New Wheels. Is it worth it?

sn0pea · 11-23-2010, 04:07 PM

I am looking at getting some Avant Garde wheels for my 2006 325i but I have never strongly considered it due to the fact that they are $1000. This is what I don't get. Why do people pay so much for rims? Is there something I am missing except making your car look better. I have to admit, I new set of rims makes a car look hot, but for $1000 bucks or more? Is there a way to discount that price? Like sell your current wheels? Or is there something else I am missing?

Hooy · 11-23-2010, 04:16 PM

Some people have 2 sets of wheels for winter snow... otherwise it's to make it look better. There are performance advantages in having a thinner sidewall and lighter wheels, but for the most part, it's for aesthetics.

Stuart@BMRAutowerkes · 11-23-2010, 04:19 PM

It's worth it if you value the wheels and the improved aesthetics it provides.

Some wheels offer improved performance as well (by being wider and providing more tire contact area OR by being lighter and reducing unsprung weight) however not very many 'cast' wheels provide performance benefits.

$1k is a rather small amount considering the price of the car AND the unqiueness it provides to your car

Remember to also factor in the price of tyres which can cost a lot of money as well, especially as you get larger.

You can sell your current wheels, depending on what style they are and how common they are on the second hand market will affect the sale price.

In short, yes it is worth it because you gain massive respect!

sn0pea · 11-23-2010, 05:41 PM

I was planning on just getting the same stock size tires so I don't have to worry about changing tires. Any idea how much a tire on 17 inch wheels for my car would be?

My wheels are just the stock bmw wheels so I'm sure they aren't very valuable.

JL 325i · 11-23-2010, 06:05 PM

dont get 17's...if you get aftermarket rims. do it right, 18/19's look great and will defiantly be the cosmetic mod you could do i would say

ALUFELGEN · 11-23-2010, 06:12 PM

A good set of 19" wheels will make your car look completely different. Is a whole new driving experience. You`ll fall in love again. I remember when I first changed my 17" 161 for a set of 19" CS7 and sometimes I would just randomly go outside just to see how the car looked one more time. I would stand behind the car right next to the quarter panel just to admire the concavity. I would clean the wheels with such a passion

Trust me. Is worth it.

Gerry@bavarianx · 11-23-2010, 06:29 PM

Yes, they are worth it, here's another reason why. Why settle for a set of OEM wheels that will set you back for about the same $1000 or more brand new with their limited selection, when you can purchase a set of new 18's or 19's for the same price or less and have a lot more variety of styles at your disposal? Along with the previously mentioned aesthetic & performance benefits, there's also the cost benefits as well and available number of choices of wheels as well.

You said it best yourself - "I have to admit, a new set of rims makes a car look hot"

Stuart@BMRAutowerkes · 11-23-2010, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sn0pea

My wheels are just the stock bmw wheels so I'm sure they aren't very valuable.

There are many different 'stock' bmw wheels, some are more valuable than others.

Perhaps keep these stock wheels for resale purposes, or else you can try recover a few hundred dollars selling them second hand.

Hooy · 11-23-2010, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sn0pea

I was planning on just getting the same stock size tires so I don't have to worry about changing tires. Any idea how much a tire on 17 inch wheels for my car would be?

My wheels are just the stock bmw wheels so I'm sure they aren't very valuable.

I bought Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs for my stock 17's. I haven't mounted them yet, but I want to see the difference in comfort and handling. Next step, assuming the ride isn't too brutalizing on these bad Houston streets, is a set of 18" or 19" wheels. My budget will stay below $900 for wheels.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....r=Base%20Model

Gavin@MMW · 11-23-2010, 06:56 PM

An aftermarket rim choice will help a lot, it will offer a lighter setup then OEM wheels which reduces unsprung mass and resistance which can eat up your acceleration. At the same time offering a wider traction patch which improves handling.

