ZCP vs CSL Wheel and Performance

[Nate047]

Yea pretty much if you want nice forged street wheels that don't come from China, and you can still buy new, pony up for BBS. Most forged BBS come from Japan. There are other period correct options that pop up used sometimes.

And TBH you don't always "need" forged, and forged doesn't always mean good. Factory 19" style 67s are forged (made by Fuchs) but they weigh like 27 lbs each. And just to further complicate, factory CSL wheels are made by BBS but are not forged lol.

[Obioban]

I'm uninformed on this topic.

factory wheels are insanely heavy. Volk wheels are expensive and seems like you might be waiting 6-12mos for them, maybe that's changed? RAC wheels were unavailable from the couple sites I looked at. Many of the BBS wheels don't seem to be available in 18'' sizes. The RGR seemed like the best option.

I suppose HRE would be an option too, but goodness a set of those costs more than a rebuilt engine.

HREs aren't that great, either.

BBS is hard to beat. I'm running 17" RG-Rs on the M3 wagon (16 lbs front, 17 lbs rear), I used to run 18" RG-Rs on the M3 wagon (until I was able to find a set of 17s), I'm running 18" RG-Rs on the M5 (18 lbs front, 19 lbs rear), and, 10+ years ago, before I knew better (about 19s), I ran 19" RG-Rs on the M3. They're light, they're crazy strong, and not stupidly expensive. 8000+ ton forged in Japan, and thoroughly tested/certified.

That said, pick 2 still applies (light, cheap, well made)-- BBS's forged wheels are absolutely in the light/well made category.

[tnord]

Volke, BBS, factory BMW wheels, RACs, etc.

I'm uninformed on this topic.

factory wheels are insanely heavy. Volk wheels are expensive and seems like you might be waiting 6-12mos for them, maybe that's changed? RAC wheels were unavailable from the couple sites I looked at. Many of the BBS wheels don't seem to be available in 18'' sizes. The RGR seemed like the best option.

I suppose HRE would be an option too, but goodness a set of those costs more than a rebuilt engine.

[Nate047]

Interested in which options aren't from China.

There are plenty, like listed above. Obviously there's also a price gap.

[Obioban]

Interested in which options aren't from China.

Volke, BBS, factory BMW wheels, RACs, etc.

[tnord]

Their site says "Depending on the build requirements, manufacturing and refinishing could be split between our partners located in Toronto and its surrounding area, China, Germany, and the United States."

So, China basically. But to be fair, same for Apex, BimmerWorld and Titan7.

Interested in which options aren't from China.

[Obioban]

Light
cheap
well made

pick 2, for a wheel anyone should consider buying (some are 1 or 0, none are all 3).

imo, for a track wheel I want light and cheap, for a street wheel I want light and strong.

[jet_dogg]

All china junk.

I will sacrifice some weight for looks since most light wheels are chinesium. It is a street car after all.

[Nate047]

Interesting.

I wonder where they're made (china or not china, really).

Their site says "Depending on the build requirements, manufacturing and refinishing could be split between our partners located in Toronto and its surrounding area, China, Germany, and the United States."

So, China basically. But to be fair, same for Apex, BimmerWorld and Titan7.

[EthanolTurbo]

Yes, fronts are .5" wider. Construction is the same. Weight diff is negligible.

Ironically (ironic because zcp fronts are narrower and 245 is wider than 235), most people run 245/275 with ZCP wheels, though I would say most ppl with CSL wheels do run 235/265.

Nether wheelset should be in the same sentence as "performance" being 19" imo. I'll actually be taking mine (csls) off due to the performance loss after moving from 20lb 18" wheels of the same width. The car got slower.

It's funny how much lightweight wheels transform this car, I could never ever go back to driving with heavy wheels. 17 lb wheels ftw!

[m3nt0s]

I couldn't wait to get the obese style 67 19's off of my car. Running the 18" RG-R's for years without any additional spacers, hardware, or regrets.

[tnord]

I like those too, particularly on a 7 series. But I think I like the MPar v2 a little better.

But they're both horribly heavy and shouldn't be on any actual performance car.

[01SG]

I concur about the M Parallel, except those are slightly different from the actual style 37. I think the more simple, classy design is more befitting the five series, as seen on the 1995 M5 and 2003 540 M sport.

[tnord]

Count me as another 18'' wheel die hard. It's just too easy to get some Apex wheels and improve....everything.

I think the style 65s on the e39 m5 are BMW’s best ever chassis/wheel styling match…

… and still replaced them with BBS RG-Rs on my M5, because pretty much every BMW stock wheel is heavier than I can deal with. So much zero compromise performance left on the table by all of them.

I'm probably with you on this, but I always really really liked the M - Parallel II (style 66) on the later E39s. They got almost everything right with the E39, and I often think about going and getting another one to take care of. But then I shuttle the kids around the next day and I'm glad I have the e90 with hail damage and pleather seats that I'm not stressing about. I should just go get one and put it in storage while I still can.

[Obioban]

I think the style 65s on the e39 m5 are BMW’s best ever chassis/wheel styling match…

… and still replaced them with BBS RG-Rs on my M5, because pretty much every BMW stock wheel is heavier than I can deal with. So much zero compromise performance left on the table by all of them.