So maybe I got a bit thorough on the tail light 'fix'

[StephenVA]

Love the BIG BRAKE look. "Look maw, no calipers because them rotors are soooo big!"

The wheels will look great after they are installed. Good luck. Send in a few "after shots" so we can oooh and awww over your new bling.

[tmv]

Not a fan of the new wheels. They look "weak" for the muscular 4.8iS. Style132 reps are much better.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by tmv

Not a fan of the new wheels. They look "weak" for the muscular 4.8iS. Style132 reps are much better.

I agree- especially in pictures. In person these look pretty good. Not completely sold, but I bet they'll show the StopTechs pretty well.

Tomorrow... cant get here soon enough.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Are those Rial wheels?

They're Beyern 5's. TSW markets them as 'designed for BMW'. The hubs are set for the X5.

[Ricky Bobby]

If looking for the 5 spoke look why not just get 87's? Or did you already buy them?

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

If looking for the 5 spoke look why not just get 87's? Or did you already buy them?

that's one of them there in the picture. I bought 5 of them (gotta have a matching spare, rt) . I figured this was a good way to get 5 spokes, but the thing I like most is the weight on these. They're about 30lbs in 20x10's.

They're also the right color for the silver calipers. While my photoshop skillz don't show it above, they're more open than 87's and will really bring them out. The rim is not a bright chrome, it's painted or almost brushed in finish which should wear well with the calipers over time.

If I don't like them after awhile, I'll probably sell them. I've got to clean and box the 132 reps for sale with the boxes from these. I always loved the look of them, but the added weight over my OE 20's was too much for me.

[Ricky Bobby]

What tires are on the 132's? Maybe my 168's will be up for sales

[tmv]

^Get them RB.

[PropellerHead]

I ordered the wrong dang part for the right side! Aughghgh!! And THAT'S the worst side! Sonofahhhhh...

But ECS was great about it. I called and they sent me an RMA as well as advising me on the *correct* right side clear tail light. I went ahead and ordered it in advance of the RMA which is now packed and labeled for return. For now, the tail light error persists.

This is the *correct* part- my OE lens...


And this is the WRONG one...



In other positive news, the lights come WITH new sockets *and* bulbs! I was able to RMA the sockets I ordered. This makes the assembly a pretty good deal- $150 for an entirely new unit with ~$50 worth of new sockets and bulbs. Not exactly a cheap fix for two of them, but it is solid peace of mind for an item that lasted ~10 years to begin with.

But I did get a chance to look at the rt side light. It *is* in face a small hole on the contact. A little solder and it'll likely run like new. I will drop some on there and see what the pair is worth to folks once I get everything in order.

And yes. I did get the wheels mounted. It's different. They look good. But I am concerned that they are *so* radically different that I am just not smitten with them. Then again, I was not smitten with my BBS RKII's on my E39 at first. That took time. I will give these some time as well.

For now- just the caliper pics after a quick rinse:

[SlickGT1]

WTH. You playing with us now. Full car pics please. Stop messing with us.

The pinhole tail light fix is a temp solution. It will keep returning. The posts that hold the metal, they probably melted, and bent that board. The board and the socket don't make good contact, and short that pin hole.

You need to remove tail. Remove that gasket. Cut off those factory plastic posts that hold the metal board, and use epoxy to make your own supports for it. Once done. You solder the little pin hole. And it should not return.