Refurb standard 19s or go for CSLs

[NickXX]

Hi all,

I need to get my wheels refurbished. Currently have the 19" standard wheels which, although aren't kerbed, have corroded quite badly. Just wondering if anyone has had any experience of changing wheels.

If I refurbish them, I would like to get the original finish - which I think is in the region of £400+ from somewhere like Lepsons. The issue with this, I believe, is that corrosion is inevitable again in the not too distant future. Has anyone has a decent original refurb done and had it last more than a year or two? How much am I likely to get for a set of moderately corroded 19s on eBay?

The other option is to go for genuine CS or CSL wheels? Is there much difference between the two types? How much should I pay for them respectively for a mint/nearly mint set? Am I right in thinking that the CS/CSL wheels don't suffer the same corrosion issues as the normal ones (as they are painted rather than polished)?

I'm hoping to keep the car for a long time, so interested in longevity of the finish more than anything else.

Many thanks for any advice,

Nick

[C8LNJ]

You'd pay around a grand for a set of used CSL's with part work tyres. Be careful they are genuine ones if you'r buying.

[gilford]

CSL wheels look good on a CSL, but on a standard M3 you are trying to make it look like something it isn't, which is why I wouldn't bother.

M3's look odd with CSL wheels, the CSL is a lot lower and meaner looking IMO

[gareth h]

I've changed my standard 19" rims to csls also have kw v3 so the car sits lower, looks much better, (so says most people who express an opinion).
The wider front rims give a more positive turn in.
They are expensive (mine were £1100 ish with decent front PS2s) but there will always be a market for them 2nd hand, so when the car goes they can be sold on. It might be poss for you to strip and polish the standard 19" rims yourself once you've changed them out.

[GTWayne]

The only difference between CS/CSL rims is that the front CS rims are 8" wide as opposed to the CSL fronts which are 8.5"; the rears are the same on both

[gareth h]

Presumably that extra 1/2" on the front widens the track, my car turned in much more positivly with the csls fitted. Guess it's the same effect as fitting spacers

[RatBoy M3CS]

gareth h said:

Presumably that extra 1/2" on the front widens the track, my car turned in much more positivly with the csls fitted. Guess it's the same effect as fitting spacers

Your half way right .. the CSL fronts are not only 1/2 inch wider, but also have a different front offset .. 5mm so they do affect the steering respnse.. for the better..!

[gareth h]

That explains why they make such a difference I was struggling to put the improvment down to just an extra 1/2".

[0836whimper]

GTWayne said:

The only difference between CS/CSL rims is that the front CS rims are 8" wide as opposed to the CSL fronts which are 8.5"; the rears are the same on both

The April 2007 edition of EVO says that the CSL wheels are lighter than CS ones, is this not true ?

Edited by 0836whimper on Sunday 6th September 21:42

[GTWayne]

^^^ To be honest, although I have had all types of CS/CSL wheel combos at some point I never really got around to weighing them back to back although in reality, you would never be able to detect the actual weight difference by merely driving the car, anyone who claims to be able to is more than likely a schizophrenic and I dare say that on a different day their alto ego may disagree
With the CSL there are a raft of small and detailed changes to shed weight from the car and in conjunction, they work well, but apart from the aesthetics of using the CS/CSL style rim ( and they are a good looking rim that will suit a myriad of other BMW models ), there is little performance advantage to be had from fitting them bar maybe the extra width although the increase in diameter necessitating the fitment of a lower profile tyre makes for a less compliant ride which is often mistaken for a sportier feel and this is where the confusion can occur as to whether an improvement is apparent

[M5Dave]

0836whimper said:

GTWayne said:

The only difference between CS/CSL rims is that the front CS rims are 8" wide as opposed to the CSL fronts which are 8.5"; the rears are the same on both

The April 2007 edition of EVO says that the CSL wheels are lighter than CS ones, is this not true ?

Edited by 0836whimper on Sunday 6th September 21:42

The front wheels are lighter on the CSL, the rears are the same on both cars.

[RatBoy M3CS]

Almost... ! the rears are the same part number... but the front CSL rims and the front CS rims are next to the same weight... in spite of the text on them.. I weighed my CSL ones back2back with the CS ones when i swapped them over.. nothing in it.. I thought they were magnesium.. but just marketing cobblers.. they weight the same.. difference is just the width and the offset.. it does sharpen up the steering, but add some 10mm front track spacers, (with longer bolts) and its better again.. I have track tested just about every permutation, rims/offset/tyre width on my 2yr development journey and its pretty much bang on now.., there is a trace of low speed understeer @ 50mph in Luffield for example, and you can dial this out, running rear rims on the front, but this means
-3.5 neg front camber to get arch clearance, and destroys tyres in no time..! but in all its very nice balance as it is.. !..

Edited by RatBoy M3CS on Monday 7th September 14:21

[gareth h]

Any downside to adding spacers on the front?

[RatBoy M3CS]

Not really... I have run it with them for over a year.. you need some longer bolts, so you may struggle with the locking one of them... but you need to get it on a track to slide the car around and feel the real benefits.. crisper steering on the road to..