Opinions on wheels please (635 CSI Highline)

[allnighter]

This is my latest purchase in my ever lasting love affair with the E24 (my second car).My other 6 series was fitted with 18"Rondell 58 alloys and they looked great on a red car (see profile).
This one has the M package including suspension, and sits lower but I am not too sure whether to keep it with the original wheels + boots (TRX) or fit it with the 18"Rondells from the red 635.
Somehow the Rondells are not as striking on a white car.Perhaps I should get them chrome plated to give a nice contrast with the bright paintwork as long as it does not look too "blingy".
The car has only done 37K from new(full BMWH) and it's in concours condition.
Here's some pics and tell me what you think:

[CraigW]

I always liked the ones in the 2nd pic, are you sure they arent 850 wheels?

[Dino D]

Those 18's are nice wheels but I find them a bit to modern and big for the car.

I would prefer the BBS's to those. (Or those BBS'S with the little studs and shiny lip?)

Lovely motrs by the way.

aNY rUST?

Edited by Dino D on Monday 15th October 16:43

[wrighty78]

Dino D said:

Those 18's are nice wheels but I find them a bit to modern and big for the car.

I would prefer the BBS's to those.

I agree. Nice wheels, but a bit out of place on that car. I can't quite put my finger on why, though.

My view is that if you're going to buy a concours example, then its best to keep it as original as possible. And like Dino, I like the old cross-spoke BBSs. Just a pity about the metric tyres - flippin' expensive and not great in the wet.

I have to say, though: Hats off to a man with two 6ers!

[Olf]

Yep, stick with the ones in pic two. Much better.

[m3evo2]

Olf said:

Yep, stick with the ones in pic two. Much better.

agreed

[Talkwrench]

I have to agree. I love the Rondells but they do look out of place on the 6 series. You could always polish just the rims of the BBS's if you want to add a little brightness. Not sure if I would on a concours car but does look cool.
It is a pity about those metric Michelins though!

[NickXX]

Pic 2 for me.

[belleair302]

Get some Alpina or Hartge wheels. Timleless designs and look fantastic.

[allnighter]

Thank you all for your replies.
The car is rust free,and it's no different from the state it was in when it left the dealership.It has never been resprayed, and has never seen a rainy day.
Ref: Alpinas, yes I like the 8 series 18" Alpinas with the staggered effect but I am not too sure if they will fit on the 6 series.(8.5J at front and 10J at the back??)


Funny isn't it the vote so far from most of my friends,family and neighbours was an overwhelming YES for the Rondells.I just hate the Michelins TRX though.I got rid of them in my red 6 series and now they came back to haunt me in this beauty.Maybe you're all right, the classic lines on this one don't go well with the modern look of the Roundells.
My initial thought was the bigger bumper on the highline models make the car look top heavy on the metric originals.
Anyone knows if the 8 series 18" Alpinas have been successfully transplanted onto the 6 series? especialy with a wider back wheel (275/35/18?? I think)

Edited by allnighter on Monday 15th October 23:26

[allnighter]

CraigW said:

I always liked the ones in the 2nd pic, are you sure they arent 850 wheels?

No, they are Metric originals 415s about 16.5"

[Talkwrench]

Far more in keeping would be 17" Alpinas off an 8 series. They would look more in proportion and almost certainly fit. 235/45 17 on the front and 265/40 17 on the rear.

[allnighter]

Talkwrench said:

Far more in keeping would be 17" Alpinas off an 8 series. They would look more in proportion and almost certainly fit. 235/45 17 on the front and 265/40 17 on the rear.

As the car runs on 240 wide stock tyres front and back I hesitate to fit a narrower tyre.
I was thinking more like 245/35/18 front and 265/30/18 which give a 628mm overall diameter as opposed to 644mm diameter on your 17" example.The existing metric wheels and tyres are 631mm diameter overall.Don't you think the 18" Alpina configuration (628mm) is closer to the metric originals (631mm) than the 17" Alpinas(644mm)?
As long as they don't rub against the strut housing why not fit 18" Alpinas with lower profile tyres? BTW I don't mind a harsher ride quality.

Edited by allnighter on Tuesday 16th October 00:02

[Job38]

What a gorgeous looking E24!

I'd agree with Mr T, 17" Alpina are the best looking wheels for an 635.

However, I know you don't want to hear it and I know the wet weather handling is grim, but, I really think such a beautiful example needs the metric wheels (that extra black line) and TRX tyres. That's how they were inteted.

[bob1179]

Beautiful looking E24! I'm jealous!

As for the wheels, as the car is concourse, and the fact that I'm a purist, I'd stick with the original TRX wheel and tyre combo. Though as mentioned earlier, use a bit of elbow grease and polish them up, I bet they would look pretty special.

[Lordsmut]

It might be just me, but I reckon most of the older BMWs look a lot better on the standard BBS wheels and anything with aftermarket jobbies tend to look a little, dare I say it - Chav. With the guy telling the "laydees" that he drives a "Beemer" neglecting to mention its a 400 quid nail.

[sharkfan]

Lordsmut said:

I reckon most of the older BMWs look a lot better on the standard BBS wheels

The wheels on this one look nice if you are looking for ideas. I would say go for silver with gold cross-spokes, but I'm not sure that would work on white...

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...