Real pics of my 2 tone OEM 18 powdercoated track setup

[Obioban]

note to mods: I didn't put this in gallery because I think it's useful info for people considering a track setup. Please leave at least for a bit

Track Pics in Post 7

I really do think this is the best option, dollar per dollar

I bought two sets of oem 18s for $800
sold the 4 fronts on fanatics for $600 (that will fit any e46 or the e36 M3)
=cost of wheels: $200
Cost of sandblasting and powdercoating: $250
total: $450

Benefits:
-Strong, OEM wheel (not going to bend even with r compounds)
-can run 275 tires on all 4 corners on my lowered car without rubbing
-can run 285 tires on all 4 corners if I add some front negative camber
-clears BBK (355 front, 345 rear) without any spacers
-powdercoat won't be damaged by track brake dust, etc
-lets me do a look on the car I'd never go for on the street

Downsides:
1) Weight... a nice set of SSRs or RS110s would be a good deal lighter
2) red doesn't really match the car... pretty close to the brembos, though (even if it doesn't look it in pics-- it's the glossy vs not that makes it look off in pics)
3) When the steering wheel is in full lock the rubber will rub the plastic fender liner. This happens with my 265/30/19 street tires I run on the front on my dinan wheels as well (temporarily on the car till my RAC RG4s get here). Anyway, my point is... you will hear that rubbing so if that is disconcerting... don't run it. 265 is the Dinan spec tire for my street, however, so clearly dinan thinks it's okay as well.
4) This is the bigger issue-- you are pretty much using up the out space with this setup. If you hit a branch and it gets sucked between the wheel and fender, it is going to do some fender damage. If you were running a less aggressive setup it would be able to pass through with much less chance of doing damage to the car. This is really a street issue, though, as on the track I'll be adding negative camber so there'll be more space. Not to mention, not a lot of branches on the track :P

NOTE: When running this setup, do get as much negative camber as you can from the stock suspension. Diy here:
http://m3.madrussian.net/diy_camber.shtml

Pics:

This one best captures how they actually look when you see them in person... probably because it's the only pic I didn't use the flash:



wheel mounted, seems to make the BBK more visable for some reason:



clears the BBK with about 2-3mm with no spacer:



And, just for refrence, my snow wheel remounted for comparison sake:



Mounted pics:

[VazM3]

The black powdercoating looks "HOT". To me and my opinion, i would have done a darker red if possible. But still looks awesome.

[Bruse Wayne]

looks real good

[andy7771]

Looks nice.

I though OEM 18" wouldn't clear 14" brembo BBK.

[ModVirgin]

Very impressive

[M3@NYC]

Originally Posted by VazM3

The black powdercoating looks "HOT". To me and my opinion, i would have done a darker red if possible. But still looks awesome.

But the red looks orange.....

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by VazM3

The black powdercoating looks "HOT". To me and my opinion, i would have done a darker red if possible. But still looks awesome.

Yeah, I know... it was hard to tell by the paint samples. It is pretty close to the brembos even though the gloss/non gloss makes them look different in pics

Originally Posted by andy7771

Looks nice.

I though OEM 18" wouldn't clear 14" brembo BBK.

the fronts won't-- for my snows I have 12mm spacers.

But running 4 rear rims as I am for my track setup (powdercoated setup) they clear fine

[rocknrolla]

I agree that the black powdercoating looks very very good. Not feeling the red ring, but to each his own

[jcardona1]

I think the black and red looks AWESOME!!! I'd even use them for everyday driving!!

[azns0u1]

nice indeed. I want my wheels just like that but with a darker red.