Upgrading to 20"

[NVP]

How would upgrading from 19" to 20" affect the performance/grip/ride of a car?

I was browsing M5board and saw this:

They look quite nice, I think I prefer them to my 19" Double-spoke style 167M although I'm no where near deciding to change at the moment, just flirting with the idea.

Anyway back to the question, are there gains from upping the size or is it a hindrance?

To me 19's are more than adequate in the looks department and encase the large brakes sufficiently, so without the need to upgrade to even larger brakes I was wondering if there were other benefits to a large wheel?

 

[NVP]

Thanks guys. Most of the nice ones are available in 19" which has my vote anyway, but I saw some which were only 20" plus I was wondering why this guy chose to go for 20" rather than stock 19". If there is no advantage then I can't see the point either, although some do look nicer when they fill the arches but that could just be the pictures.

Even though I made it my preference to buy an M5 with them I think I'm bored and slightly annoyed seeing my Double-Spoke 167M on every chav'd BMW around now, so fancy a stylish change.

 

[NVP]

I should think if the 19" had a slightly larger sidewall the actual rolling radius would be pretty much identical anyway? (I.E fill the arch just as much)

Yeah you have a point. Either way I think I'd stick with 19" as the size looks more than fine as is plus I keep the manufacturers sizing recommendations which won't end up affecting performance in any way.

they look horrid sorry

Haha no need to apologise, each to their own and all. I've seen quite a few different styles and these are quite near the top of the list, if you happen to find some which are more to your liking then please share as I'm open to opinion.

 

[NVP]

You promised us this car wasn't all about the bling

I made no such promise It is not, however, I'm just getting slightly annoyed seeing every ****** little tarted up BMW having the same alloys that I actively sought out when buying the M5 Then when these alloys on M5Board caught my eye it's got me flirting with the idea of an upgrade.

I don't see how that makes it about bling however, more about my preference. Same with you changing the interior of your car from plastic to wood.

Do you not like this style alloy then?

Wouldnt it have other knock on effects like faster wear on the wheel bearings, lower arms and track rod ends?

It sure did when I went to a silly size wheel on my old escort, but the offset was wrong and I was on spacers so I guess that wouldn't have helped.

I have no idea, surely 1" can't cause too much of an issue. But like I said, I'm pretty clueless when it comes to the mechanics of cars.

 

[NVP]

Hmm... yeah they're not too bad, very similar to the ones on at the moment. Actually, I have a voucher for something like 20% off BMW accessories from Elms which could come in handy. Will take a look at what BMW have to offer.

EDIT: Maybe not... poor selection

 

[NVP]

Please don't do this

Still in two minds, I quite like the look of the ones above, do they really look that bad? Which do you have on yours? 19" double spoke? Don't they look a bit tired now or is that just me? I loved them initially, but I'm finding it much harder now and seeing as it's only been a few months I think it's only going to get worse.

Its your car, fit what you want.

Wheels like this are bound to be marmite. Some will love them, some will hate them. With no clear consensus, its whether you like them or not that matters.

Unless of course you fit something so hideous that everybody hates them ....

Oh yeah of course, it was more a question to find out if his bling comment was directed towards those alloys specifically or just any aftermarket upgrade.

Why not get them in 19"? I think it looks great in combination with the tints, please do it.

I agree, but part of me also thinks the Brembos behind brings them out more which wouldn't happen on mine unless I upgraded the brakes too, but seeing as I don't track my M5 I have no need for Brembos.

 

[NVP]

Hater

 

[NVP]

Ride is pretty much spot on at the moment. I'm more concerned with how changing the alloy will affect the car as it is essentially a performance tuned car. Will there be negative effects not using OEM alloys do you think? Or if sizes stay the same will the difference be negligible?

 

[NVP]

Completely agree, the OEM wheels available across the E90/E60 range are almost without exception horrible. They used to be so good at wheels

Loved my MV2s

do it.. do you need permission from some forum? yes the "KEEP IT OEM" team will go around and tell you they look bad.. when actually it looks great on m5 unless you want to keep the "low profile" but im a wheel whore so logically i will always say "do it" in a case like that..

The point in this thread was never "what do you think of these alloys", opinions are always welcome however.

Get these
*snip*

Sorry man but I can't say I'm really a fan of that type of styling.

I'm sure something in the BBS catalogue will look good on an E60...

Big fan of BBS, but I honestly think they're too much for the image of an M5 if you know what I mean. Slightly contradictory in wanting to upgrade but I think they are far too overstated for the look I think I'm after.

