Pls help me decide on wheel style?

[Flyer1234]

Originally Posted by SUV55

GO1234, Is the star spoke 490 presently available for order in Hong Kong? Have you seen any on X5s at the dealer?

The dealer says I can order the 490. But I have not seen any at the dealers. They mostly display the M model so they are 467.

[Ray knight]

I'll say the 19" wheels look way better in person than they do on the BMW site configurator. I think they purposely make them look smaller on the site to convince you that you must have the 20". I was worried but happy i got the 19". Lots of snow in the winter here!!

[SUV55]

Opasha, I need your opinion and possibly the help of your photoshop abilities once again.

The 490 wheel is not available in the US and may never be. The 449 is available in early January...earliest.

Then an idea hit me. I wonder, can part of a wheel be powder coated while leaving some of the sections alone?

If so what do you think of this option: getting 467M wheels and customizing them via powder ccoating. For Space Grey M Sport, I could have the inside of the outer perimeter of the wheel (or the entire double ring of the outside perimeter) body colored in Space Grey. Then on the flat section of the outer 5 spoke sections make body colored. This leaves a narrower 5 spoke, which will look sportier and something like some of the S or RS line Audi wheels or some Cayenne wheels.

What do you think? Could you please photoshop a zoomed up pic of the modified wheel and then put it on the side view Space Grey X5 that you have posted many times. Much appreciated.

[opasha]

Originally Posted by SUV55

Opasha, I need your opinion and possibly the help of your photoshop abilities once again.

The 490 wheel is not available in the US and may never be. The 449 is available in early January...earliest.

Then an idea hit me. I wonder, can part of a wheel be powder coated while leaving some of the sections alone?

If so what do you think of this option: getting 467M wheels and customizing them via powder ccoating. For Space Grey M Sport, I could have the inside of the outer perimeter of the wheel (or the entire double ring of the outside perimeter) body colored in Space Grey. Then on the flat section of the outer 5 spoke sections make body colored. This leaves a narrower 5 spoke, which will look sportier and something like some of the S or RS line Audi wheels or some Cayenne wheels.

What do you think? Could you please photoshop a zoomed up pic of the modified wheel and then put it on the side view Space Grey X5 that you have posted many times. Much appreciated.

So, do me a favor. Take this image below and use red arrows in MS PAINT to tell me what sections you want colored. I don't follow exactly what you're saying, sorry. Thanks.

[SUV55]

Sure I can do it tomorrow morning, when I fire up my computer. I'm on my IPAD tonight watching Netflix.

I probably complicated things with my explanation. The outer collar of the rim, where it meets the tire, may look good being body colored. The collard section may look better with the inner or just the outer ring body colored. Both parts of the collar painted may look over done.

Then the flat but slightly tapered, rectangular sections towards the end of the spokes would also be body colored. The thin part of the spoke next to the flat section would remain silver, which would still give the 5 spoke a continuous look, though thinner in appearance. There are 10 of these flat sections. My guess 1" x 5" in length.

Did this explanation help? I can mark these tomorrow.

Thanks.

[opasha]

Originally Posted by SUV55

Sure I can do it tomorrow morning, when I fire up my computer. I'm on my IPAD tonight watching Netflix.

I probably complicated things with my explanation. The outer collar of the rim, where it meets the tire, may look good being body colored. Then the flat but slightly tapered, rectangular sections towards the end of the spokes would also be body colored. The thin part of the spoke next to the flat section would remain silver, which would still give the 5 spoke a continuous look, though thinner in appearance. There are 10 of these flat sections. My guess 1" x 5" in length.

Did this explanation help?
I can mark these tomorrow. Thanks.

Yes, now I understand. Basically, you want the thin 5 spokes to pop out by making the background and the flat portions Space Grey. I'll see what I can do .

[SUV55]

Right! It makes the rim look less metal heavy/thick, and more sporty and airy.

My guess...the outer perimeter ring (where it meets the tire) should remain silver while the inner ring should be body colored. This will reduce the metal heavy look of the 467M wheel.

[opasha]

Originally Posted by SUV55

Right! It makes the rim look less metal heavy/thick, and more sporty and airy.

My guess...the outer perimeter ring (where it meets the tire) should remain silver while the inner ring should be body colored. This will reduce the metal heavy look of the 467M wheel.

I agree. I did a reallllly crappy job because it's so hard to use the select tool to modify the image. Sorry, this is the best I could do in such a short amount of time. It will look good for sure as long as you keep the outer rim silver otherwise the 5 spokes will get lost in all that grey like I have shown below.