Ive got the Avant Garde stuff on a Black Friday Sale right now if you guys need some help

3002 tii · 11-23-2010, 07:13 PM

$1000 for wheels is CHEAP if that's new msrp. you'd be surprised how the right set of wheels can TRANSFORM the look of the car for the better. for me, it's both function and aesthetics. my criteria:

a) enhance the looks of the car
b) lighter than oem wheels
c) stronger than oem wheels

Stuart@BMRAutowerkes · 11-23-2010, 07:44 PM

Light. Cheap. Strong.

Choose 2 only.

superduty · 11-23-2010, 09:06 PM

Personally I wouldn't invest in a set of aftermarket wheels unless they are lighter than OEM. Aesthetics are secondary for me. First choice would be a set of forged wheels but you're not going to get a set of those for a grand. There are some cast wheels from reputable manufacturers that approach forged weights and strength. Cheaper than forged but more than $1k. If I were you, I'd save up until you can afford either of these options.

BimmerRob · 11-23-2010, 10:25 PM

If you live in an area with tons of potholes, It would be worth it to invest in some 2/3 piece forged rims. Cast rims are junk in this department, and theres no point in dropping $1k on rims only to have them dent on you and become useless. ask me how I know

5erman · 11-23-2010, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

$1000 for wheels is CHEAP if that's new msrp. you'd be surprised how the right set of wheels can TRANSFORM the look of the car for the better. for me, it's both function and aesthetics. my criteria:

a) enhance the looks of the car
b) lighter than oem wheels
c) stronger than oem wheels

why would you need a wheel stronger than OEM? The oem bmw wheels are about as strong as they come as they put safety before anything-which why they tend to be heavier-even their forged. So you may not find that criteria and is nonsense to look for it

sn0pea · 11-24-2010, 12:36 AM

I don't have too many potholes to worry about around my town. I am curious to know how expensive a tire is on a wheel that big though. Does anyone happen to have pictures of 19 inch rims on a 2006 325i?

ModBargains.com · 11-24-2010, 01:12 AM

The Avant Garde wheel lineup is a great choice in terms of an aftermarket wheel! They're low pressure cast, increasing the quality and decreasing the weight when compared to gravity cast wheels. The Avant Garde 310 type Wheels are also stronger with a higher load rating than most other low pressure cast wheels on the market today.

Weights:
19x8.5 ET35: 25.7 lbs
19x9.5 ET33: 27.35 lbs

I'll go ahead and shoot you over a PM with more details as we are currently running our Black Friday sale! Here are a few pictures of the Avant Garde M310 installed on a few of my customers E90's for you to check out in the meantime.

[img]http://www.**********s.com/images/Products/Avant%20Garde/BMW%20Gallery/image003.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.**********s.com/images/Products/Avant%20Garde/BMW%20Gallery/image002.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.**********s.com/images/Products/Avant%20Garde/BMW%20Gallery/mini-002.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.**********s.com/images/Products/Avant%20Garde/BMW%20Gallery/mini-003.jpg[/img]

Tallest · 11-24-2010, 04:19 AM

i think given that BMW rims are made by BBS and Borbet, they're not exactly less valuable than a no name asian made replica...

usher93 · 11-24-2010, 07:06 AM

The way I look at it is this:

You spend $1000 for a really nice set of rims that if you take care of can last you very long. Over a 3-4 year span, that will cost you like $15/month to have a much better looking car. I think its worth it as long as you don't change you rims every 6 months. You can even make that up or atleast some of the cost by selling your truly overpriced stock OEM's.

3002 tii · 11-24-2010, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5erman

why would you need a wheel stronger than OEM? The oem bmw wheels are about as strong as they come as they put safety before anything-which why they tend to be heavier-even their forged. So you may not find that criteria and is nonsense to look for it

1. why - because i can

2. i've had oem wheels crack on me 2x. so if i'm going to spend the money to go for aftermarket anyway, wouldn't it be sensible to find ones that are just as strong as oem, if not stronger?

