Wheel Opinion Please

[MetMan]

I'm looking to purchase a new set of wheels for my 2003 Z4 roadster and have narrowed my choices to the VMR VB3 (CSL Replica) or the VMR V710. I'm leaning towards the V710 but also like the classic looks of the CSL. I've attached a picture of each for reference. Keep in mind that my car is titanium silver so close in color to the V710 picture. Thanks in advance for the input!

[Diokaef]

Originally Posted by MetMan

I'm looking to purchase a new set of wheels for my 2003 Z4 roadster and have narrowed my choices to the VMR VB3 (CSL Replica) or the VMR V710. I'm leaning towards the V710 but also like the classic looks of the CSL. I've attached a picture of each for reference. Keep in mind that my car is titanium silver so close in color to the V710 picture. Thanks in advance for the input!

I have V710 on my e90 and I had CSL, and for me I would go with V710, they look much better specially because they are not a direct replica.

[MetMan]

Diokaef, have you have you had any issues with the VMRs? Have they been hard to balance, any paint peeling issues?

Thanks!

[BMWI6]

v710 look amazing!!! how much are they?

[MetMan]

About $1000 for 19X8.5 / 9.5.

[crfine88]

I would run the V710's, they look great on the Z4 in my opinion.

I have owned two sets of 19" CSL reps I picked up from EAS. One set was 8.5/9.5 hyper black, and the other 8.5/10.0 gunmetal. I did not have any issues with finish or balance on either set.

Good Luck

[MetMan]

crfine88, I greatly appreciate the input!

[DarkstarZero]

The only downside, that I know of, is weight. I believe they weigh considerably more than the stock rims.

[Diokaef]

Originally Posted by MetMan

Diokaef, have you have you had any issues with the VMRs? Have they been hard to balance, any paint peeling issues?

Thanks!

Not at all, I would buy again, in the 18" they are about 1/6 lb light then stock Z4 M wheels. Don't know of any bad things about it. So far so good about a year using vmr's

[MetMan]

In regards to weight I should be OK as I'm also ditching run-flats. From what I understand I should save a couple of lbs per tire which would offset the increase in wheel weight.

[MetMan]

The VMR V710s were ordered yesterday although they are on back order. I'll post pictures when mounted.

[crfine88]

Congrats!
Looking forward to those photos

[Dammmittt]

I'd go with which ever one is lighter

[nlink720]

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

The only downside, that I know of, is weight. I believe they weigh considerably more than the stock rims.

Yeah. I agree with DSZero. Both are heavy, but the V710s are much better looking.

I would get lighter wheels (neither of the two), but performance is a big factor to me.

The Forgestar F14 wheels are about 6 lbs lighter per wheel. Only downsides are that they take a while to get since they are custom, and the jury is still out with respect to customer service. Cost is comparable.

[MetMan]

The weight of the VMR V710 is 25.5 / 27lb which I think is very close to the weight of my stock 107 wheels. I expect to have a weight savings going away from the run-flats.

[Starscream]

How are the quality of the VMR wheels?

I'm either thinking V710's or OEM CSL/ZCP's for my M this year,

[MetMan]

In regards to the quality of the VMR wheels, for the most part they get good reviews. The only drawback maybe weight but in doing my research they are very close in weight to my stock 107s.

[KevinC]

I've never understood why anybody puts a "replica" wheel on a $40k+ car. Especially a BBS ripoff of any kind, which most replicas seem to be. If it were me, I'd either go BBS if I liked their style wheels (and I do, LM's on my Mini Cooper), or if out of reach financially, go for some other original design. And I'd be VERY wary of weight - a 25 lb wheel is outrageous.

[MetMan]

I won't touch the issue of replicas as my motto is "to each his own". But I have to say that I've read many post in regards to not putting heavy wheels on our cars and I think if you do some research you'll find that the stock wheels that came on our cars are in the 25 -27lb range. Definitely not lightweight and in line with the weights of the VMRs.

[CalRick]

Originally Posted by KevinC

I've never understood why anybody puts a "replica" wheel on a $40k+ car. Especially a BBS ripoff of any kind, which most replicas seem to be. If it were me, I'd either go BBS if I liked their style wheels (and I do, LM's on my Mini Cooper), or if out of reach financially, go for some other original design. And I'd be VERY wary of weight - a 25 lb wheel is outrageous.

It all depends on what one is looking for. If one is looking for auto-jewelry and can keep your car in a showcase (or at least secure most of the time) and it fits your budget, absolutely go for the high end BBS wheel; or if you are running a higher end racing operation and BBS is compensating you for running their product, you go for it. If more practical considerations enter the equation, such as driving in "high threat" environments such as racetracks or California roads, a less expensive rep that still complements the car's style is not inappropriate - one can buy a set of Forgestars along with a couple complete sets of spares for the cost of RGRs or LMs - they're similar in weight to the RGRs and a good bit lighter than the LMs and to my eye the general CSL style works better on our cars than other popular lighter track wheels like the Enkeis or OZs. YMMV. For something that can almost be considered to be a consumable, I find it difficult to justify the additional cost unless it provides a distinct performance advantage.