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[330iToy]

Originally Posted by MMMorish

Though the ZCP wheels are the best looking of the OEM offerings, I'd still get the regular 19" 220M wheels. They're forged, which means they're a heck of a lot stronger than the cast ZCP wheels, and they still look awesome on the car. I have them and think they look so good that I won't bother going after market.

How come everyone makes it seen like the ZCP wheels are not forged. Everything I read on the BMW websites all state that the Style 359M wheels are forged light alloy. Is this not true?

[OC3]

Whether 359M wheels are forged or not, who cares? It's not like we're driving those wheels in 24-hour endurance races. And, even then...

[jonasaurus]

I personally like the OEM 18s but you sound like the only thing holding you back is ride quality, that being the case you might as well just get the 220s or the 359s and be done with it

[330iToy]

Originally Posted by OC3

Whether 359M wheels are forged or not, who cares? It's not like we're driving those wheels in 24-hour endurance races. And, even then...

It seems a few people do, lol. I am just stating a fact "they are forged". This forum has enough options. Yes everyone has one. I just dislike misinformation. They is too much wrong information on here. You repeat something enough and it becomes fact.

[OC3]

Originally Posted by fishskis

what wheels to order for my M3 Vert (SS/BL), and I can't make up my mind! The car is going to start production in the next few days (or even today?!), and I have ordered 18" wheels for better ride quality, but I prefer the way the 19's look.

I just keep going back and forth on this; I wish I knew how the ride compared between the two wheels (I live in Los Angeles, where I would say the roads are not great, but not horrible). I actually do not mind the looks of the 18" wheel's size or shape, but I do not like the finish on the wheel.

Any guidance on this issue would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Yeah, 18" wheels do give you better ride quality. After driving '08 M3 w/ 18" gunmetals for several years, turned it in at the end of its lease, leased a '11 M3 w/ 19" ZCP wheels and I recall a noticeably bumpier ride on the freeway going home.

BUT, it's something you get used to pretty quickly and, after 6 months, I don't consider the ride quality rough or harsh.

And, yeah, that silver finish on the new 18"s is meh. I personally don't like the 19" 220M wheels, but that's obviously an option. Or, perhaps you can powdercoat the 18"? Or, just get whichever wheels are cheaper and put in aftermarket wheels? Or, purchase a set of ZCP wheels from FS threads on this forum?

[signes]

Originally Posted by 330iToy

How come everyone makes it seen like the ZCP wheels are not forged. Everything I read on the BMW websites all state that the Style 359M wheels are forged light alloy. Is this not true?

They are not forged, there is a thread around here somewhere or in the wheel forum that details it. Like the prior ZCP/CSL wheels were not forged either, but "spun cast".

[330iToy]

Originally Posted by signes

They are not forged, there is a thread around here somewhere or in the wheel forum that details it. Like the prior ZCP/CSL wheels were not forged either, but "spun cast".

Not to jack this thread. You are saying in the 2011 BMW M brochure and the BMWUSA.com website where it states the ZCP wheels are forged is false information. I found that hard to believe. I think BMW would know more about what their product is made of than a post on here. Just my 2 cents. As i said before you repeat a lie enough it becomes truth. Lol

[fishskis]

Thanks guys....

I pulled the trigger and changed my order this morning, three weeks before my ED pickup. I needed that one little extra push, so thanks; I definitely feel like I made the right decision. Incidentally, I had already ordered EDC.

[smmmurf]

I can't stand the 19's. I had 18's and tried 19's but then went back after 1,000 miles. The roads in northern CA really beat up the car and I wanted the extra sidewall compliance to save the suspension and to have a much better ride.

Some people can't tell but I certainly can. Much happier now that I've gone back to 18's. I even ordered aftermarket forged 18's with Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Now this is the perfect setup for me!

[SEWELLGT]

I vote 19s

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by JohnnyRoaster

I would stick with the 18" wheels. You can always sell them and get some aftermarkets for less than the cost of the 19".

Not really true. The 19" 220 forged wheels are a $1250 option including 19" tires. Even the Competition wheels are basically a $1500 option with 19" tires.

If you buy 18's and don't want/need to use them, you will need to get both 19" wheels and 19" tires later on.

Also, how much of a market do you think there is for the 18" wheels if you think you want to sell them?

Good wheels in the aftermarket will be anywhere from $500-1500 each. Tires will be $300-400 each. With mounting, balancing, shipping, you are looking at $3k-$8k or more.

By comparison, the 19" factory options are a huge bargain, and both styles look great.

[m3keash]

I ordered 18's for winter and 20's for every other season.

[JohnnyRoaster]

Originally Posted by fishskis

Thanks guys....

I pulled the trigger and changed my order this morning, three weeks before my ED pickup. I needed that one little extra push, so thanks; I definitely feel like I made the right decision. Incidentally, I had already ordered EDC.

Congrats! Have a great trip.

[signes]

Originally Posted by 330iToy

Not to jack this thread. You are saying in the 2011 BMW M brochure and the BMWUSA.com website where it states the ZCP wheels are forged is false information. I found that hard to believe. I think BMW would know more about what their product is made of than a post on here. Just my 2 cents. As i said before you repeat a lie enough it becomes truth. Lol

History repeating itself. E46 M3 brochures (written by BMWNA) claimed the prior ZCP wheels were forged but turned out to be identical to the CSL wheels which were spun cast (except being 1'2" wider fronts.) Having spent a lot of time on the same topic with my E46 and coming to the conclusion that the prior marketing materials were incorrect, I believe it is happening again. BTW, have a look at the GTS specs and "marketing materials" and nowhere I can find do they make the claim that the wheels are forged.

