Hello!
I live in the Chicago suburbs and was hoping to get some advice for my specific make and model (2009 128i) and if the "sports package" changes anything when it comes to purchasing/installing the
right rims.With this, I'm in need of a solid recommendation to both purchase/install the rims and add new tires.
This is my first time doing this and with this car being my first, she's really special to me. I've worked incredibly hard to maintain her and fully intend on keeping her to my grave. She absolutely needs new rims largely for safety purposes--the current stock ones are cracked. So, with the funds being present, it's time to get her nice rims.
This process comes with several concerns like:
1) Selecting the right rims for my make and model so that all the electronics still work as they did with the stock rims. Same with being able to drive and handle the car.
2) What would a realistic cost look like for labor for both installing the rims and tires?
3) The car is considered to be the "sports package" for the 2009 128i model. I'm not sure if that changes anything when it comes to shopping for the right rims/tires, but if it does, what should I specifically look for or say?
4) Is there anything else that I need to know about doing this? I have enough to spend $5-6k if needed. However, seeing how some of the more expensive sets go for around $1k, I'm hard pressed to see the final bill being past $7k, maybe?
5) Are there any known websites that can help capture what the car would look like with a certain set of rims? The car's color is black with cherry red seats so I'm thinking of going either all black or black body + black rims with red breaks or black body + deep red rims.
Lastly and also separate from the current topic, I was hoping to get recommendations for painting the car. That and any advice. The car is black but has a ton of scratches and Knicks all of the place that have accumulated over the past 5 years.
This is what she currently looks like.
(Minus the nice color of the rims, minus the clean paint without any scratches.)
This is my first post here so I really appreciate any time anyone makes to helping me begin this fun hobby. Not that anyone cares, but finally being debt free and making a good income has allowed me to take on this long awaited hobby and while I want to jump right in, I also don't want to mess up the car or get ripped off.
So to those who take the time to answer my questions/concerns, you rock! Thank you so much!