The All Important Choice of Wheels

[redimension]

Ok, so i just got my 535i last month. Its rough and needs lots of work. A money pit... But I am willing to give it the love that it needs. I have ordered NEX's, all new suspension rods and thrusters, and acquired a manual swap. Now i have to chose rims. I am going to be painting the car this summer to a dark graphite grey/almost black. These are what i think im going to go with. I have a tight budget on the car and a budget of 1500ish for the total wheel package and these fall well below that range with quality tires. They are Privat Kontakt, made by Konig. I can get the 19' staggered setup (8.5x9.5) for $600+tires. Anyone have some other good suggestions?!

http://www.konigwheels.com/core/media/media.nl/id.5885/c.275188/.f?h=d44b25ce96e52e7ee69f

[Meeve]

not my cup of tea. They are fake 2 piece as well. I'd say get some style 5 thats winner.

Style 19 is too. Or you can get something more original, but i personaly don't like these private wheel.

[redimension]

I also kinda like these
http://www.elitewheelwarehouse.com/images/dblg/505CB.jpg

[jtk86]

What are you a drug dealer? To each there own though. Beyern makes some nice wheels they are pretty much BMW designs and they are affordable as well I got my 18" Black Mesh w/rubber I think for 900 or something like that dont really remember because I traded in my other rims/tires but I know it was under 1500

[redimension]

I really want these, but at a price of 3500 for just the rims i cant afford that lol
http://www.workwheelsusa.com/media/wheels/22/42/wheelImage.png

[87shark]

I would probably go with some m parallels if i were you.

[E34nication]

I really want these, but at a price of 3500 for just the rims i cant afford that lol
http://www.workwheelsusa.com/media/wheels/22/42/wheelImage.png

Are those the same rims user "Weksos" has? He might be selling them (if he still has them)...

[Tj Hunter]

Save your money and buy a set of used M-Parallels, Style 5, 19, 32, M Systems etc. Not worth it to go with a new set of wheels on a 16+ year old car, unless you are sponsored for show events or something like that.

On the HIGH end you will spend $1500 for a MINT set of M Systems WITH tires, that is the HIGH end. You could get a set of Style 5, 19, 32's with tires for $500 or so.

Put your money into maintenance and keeping the car road worthy, especially if you have coils and larger rims then stock. You will be replacing your thrust arms every 30-40K miles, if they even make it that far.

[BoldUlysses]

None of the wheels you've posted so far are going to look good on an E34. The car's lines need something simple, straightforward and powerful-looking, not fussy or intricate (17" Style 5s excluded, even if I don't like them).

As TJ said, BMW factory wheels are you best bet from a price and looks standpoint.

Here's a good reference:

http://felgenkatalog.auto-treff.com/

Anything with a low offset (ET around 20ish) will fit.

-Matt

[redimension]

Are those the same rims user "Weksos" has? He might be selling them (if he still has them)...

yes, they are. i pm'd him about them but i havent heard anything from him yet. I am absolutely in love w those rims. and if he offered to sell them at the right price i wouldnt hesitate..

I dont want to go with anything oem. Thats why i kinda like the first ones. they are pretty simple clean, 5spoke, and they look kinda meaty.. Im nore looking to get suggestions on other aftermarkets.. Dont want Rapp's seen too many ppl do that already.

[AndrewH]

The rim choice is indeed all important...And you just done did failed it.

[BoldUlysses]

I dont want to go with anything oem.

How come?


Thats why i kinda like the first ones. they are pretty simple clean, 5spoke, and they look kinda meaty..

They also look really heavy and will make the car look flat-footed. Spokes that widen as they go out have that effect.

-Matt

[redimension]

The rim choice is indeed all important...And you just done did failed it.

I haven't failed yet, because I havent bought anything. This is my first bimmer, so m new to this world. Im looking to get perspectives and opinions like yours. So you dont like my choice. What would you go with considering my style so far?

[QUOTE=msuffern;21289074]How come?



Idk, i havent seen anything yet that just makes me love them. I would love to be pointed in the right direction tho!

[e34moneypit]

why are we telling him to buy the same wheels that we all have? if the man wants to put staggered privat's on, let him do it. he's the one that has to get up in the morning, look out the window at it and then drive around in it. if it makes him happy? that's cool.

for you, e34project- there oem wheels and some aftermarkets that flow very well with the lines of he e34. baller chrome 19s/20s that scream "look at me" don't really work. not to mention they WILL f*** up your suspension setup. 19's are at the top of the "can fit comfortably" scale. before you buy wheels and tires, fix everything else that's wrong with the car, and do your research to find what you want exactly. spend 15-20 minutes a day looking around at your options, and remember you want the offset to be low. Under 25. good luck.

[Sam Son]

those all look like absolute shit..

