Original M3 46

[Cygnet]

This is a new 18, paint and lacquer finish I think……….

 

[Snowdog]

You Could be right I’ve never owned a set of 18’s so just going on appearance, it would make sense to be painted actually as it’s a better look/finish.
I still think diamond cut 18’s could look good though?

I’m sure others may know more than either of us, but I’ve had a few refurbs on sets of 18s I’ve had. Last time they needed doing I discussed with a dealership to see if their paint shop could match factory but that was a “no”. I guess that’s a combination of a couple of things…I don’t think any current models have Shadow Chrome, and of course the dealer mantra is usually replace not repair, or for wheels, they can get a contracted mobile refurber in, so you’re in the hands of their capabilities instead. Never thought about cutting 18s before…is that even possible?

 

[monkeyboy]

I’m sure others may know more than either of us, but I’ve had a few refurbs on sets of 18s I’ve had. Last time they needed doing I discussed with a dealership to see if their paint shop could match factory but that was a “no”. I guess that’s a combination of a couple of things…I don’t think any current models have Shadow Chrome, and of course the dealer mantra is usually replace not repair, or for wheels, they can get a contracted mobile refurber in, so you’re in the hands of their capabilities instead. Never thought about cutting 18s before…is that even possible?

Im no wheel expert but I’m guessing that they are made the same way/material etc as the 19’s so if that’s right then I guess they could be cut?
I had a mate with an E46 M3 who had CSL reps on his car but had the face diamond cut and lacquered with the rest of wheel painted/powder coated (not sure which) but they looked epic

 

[monkeyboy]

This is a new 18, paint and lacquer finish I think……….

View attachment 26073

I reckon they would look ace polished or cut in the same style as the 19’s obvs it’s personal taste though

 

[IanB]

Sure they could be diamond cut, I don't know how curved the spoke faces are, if they are curved it will make it difficult as the face that is cut needs to be flat surface and you may end up taking to much off the front of the spoke to achieve this. ( hope that kinda makes sense)

 

[Snowdog]

Sure they could be diamond cut, I don't know how curved the spoke faces are, if they are curved it will make it difficult as the face that is cut needs to be flat surface and you may end up taking to much off the front of the spoke to achieve this. ( hope that kinda makes sense)

That was my thought tbh, the 18 spokes have a fair curvature on the front face, so any diamond cut might create something rather…unique!

 

[monkeyboy]

Sure they could be diamond cut, I don't know how curved the spoke faces are, if they are curved it will make it difficult as the face that is cut needs to be flat surface and you may end up taking to much off the front of the spoke to achieve this. ( hope that kinda makes sense)

Ive seen a machine they use up close and they move with the wheel faces, well the one i saw was as it scans the wheel and then used a laser to measure stuff, also the 19’s are far from flat so I’m sure it can be done

 

[Snowdog]

Ive seen a machine they use up close and they move with the wheel faces, well the one i saw was as it scans the wheel and then used a laser to measure stuff, also the 19’s are far from flat so I’m sure it can be done

Good point, I’d wondered about this CNC machine lark, but don’t know much about the so it may well be do-able!
Who’s going first?!

 

[monkeyboy]

Good point, I’d wondered about this CNC machine lark, but don’t know much about the so it may well be do-able!
Who’s going first?!

If someone gifts me a set of 18’s I’ll happily have a crack

 

[Snowdog]

If someone gifts me a set of 18’s I’ll happily have a crack

As it happens I’ve a spare 18 that wont be going on the car as it’s imperfect. If I knew someone local that had the kit and would try it FOC, I’d let them have a go just for the hell of it.

 

[monkeyboy]

As it happens I’ve a spare 18 that wont be going on the car as it’s imperfect. If I knew someone local that had the kit and would try it FOC, I’d let them have a go just for the hell of it.

Could be worth taking some pics and sending to a company like lepsons or similar and asking the question even just to satisfy our curiosity

 

[IanB]

Ive seen a machine they use up close and they move with the wheel faces, well the one i saw was as it scans the wheel and then used a laser to measure stuff, also the 19’s are far from flat so I’m sure it can be done

No, what I was meaning was the front face of the spoke being rounded (imagine the cross section of the spoke being D shaped with the front face being the curved part rather than a more square shape) , not the shape of the spoke from the centre to the rim. So the lathe would touch the centre of the spoke making a thin strip down the middle of each spoke, until more had been machined off.

I did attempt to draw what I was meaning, it didn't go well The spoke shape may be fine or enough can be removed and It may not even be a problem.

 

[monkeyboy]

No, what I was meaning was the front face of the spoke being rounded (imagine the cross section of the spoke being D shaped with the front face being the curved part rather than a more square shape) , not the shape of the spoke from the centre to the rim. So the lathe would touch the centre of the spoke making a thin strip down the middle of each spoke, until more had been machined off.

I did attempt to draw what I was meaning, it didn't go well The spoke shape may be fine or enough can be removed and It may not even be a problem.

Ahhh right I get you now doh!! Sorry that was me not reading it properly!
You could be right as the 19’s are more of a square spoke I just assumed the 18’s were the same just smaller

 

[IanB]

I haven't seen 18s for a long time, but certainly in pictures the spokes seem rounder and the 19s have sharper squarer corners.

 

[monkeyboy]

I haven't seen 18s for a long time, but certainly in pictures the spokes seem rounder and the 19s have sharper squarer corners.

I actually don’t think I’ve ever seen a set of 18’s in the flesh!

 

[M3Kent]

You Could be right I’ve never owned a set of 18’s so just going on appearance, it would make sense to be painted actually as it’s a better look/finish.
I still think diamond cut 18’s could look good though?

Cars on 18s

 

[monkeyboy]

Cars on 18s

I definitely prefer the look of the 19’s but a lot of that could be down to the finish

 

[M3Kent]

I definitely prefer the look of the 19’s but a lot of that could be down to the finish

I think I prefer 29s as well

 

[monkeyboy]

I think I prefer 29s as well

Mad how an inch makes such a big difference…….and yes I know that sounds rude

 

[AC427]

There used to be a saying.. 18’s for go, 19’s for show.
In other words the oe 18’ alloys give a better ride than the 19’s. But personally I prefer the look of the 19’s especially in the original finish. You’ll be very lucky to find a set of original finish 19s, if you do they’ll be expensive.

CSL's for a pro