I am having a bit of an issue I hope someone can truly clarify. I recently sold my 2000 2.8 Z3 and purchased a 2000 M Roadster. The car was in very nice condition but the left rear wheel aside form scuffs had some cosmetic damage on the lip, apparently due to improper mounting on a tire changing machine - so after some research and concluding that the original finish cannot be matched by a repair service bought a new wheel.

The new wheel is not the same bright silver color as the wheels on the car but more of a light gray.

I was specific about the year of my car and that the color was something I had heard called hyper-silver. I am aware that in 2001 and 2002 the color of the wheels, which is the only difference apparently, was changed to "chrome shadow" which I believe is the color of the wheel I received.

There appears to be real confusion on the part of the dealer as to which wheel was original equipment on my car and even in their mind if the wheels on my car are the original equipment (color).

Does anyone (and thank you for listening to this long story) know definitively which color was original and if both colors were available in 2000.

By any chance does anyone know the correct part numbers to guarrantee the wheel is correct for the car.

Unfortunately the tire was mounted while other work was being done to the car (the color difference is most noticeable in sunlight, harder to see, but still apparent if you are looking for it inside a building/garage or in the shade.

The dealer does not want the wheel back because it has been mounted, which while I understand, if they supplied the wrong wheel I would have more leverage (in my opinion) in negotiating a resolution-- short of buying another wheel-- and wanting to be absolutely certain it was the right one,

Can Anyone help?

Thanks

Bill Turner
Los Angeles Ca<!-- / message -->

This post belongs in the Z3 forum...

Chrome shadow was standard only on '01 and '02 MZ3. That is what you have. I don't have access to a BMW parts catalog, but I'm sure they are different part numbers. The dealer obviously ordered the wrong part for your car. Take it back and make them correct it...the "standard" MZ3 wheel for your 2000 model is probably cheaper, too, 'cause it's made in greater volume...

Long Beach BMW did the same thing to me when I had to replace my two passenger side wheels. They were convinced that the chrome shadow wheels were the only ones available....so instead of arguing the point, I just had them refinish my driver side wheels to the crome shadow color....and three years later the refinish have faded a little bit.

you definently have the 01-02 rim. It was only put on those cars during those years. It is darker in appearence and should be easily fixed by your dealer. The 98-00 rims are easy to find and not very expensive.