[jtk86]

google your car and see what others are wearing on the rides, the choices you have laid out so far seem a little Un Bimmerish if you know what I mean these arent caddies or impalas these are German sports sedans keep the euro look

[Simplesauce]

As everyone else already said, youd better look for any of the wheels that came with the e39 sport packs. If you just want a cheap wheel, have you considered VMR or Miro?

[jtk86]

This is my prefrence, like I said I have them on my E90 and love em, im going to be buying a set for the E34 once I get it.

http://beyernwheels.com/

[e34moneypit]

those all look like absolute shit..

I didn't even realize that Weksos' old wheels were in there. It's amazing how bad they look in the picture but in the proper application were amazing. I mean sure all it took was perfect paint, an ACS kit, and stance.... :help

[jtk86]

Is this gonna be one of those cars were the rims are worth more than the car? Never quite understood this logic on why people would do this. Whats wrong with the rims you have now? Just get new rubber put on them save some $$$ you can always buy wheels at a later date focus on the things the car needs and if wheels aren't one of them spend your money on something it does need

[89 bimmer]

I have perfect rims for you!!!

Look at these:
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z292/usedsk8r/2010-07-15152439.jpg

Aren't they just wonderful???

[misswin]

....the drug dealer question was on point. whoa, dude.

[jtk86]

CRACK 4 SALE! hahahaha Boats n Hoes. So I dont get another warning I will write something to deal w/ this issue. Give it up on the rims man, right now if this is a project car you have bigger issues and rims should be the least of your worries. What to the rims you already have look like? Maybe I will buy them off of you for my car

[KrackerJap]

IS there a thread in these forums that list all the OEM rims and their name I used search function and found nothing

[zubbie]

buy the wheels you want, put them on and enjoy. After a period of time the forces of entropy will guide you to the realization that there is a fairly well defined group of wheels that look good on an E34. all the rest just don't work. GL

FWIW though I am a fan of Privat Kraftwerk (similar to rondell 72's or hamanns)

http://www.thewheelconnection.com/showpicture.php?brand=Privat&name=Kraftwerk&finish=Chrome


IS there a thread in these forums that list all the OEM rims and their name I used search function and found nothing

peruse the registry for wheel options. takes a while but after 20 pages of rides you will know what you like.

[KrackerJap]

buy the wheels you want, put them on and enjoy. After a period of time the forces of entropy will guide you to the realization that there is a fairly well defined group of wheels that look good on an E34. all the rest just don't work. GL

FWIW though I am a fan of Privat Kraftwerk (similar to rondell 72's or hamanns)

http://www.thewheelconnection.com/showpicture.php?brand=Privat&name=Kraftwerk&finish=Chrome



peruse the registry for wheel options. takes a while but after 20 pages of rides you will know what you like.
I like my rims I was just wondering what their fancy beamer names were
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=566782&page=47 its the red car 3/4 of the way down the page

[HE53]

Young Grasshopper.... You have much to learn.

Luckily you are local.. Lemme know if you want some help finding some wheels. With a little patience you can pick something decent up on craigslist.

[beeter]

KrackerJap- post number 9 in this thread has the list you are looking for I believe.

e34projekt- My car came with 20's in my signature and the car rides and drives good with them. I personally am not a huge fan of them and am planning on getting smaller rims eventually. My car doesnt rub unless I am turned hard over. I have had 400 pounds in the back seat and they didnt rub either. But, as I said, I will be replacing my rims.

[740Sport]

buy the wheels you want, put them on and enjoy. After a period of time the forces of entropy will guide you to the realization that there is a fairly well defined group of wheels that look good on an E34. all the rest just don't work. GL

FWIW though I am a fan of Privat Kraftwerk (similar to rondell 72's or hamanns)

http://www.thewheelconnection.com/showpicture.php?brand=Privat&name=Kraftwerk&finish=Chrome



peruse the registry for wheel options. takes a while but after 20 pages of rides you will know what you like.

The Privat Kraftwerk Hamman replicas are jive nice. I never considered them in my hunt. My preference are the BBS LM replicas, which you can pick up from wheeldude.com. You can't go wrong with the M Parallels, but Beyerns don't do the e34 any justice and the other wheels you chosen are better served on an Impala or a 300M.

[jtk86]

I just checked out Beyern and looked at there styles and your right they really dont seem to work well with the E34 but I think they look great on my E90 crazy huh? Damnit now yall got me wheel huntin. lol The only rim from Beyern I would remotely consider is the Mesh I have this rim already and love it even though it is a pain to keep clean. In my garage seems like every couple of days cleaning them

[cmgreensr]

It's hard to find aftermarket wheels that I like on a E34, although the ones Zubbie posted look like they may look pretty good. Most cars you can just slap a set of wheels on and are good to go but these things are pretty picky. You don't like any OE wheels?

