E60 Wheel Balancing problem...

[Presley348]

I. E60 Wheel Balancing problem

a) I am now having problems getting my new 18 inch Parallel M "Replica" wheels that I purchased from The Wheel exchange...balanced properly.

I did not particular like my factory BMW style 138s 17inch wheels, so I started looking for a new BMW 18 inch wheel set-up. I first looked at BMW Factory OEMs and were costing anywhere from $3,500.00 to 4,500.00!

Then at a BMW forum I saw: "The Wheel Exchange" ad, and decided to see what The Wheel Exchange had to offer... and they had the very same looking Parallel M wheel as the BMW OEM Parallel M wheels, for a fraction of the cost...so I bought a set of four Parallel M's for $599.00!

I first got the Parallel M's Replicas delivered to me by FedEx, Now here's the problem...I took them the local tire store, and bought their tires, which included installation and lifetime rotation, and balancing with the HUNTER GSP 9700 with ROAD FORCE balanced @ 20lbs per wheel/tire and below, for $750.00...Kauffman Tire installed the 18 inch tires on my new Parallel M Replica wheels, for my 2004 E60 530i, and they looked great, and I was very impressed.

I took them out for a test run and at 40 MPH, to 55 MPH I quickly noticed that my steering wheel was vibrating!

Then I took it back to Kauffman Tire, and they re-balanced all four wheels, AGAIN, and I took it back on the street for a test-run, and it was worse!

The manager of the local Kauffman Tire store test drove it himself, and said,"my e60 BMW is not riding smooth as it should be, and it looks like we got problems in the wheel-tire balancing." He then took charge and drove my BMW to the local BMW import shop, and they did a new type of a "SONAR" type wheel balancing, that Kauffman Tire took care of the charge for me, and this SONAR Wheel Balancing did calm my Balancing problem down 110%!

But the only thing I notice that my new BMW Parallel M replicas does not ride like my BMW factory wheels. I am thinking maybe it is just me and maybe I should give it some time and put some miles on my new TOYO tires first, but now I'm being told to take it in to my BMW dealer an let them balance it AGAIN for $80.00, because they are the real professional BMW wheel experts.

b) Has anyone here at the forum ever had these type balancing problems with their (Replica) wheel's with TOYO Proxes 4's? If so, what did you do to get it corrected?

Thanks in advance!

Sincerely,

Presley 348

[jeffreyb4me]

Hello again Eddie, sorry it’s taken so long to respond to your ‘Private Message’ but I’ve barely had time for 6 hours sleep lately. Your ‘Balance’ problem isn’t uncommon ( almost usual ) with ‘Aftermarket’ wheels. I only have time for a short a direct response right now but will ‘Post” a detailed explanation when time permits. I’ll try to do this in ‘Balance Sheet’ form and maybe let you make the final decision.

“Plus Side”:
a) distinctiveness
b) great looks
c) sometimes improved handling
d) sometimes easier to clean

“Minus Side”: { just some of the possible problems }
a) usually lower quality { material & workmanship }
b) usually poorer tolerances { overall dimensionally & esp. concentricity }
c) usually much high weight
d) usually require “centering spacer shims”
e) in the case of “PLUS 1 or +2” sizing { going from 17” to 18” or 19” }, reduced aspect ratios, which means “thinner” sidewalls with a reduction in energy absorption and an increase in “harshness” { reduced ride “quality” & aggravation of road surface & wheel balance problems }.

In short you, usually, gain a great deal in appearance but loose a great deal in ride and feel quality and not in subjective terms though many owners simply grow accustom to the vibration problems having given up attempts to correct them, many of mine say they haven’t noticed obvious steering wheel shimmy until questioned about it!

At what point do the adverse effects the of “aftermarket” wheels outweigh the cost savings is a personal decision but can prove to be more expensive, as in your case Eddie, in the long run.

