BMW and M Power Owners

Ordered a spare wheel to have re-trimmed from a later 2020 M2C but it’s a far nicer wheel as in the leather feels like real leather rather than the harder shiny plastic leather on the original wheel.

As such I’ve fitted this newer wheel:

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A little hard to portray with a photo but it’s much softer and less shiny, maybe a touch thinner too. Full screen Apple CarPlay working great too.

Might still send the wheel off for a retrim in Alcantara but will send the original one and keep this newer one as it is. :)
 
Few years older (and ignore the fact my mats need a vacuum

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Gibbo said:
Ordered a spare wheel to have re-trimmed from a later 2020 M2C but it’s a far nicer wheel as in the leather feels like real leather rather than the harder shiny plastic leather on the original wheel.

As such I’ve fitted this newer wheel:

IMG_2931.jpeg


A little hard to portray with a photo but it’s much softer and less shiny, maybe a touch thinner too. Full screen Apple CarPlay working great too.

Might still send the wheel off for a retrim in Alcantara but will send the original one and keep this newer one as it is. :)
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I had my retrim done do match my E92 and added the OEM carbon trim to tie it in with the rest of the interior.

Every shiny steering wheel I see on an F8X makes me weep :(

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All 4 of my wheels look like this, so obviously going to have to get them done, but what do we think the route cause is?
 
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Housey said:
eNTjGn8.jpg


All 4 of my wheels look like this, so obviously going to have to get them done, but what do we think the route cause is?
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That is caused by the centre caps starting to corrode. Normally from aggressive cleaner being used on the wheels. Once the centre caps start they eat into the lacquer on the wheel and it spreads from there. I use to replace them about every three years to stop this happening although the self righting centres seem better quality.
 
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Housey said:
eNTjGn8.jpg


All 4 of my wheels look like this, so obviously going to have to get them done, but what do we think the route cause is?
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Only ever wash your wheels with car wash, I never use these fall out or harsher pre washes in my car as they can cause the above, can also cause issues with ceramic brakes.

Just use regular car wash.
 
Housey said:
eNTjGn8.jpg


All 4 of my wheels look like this, so obviously going to have to get them done, but what do we think the route cause is?
Click to expand...

Stone chips also promote water ingress as well as rough wheel fitters and corroding centre caps.

I'm not sure to what extent a decent ceramic coating aids resistance to chipping but it makes cleaning easier and surely every little helps.

Touch up any chips or early signs with lacquer.
 
Unavoidable with diamond cut wheels I wish they would go back to painted ones. If you were keeping the car no point in getting them redone with a diamond cut finish they don't last as long as factory and will be going again in 12 months.

Every car I've had with diamond cut wheels have corroded and been replaced as the factory warranty went out at 3 years old. Newer design of wheels are better as the centre section is painted but if you have spokes that curve out they will pickup stone chips and corrode like the spoke at the top of Housey's picture.

Dealer swapped them with no complaints under warranty they said the corrosion is mainly caused by the centre cap being removed for wheel balancing and then smacked back in damaging the lacquer and water sitting between the badge/wheel centre.

I replaced the caps even although they looked fine and kept the wheels spotless only using car shampoo and also coated in wheel sealer with any stone chips filled with lacquer but they were still starting to go again when I sold the car on.
 
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had the same issues. got my wheels refurbed and powder coated rather than diamond cutting again
simpler maintenance and hassle free (thankfully not curbed my wheels in quite a while lol)
 
In our shortlist for next car is a 4 series gran coupe. Ideally it would be 4wd but they're harder to come by and higher price.
My questions to rwd BMW owners are about driving in snow. Are they as bad as people say for grip in snow? Does a full set of winter tyres bring them on par with a "normal" car - front wheel drive A4 for example?
 
I bought an E46 Compact... I've been watching a lot of AutoAlex recently. I thought I was past buying sheds, but I couldnt help myself! I felt inspired. £1400 very good condition for its age. I've always had a soft spot for the Compact. I've had a couple of E46's over the years (coupe and touring) and always had nothing but love for them. The Compact version always held a bit of intrigue for me. Not the most practical, but the squat styling always had a strange draw to me. When I spotted one very close to me I had to go have a look.
I have plans to make this a bit of a side project car, something a little less than normal, something playful. I am already putting plans in action to swap out the very mediocre 1.8 for something a little more sporty!
 
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Cadder said:
In our shortlist for next car is a 4 series gran coupe. Ideally it would be 4wd but they're harder to come by and higher price.
My questions to rwd BMW owners are about driving in snow. Are they as bad as people say for grip in snow? Does a full set of winter tyres bring them on par with a "normal" car - front wheel drive A4 for example?
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Do you live in the Scottish Highlands?
 
Cadder said:
In our shortlist for next car is a 4 series gran coupe. Ideally it would be 4wd but they're harder to come by and higher price.
My questions to rwd BMW owners are about driving in snow. Are they as bad as people say for grip in snow? Does a full set of winter tyres bring them on par with a "normal" car - front wheel drive A4 for example?
Click to expand...
I've never had any issues with RWD in the snow up here but yes all seasons or winter tyres will definitely help.

I have a 428i GC, search this forum for 'Bavarian' and it should show up. Had it for over two years now.
 
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Cadder said:
In our shortlist for next car is a 4 series gran coupe. Ideally it would be 4wd but they're harder to come by and higher price.
My questions to rwd BMW owners are about driving in snow. Are they as bad as people say for grip in snow? Does a full set of winter tyres bring them on par with a "normal" car - front wheel drive A4 for example?
Click to expand...
Tyres are the biggest factor. My M140i in the winter has absolutely no grip on PSS tyres. Doesn't even need to be snowy or even wet, as soon as the temperature drops below about 5C the grip just disappears, rears constantly spin up
 
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