Project M4: Wheels

BMW offers some nice-looking wheels for the M cars. The set of wheels on the M4 I purchased is not one of those sets. Not that I would not be swapping out OEM wheels for aftermarket wheels regardless of what came on it from the factory, but I knew, as soon as I saw this car, that footwork would be priority #1 with this project.

I looked around quite a bit before deciding on wheels. I did not have one wheel that had that "Have to have!" feel for me in regards to this project. I was open to multiple different possibilities. Advan, BBS, Volk, Enkei, SSR, and WORK were all wheels that I looked into before making my decision. I reached out to multiple sources for wheels and I was told many of the styles in my specs are out of stock in the US and the wait would be anywhere between 3 to 6 months. Yuck.

Then I reached out to a source from whom I have never purchased anything: Vivid Racing. The customer service was great. I had a response to my email inquiry within minutes. My questions were answered promptly and I was sent pictures upon request. Not only that, they had two sets of wheels IN STOCK with M4 fitment in the exact specifications for which I was looking!

I decided on a set of 19" Volk ZE40 wheels in Magnesium Blue. Mag Blue has been one of my favorite finishes from the time I first saw it probably 15 years ago. (I owned a set of Mag Blue CE28's years ago, but I ended up selling them before I ever had them mounted.) I am really looking forward to seeing how these wheels look against the Austin Yellow of the M4. Enjoy the pictures.

Oh, and I received these pictures from the dealership yesterday. The car is currently en route! 

JDMphasis... Innovation over Imitation

Past Blast - They Not Only Steal Wheel Designs...

But website language, as well.

Do you remember this?

ENKEI

 VARSTOLEN

If you like any of the countless stolen wheel designs this company sells and are debating giving these unoriginal hacks your money, please consider saving for a little longer to support originality. Buy authentic.

Be the funk. Don't fake it.

JDMphasis… Innovation over Imitation

A Z34 with Sharp Corners

I often wonder if I should have opted for a Z34 over the V36 coupe. While I owned my Z33, I constantly rode the seesaw of debate over whether I would have been happier in a V35. So it seemed only natural for me to choose the Infiniti label this time around. While I do not regret the decision to opt for the G, I think I would prefer a Z. The grass is always greener, right? I miss the tight, sportiness of that car. I miss the shorter wheelbase and the smaller, cockpit-like cabin. Of course, I think I would have a blast modifying a Z, as well. There is a larger enthusiast base and, thus, more aftermarket options.

With more great JDM aftermarket options come many more parasitic replica companies out to make a buck off a stolen design. In browsing the Z boards, it is not often that you find a project that contains no cut corners. There are certainly some authentic parts floating around, but there are far more fake parts being showcased. Occasionally a project with a mixture of both authentic and replica parts surfaces. More often you will see a project riddled with replica parts and, sadly, it is seldom that you will find a project consisting of all authentic parts. Last year JDMphasis showcased one Z34 whose owner not only embraces the Innovation over Imitation ethos in his support of the masterminds and pioneers of the industry, but who also educates others of the damage replicas and knock-offs do to the industry.

I would like to share another Z that is adorned with authentic parts. Mikael's Z is sporting authentic Top Secret parts including exhaust, intakes, carbon fiber front lip, carbon side skirts, and carbon door pillars. The suspension is Tanabe and Advan and Enkei are the JDM wheel brands of choice that have been mounted on this Z. When Mikael drifts this beauty, he uses a Nismo shift knob and plants himself in Bride seats.

 

 

JDMphasis... Innovation over Imitation

MCR NIssan Z34

A few shots of the MCR Nissan Z34 which features an array of top-notch parts from brands such as Advan, ARC, Bride, Endless, Enkei, and Nismo...

Wearing flat black Advan RS-Ds...

Top Secret R35

And... A little sibling rivalry?

Mean Mak

Garage Mak S15...

Street Version Bensopra R35 GT-R

So much win.

[As seen on Jonsibal.com]

"Yes, dear, I'll gladly go pick up some milk..."