 

[NVP]

what about these?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=72&t=1067626&mid=0&nmt=new+snaps+of+my+545i

Not really a fan of the black, but the style is quite nice, hard to tell with those pictures (blocked at work so using phone).

Just be aware that with tyres like that, even a small pothole can bend a wheel rim. Usually along the inside edge where you may not see it.

Yeah I think I'm going to stick with the same sizes I have on at the moment, just a change of alloy style.

Will these fit?

*snip absurd rims*

Oh dear, I'm not that "gangsta-licious"

 

[NVP]

On second thoughts, maybe I am.... I think I've fallen in love:

Edit: Still slightly prefer ones in OP... but both styles are very appealing to me

 

[NVP]

 

[NVP]

I always do, don't worry As Will said it's a hard choice to find a decent set, I like getting opinions though.

 

[NVP]

I like LMs but for some reason I don't think they would suit the M5 if you get me. Will check out the HRE range.

 

[NVP]

I just think the deep dish style would make it look a bit too "ghetto" maybe? I don't know, would have to see them on the car itself.

 

[NVP]

Not really feeling any of the Hartage ones. mjt is correct, the last ones I posted were ACS Type VIII, seem to be the nicest of their range.

I quite like some of the Cades Bern styles, similar to some HRE designs. The HRE 590RS are touching me up the right way

 

[NVP]

I've received a response to a few of my queries and one details the following:

"We would be happy to supply these wheels in either a staggered set up (8.5J front and 9.5J rear) or square (8.5J all round)."

Can someone please explain what this means to a rookie like me please? Is this something to do with adding spacers to alter the height?

 

[NVP]

What? It tells you what it means in the text you've quoted?

The first option is for wider rears, the second option is for the same size all round

This thread makes me sad

Oh so it's the tyre width, my bad. I'm not that clued up on tyre set-ups as you can probably guess. Didn't know what the 8.5J and 9.5J was referring too, cheers for the response though, appreciated

 

[NVP]

Cheers

 

[NVP]

Update

So I'm finally getting closer to my decision, I was deciding between the:
Rennen Forged R8 X-treme Concaves - original post
ACS Type VIII - gone off these now, was a short love affair but they get chavier and chavier the more I look at them
HRE 590RS - very nice set, similar to BBS LMs...ish
or the default BBS LM - always loved them but didn't think they'd work on an M5... still don't 100% but slowly warming to the idea though

Anyway, after calling around and getting quotes it looks like they were all around the same prices with the HREs being slightly more than the rest, so that hasn't helped my decision making process.

What has though is this email from Rennen Forged:

Due to the fact that I do not have a direct dealer of Rennen Forged, you would be able to order from us directly. I can give you wholesale price that I know you will not be able to match anywhere because of this fact. 19", staggered extreme concave for your vehicle you be $900 for the fronts and $1,000 for the rear. This is a one time deal. As far as tires, we do not sell them, but I can source them out at a great price. Cheaper than you would find for sure. We can look into this when we determine exactly what size and once you make a deposit for the wheels. I look forward to working with you and please contact me if you have any questions. I would love to get a photoshoot of this vehicle with those wheels and hence the great price. Consider it almost a partial sponsorship. Thank you for your interest in our wheels and speak with you soon.

They originally quoted a total of $5500 but then offered the above. This works out quite a bit of a discount for the alloys which originally tempted me away from my stock 167Ms... or so I think, but will there be import tax/duty or VAT or anything else I will need to account for? How can I find this out?

I've asked about delivery which will be through a company called UNITEX Cargo, waiting for a quote.

Delivery time: "crafting the wheels generally takes between 3-4 weeks. Delivery time depends on the shipping."

Warranty wise: "the wheels have a one year warranty on finish and lifetime on structure as long as you do not damage the wheel in any way. We have people we deal with in England and they can do the labor and have parts. We just do not have a solidified dealer. You will never have an issue and if you do, it would be satisfied immediately if it is legitimate."

Size wise, I want to keep the cars performance as is and they've suggested "19x8.5 and 19x9.5 to keep your performance"

Finish, I prefer the look of the ones in the OP which are "Brushed Face with Polished Windows & Chrome Lip" but they say "we can do any finish you like. We do not have any color charts. Basically just picking or showing me a wheel picture with the finish you like" so I am open to any suggestions for a decent finish

OK, my real question is about importing these wheels and any charges I would incur as a result? Has anyone been in a similar situation? Anyone care to advise?

Thanks guys