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Forum LockedE32 750i wheel & tyre help needed

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4941cc View Drop Down
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    Posted: 22-November-2009 at 17:06
Hi all,

Last month I bought myself a beautifully original example of an E32 750i.

However, being so original means it is currently equipped with the good looking, but impractical 415 size Metric cross-spokes, fitted with Michelin TRX GTs. The car has been run at a very lo wannual mileage since new, so whilst the tyres have plenty of tread depth (between 4-5mm), they originate from 2001 (fronts) and 2003 (rears). The spare has a 1987 date code on it (the car being a 1989 build).

In short, they're the one thing reducing my immense enjoyment of the car. The grip levels are perfectly acceptable, water dispersal surprisingly able too. But they ride harshly and are far too noisy at a motorway cruise (which is where the car pretty much lives) - doubly heightened owing to the lack of noise from the engine room compared with the M30 735i that preceded it (it's also quieter than an E38 735i I ran last year, save a little bit of wind-noise around the A-pillars).

I have tried living with the TRXs, as I love originality in my cars and "modifying" goes against my general ethos to a huge extent. So I thought maybe replacing the TRXs with some new ones with unperished rubber may restore the 7 Series ride and noise experience that's a large part of my attraction to these wonderful barges.

Following an afternoon of internetting and phoning around, I was of the opinion that they simply no longer exist as a few places had one or two of them, but nobody could provide me five. I knew they were on the pricey end of the scale, but when I eventually found somebody who could supply me with a set, at £329 + VAT & fitting each. I am not prepared to pay the thick end of £2k for a set of tyres that are not even close to current offerings at half that price.

I also made arrangements with the "market leading wheel repair specialists" to have all five rims re-conditioned. Having described in detail the wheels, size and the matt black stripe that would need to be reinstated follwoing strip-down and restoration, I was quoted three days and £284+ VAT - which I accepted and duly took the car for an 80 mile drive to drop it off for a little stay. Only to get there and be greeted by teh sucking of air through teeth upon seeing the wheels (not the condition, they're unmarked apart from the usual light kerbing around the rim, but if something's  worth doing...), i was informed they'd be £360 + VAT and still wouldn't have the stripe - and take five days. At the cost of refurb and those tyres, I could just buy a half-respectable E38 750i instead (which is the car I set out to buy, but owing to condition, just couldn't ignore this one).

So I left there distinctly unimpressed. So I have now made the decision to run the car day-to-day on a set of period Imperial alloys (17" Alpina specifically) and tyres, and get the Metric rims restored and keep them for either show occasions (if I end up getting into that, but I'm still young enough to think cars are for driving first and polishing second) and to preserve originality when selling her on.

Can anyone shed any light on either:

A less expensive source of Metric tyres - that won't still be old tyres - the ones I was quoted for weren't even "new" tyres in the strictest sense. Are they still made at all?

Does anyone know the correct sizes for genuine Alpina wheels for this model of car - some seem to wear 8.5J x 17 all round, some have 10 (or 10.5) inch rears?

Also: as the car is equipped with self-levelling suspension, what are the implications of merely swapping the wheels? I don't want to upset that system after all - or end up with a car with a ludicrous ride height. Can anyone advise me as to any necessary suspension changes to accomodate the change of wheels?

Or any other suggestions for solving my problem will be most welcome.

PS I do NOT want to create a B1 2replica in any way, but it's just that these are the only other wheels that have ever suited the shape of the car IMO. I would very much like a genuine E38 B12, but rarity & budget preclude that.

Thanks,


Len
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shogun View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote shogun Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27-November-2009 at 09:30

the TRX look nice, but they are only good a garden hose rails. The tires are outdated design and expensive.

Original Alpina wheels with the wonderful Alpina classic are 8.5J x 17 all round for the E32 735 Alpina.

 I agree, very nice wheels indeed.The E32 B12 5.0 like my one has originally

front 8.5J x 17" H2 with 235/45 ZR 17

rear 9.5J x 17" with  245/40 ZR 17

rear fenders are originally rolled and widened by BMW factory to allow these rear wheels to fit.

 

Here the reply from my Alpina dealer in Germany

Der Alpina urde wie folgt ausgeliefert:/was originally supplied: 

ALPINA Classic-Felge /classic wheels

Vorne: 8,5 x 17   front     235 / 45 / 17 

Hinten /rear: 9,5 x 17      265 / 40 / 17 

Alpina order number for the wheel set 36 11 669

details here in the Alpina parts catalog online http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/645679/

LAD has no impact on changing the wheels. LAD can even be slighly adjusted up and down, see info on my website below.

As you might know, the Alpina wheels are pretty expensive. I just had to buy one for the rear which set me back about 500 EURO. In case you are interested in Alpina style wheels, see here

http://www.wheelworx.net/acatalog/BMW_Style_Replica_Wheels.h tml

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E32 750iL,E36 M3

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote M3AG Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17-December-2009 at 19:48
you could always put a set of std cross spoke 15" alloys on
from an e34, easily available and tyres not so expensive,
similar is size to the TRX's I think that would have been fitted
at the time? The alpina rims are fabulouse alloys but can be
pricey to find in OE condition and aftermarket types are not
that good.
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