recent lot sold on eBay from Germany but yes going down to 18's was/is playing on my mind.
Click to expand...

I bought a set in the spring from Germany ( they were perfect) they are fantastic value for money :thumbsup:
 
When we met a few weeks ago I said at the time that I had not seen CSL-type wheels on an E89 before. I thought they looked great as they were - don't think they look any better (or worse) now they're re-painted.

If I can see them in the metal through the pouring rain tomorrow I may revise my opinion.

See you tomorrow. :)
 
I've also got CSL type 19" alloys on my E89, I think your originals look better tbh but the CSL do look good. My originals were 17" with runflats boo! :rofl:
 
Not that I'm having a pop but I think you've shot yourself in the foot TBH, you prefer the 326's over anything and yet you have bought aftermarket wheels you're not sure about when you could have had the 326 welded and then fitted the non run flat MPSS's on them which would have drastically reduced another crack to them all.

Why not do that and sell the aftermarket wheels on?
 
Strange the shape of the E89 just doesn't quite work with CSL's. To be fair I've not seen many wheels that work with the shape. Pictures never do much justice, think seeing them in person is always an improvement.
 
I like the new colour much better. :thumbsup:

Quite like the CSL look on the E89 although agree with others that they do look better on the E85 and E86.

The rears don't look like they have the correct concave look though :(
 
john-e89 said:
Not that I'm having a pop but I think you've shot yourself in the foot TBH, you prefer the 326's over anything and yet you have bought aftermarket wheels you're not sure about when you could have had the 326 welded and then fitted the non run flat MPSS's on them which would have drastically reduced another crack to them all.

Why not do that and sell the aftermarket wheels on?
Click to expand...

Hi John - My train of thought was simply spend £80-100 on getting the 326 M alloy welded or purchase a new one for £595 (both options at the risk / worry of a crack happening again) + a set of MPSS for £750

or

Purchase the CSL style wheels + set of MPSS (at the same ish cost) and most importantly peace of mind.

I still have my set of 326 alloys in the shed to go back on but with the MPSS tyres if I can't learn to love the CSL'S.
 
Thanks everyone for their thoughts! The majority seem to be thinking the same as me deep down.

Back to the drawing board.. me thinks!
 
Think the csl's look great,maybe could do with 12mm spacers to fill the rears. What about a warranty claime on the 326 ?
 
The 326s do look great on the e89 but it's a very 'common' style wheel now on nearly all later e89s. CSLs don't quite work though imo. I tend to agree with John about getting non run flats on the 326s which should stop any further cracking.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom