PJS

So I visited Fikse in Kent, WA yesterday and spoke with Will -- very nice guy. I have been searching the board for a sterling gray with all black rims to see what it would look like -- no chrome lip, ALL BLACK. Cannot find any pics of sterling gray with black and no chrome lip... but I am still heading that direction...

I believe that I have settled on the the rim in this picture:


Here is my situation -- I have a sterling gray on black 03 M5 (CPO)... love it by the way. I got it about two months ago. It is my daily driver. I have added a UUC SSK with DSSR and the Stage 1 Dinan software (mainly becase it was half off and I do not like to be governed)... other than that is is totally stock. I am not interested in voiding any part of the warranty -- remaining factory warranty and CPO warranty, so as to avoid ANY questions from the dealer etc, I have for the most part have been looking at Dinan mods only...

so keeping in mind that this is my daily driver, here are a few questions for the board members:

1. I have read that people are using rear wheels up front on E39M5 -- I understand the advantage regarding tire rotations. What affect does this have on the handling? more rubber on the road etc but if it is better, why are the stock wheels staggered?

2. for those of you that have gone to "all rear sizes all the way around", do you have any regrets?

3. Are there any negatives to going this route? Any affect on warranty etc?

4. I am planning on the Fikse wheels and they will make anythng you want basically -- should I just have them match the current OEM rears with regards to size, offset etc?

5. I have the stock brakes on the car right now but can imagine going to "improved brakes" in the future. I would have these wheels made to accomodate a BBK. I just looked at the Dinan offering on their website... and he references Brembo Gran Turismo... are the Dinan brakes just "rebadged" Brembos? Are they comparably priced? I guess, why buy thee Dinan brakes in lieu of the Brembos?

6. At this point I am not sure which way to go. I mainly wanted new rims because I like the way that black rims look and it does not hurt that these rims weigh rougly 20 lbs a piece... so... that got me thinking about sizing with regards to future mods since the rims are $5k... accomodating bigger brakes... running the rear size all the way around etc... so I am appealing to all of you for advice... keeping in mind the warranty, daily driver status, and the fact that I am not made of money...

I mainly want to avoid ordering new rims that will not work with any future mods... I hope all of this jibberish makes sense... just trying to learn from other's experiences before I part with $5K...

TiSiBeast

1. On handling it balances and helps eliminate understeer.

3. Should not impact warranty as I understand it.

On the brakes, I would call Dave at Zeckhausen to determine what kind of clearance you may need in the future.

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Current Toys: 2000 M5 with lots of goodies, 1997 993 Targa mostly stock, 2002 Jeep GC all set for offroad, 2004 Acura TL bone stock

ATLANTA M5

You get sharper and more responsive handling with the wider wheels up front. Also, if you are going aftermarket wheels, please do yourself a favor and go with 19" for a more dramatic look, otherwise if you are going to get 18" just stay with the stock wheels are have them painted or powdercoated black if that is what you desire.

Also, the Fikse wheels are nice that you picked out, they are great quality, but I would love to see you get them in a 19" since they usually look too small in a 18". Just my opinion.

Oh, and also, might consider those wheels with a black center and a dark gray shiny anodized lip, that might give them more contrast instead of just being all black and getting lost with the black tire?

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2003 M5 Titanium Silver/Black
2005 X5 4.8is Imola Red/Black
2005 330i Alpine White/Tan

PJS

Thanks for chiming in as you answered a question that I had about rim size... 18 or 19... I know what you mean about the 19 vs. 18 inch... however this is a daily driver and I work and make calls in industrial areas so I am worried that a lower prifile tire would suffer in my daily driver environment (potholes, cracks, packed dirt, gravel, etc) ...... still not sure though... cruising industrial areas on low pro tires with no spare may not be such a good idea for me...

But I was considering a 19 inch rim... the car guy in me wants 19 but the realist wants 18s...

Also... could you point me in the direction of a picture with the lip that you reccomend... I have seen polished lips ( ) but never ano lips ( )...