3. oem wheels utilize the cast process, with the exception of some (if not all) of the m wheels. but regardless, i don't see how you can argue that forged wheels are not as strong as your typical oem cast wheels.

MassBimmer · 11-24-2010, 08:20 AM

People buy rims for different reasons, some do it for aesthetics, others for performance. Prices vary greatly based on what you're looking for. You can drop $500 on a cheap set of knock-offs or $7500 for a set of fully forged racing wheels. In the grand scheme of things, if you enjoy investing in your car, the best bang for your buck are rims and suspension, hands-down

I335 · 11-24-2010, 08:34 AM

Hey sn0pea - based on your questions it sounds to me that you're in the early learning stages of car modifications. As such, I'd like to recommend that before you pull the trigger on anything expensive that you do a lot of research and reading on the type of mod you're interested in - in this case, wheels. This forum is a great place to start and there are many other sources of information as well (google is a wonderful invention!). That said, always remember that this is the internet and not everything you read is accurate or true. The reason I'm telling you this is because there are a lot of people and businesses in this industry that wouldn't think twice about taking advantage of "under-informed" folks to separate them from as much of their hard earned money as possible. Most of the vendors that post on this forum are pretty solid and can be trusted, but remember, they're all in business to make money and making money is their #1 priority. There's a vendor feedback section on this site as well - it may be worth having a look too. http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=42

Based on my experience, some of the better vendors here are (again, just my own personal opinion based on my experience and observations) **********s, AE Performance, Alex@Helix, Tischer, AR Design, ECS, EAS, HP Autowerks, JLevis and I'm sure quite a few more. Bottom line - go into high dollar purchases with as much knowledge as possible to help ensure you're happy with the end result. Good luck!

