To change, or not to change, that is the question…

[jenniferlouise]

This is really helpful.... just been under the Z4 and tried to measure what a 437 9J and 10J would do... the fact you say they fit with no rubbing is very encouraging, as I judge there is about 20mm clearance at a couple of places with the 326 9J (on 255/30 rubber) at the rear, so taking into account a loss of 12.7mm with a 10J (275/35) that cuts the clearances very tight!

So much so I was going to bin the idea and possibly buy two brand new (£650 ea) 326s and colour match my existing fronts (back to silver) and buy some new non run flat rubber all round. This option will be £1000 at best (£1200 on better rubber, plus the cost of front refurb). Now I’m swinging back to a full set of 437 w/ 255 and 275 35 profile rubber.

I’ve also spent today looking at 18” bmw refurbished alloys with or without tyres, to benefit from a less severe ride. again it’s circa £1200 and I’m not sure which rims would be a suitable fit...

This is so hard!!

 

[john-e89]

This is really helpful.... just been under the Z4 and tried to measure what a 437 9J and 10J would do... the fact you say they fit with no rubbing is very encouraging, as I judge there is about 20mm clearance at a couple of places with the 326 9J (on 255/30 rubber) at the rear, so taking into account a loss of 12.7mm with a 10J (275/35) that cuts the clearances very tight!

So much so I was going to bin the idea and possibly buy two brand new (£650 ea) 326s and colour match my existing fronts (back to silver) and buy some new non run flat rubber all round. This option will be £1000 at best (£1200 on better rubber, plus the cost of front refurb). Now I’m swinging back to a full set of 437 w/ 255 and 275 35 profile rubber.

I’ve also spent today looking at 18” bmw refurbished alloys with or without tyres, to benefit from a less severe ride. again it’s circa £1200 and I’m not sure which rims would be a suitable fit...

This is so hard!!

How much influence do looks have in your descision Jen...?

 

[jenniferlouise]

Priority is to achieve the MoT, after which, if there remains a desire, and budget, to change the alloys (and possibly tyres), then it’s all in scope. Clearly to buy new alloys would work best if I can try a few options. Presently I can’t move the car.

I’ve had some positive news from members here on the forum that may give me an opportunity to simply replace the single damaged wheel.

I’ve slowed down to avoid rushing a big financial decision. The conversations on here are so helpful too.

 

[jenniferlouise]

Thank you to all that have contributed to this thread. I think I’ve made a decision and have a solution. Thanks again to the wonderful community on this forum I have managed to get a replacement, undamaged 326M alloy, which will enable me to at least get my car MoT, taxed and mobile. I will likely colour match it, and then I’ve bought some time to consider a bigger spend on new or replacement wheels all round. I’d like to drive (from Cambs) to Eastbourne and see BMAutosport so that I can try some options against the car. Something clearly I can’t do whilst it’s sat, lame, in the garage. Or, I may rediscover my love of the 326’s and simply need to part ways with RFTs as many have. I could paint them a wacky colour Thanks again. A

 

[B21]

I bought my Zito 935s from them..good guys

 

[sars]

I bought my Zito 935s from them..good guys

Yep I got my Veemann’s, the AllSeasonContacts and TPMS for the SL from them, great service and advice

 

[Mr Tidy]

Thanks again to the wonderful community on this forum I have managed to get a replacement, undamaged 326M alloy, which will enable me to at least get my car MoT, taxed and mobile.

That is great news.

At least now you'll be able to use your car while you reach a decision so can give it some thought instead of having any time pressure.

The 326s are certainly a great looking wheel - I think I'd be tempted to keep them and swap to non RFTs.

Anyway good luck finding a long-term solution.