[jtk86]

IDK if that was at me but I went to there website and they all say 3 Series? Either way there was only a couple that I really liked. But you are right when it comes to picking rims i can see how the E34 would be a pain. It took me a few weeks to choose the ones for my E90 I was driving the guy at the tire shop up a wall we went through so many catalogs, but they were very patient so it was all good

[Steve547i]

What are you a drug dealer?
You couldn't be more accurate

[d1984]

OEM BMW style wheels > *

and no larger than 18"

the wheels you posted are hideous, IMO. but to each his own i guess. at 19" it's probably going to ride and handle like crap, too.

[dalex44]

Buy my wheels, check out the classifieds there ronals you'll like them

[jamiroquai]

Have a look here: http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/wheels/BMWWheels.htm
Most complete list I could find

[grecobeemer]

Some wheels just look a bit much on the E34. MPar's look perfect. Also check out Miro Wheels. I have a set of Type 279's that look really good. And honestly have held up really well. Call Ron at ModBargains, great guy and supporting vendor.

http://www.modbargains.com/_e/Miro_Wheels/product/Miro_Type_279_Wheels/18x8_0_18x9_0_Miro_Wheels_Type_279_Wheel_for_BMW_5 x120.htm

[mikemxbike4]

If you want some baller rims that not many people have on e34's, go for some HRE's. If you can afford them lol

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5123/5311053772_5ca992113a_b.jpg
http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo81/wheelsboutique/Wheels%20Boutique%202/590RS.jpg (http://javascript<b></b>:void(0);)

[e34moneypit]

OEM BMW style wheels > *

and no larger than 18"

the wheels you posted are hideous, IMO. but to each his own i guess. at 19" it's probably going to ride and handle like crap, too.

Paging weksos to come take a huge dump all over that statement.

[Jcbe34]

19's on Nex's would most definitely ride like shit. I would go with m-parallels.

[AquilaBMW]

Or..... you could just buy my uber rare, uber classic, made for BMW Mille Miglia II staggered set that has been refinished and completely repaired. :devillook :shifty


http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww171/ElaineBeemer/HeidiBeemerInLosGatos005-1.jpg

[redimension]

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l188/kylelblaylock/serena4_smallnew.jpg
very rough photoshopping.. but what do you think? thats weksos's car props to him for the super clean ride!

[m3 bavaria]

A) 19's on an E34 are a bit silly.
B) I'd go with BBS, Alpina, Hartge, RD, Dinan, OZ, OEM, or something of that nature.

[Binjammin]

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l188/kylelblaylock/serena4_smallnew.jpg
very rough photoshopping.. but what do you think? thats weksos's car props to him for the super clean ride!

I think if Weksos had the same taste in wheels as you, people wouldn't be using pictures of his car as the basis for photoshopping ugly wheels to see how terrible they can make an e34 look.

[mbonder]

Your taste in wheels will not compute on most enthusiast message boards because they tend to be more traditional.

As am I...those are shitty looking, straight up. nuff said. period.

[DUDMD]

I enjoy how my set of older of staggered 18" Breyton Magics fit my e34.
If you got that much money, get a set of nice BBS's, Harge, ACS

Check these threads out, too. Please.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=431137
http://www.forums.bimmerfest.com/showthread.php?t=357165

[WhoNew]

Or..... you could just buy my uber rare, uber classic, made for BMW Mille Miglia II staggered set that has been refinished and completely repaired. :devillook :shifty


http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww171/ElaineBeemer/HeidiBeemerInLosGatos005-1.jpg


This is a non OEM rim style you (op) should look into.

Seriously, do a search on RIMS in this forum. You should find plenty of pics and figure out what style 5's are, and all the other popular style rims. Or google them. Either way, the first rim you posted aren't THAT bad, the others are crap. They belong on a raised caprice classic, not a BMW. Just my 2cents.

[weksos]

OEM BMW style wheels > *

and no larger than 18"

the wheels you posted are hideous, IMO. but to each his own i guess. at 19" it's probably going to ride and handle like crap, too.

Ive had 3 sets of 19's on my car. Proper suspension setup will allow our cars to ride like a cadillac. I'm riding on ground controls and konis with proper spring rates to accommodate 19's with my ride height. Anybody in the area or see me at the next meet is welcome for a ride. :)


http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l188/kylelblaylock/serena4_smallnew.jpg
very rough photoshopping.. but what do you think? thats weksos's car props to him for the super clean ride!

Uhhhmmm.. Wow.

[AquilaBMW]

Ive had 3 sets of 19's on my car. Proper suspension setup will allow our cars to ride like a cadillac. I'm riding on ground controls and konis with proper spring rates to accommodate 19's with my ride height. Anybody in the area or see me at the next meet is welcome for a ride. :)

Uhhhmmm.. Wow.

I would like a ride please... I am sometimes in Los Gatos area. :D

[weksos]

A) 19's on an E34 are a bit silly.
B) I'd go with BBS, Alpina, Hartge, RD, Dinan, OZ, OEM, or something of that nature.

A) silly only when light is visible between the tire and fender :D

[eightynine535]

those all look like absolute shit..

Wow Mike. Tell the man how you really feel.