Metal Sculpture !

blue max · 11th January 2002, 12:22

...or, should I call this post Gucci vs Nike?

By now most of you know about the color match issue with our shadow chrome wheels. After months of fustration at trying to find a match for the front rims, I'm sending them to finishing school.

Since I've lusted after HRE wheels for years, I decided to go for it.

On the way to work I stopped by the enemy camp for a pic

Gucci's...

Nike's...

Check-out the back wheel.

Anyway, after weeks of waiting, all is right again. I plan to alternate between the OEM's & HRE's for auto X & when I need to clean the inner wheels

Details:
weight is lighter than stock
Fronts 18 x 9 fit perfectly, no spacers.
Rears 18 x 10 (I did ask for 9.5) they also fit.
Tires: same Michelin's I had 275's all around.

If anyone is interested check out HRE

Why should Steve Dinan make all the money?

Metal Sculpture...

P.S. The downside of aftermarket rims is the car loses some of It's identity.

C'est la vie

MarkM5Lauderdale · 11th January 2002, 14:39

WOW! I don't think the car loses any of its identity. Looks like it should have from the factory. I first saw these same wheels on the Z3 and they looked gorgeous on it. But they are even better on the M5.
Can you tell me what price range you got them in? I was originally quoted about $4500 for the set.

JeffS · 11th January 2002, 14:41

Max, those wheels are sweeeet!!

What offsets did you spec when your ordered the wheels?? Did you already know the 18x9's and 18x10's would clear without spacers?? I'm thinking of buying a set of Kinesis K-58's from our fellow board member Fast4dr and would like to run 275's all around.......What size rim would you recomend for this tire size?? I would prefer not to have to run spacers......what questions do I ask to see if these rims(K-58's) will clear in the 18x9(9.5) size running 275's all around?? Thanks oh wise one!! :pop: :pop:

steveB · 11th January 2002, 14:54

blue max, i also am doing the same thing you are doing. i bit the bullet and ordered HRE 547s (lower left hand corner in the picture) about 3 weeks ago. should be arriving in a couple of weeks. however, i went w/ 19 x9.5, 275-30 in the front and 19X 10, 285-30 in the rears. i'm going to use my oem in track events.

who did you get your HRE's from? i spent about 3 weeks w/ numberous distributors and got an very good deal from D2, courtesy of angel's recommendation.

can't wait to put them on. will post pictures

steveB · 11th January 2002, 14:55

also failed to mention that the 19s will not require spacers and will permit a big brake kit such as brembo.

bobafett · 11th January 2002, 15:04

Very stunning rims! Nice Max!

--Dan

NYC_M5 · 11th January 2002, 16:11

I think they look great and I respectfully disagree with your comment on the negative side - I think the beast has ample self-confidence to avoid any identity crisis ! Rgds, Bill

bmurphy · 11th January 2002, 16:36

No doubt that those HRE's are some of the most beautiful wheels in the world. I have also wanted a set for years and am still contemplating them. Congrats on your purchase! Murph

blue max · 11th January 2002, 16:41

MarkM5Lauderdale - Your car already looks awsome. However, if you're tempted I got the wheels from a source in Miami. Go figure!
All the wheel places near me wanted > 4,800 plus tax. I paid > $4,380 all inclusive.

Contact: Carlos @ The Wheels Boutique (786) 249-0127

JeffS - 18x9 on the fronts work fine. Just ask them to use the same offset as the rear OEM's (remember I was running 9.5's up front with a 5mm spacer) With the rears 18x10 with 275's is also OK. However moving to 285's may require the fender roll.

I can't comment on the 19's perhaps someone else will chime-in.

steveB - It pays to shop around. I easily saved $1,000 by doing mail order. HRE prefers to work with distributors, therefore you get a big discount by not ordering direct. Their customer service is first rate. I was able to keep in touch via e-mail with both HRE & Wheels Boutique.

Cheers.

TCM · 11th January 2002, 16:46

Max:

Those HREs look great. I personally have never really been a huge fan of the M5 wheels. I do not know why, but they just do not look great to me. The HREs really look good. There is no downside to them becuase now you even have a set of track tires and wheels and a street set of tires and wheels. Congrats, the car looks great.