20" Alloy Technic Mesh installed

atillathetom · 5th December 2012, 18:19

I purchased a set of 20" Alloy Technic mesh wheels from another board member on the east coast that turned out to have two cracked fronts. I was refunded my money and we decided that I would keep them in my warehouse until the seller could find another buyer to avoid shipping them back east again.

The trouble is that they kept "calling my name" so I finally decided to find some fronts. The seller gave me the set for next to nothing.

Since the wheel is discontinued I didn't have tall hopes. I contacted Peter @ wheel experts who tracked down two new fronts for me. They were sitting in a warehouse somewhere in LA. He gave me a heck of a deal on them and sent them to me in a "ready to finish" state. They are the higher offset version I am going to run a spacer to make them sit flush. No biggy.

I had the two cracked wheels welded and all six wheels refinished and powdercoated in an OEM Silver color. So now I have two spare fronts "in case" and a full set of wheels, tires and TPMS. I think it worked out well.

More pictures once I get the car cleaned up.

Tom

apsuard · 5th December 2012, 18:38

The wheels look very nice. I also have an 08 Space Gray and went with satin black wheels for a black out theme. After looking at yours I'm questioning if I should have went with an OEM looking color. I also dealt with Peter on my Modulare wheels and he was a great guy to work with. He will be getting my future business when I upgrade to the F10 M5.

IndyRedBeast · 5th December 2012, 19:36

Nice! But the 21 Rads looked better on your beast.

atillathetom · 5th December 2012, 19:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndyRedBeast

Nice! But the 21 Rads looked better on your beast.

I agree on looks alone, but the ride is so much better on 20" and these save nearly 10lbs a corner.

SuckaGDog · 6th December 2012, 02:59

Peter is a cool guy he is local to me, dealt with him many times. I like the Rad's better, looks wise. These don't look as aggressive but they still look good! Awesome you were able to source some new replacements.

TheRacerBoss · 6th December 2012, 05:25

Throw the 21's back on !

atillathetom · 6th December 2012, 06:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRacerBoss

Throw the 21's back on !

I know the 21s look better and more aggressive but I think the car drives so much better on the lighter 20's. Hard to believe the weights on these alloy technics. I also like the OEM look. I really feel like these are what BMW should have delivered the car with. A light, forged, CSL looking wheel. Who talked them into the heavy cast nonsense they deliver stock?

I still have the 21s. I might just keep them and trade out from time to time...

TheRacerBoss · 6th December 2012, 17:21

If I am not wrong, I remember seeing a video with two M5's all stock, except one had lighter 20 inch wheels and the other had stock. Though the light 20 inch wheel car takes off a tad bit faster and by that a mean a 2 feet lead, the stock wheel car surpasses it, by about a good 4 feet when both the cars are doing 3 digits.
That goes to say that the OEM's are the way they are for a reason.

The video cant be used as conclusive evidence but what I mean is the change in weight is not going to matter big time unless your racing.

One should understand difference between wheel weight and wheel mass. Its the mass of the wheel that changes the proportion of Un-sprung weight. Watch the HRE videos for further clarification on wheel weight and wheel mass.

aznazasin · 6th December 2012, 17:35

Looks really great on the car. I've always been a fan of those wheels, especially after seeing them on an E46 M3.

atillathetom · 6th December 2012, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRacerBoss

If I am not wrong, I remember seeing a video with two M5's all stock, except one had lighter 20 inch wheels and the other had stock. Though the light 20 inch wheel car takes off a tad bit faster and by that a mean a 2 feet lead, the stock wheel car surpasses it, by about a good 4 feet when both the cars are doing 3 digits.
That goes to say that the OEM's are the way they are for a reason.

The video cant be used as conclusive evidence but what I mean is the change in weight is not going to matter big time unless your racing.

One should understand difference between wheel weight and wheel mass. Its the mass of the wheel that changes the proportion of Un-sprung weight. Watch the HRE videos for further clarification on wheel weight and wheel mass.

Seen the videos from HRE. Understand weight vs mass vs location of the mass, etc. You are making some assumptions there and only really focusing on straight line speed. What was the wheel weight of the 20s in the video? Some 20" wheels weight nearly 40lbs each. Did one car have a full tank, did one car have a crappy driver? I would say the only way to test straight line speed is same car, same day/temp, same fuel load, same everything except the wheels. And that still wouldn't provide any insight into how fast you would get around a road course.

I can say that I am more impressed with the overall feel of the car. Car just feels more nimble. Maybe it is in my head, but I sure do like it. I also feel like I don't have to worry so much about road imperfections. That is not to say that the 21" Rads wont go back on the car. The jury is still out. The Rads are definitely one of the best looking wheels out there imho.

One thing I can say is that the OEM 19" wheels could be improved if they were forged and lighter. There can be little argument there.