New (to me) 326M Alloys fitted & Future Caliper Painting

[superdavelotus]

Hi all,

I've been running the standard 18" alloys that came with the car then these came up at a bargain price so I couldn't resist!
They have run flats which I plan to change soon. The rear tyres are like new. I plan to touch the scuffs up for now and get the summer out of them then have all of them refurbed.
On a side note, what's people's view of painting the calipers? If so, let me see some of yours please!

 

[B21]

FWIW the 326Ms have a bad history for cracking..especially with run flats..although many have had them crack with non run flats..I’d avoid potholes like the plague..

I tried various options..colour matched yellow..yuk

Silver .. hmm ok

Personally clean stock or maybe a light grey..

Although functionally they work well I personally wouldn’t draw attention to what looks like a weedy chespo caliper especially with the big gaps afforded by 326Ms :tumbleweed:

 

[superdavelotus]

That’s a fair point regarding the calliper and have to agree with you on that one.
I know these alloys are weak and prone to cracking, I’ll just have to take it easy when out and about.

 

[Pondrew]

FWIW I have 326M wheels with Bridgestone RFTs (the perfect storm) and none have ever cracked in 10 years, so it's not a given!
I painted my calipers with silver and black smooth Hammerite. It's cheap, lasts OK and you don't have to take the calipers off!

 

[superdavelotus]

I've noticed that you have either new bolts or have painted them? I also like the added touch of bolt covers as the standarad black bolt looks ugly IMO!

 

[Pondrew]

I've noticed that you have either new bolts or have painted them? I also like the added touch of bolt covers as the standarad black bolt looks ugly IMO!

One picture was covers over the rusty black bolts (they cracked and looked a bit too bling so came off). Then bought a set of silver bolts from the 'Bay without lockers. Much better and have lasted two years so far!

 

[Silverstar]

You asked, so here's mine:

 

[Pondrew]

You asked, so here's mine:

Liking the red retaining clip. Very funky.

 

[Christopher72]

Actually any color is fine, just keep them looking clean and no rusty parts.

 

[Ole gits rule]

I had mine done in San Marino blue - looked great against a white car

 

[Johnbmwz4]

These wheels are the best looking ones on the E89. They look great. I’ve painted mine Escorial blue which I think look great. I’ll attach some photos but I have a long thread about painting mine with loads of pics of before , during and after, just check my previous posts

 

[jenniferlouise]

Lovely wheel. But do crack like toffee. Change the caliper…

 

[jenniferlouise]

However, I have got my Mercedes booked in to have its calipers painted next month. Much cheaper option and will def smarten it up. Will prob go black or silver/gunmetal

 

[superdavelotus]

These wheels are the best looking ones on the E89. They look great. I’ve painted mine Escorial blue which I think look great. I’ll attach some photos but I have a long thread about painting mine with loads of pics of before , during and after, just check my previous posts80BB46FF-549F-4692-9E07-C3E251FC2E61.jpegF84C86D2-0AA5-4E85-AAC0-AF7AF9EE179F.jpeg1666494D-9E8B-4E89-888A-9AAD60494032.jpeg0DCB741A-E138-41D0-B8E8-DDDBFD2A5149.jpeg

That's exactly what I am looking for colour wise! I'll search for your post in the week and have a read, thanks!

 

[superdavelotus]

Lovely wheel. But do crack like toffee. Change the caliper…

What colour are your wheels, they look fantastic?

 

[Johnbmwz4]

These wheels are the best looking ones on the E89. They look great. I’ve painted mine Escorial blue which I think look great. I’ll attach some photos but I have a long thread about painting mine with loads of pics of before , during and after, just check my previous posts80BB46FF-549F-4692-9E07-C3E251FC2E61.jpegF84C86D2-0AA5-4E85-AAC0-AF7AF9EE179F.jpeg1666494D-9E8B-4E89-888A-9AAD60494032.jpeg0DCB741A-E138-41D0-B8E8-DDDBFD2A5149.jpeg

That's exactly what I am looking for colour wise! I'll search for your post in the week and have a read, thanks!

I also did them while attached to the car, obviously took the wheels off. Just took my time and bought various size very small paint brushes to get into difficult places.

 

[Busterboo]

I know these alloys are weak and prone to cracking, I’ll just have to take it easy when out and about.

How will you do that, then?

 

[Busterboo]

FWIW I have 326M wheels with Bridgestone RFTs (the perfect storm) and none have ever cracked in 10 years, so it's not a given!

You've driven Bridgestone runflats for 10 years? No, no. Come on, tell the truth. Nobody who likes driving could do that. :roll:

 

[Busterboo]

These wheels are the best looking ones on the E89. They look great.

No, they're not. They look like spiders' legs wrapped in liquorice strips.

 

[Pondrew]

You've driven Bridgestone runflats for 10 years? No, no. Come on, tell the truth.

I've had the car for 2 years. It had new Potenza RFTs on when bought. They are very hard wearing and not changing them just for the sake of it, at £200 a corner! :wink: