opinion on early model BMW wheels

[zpyroro]

Looking at getting a 84 318i, in bmw-Bahamabeige. What wheels should I get? They need to be within $600 for a set of wheels. Or around that.. I want something that could look stock. I don't want flashy or deep dish or any of that shit.

[Vincenze]

I like 14" basketweaves (style 5) and Ronal LS.
Don't buy them without center caps, they are expensive new.
Tires are also rare.

Here are some 4x100 compatible wheels https://www.e30zone.net/e30wiki/index.php/Wheels

The cheapest ones are bottle caps. People sometimes unload them for a few dollars.

If you're only planning to buy, why do you care about the wheels?
The 1984 318i is the slowest model. Can't you add a few thousands and get another model?

[iXguido]

I think zpyroro is a spam account. They sent me a message about one of my wtb posts telling me to contact some random email.

[robertloll1]

The cheapest ones are bottle caps. People sometimes unload them for a few dollars.

In my recent experience, not so much anymore in the U.S. I had to replace a 14” bottle cap wheel recently and the most inexpensive used wheels on eBay, in pretty bad condition, which would require complete refinishing, cost between $50 and $100 each. Nice refinished 14” bottle cap wheels can easily cost $200+ each. I have a very original 1985 318i and finding parts for it each year has become more and more difficult and more and more costly.

[Vincenze]

In my recent experience, not so much anymore in the U.S. I had to replace a 14” bottle cap wheel recently and the most inexpensive used wheels on eBay, in pretty bad condition, which would require complete refinishing, cost between $50 and $100 each. Nice refinished 14” bottle cap wheels can easily cost $200+ each. I have a very original 1985 318i and finding parts for it each year has become more and more difficult and more and more costly.

It's kind of different now.
You can't buy anything you want on eBay on a whim.

You have to watch until somebody parts out a nice car, and it has parts you should hoard.

[robertloll1]

Good 14” bottle cap wheels are getting harder and harder to find, even with parts cars. I understand shopping on eBay for parts. I’ve owned my 1985 318i since it was new, 40 years now. I’ve shopped and collected parts for the car over the last 40 years. I have amassed a pretty good collection of parts in my garage. I wouldn’t say I shop eBay on a whim, although I do monitor it weekly to see what shows up. Over the last 20 years or so eBay has become more and more important because of the difficulty in finding parts. But, I have developed connections all over the world for E30 parts, including Germany, Spain, Greece, Latvia, etc. earlier this year I searched for three or four months for a NOS M10 engine harness. I got lucky and finally found one on eBay. When searching for 40 year-old parts, patience is the key. I remember finding unwanted parts like bottle cap wheels for almost free. But, the days of finding bottle cap wheels for just dollars seems to be coming to an end.

[Vincenze]

What next, will sellers want big money for:
automatic transmissions,
comfort seats,
bronzit cars...