The rain finally let up here in San Diego so I had a chance to wash the car and snap a few photos since putting on the new wheels earlier this week. Needless to say, I'm very pleased with how she looks!

Specs: 19x9&10 HRE 441R brushed, 245/35 and 285/30 S0-3, Bilstein PSS9, rolled fenders

Thanks for letting me share,
Patrick

http://members.roadfly.org/voltesv/right_side.jpg

Looks SWEET!! Did you have to roll the front's too? It' pretty common to have to roll the rear's wtih SO3, especially if you go with 285's.

Thanks! The front did not require a roll. I know some with HREs don't have rubbing in the back with 285s and no roll, even lowered. But, I had put my name on TireRacks list for the roller long before I got my car. When the roller arrived, I didn't even have wheels yet but I figured it wouldn't hurt to roll them since I was planning to go 285.

BTW, that roller is a great tool and easy to use. If you're planning on using it, get on the list now! They estimated I'd have to wait 2 months, but it actually took 4.

Can somebody explain to me this 'fender rolling/roller' thing I keep reading about? Obviously it has something to do with larger size tires than come with the car, but are you actually bending metal?

read this...

http://www.overboost.com/story.asp?id=131

Cool ride I like that look simple and clean:clap:

DAMN:alright THOSE WHEELS LOOKS AWESOME :buttrock I LIKE HOW THEY LOOK BRUSH:redspot

VoltesV, Love your new Avatar. :clap:

I'm going to have to find something more original for mine.

Thanks! I found a few other good ones, but decided on that one. I appreciate the comment.

YOU PAID EXTRA FOR THE CLEAR COAT RIGHT?:95 IF YOU DIDN'T DO IT BECAUSE IT IS WORTH IT..:boobies

Clearcoat is included with the brushed finish. Thanks for looking out.

o ok because had a friend that got hre without clear coat and the lip looks like shit.. He didn't know it was extra..

WOW! I love that colour and those wheels. Good job.

Nice rims...looks clean. What is the difference between brushed and high polish?

Thanks!...the polished finish is very shiny and looks similar to chrome. Brushed aluminum is slightly more dull. I have a large pic of the wheel close-up which better shows the finish. Let me know if you'd like me to email it to you.

Those HRE's really do look slick on M's......:love1

Originally posted by VoltesV
Thanks!...the polished finish is very shiny and looks similar to chrome. Brushed aluminum is slightly more dull. I have a large pic of the wheel close-up which better shows the finish. Let me know if you'd like me to email it to you.

I would love a high quality pic of the rims :)
Email: audi716@aol.com

Is your car Topaz Blue?
Why didnt you get high polish, is it to shiny for your taste?

I am in the middle of ordering rims for my gf's topaz blue 33cic.
The finish is between high polish, brushed aluminum and silver with a polished lip....

Do you have any other pictures of the wheels close up?

Or from another angle?

Thanks.

Here you can see the difference between the POLISHED lip and the BRUSHED face

Originally posted by MDriver315
Do you have any other pictures of the wheels close up?

Or from another angle?

Thanks.

check this thread...

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=68663

Additional, in the link above, you can see my friends E36 M3 also with HRE 441R (although in 18"). He has the standard painted silver finish.

Originally posted by VoltesV
The rain finally let up here in San Diego so I had a chance to wash the car and snap a few photos since putting on the new wheels earlier this week. Needless to say, I'm very pleased with how she looks!

Specs: 19x9&10 HRE 441R brushed, 245/35 and 285/30 S0-3, Bilstein PSS9, rolled fenders

Thanks for letting me share,
Patrick

http://members.roadfly.org/voltesv/right_side.jpg

very nice....so voltes, how much of a drop with the PSS9?

Looks like LSB. The HRE's make the M look even more amazing.. 285's in the back? DAMN!

Originally posted by marwan
very nice....so voltes, how much of a drop with the PSS9?

About 75% of max drop in rear, maybe 50% in front.

Originally posted by VoltesV
About 75% of max drop in rear, maybe 50% in front.

roughly how many inches is that? :95

Voltes, since i can't pm \email you i'm gonna ask you here...