The cost if $20.00 per wheel is really cheap considering the work involved in moving the tire on the rim to get the best balance results and well worth it if done properly. Wheel lug bolts only present a problem if length {the threads MUST engage the wheel hub to the same depth as the originally fitted wheels} or if there’s a difference in the replacement wheels bolt flange area {larger, smaller or different angle than the stock wheel}. One should almost ALWAYS wheel bolts supplied by the wheels maker if specific to the car, and ALWAYS use the “centering Rings” if supplied.

In closing this ‘quick’ posting, always insist on trueing the tire and wheel first, then having the best “finish” balancing possible. Though hard to find these days, “On The Car” dynamic balancing gives the best results but it to is time consuming to perform properly with aftermarket wheels.

I hope this helps you Eddie and though your balance problem can be mitigated with proper balancing techniques, the "Factory" wheels always, in my humble opinion, give the best performance/road feel results.

Best to you and stay in touch...................................jeff b.

[jeffreyb4me]

One important additional note, Torquing the Lug Bolts ! !
Your wheels should ALWAYS be torqued, with an accuate torque wrench, to spec., 85 lbs./ft. on most BMW's............NOT JUST "checked" after having some monkey [sorry but some of these 'technicians' seem to have less intellegence than that of a primate] tightened them down to living hell with an impact wrench. They MUST be only seated with an impact tool lightly, then the final tightening MUST be done by HAND to avoid any distorting of the hub, brake disc OR wheel.

[Presley348]

Originally Posted by jeffreyb4me

One important additional note, Torquing the Lug Bolts ! !
Your wheels should ALWAYS be torqued, with an accuate torque wrench, to spec., 85 lbs./ft. on most BMW's............NOT JUST "checked" after having some monkey [sorry but some of these 'technicians' seem to have less intellegence than that of a primate] tightened them down to living hell with an impact wrench. They MUST be only seated with an impact tool lightly, then the final tightening MUST be done by HAND to avoid any distorting of the hub, brake disc OR wheel.

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Hi Jeff:

I am glad your back here at the BMW World Forum! You know there are very few Mechanic's in my community where I live who I trust with any advice for my new BMW e60 530i, but you. We at this BMW forum are very fortunate to have you here with us, because of your honesty,and your vast professional knowledge with our BMWs.

I read your posting to my e60 wheel balancing question, and you make a lot of sense especially adverse balancing problems we have with the Aftermarket BMW Wheel l vs. BMW Factory Wheels at times, and things we can do to correct them.

But you brought up a interesting point that I had forgot to be sure to use the lug nuts that came with the aftermarket wheel!

I just remembered I used my "Black" BMW factory lug nuts that came on my 530i, and next week I will change them to the "Chrome" ones that came with my Replica wheels from the wheel exchange, and that could alleviate my balancing problem!

In conclusion: Thanks Jeff, for the needed reminder about the lug nuts, and answering my posting here at the BMW World Forum about BMW Aftermarket Wheels Vs. BMW Factory Wheels, and some of the balancing problems we might have with the aftermarket ones.

Your GA friend,

R. Eddie Presley aka Presley 348

[jeffreyb4me]

Your welcome R. Eddie, sorry it took soooo long.

[Presley348]

Originally Posted by jeffreyb4me

Your welcome R. Eddie, sorry it took soooo long.

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Hi Jeff!

I thought I would post here at the forum about the outcome of my BMW e60 Parallel M's Replica wheels. Today at ALL SPEED with the in shop "Dyno" imports here in Peachtree City GA, I had my stock "Black" BMW lug nuts change over to the "chrome" ones that came with my BMW repica wheels from the wheel exchange.

Well you were right, the Lug nuts that came with my Parallel M's did the trick! No more steering wheel vibration at 45 to 55 mph! The BMW Mechanic saw what you wrote here at the forum and he took your advice about torquing the lug nuts by hand for the proper setting for my e60, 550i

Thanks,

Presley 348 aka Eddie

[jeffreyb4me]

It's been a pleasure being of some service to you sir............................heheheheheh.......j eff b.