[SUV55]

Thanks Opasha. Hmmm... If you get a minute over the next day or two, could you please make a minor modification...by making the outer perimeter ring silver.

I think you did a nice job photoshopping it.
Thanks again.

[opasha]

Originally Posted by SUV55

Thanks Opasha. Hmmm... If you get a minute over the next day or two, could you please make a minor modification...by making the outer perimeter ring silver.

I think you did a nice job photoshopping it.
Thanks again.

Sure, tomorrow.

[SUV55]

Thanks. By the way, my X5 arrived at the dealer today.

[opasha]

Originally Posted by SUV55

Thanks. By the way, my X5 arrived at the dealer today.

You're very welcome. That's great news! My car went into the shop...wrapping it for the next 4-5 days.

[SUV55]

Yes, I have been following that thread. Can't wait to see pics of your X5 when done. It should look amazing.

[opasha]

Originally Posted by SUV55

Yes, I have been following that thread. Can't wait to see pics of your X5 when done. It should look amazing.

Thanks, buddy. I'll keep you all posted.

[Carmo99]

Hi everyone, i recenrly changed to my winter tyres on got the 449's for the reasons mentioned. I've a m50d and they look good, and with the gunmetal inner makes them appear larger. Only thing is the width as they are narrower so i may fit rear spaces to bring them out to fill the arches a bit bettter.

Does anyone know if this is an issue with BMW? ie warranty etc?

[opasha]

Originally Posted by Carmo99

Hi everyone, i recenrly changed to my winter tyres on got the 449's for the reasons mentioned. I've a m50d and they look good, and with the gunmetal inner makes them appear larger. Only thing is the width as they are narrower so i may fit rear spaces to bring them out to fill the arches a bit bettter.

Does anyone know if this is an issue with BMW? ie warranty etc?

Many have already put spacers including @cy07 and @X5Jouster. You'll be fine.

@SUV55, here you go, buddy. I think with the silver lip/ring, it looks much better. Definitely not a bad idea at all . However, once you powdercoat those areas grey, DEFINITELY do at least 4 coats of glossifier.

[SUV55]

You did exactly what I predicted you would do, just the outer perimeter stays silver metal. Yes that's the way to go. The side of the paddle area would be Space Grey...do you agree?

Have you ever seen a partial wheel powder coated? I hope the powder coating people don't say the entire wheel needs to be done or nothing?

Thanks for your handy work.

[opasha]

Originally Posted by SUV55

You did exactly what I predicted you would do, just the outer perimeter stays silver metal. Yes that's the way to go. The side of the paddle area would be Space Grey...do you agree?

Thanks for your handy work.

Well, do this. First get it done with the paddles being silver. Then see how it looks on your car. If it doesn't look as sleek, it's easy to get them plastidipped and coated. Just make a good deal with whoever is doing this for you.

I think they will look fine if you make them that grey color as long as you use glossifier...it needs this to reflect light the same way the 449 inner gunmetal does. That's what gives it its elegance. Smart/great idea on your part

You are most welcome .

[SUV55]

You are saying to leave the side of the paddle area silver at first, but paint the front face of the paddle right away, right?

Anyone care to guess what this will cost?

[opasha]

Originally Posted by SUV55

You are saying to leave the side of the paddle area silver at first, but paint the front face of the paddle right away, right?

Anyone care to guess what this will cost?

Yes, because that will be harder to blend since the middle skinny pieces blend straight into the whole middle. You can even see where I had difficulty deciding where to blend that area. It's up to you...I think it will look good regardless.

This usually costs around $300 or so from a professional I believe.

My cousin went out and did it himself for $40. He bought Matte black plastidip in the automotive section and glossifier spray from Lowe's/Home Depot. For how intricate your project is, I would recommend someone with precise skills because you want it to look perfect. If you do it yourself, make sure you wrap up your tires up with some cover because plastidip on tires is not good. It will cause the tread to wear faster because of the chemicals.

[SUV55]

I really like the look, as the addition of the gun metal color makes the wheel look bigger and more aggressive. I am leaning towards making the side of the paddle Space Grey, like you did in the photoshopped pic.

Are you saying not to have the rims powder coated, but to have them painted then glossified instead?

What is plastidipped?

[turbotoy4me]

The wheels look awesome. Custom yet very tasteful. Please post pics once the project is completed.

Originally Posted by opasha

Many have already put spacers including @cy07 and @X5Jouster. You'll be fine.

@SUV55, here you go, buddy. I think with the silver lip/ring, it looks much better. Definitely not a bad idea at all . However, once you powdercoat those areas grey, DEFINITELY do at least 4 coats of glossifier.