11-23-2010, 04:07 PM	#1
sn0pea Captain 48 Rep 842 Posts Drives: Black 325i 2006 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: OK iTrader: (1)	New Wheels. Is it worth it? I am looking at getting some Avant Garde wheels for my 2006 325i but I have never strongly considered it due to the fact that they are $1000. This is what I don't get. Why do people pay so much for rims? Is there something I am missing except making your car look better. I have to admit, I new set of rims makes a car look hot, but for $1000 bucks or more? Is there a way to discount that price? Like sell your current wheels? Or is there something else I am missing?
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11-23-2010, 04:16 PM	#2
Hooy Colonel 205 Rep 2,770 Posts Drives: E92 328i, E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (12) Garage List 2008 E92 328 [5.00]	Some people have 2 sets of wheels for winter snow... otherwise it's to make it look better. There are performance advantages in having a thinner sidewall and lighter wheels, but for the most part, it's for aesthetics.
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11-23-2010, 04:19 PM	#3
Stuart@BMRAutowerkes Major General 808 Rep 5,530 Posts Drives: a black car Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sydney iTrader: (3)	It's worth it if you value the wheels and the improved aesthetics it provides. Some wheels offer improved performance as well (by being wider and providing more tire contact area OR by being lighter and reducing unsprung weight) however not very many 'cast' wheels provide performance benefits. $1k is a rather small amount considering the price of the car AND the unqiueness it provides to your car Remember to also factor in the price of tyres which can cost a lot of money as well, especially as you get larger. You can sell your current wheels, depending on what style they are and how common they are on the second hand market will affect the sale price. In short, yes it is worth it because you gain massive respect!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-23-2010, 05:41 PM	#4
sn0pea Captain 48 Rep 842 Posts Drives: Black 325i 2006 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: OK iTrader: (1)	I was planning on just getting the same stock size tires so I don't have to worry about changing tires. Any idea how much a tire on 17 inch wheels for my car would be? My wheels are just the stock bmw wheels so I'm sure they aren't very valuable.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-23-2010, 06:05 PM	#5
JL 325i straight^ 26 Rep 779 Posts Drives: 325i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Baton Rouge, LA iTrader: (7)	dont get 17's...if you get aftermarket rims. do it right, 18/19's look great and will defiantly be the cosmetic mod you could do i would say
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11-23-2010, 06:12 PM	#6
ALUFELGEN 171 Rep 2,057 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Florida iTrader: (5)	A good set of 19" wheels will make your car look completely different. Is a whole new driving experience. You`ll fall in love again. I remember when I first changed my 17" 161 for a set of 19" CS7 and sometimes I would just randomly go outside just to see how the car looked one more time. I would stand behind the car right next to the quarter panel just to admire the concavity. I would clean the wheels with such a passion Trust me. Is worth it.
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11-23-2010, 06:29 PM	#7
Gerry@bavarianx Banned 140 Rep 1,707 Posts Drives: BMW E30 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Yorba Linda, CA iTrader: (20)	Yes, they are worth it, here's another reason why. Why settle for a set of OEM wheels that will set you back for about the same $1000 or more brand new with their limited selection, when you can purchase a set of new 18's or 19's for the same price or less and have a lot more variety of styles at your disposal? Along with the previously mentioned aesthetic & performance benefits, there's also the cost benefits as well and available number of choices of wheels as well. You said it best yourself - "I have to admit, a new set of rims makes a car look hot"
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-23-2010, 06:56 PM	#10
Gavin@MMW Brigadier General 406 Rep 3,879 Posts Drives: MMW Supercharged E90 328i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 818/805 iTrader: (18)	An aftermarket rim choice will help a lot, it will offer a lighter setup then OEM wheels which reduces unsprung mass and resistance which can eat up your acceleration. At the same time offering a wider traction patch which improves handling. Ive got the Avant Garde stuff on a Black Friday Sale right now if you guys need some help
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11-23-2010, 07:13 PM	#11
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2286 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	$1000 for wheels is CHEAP if that's new msrp. you'd be surprised how the right set of wheels can TRANSFORM the look of the car for the better. for me, it's both function and aesthetics. my criteria: a) enhance the looks of the car b) lighter than oem wheels c) stronger than oem wheels __________________ Follow for latest mods
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11-23-2010, 07:44 PM	#12
Stuart@BMRAutowerkes Major General 808 Rep 5,530 Posts Drives: a black car Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sydney iTrader: (3)	Light. Cheap. Strong. Choose 2 only.
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11-23-2010, 09:06 PM	#13
superduty Private First Class 10 Rep 141 Posts Drives: 2010 E91 M Sport Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tucson, Az iTrader: (0)	Personally I wouldn't invest in a set of aftermarket wheels unless they are lighter than OEM. Aesthetics are secondary for me. First choice would be a set of forged wheels but you're not going to get a set of those for a grand. There are some cast wheels from reputable manufacturers that approach forged weights and strength. Cheaper than forged but more than $1k. If I were you, I'd save up until you can afford either of these options. __________________ "Did I say something abnormal?" "You're an engineer, everything you say is abnormal."
