[Mooney6959]

I picked up a set of 437m wheels a few weeks back, had them fitted with new Conti's, and installed.

I really like the style of the 437m wheels as a whole as I like an upgraded stock look, but I can't get past this feeling that they make my car overall look too dark.

I've come to the idea of sanding off the stock clear on the wheels, which seems tinted, then re-clear w\ a transparent clear. This would lighten up the non-painted outer edge of the wheels. Maybe even polish them to 2000 grit while I'm at it, but not to a mirror finish.

Not yet deciding if I want to leave it there or not, I'm also toying with the idea of painting over the black to stock match my car's Metallic Grey. I realize if I did both of those things, I'm essentially making these the same wheels as the Ferric Grey 437m's. The idea has also come up to hold out till I see a set of Ferric Grey 437m's for sale and snag those.

Each of my wheels have some form of curb rash from the previous owner, so the entire project wouldn't be in vain. I'm also handy enough that I feel comfortable doing all of this myself.

Sincere question; Am I crazy for thinking to change these wheels at all?

[danb1979]

Not at all; those fully refurbed/powdercoated in a bright silver (platinum silver as an example); IMO would look absolutely superb against the darker car

[Airwick604]

Nope not crazy. I just purchased a set myself - gloss black and machined silver and am just waiting for my tires to come in.

Also toyed with the idea of replacing just the gloss black with bronze. Or maybe replacing the silver with bronze.

My 340i is Tanzanite Blue so I know it would look good with bronze wheels.

I'm in Vancouver Canada and the powder coating services here are very expensive.

I tried to Photoshop what the combo would look like but my skills weren't up to it.

Can you post some pics if you decide to do it?

[reyesf]

I just bought a set of 437m's myself 3 days ago and found myself in the same dilemma.

Found Ferric Grey ones but some guy listed black powder coated ones for a price that was not to pass up so now I'm debating polishing a part of the wheel to at least rock silver and black.

I don't think you're crazy for aiming after that look, at then end of the day it's your car and silver goes hard anyway.

[SpoolinAddict]

Are you still debating? Following, I wouldn't want to do it myself but I would probably just pay a shop to do it

[Mooney6959]

No longer debating, I am going to do it.
It's just going to be a few weeks before I can get to it.

I initially thought to get a shop to do it, but I'm handy and it will make a fun project. I've done similar work on my motorcycle, so no stranger to it.
I can do it myself for under $200, or pay a shop ~$1k do do them.
Even if I royally screw all of them up, I'm out the same $800 difference.

[smrtypants44]

I don't think you'll make them look brighter unless you repaint the black portions of the spokes.

[Mooney6959]

Yeah, I'll see.
I'm going to do one wheel completely first before starting on the other three. Because the machined part of the wheel has a tinted clear, I am anticipating they brighten up slightly. Worst case, I'll paint the black up color match the car.