To 261 or Not 261, That Is The Question

BMWRX · 08-10-2009, 09:18 PM

My 125i doesn't arrive for a little while yet, but already I'm sizing up whether or not to upgrade the wheels (I didn't do it where I ordered the car as the FBT rules in my company would have killed me).

I can get a set of 261's 18" at a good price from a guy in Brisbane, but wanted to know opinions of what everyone thought. I notice that the vast majority have passed on the 17" ten spokers and went straight to the bigger wheels. Was this for aesthetic purposes or performance based? Also, and yes this sounds wanky, will the 125i be able to break grip with 245 rubber on the back?

Taymaishu · 08-10-2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWRX

My 125i doesn't arrive for a little while yet, but already I'm sizing up whether or not to upgrade the wheels (I didn't do it where I ordered the car as the FBT rules in my company would have killed me).

I can get a set of 261's 18" at a good price from a guy in Brisbane, but wanted to know opinions of what everyone thought. I notice that the vast majority have passed on the 17" ten spokers and went straight to the bigger wheels. Was this for aesthetic purposes or performance based? Also, and yes this sounds wanky, will the 125i be able to break grip with 245 rubber on the back?

The 261's look great. The first car I looked at had them, and it ws beautiful. But then again, I don't think there are any really ugly wheels out there.

To be honest, if you have the cash and want the wheels - why not?

wmj73 · 08-10-2009, 11:17 PM

If you're going to buy aftermarket wheels dont bother upgrading but if your not I think they really set the car off. BMW did very well with the design of the wheel and I really like them

Zuzu · 08-10-2009, 11:27 PM

I love the 261's..

My vert is parked directly alongside a new ///M3 Vert in our garage and even though the M3 wheels are awesome I still prefer the 261's.. My 2 cents..

They seem perfect for the 1er.

CeeJay · 08-11-2009, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zuzu

I love the 261's..

My vert is parked directly alongside a new ///M3 Vert in our garage and even though the M3 wheels are awesome I still prefer the 261's.. My 2 cents..

They seem perfect for the 1er.

Couldn't agree more, very few after market wheels even come close to looking as good on the One.

dr.bmw · 08-11-2009, 03:03 AM

I wanted to upgrade mine as well but the look kinda grown on me and they aren't as common as the 261s by far. Every other one coupe i've seen seem to have 261s on them.

dubdemand · 08-11-2009, 04:33 AM

Wheels make or break a car IMO and the 261m wheel completes the 1er perfectly! I've recently ordered my 120d in Alpine White with the 261m wheels and can't wait for it to arrive!

sparoz · 08-11-2009, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWRX

My 125i doesn't arrive for a little while yet, but already I'm sizing up whether or not to upgrade the wheels (I didn't do it where I ordered the car as the FBT rules in my company would have killed me).

I can get a set of 261's 18" at a good price from a guy in Brisbane, but wanted to know opinions of what everyone thought. I notice that the vast majority have passed on the 17" ten spokers and went straight to the bigger wheels. Was this for aesthetic purposes or performance based? Also, and yes this sounds wanky, will the 125i be able to break grip with 245 rubber on the back?

Just to answer your question, it is mainly for looks. You've got more rear patch, so you might gain a little bit of performance, but you lose out on unsprung weight compare to the 17s. Main reason going for bigger wheels is that you can fit bigger brakes on, that's not what you are going to do.

For the same price, find something that looks great (although I love the 261), and lighter to get better unsprung weight as the 261 ain't exactly light weight. Another thing is you have to realise that tires are going to be more expensive with 18s especially the 255 rears (assuming you are going to go non-rft).

Excitmnt94 · 08-11-2009, 08:07 AM

i think the 261's look better than the wheels that come standard on the US 135i sport, but they are a bit harder to clean. i miss the ease of cleaning with my Z4 wheels and what would have been the non M-sport wheels in the US. but again, the way the 261's just make the car is impressive. go for it!

BMWRX · 08-14-2009, 01:28 AM

What would I be looking to pay for a good second hand set of 261's? Also, if I was to sell off my 17" M Sport wheels (including tyres), what would I expect them to sell for?

And my apologies for going on about this?

08-10-2009, 09:18 PM	#1
BMWRX Major 98 Rep 1,092 Posts Drives: F82 M4 CP Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Brisbane, Queensland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M4 [0.00]	To 261 or Not 261, That Is The Question My 125i doesn't arrive for a little while yet, but already I'm sizing up whether or not to upgrade the wheels (I didn't do it where I ordered the car as the FBT rules in my company would have killed me). I can get a set of 261's 18" at a good price from a guy in Brisbane, but wanted to know opinions of what everyone thought. I notice that the vast majority have passed on the 17" ten spokers and went straight to the bigger wheels. Was this for aesthetic purposes or performance based? Also, and yes this sounds wanky, will the 125i be able to break grip with 245 rubber on the back? __________________ 2017 BMW M4 Competition - Mineral Grey 2009 BMW 135i - Titan Silver - SOLD
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08-10-2009, 11:17 PM	#3
wmj73 Captain 25 Rep 715 Posts Drives: M2 Comp, 440i GC Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: QLD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 [0.00] 2020 BMW M2 Comp [0.00]	If you're going to buy aftermarket wheels dont bother upgrading but if your not I think they really set the car off. BMW did very well with the design of the wheel and I really like them
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08-10-2009, 11:27 PM	#4
Zuzu Major General 2816 Rep 7,637 Posts Drives: M2C HS 6MT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sydney Australia iTrader: (0)	I love the 261's.. My vert is parked directly alongside a new ///M3 Vert in our garage and even though the M3 wheels are awesome I still prefer the 261's.. My 2 cents.. They seem perfect for the 1er.
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08-11-2009, 03:03 AM	#6
dr.bmw Chirurgeon 39 Rep 424 Posts Drives: 125i AW/CR Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: randwick iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 125i [10.00]	I wanted to upgrade mine as well but the look kinda grown on me and they aren't as common as the 261s by far. Every other one coupe i've seen seem to have 261s on them. __________________ E Pluribus Unum
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08-11-2009, 04:33 AM	#7
dubdemand Captain 416 Rep 941 Posts Drives: F80 Individual Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hampshire, UK iTrader: (2)	Wheels make or break a car IMO and the 261m wheel completes the 1er perfectly! I've recently ordered my 120d in Alpine White with the 261m wheels and can't wait for it to arrive!
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08-11-2009, 08:07 AM	#9
Excitmnt94 Detailer & Fitness Freak 23 Rep 514 Posts Drives: '09 135i ///M Sport Coupe Join Date: May 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	i think the 261's look better than the wheels that come standard on the US 135i sport, but they are a bit harder to clean. i miss the ease of cleaning with my Z4 wheels and what would have been the non M-sport wheels in the US. but again, the way the 261's just make the car is impressive. go for it! __________________ 135i coupe...Alpine White // Glacier Silver Aluminum Trim // Heated Coral Red Leather Seats // M-Sport Package // I-pod // PDC // 6-Speed Manual
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08-14-2009, 01:28 AM	#10
BMWRX Major 98 Rep 1,092 Posts Drives: F82 M4 CP Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Brisbane, Queensland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M4 [0.00]	What would I be looking to pay for a good second hand set of 261's? Also, if I was to sell off my 17" M Sport wheels (including tyres), what would I expect them to sell for? And my apologies for going on about this? __________________ 2017 BMW M4 Competition - Mineral Grey 2009 BMW 135i - Titan Silver - SOLD
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