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11-23-2010, 10:25 PM	#14
BimmerRob Lieutenant 47 Rep 486 Posts Drives: F36 435i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (2)	If you live in an area with tons of potholes, It would be worth it to invest in some 2/3 piece forged rims. Cast rims are junk in this department, and theres no point in dropping $1k on rims only to have them dent on you and become useless. ask me how I know __________________ FOR SALE - 2014 Scion FR-S 6 spd, 27,000 ODO $17k pm me 2010 e92 Mojave Metallic - farewell old friend /2013 2015 435i xDrive Gran Coupe Sparkling Brown \| Cocaine White interior \| JB4 \| BMS Intake \| Wagner Intercooler Evo I \| VRSF Downpipes \| ER Chargepipes
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11-24-2010, 12:36 AM	#16
sn0pea Captain 48 Rep 842 Posts Drives: Black 325i 2006 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: OK iTrader: (1)	I don't have too many potholes to worry about around my town. I am curious to know how expensive a tire is on a wheel that big though. Does anyone happen to have pictures of 19 inch rims on a 2006 325i?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-24-2010, 01:12 AM	#17
ModBargains.com Banned 475 Rep 13,583 Posts Drives: JB E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 1721 E. Lambert Rd #C, La Habra, CA 90631 iTrader: (51)	The Avant Garde wheel lineup is a great choice in terms of an aftermarket wheel! They're low pressure cast, increasing the quality and decreasing the weight when compared to gravity cast wheels. The Avant Garde 310 type Wheels are also stronger with a higher load rating than most other low pressure cast wheels on the market today. Weights: 19x8.5 ET35: 25.7 lbs 19x9.5 ET33: 27.35 lbs I'll go ahead and shoot you over a PM with more details as we are currently running our Black Friday sale! Here are a few pictures of the Avant Garde M310 installed on a few of my customers E90's for you to check out in the meantime. [img]http://www.********s.com/images/Products/Avant%20Garde/BMW%20Gallery/image003.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.******s.com/images/Products/Avant%20Garde/BMW%20Gallery/image002.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.******s.com/images/Products/Avant%20Garde/BMW%20Gallery/mini-002.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.********s.com/images/Products/Avant%20Garde/BMW%20Gallery/mini-003.jpg[/img]
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11-24-2010, 04:19 AM	#18
Tallest Major General 1309 Rep 6,311 Posts Drives: 911 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sweden iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 911 [10.00]	i think given that BMW rims are made by BBS and Borbet, they're not exactly less valuable than a no name asian made replica... __________________ 997.2 F30.F11.E86.E90.E90.E36
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11-24-2010, 07:06 AM	#19
usher93 Private 6 Rep 89 Posts Drives: 2013 328xi Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: MISSISSAUGA iTrader: (0)	The way I look at it is this: You spend $1000 for a really nice set of rims that if you take care of can last you very long. Over a 3-4 year span, that will cost you like $15/month to have a much better looking car. I think its worth it as long as you don't change you rims every 6 months. You can even make that up or atleast some of the cost by selling your truly overpriced stock OEM's.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-24-2010, 08:20 AM	#21
MassBimmer Major General 306 Rep 7,433 Posts Drives: 2023 i4 M50 Join Date: May 2009 Location: MA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2009 BMW [9.24]	People buy rims for different reasons, some do it for aesthetics, others for performance. Prices vary greatly based on what you're looking for. You can drop $500 on a cheap set of knock-offs or $7500 for a set of fully forged racing wheels. In the grand scheme of things, if you enjoy investing in your car, the best bang for your buck are rims and suspension, hands-down
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11-24-2010, 08:34 AM	#22
I335 Brigadier General 123 Rep 4,249 Posts Drives: '08 335i Coupe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New England iTrader: (11)	Hey sn0pea - based on your questions it sounds to me that you're in the early learning stages of car modifications. As such, I'd like to recommend that before you pull the trigger on anything expensive that you do a lot of research and reading on the type of mod you're interested in - in this case, wheels. This forum is a great place to start and there are many other sources of information as well (google is a wonderful invention!). That said, always remember that this is the internet and not everything you read is accurate or true. The reason I'm telling you this is because there are a lot of people and businesses in this industry that wouldn't think twice about taking advantage of "under-informed" folks to separate them from as much of their hard earned money as possible. Most of the vendors that post on this forum are pretty solid and can be trusted, but remember, they're all in business to make money and making money is their #1 priority. There's a vendor feedback section on this site as well - it may be worth having a look too. http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=42 Based on my experience, some of the better vendors here are (again, just my own personal opinion based on my experience and observations) **********s, AE Performance, Alex@Helix, Tischer, AR Design, ECS, EAS, HP Autowerks, JLevis and I'm sure quite a few more. Bottom line - go into high dollar purchases with as much knowledge as possible to help ensure you're happy with the end result. Good luck!
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