-How do you like the ride with the PSS9 coilovers?

-Is it better than the stock ride\handling?

-How do you adjust the coilovers? is it something you can do at home, or do you have to take your car to the garage to have the ride hight adjusted?

-Do you need camber plates too?(i have stock wheel\tire setup)

-Would you recommend the PSS9 over the AC Schnitzer sport suspension? i'm kindda' torn between the two!

thanks for your help!

Marwan,

The PSS9 coilovers are great. Since 'better' is subjective, I'll give you some objective observations and you can determine if it is better for you or not. The ride is a bit stiffer than stock, but the nice thing about the PSS9 is the ability to adjust rebound and damping. Setting the adjustment to 9 is the softest and 1 is the most firm. I'm currently at 7 front and 4 rear. Handling has improved as well, as you would expect. On my previous E36 M3, I had a Bilstein & H&R setup that was rather harsh. I didn't mind it at all, but it did receive regular comments from passengers about stiffness. My E46 M3 is currently not as still as my E36 was.

To adjust the coilovers, you'll need to remove the wheels and raise or lower the spring perch with the included wrenches. Pretty simple task. Camber plates are not NEEDED, but you may consider them depending on how low you set the height. Mine is set to about 75% of max drop in rear, and about 50% front. I did not take stock measurments so I cannot say how many inches my car has been lowered.

I have no experience with the ACS suspension so it'll be hard for me to comment on it. But, I do not believe the ACS system has adjustable rebound and damping. Also, is it height adjustable? I feel that those are major factors. I was considering the H&R coilover setup, but the Bilstein has the 9-clicker adjustment which the H&R did not. Plus, Bilstein is right around the corner from where I live should I have any problems.

I purchsed from Turner Motorsport and have been very pleased. HTH, YMMV.

Originally posted by VoltesV
Marwan,
The PSS9 coilovers are great. Since 'better' is subjective, I'll give you some objective observations and you can determine if it is better for you or not. The ride is a bit stiffer than stock, but the nice thing about the PSS9 is the ability to adjust rebound and damping.

sorry i dont know much technical stuff when it comes to suspension, but what is rebound and damping?


I have no experience with the ACS suspension so it'll be hard for me to comment on it. But, I do not believe the ACS system has adjustable rebound and damping. Also, is it height adjustable? I feel that those are major factors. I was considering the H&R coilover setup, but the Bilstein has the 9-clicker adjustment which the H&R did not.

nope the ACS suspension isnt adjustable! i'm mainly getting the suspension to drop the car a little and stiffin' the ride.

the PSS9 sound alot more tempting, but i dont think i wanna get into scrwing around with the adjustment since i have no experience in suspension setup, and frankly thats scaring me away! :chix

btw, does lowring the car from front and rear to different adjustments affect the cars handling? also, the front is always lower than the rear right?

thanks!

With the Bilstein PSS9 kit, you can adjust how quickly (or slowly) the shock will compress, as well as expand. This is an important part of suspension tuning and will clearly affect how the car handles on a bumpy road or racetrack. You can set the adjuster a bit on the softer side for day-to-day driving, and firm it up for track time.

My suggestion would be to learn about suspensions and how they work--it shouldn't take long. Then you can make a better decision about which suspension to get based upon actual information.

My personal experience with ACS is that they make quality products but are a bit pricey. And certain products--like wheels and suspension--are rebadged parts from other manufacturers, but this is not a bad thing. Many follow this practice. My opinion is that you could achieve similar (or better) results as ACS for the same (or less) cash. I think their biggest strength is in their engine tuning, which we have only very limited access to here in the US.

Yes, lowering the front and rear to different heights can affect handling. I don't know what you mean when you say "the front is always lower than the rear". Ground clearance? Fender gap? Distance from center of hub to fender? Relfex camber?

HTH

Hey Voltes, thanks for thr info, i think i'll just go with the ACS instead and save me the adjustment trouble!

here is a pic of the ACS M3 with the ACS sport suspension...

http://www.cecwheels.com/showcase/images/sc_sema_02_acs_m3.jpg