35i/35is: which wheels are best?

[Roadstergal]

Originally Posted by alan64

I loved these from the first moment I saw them. I thought they gave the car a monza type look, and they seem to ride a lot softer on our lousy roads up here.

I agree. These wheels were one of a number of reasons that I chose the 35i when I was deciding on which model and which options I wanted. I, too, loved these wheels the first time that I saw them. At the time of placing my order, I was tempted to go with the 30i and asked my salesman if I could get these wheels for the 30i, to which he said no.

I have always ordered the sport package on all my cars and while I loved the wheels that you got with the sport package on the 30i, with the color combo that I finally decided on, I was looking for more of a classy, conservative look than a sporty look.

I am glad I couldn't switch the wheels because I love my 35i and still am happy with these wheels.

[Vintage]

Originally Posted by flpnout

I simply prefer the 326M wheels after seeing them.
My next expense will probably be an FMIC once Dinan comes out with one or Eisenmann Quad sport or race exhaust once I can find a body shop I can trust to modify the bumper cut outs. This is a hard one.

we have the 296s and I think I prefer the 326Ms but it is a close call. As for the FMIC, have you considered the Stett Performance FMIC? It is mounted on my wife's car and it is awesome. We also have the Eisenmann 2x90 Race Exhaust and ESS Stage II tune - wicked power and sound.

[flpnout]

Originally Posted by VintageBMW

we have the 296s and I think I prefer the 326Ms but it is a close call. As for the FMIC, have you considered the Stett Performance FMIC? It is mounted on my wife's car and it is awesome. We also have the Eisenmann 2x90 Race Exhaust and ESS Stage II tune - wicked power and sound.

Thanks! I'll check out Stett, is that a local dealer you got your from? I don't think we have Stett in the bay area.

[Vintage]

yes, they are local but they manufacture and sell N54 mods around the world (look at the MDesign project post and u=you will see there FMIC on the car). look up Stett Performance on the web and you will find them. my wife's car was the prototype vehicle for their FMIC, which was adapted from 335 use, and now several e89s all over the world have them mounted up. our e89 also has the charge pipe with dual diverter valves - nice.

[flpnout]

Originally Posted by VintageBMW

yes, they are local but they manufacture and sell N54 mods around the world (look at the MDesign project post and u=you will see there FMIC on the car). look up Stett Performance on the web and you will find them. my wife's car was the prototype vehicle for their FMIC, which was adapted from 335 use, and now several e89s all over the world have them mounted up. our e89 also has the charge pipe with dual diverter valves - nice.

I'll check it out. Unfortunately my Z must not have been happy with the wheel swap , immediately afterwards she started humming on me. I took it back to the dealership today and they think it is a low pressure fuel pump issue. They gave me a loaner and said they will try to reprogram if that does not resolve it, they will replace the low pressure pump.

I will probably have to take back to Dinan to reflash it with Stage 2 if they have to end up messing with the reprogram.

Such an inconvenience these twin turbos cause! Sometimes makes me wish I never gave up my 6 series or opted for an M6. My dealership said this is a common issue with these 35i models like the 135 & 335s.

[Vintage]

sorry for the trouble - I guess I will keep my fingers crossed with our e89

[shlai]

i think 296 better. My wife feels more stronger about it. They gives more luxurious feel. They also make the wheel look bigger. The problem is, in fact, to all stock wheels, they are damn heavy. If you are in full automatic shift mode, when you slow down your car, the gear will shift lower, right? The heavy 296 have so much momentum that they actually produce a clunk feel to the chassis and the entire vehcile. I have an old E85 with light BBS wheel before. So I changed my E89 to Advan RS II - at least 9 pounds lighter than 296, although the look is worse. The clunk feel is gone, and the acceleration and braking is ten times better.

[BMWZ4RIDER]

I love my 293 wheels BUT with that said I want a more open wheel. I want to be able to see more of my brake caliper, rotor and backing plate paint work. I would love OEM 313's BUT cannot swing the $2800 buy in, for just the wheels, so I am going with a set of VMR710's with a new set of Michelin PSS tires.

[BMW665]

its all a personal preference . I really like the following. don't know which model these are but what I like about them is the amount of spokes and the bullet accents. very nice elegant but solid

[VailM3]

I have 326 19s with PSS, which to me at least, are perfect.

at the dealer on signing.

[mbetoni]

Agree on the 19" 326s on the IS. My choice as well!

[BackNblack]

19'' M6 wheels and Conti DW's for me.

[BLKZ]

I have 19" 296 v-spoke wheels, but am thinking of fitting genuine BMW Performance 19" 313 wheels. Any issues or comments?

[Hujan]

326 by a mile. Frankly, the 326 (and the 18s that someone posted) are the only factory wheels that look good on the Z4, IMO, with apologize to everyone else. Our car had 296s on it when we bought it and they were the first thing I changed.

[Hujan]

Originally Posted by BLKZ

I have 19" 296 v-spoke wheels, but am thinking of fitting genuine BMW Performance 19" 313 wheels. Any issues or comments?

Those would look great on the Z. Five, double-spoke wheels (326, 313, the M6 wheels) look great on the Z.

[tranquility]

I prefer the 313 over the 326. However, wish there was a comparable 18". I'm guessing that I may have the safest wheel since it has 20 freaking spokes but, man, those 293s are a MAJOR PITA to clean.

Those star pattern ones are best imo.

[nicknaz]

For the OEM wheels, I like the 325 (biased because that's the setup I'm using )

[Kessler35is]

IMO, for looks it's 326's or 313's.

For track if that will become a thing for you, I would go with a 17 or 18 for a better tire choice and a better price on tires for track use.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Kessler35is

IMO, for looks it's 326's or 313's.

For track if that will become a thing for you, I would go with a 17 or 18 for a better tire choice and a better price on tires for track use.

+1

I put the 19" style 296 on the shelf and switched to 18" style 325 for that reason

[sustrafics]

I have the 351M from the 5/6 series. IMHO They look good!