Nobody is "lying" here (FFS), the topic has been debated at length. Believe what you want.They're great looking wheels and I am sure they are strong enough for anything somebody here will do with them on the street or track.

[crzy4bimmers]

Originally Posted by fishskis

Thanks guys....

I pulled the trigger and changed my order this morning, three weeks before my ED pickup. I needed that one little extra push, so thanks; I definitely feel like I made the right decision. Incidentally, I had already ordered EDC.

Awesome! Post pictures when you get your M!

[Mahmood07]

I thought it was already proven the ZCP wheels are not forged

[SP330]

Originally Posted by E=mc2

ZCP wheels are forged.

They are not forged. I was confused too, I frequently peruse the 2011 brochure.

here is a post from another M3 forum, not sure if I'm allowed to link it but PM me for the link if you need to verify.

Member: Cleveland

"Uh oh, not this again...

Not sure how all these silly rumors get started, but I can assure you the Competition wheels wheels ARE NOT FORGED.

No idea where you got that impression, or who told you they were Forged?

Ironically, people were saying the E46 M3 CSL wheels were Forged as well. (when they first came out)

They aren't Forged either. (they're also Spun Cast)

That little argument went on foir quite a while, because some BMW North America employee had mistakenly put that little detail in one of their public press releases. (which led to widespread confusion among owners)

The Style 359 Competition package wheels are manufactured in Germany, and they are Spun Cast Aluminum. (or what is commonly referred to within the wheel industry as flow forming)

The easiest way to prove this fact to the casual BMW enthusiast (who doesn't have a really deep understanding of all the different wheel manufacturing technologies), is to point out the price disparity between Forged wheels and Cast wheels. (especially in the case of BMW factory wheels)

The 19" Spun Cast Competition wheels retail for about $600 bucks each, and the Forged OEM 19" wheels list for $900-950 each.

That price disparity, is the direct result of extensive machining & higher tooling costs necessary to manufacture a Forged wheel. (fact)

In most cases, the price disparity between Cast and Forged wheels is even larger than the BMW OEM wheel example listed above.

It's pretty common knowledge within the wheel industry, that it's much cheaper (per unit) to build a Flow Formed CAST wheel than a FORGED one. And that's why almost all OEM wheels are either gravity Cast or Spun Cast. (Flow Formed)

It's a cost cutting move, to keep their overall manufacturing costs down.

Very few automotive manufacturers are still building Forged OEM factory wheels.

A conservative ratio of Cast vs. Forged OEM wheel options, would be 20:1 in favor of CAST wheels. So it's not even close in reality. BMW is one of the rare companies still building Forged wheels for some of their higher end models.



Also take note that BMW will LIST whether a wheel is forged or not in their internal parts system. (listed below)

The E90/92/93 M3 Style 220 19" Forged wheel, is listed as FORGED in the parts catalog (which it is), while Style 359 19" Competition wheel is obviously not listed as Forged. (because it's not)

FYI: Non-Forged (Cast) BMW OEM wheels are always listed as "alloy wheel" "alloy rim", or "light alloy wheel" or "light alloy rim".

Forged OEM 19" wheel http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...14&hg=36&fg=15

Spun Cast OEM 19" Competition wheel http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...83&hg=36&fg=15

Pricing for 19" Competition wheel: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-24...9x9-front.aspx



I hope this post puts all this 'forged' nonsense to rest. "

[persian54]

Originally Posted by OC3

Whether 359M wheels are forged or not, who cares? It's not like we're driving those wheels in 24-hour endurance races. And, even then...

Potholes are pretty hectic on cast wheels from what I've read..

Originally Posted by OC3

I personally don't like the 19" 220M wheels,

Originally Posted by E=mc2

ZCP wheels are forged.

[signes]

Originally Posted by SP330

They are not forged. I was confused too, I frequently peruse the 2011 brochure.

here is a post from another M3 forum, not sure if I'm allowed to link it but PM me for the link if you need to verify.

Member: Cleveland

"Uh oh, not this again...

LMB/Cleveland chiming in. Thanks for posting, I suppose that is all a bunch of lies too.

[OC3]

Originally Posted by persian54

[MDSKIER]

Originally Posted by smmmurf

I can't stand the 19's. I had 18's and tried 19's but then went back after 1,000 miles. The roads in northern CA really beat up the car and I wanted the extra sidewall compliance to save the suspension and to have a much better ride.

Some people can't tell but I certainly can. Much happier now that I've gone back to 18's. I even ordered aftermarket forged 18's with Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Now this is the perfect setup for me!

I drove a 2011 M3 Sedan with Comp package and a 2008 CPO M3 Coupe with 18" wheels today. I much preferred the 18" wheels.

[kmarei]

18 are much more comfortable
I felt more able to control the car with 18s than 19s
With the 18s I could place the car exactly where I wanted
With the 19s, less so
Plus, and this is a biggie, I have a lore more interior rattles now after having the 19s for about 9 months
They definitely send more vibration into the car
And before all the fans of 19s start to chime in
I have 255/35 and 275/35, so I have probably the biggest sidewalk you can fit on 19s
And I had the 245/35 265/5 earlier
Same thing
After evey bump, the car takes a while before it's composed again
With th 18s over the same route, I could recover from harsh bumps much quicker

Just bought the Apex arc-8 in 18, and going back to 18s
Expect some PS2s in 255/35 275/35 for sal soon