AlpineWeiss
05-16-2010, 07:53 PM
This is copied from my blog which I'm just starting:
http://alpineweiss.wordpress.com/
I woke up feeling great on Friday but otherwise it was just like any other normal day. Wake up at 5:10am, get ready to go and get out the door by 5:50. I was looking forward to making the best out of yet another mundane day at work. I was in a zen state of happiness, it just looked like it was going to be a pleasant Friday.
...Until I hit bricks on the 237 connector to 880. Gray bricks on gray asphalt right as it was just getting bright enough to render headlights redundant. I didn't see them until I was on top of them. I can't really describe what its like hitting a bunch of bricks on the freeway at 75mph other than it reminded me of some car accidents I have been in.
With thoughts of being stranded and expensive tow bills flying untethered in my mind I pulled off the side of 880 and got out to check for damage. Needing to get out of your car on the side of the freeway at the crack of dawn to inspect it for damage is a terrible feeling... don't do it.
So what was the damage? Everything was still attached and the car still felt tight but at speeds anywhere over 50 it felt like I was rolling on squares. It wasn't just one vibration either, which told me I had bent multiple wheels. At this point I sheepishly called into work and told them I wouldn't be making it. Which pointed towards a really worrying question, how was I going to source a set of wheels so I could make it into work by Monday? No stock sets were for sale locally and shipping would have taken at least 5 days.
It was looking like a rather shitty situation so I decided that if I was going to be spending money I might as well get what I want. I was planning on going with ARC-8 in 17x9 from APEX in the future, but now with my hand forced today was the day. I went to order a set when I realized that APEX was located a short drive away in Livermore. I called them up and ended up on the phone with Eddy the owner. I explained my situation and at the drop of a hat he was happy to help.
Shortly afterward I met him at their warehouse and selected my future set of wheels. We discussed all the issues with spacing and possible rubbing. I got the impression that Eddy was going to do everything he could to be sure I was on the road by Monday, which is something I seriously appreciate. He also took a genuine interest in the tires I was choosing and recommended me a very good America's Tire nearby. I ended up with a set of Falken FK452 245/40/17s, which I will review later.
We discovered at the tire shop that there was no rubbing issues on the fronts. So for the record some stock E36M3s can fit 245s up front with out spacers (depending on the tire). Eddy had a final look over the fitment and gave me some advice about where to look for any potential rubbing. He also answered 6 months of questions I had built up about AST coilovers and good local shops. A major thank you to him, he saved my ass.
As much as it stings to spend that much money on short notice I just cant manage to be upset over it. I am happy with the wheels, and happy to have met another good person in the automotive/racing community.
Job well done!
Because this thread would be worthless with out pics, just a little teaser. I will take more shots when the car is feeling a little less camera shy. You guys know how girls can be before they have their makeup on... ;)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/4612963297_09d6fb6ccc_o.jpg
http://alpineweiss.wordpress.com/
I woke up feeling great on Friday but otherwise it was just like any other normal day. Wake up at 5:10am, get ready to go and get out the door by 5:50. I was looking forward to making the best out of yet another mundane day at work. I was in a zen state of happiness, it just looked like it was going to be a pleasant Friday.
...Until I hit bricks on the 237 connector to 880. Gray bricks on gray asphalt right as it was just getting bright enough to render headlights redundant. I didn't see them until I was on top of them. I can't really describe what its like hitting a bunch of bricks on the freeway at 75mph other than it reminded me of some car accidents I have been in.
With thoughts of being stranded and expensive tow bills flying untethered in my mind I pulled off the side of 880 and got out to check for damage. Needing to get out of your car on the side of the freeway at the crack of dawn to inspect it for damage is a terrible feeling... don't do it.
So what was the damage? Everything was still attached and the car still felt tight but at speeds anywhere over 50 it felt like I was rolling on squares. It wasn't just one vibration either, which told me I had bent multiple wheels. At this point I sheepishly called into work and told them I wouldn't be making it. Which pointed towards a really worrying question, how was I going to source a set of wheels so I could make it into work by Monday? No stock sets were for sale locally and shipping would have taken at least 5 days.
It was looking like a rather shitty situation so I decided that if I was going to be spending money I might as well get what I want. I was planning on going with ARC-8 in 17x9 from APEX in the future, but now with my hand forced today was the day. I went to order a set when I realized that APEX was located a short drive away in Livermore. I called them up and ended up on the phone with Eddy the owner. I explained my situation and at the drop of a hat he was happy to help.
Shortly afterward I met him at their warehouse and selected my future set of wheels. We discussed all the issues with spacing and possible rubbing. I got the impression that Eddy was going to do everything he could to be sure I was on the road by Monday, which is something I seriously appreciate. He also took a genuine interest in the tires I was choosing and recommended me a very good America's Tire nearby. I ended up with a set of Falken FK452 245/40/17s, which I will review later.
We discovered at the tire shop that there was no rubbing issues on the fronts. So for the record some stock E36M3s can fit 245s up front with out spacers (depending on the tire). Eddy had a final look over the fitment and gave me some advice about where to look for any potential rubbing. He also answered 6 months of questions I had built up about AST coilovers and good local shops. A major thank you to him, he saved my ass.
As much as it stings to spend that much money on short notice I just cant manage to be upset over it. I am happy with the wheels, and happy to have met another good person in the automotive/racing community.
Job well done!
Because this thread would be worthless with out pics, just a little teaser. I will take more shots when the car is feeling a little less camera shy. You guys know how girls can be before they have their makeup on... ;)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/4612963297_09d6fb6ccc_o.jpg