 

[jenniferlouise]

Well, I’ve got the replacement 326M on the car and it’s passed - with flying colours - it’s MoT today. I’ll look into colour matching next week… I did think i might go all OE silver but if I can get a match to the gunmetal then I’ll prob do that. Then we will consider tyres (need to save first), as I can always transfer tyres if I change the wheels later. A

 

[jenniferlouise]

I’ve decided to keep the 326s, they just look great on the car. So, they are a little prone to damage, I may need to create a stockpile of rears!
Having been to see two wheel refurbishment companies local to me, I’m informed the finish I have is ‘shadow chrome’ altho neither were impressed with the current quality of finish. I’ve decided to book it in for a new refurb of all four wheels, retaining the shadow chrome but, I’m assured, will look a lot better. Colour matching one, which is possible, I’m told will stand out almost as mush as the silver does now!
Given that the OSR has had two welds, I’m now in the hunt for a replacement, undamaged, unrepaired 326M alloy from the lovely people here, having success to get the terrible NSR replacement prior to MoT…

 

[jenniferlouise]

Still waiting for another rear 326M alloy to pop up on the forum, in the meantime I’ve booked the Zed in at Wheel Genie in Huntingdon for a full-set refurb for a little over £300… I’ve had two assessments and both say the current ‘shadow chrome’ is a poor quality and matching the ‘new’ wheel is not going to blend in, so starting again is better and will give a better look. I hear you saying ‘of course they did’ but I’ve seen the work of WG and spoken with the boss and I’m sure they will give me a finish that exceeds what I’ve got already. Only one pal I spoke with said ‘go back to silver’…

 

[jenniferlouise]

http://www.wheelgenie.co.uk/

 

[jenniferlouise]

Oh those guys at wheel genie Huntingdon… just picked up the alloys and they are epic! So much better than expected, can’t wait to get them on. And yes, I’ll be sniffing out pot holes to avoid! I’ve ended up with a repaired spare rear and will probably keep an eye out for another, just in case, but I’m content I’ve not decided to change from 326s just yet; there’s a bit of life in these rims yet

 

[N4LLY]

That look's a great job

Wish i had someone local, lacquer is peeling off my 326's :x

 

[Mr Tidy]

They look fantastic now - I can see why you wanted to stick with 326s!

Good luck avoiding potholes.

 

[jenniferlouise]

Pleased with the finished look

 

[jenniferlouise]

It’s been a while… thought I’d update here… the 326s were given a clean bill of health (ie no more cracks!) when I had a service and health check at Bartlett’s Huntingdon at the end of November. The car is presently snoozing off it’s winter (SORN) until warmer days (which means the Beetle is doing the hard miles) and I’ve got time to consider tyres…

If I take off the Bridgestone runflats, what do I replace them with? I guess if money is no object you’ll all scream Michelin PS4S. Goodyear Eagle F1 are getting good reviews. And I do like a Yokohama for a bit less. I’m probably only going to put 3,000 miles on her in a year, so resisting spending £1,000 on rubber, esp when I’ve lots of tread left (unlike the from of the Beetle which needs a pair of Falkens).

Welcome views. I know this is both subjective and emotive stuff. Thanks

 

[tiglon]

Continental SportContact 7 would be what I'd scream. Not much cheaper than the Michelins though...

 

[Argyll Andy]

Continental SportContact 7 would be what I'd scream. Not much cheaper than the Michelins though...

+1, great tyres and when I replaced mine on the G29 (bigger tyres) they were @£300 cheaper than the Michelin’s

 

[B21]

Conti Sport 7 is now the top dog Tyre and as Andy says quite a bit cheaper than the MP4S…

Pity the new Goodyear Assy 6 is not available in stock 19” E89 sizes..arguably either no 1 or no 2 and puts the MP4S into third place …

The Goodyear Assy 5 is a very good tyre well suited to the E89 and offers about the same saving in cost again as the SC7 does over the MP4S..

After that you are into the tier 2 type tyres which may be perfectly ok for your needs..doesn’t seem to save much money though at that point

 

[mr wilks]

The Avon ZV7s are worth considering , , around £500 for a set of staggered 19s .
More relevant RE 326s + E89 arch gap i would seriously consider tweaking the profiles to 215 40 19 or 235 35 19 fronts / 255 35 19 or 265 30 19 rears .