My car is Black Sapphire Metalic.

I have tried to upload a couple photos of a black sapphire 530 with the 123 wheel (in chrome). This was the look I thought I was going for, but I'll try to find some pictures of a gunmetal finish and consider other alternatives. This car was in Chicago, where they have far more snow/salt than where I live.

I don't know that I have seen gunmetal, but I prefer something different from the OEM silver. I don't know that I would go to the expense of swapping wheels if I were going to keep the stock silver color.

 

Ugh.....

Here are some old threads with some gunmetal rims.

https://5series.net/forums/index.php?act=Se...ite=%2Bgunmetal

 

Was that "Ugh....." as in you did not care for the chrome photos?

I checked out some of the pictures in gunmetal and some of them are pretty sharp. Part of the novelty of going chrome is because I have seen it done on a black sapphire E60 with OEM style #123 wheels (like the car in the photo). Should I post a comment asking if anyone has photos of #123s in gunmetal?

I will call the wheel shop to get their input on chrome vs. powercoat and explore the alternatives. You have me thinking ...

My point with this change was so my 530xi did not look like most every other 5 Series on the road with stock silver 17" #138 wheels. Its not like black is the most unique color.

 

If you did a search, you might find lots of info:

https://5series.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=72215&hl=

https://5series.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=75353&hl=

There are more

 

I found the thread I had been looking for:

This one should be give you inspiration:

https://5series.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=72512&hl=

 

Here is my old, 2007 530xi Sport. I had the 123's on my car too, but turned them into my winter wheels and paired them up with a set of Blizzak LM-22's.

I went with the 19" VB-3's. Staggered, of course. I loved these wheels. Timeless, classic and sporty. I got compliments on them all the time. Just make sure you get a 3 series offset in wheels for your XI or you'll not be very happy.

If you're chroming out your next set of wheels, that's just wrong.

 

And yes, my car was also lowered with a special set of springs, just for the XI.

 

I definately have to compliment those wheels as well as the style #128s that are in many of the other XI posts. Both are very sharp and have made me think twice about my #123 purchase! But, I wanted to not go larger than 18" as the roads here can be a little rough. I am not SOLD on the chrome, yet, but I know I want something other than OEM Silver or black (since there is no (chrome) lip on the 123s), however, VB-3's look awesome in ?Silver? in your pictures.

 

I live in NYC. The roads here are some of the worst in the country. I was fine. Just fill your tires to 40lbs.

PS - I ride on 20's now in my M5, if that helps.

 

I bent a set of 18" M-Parallel wheels I had on my E39 and since then, I have been paranoid.

Since you had 123s before getting your VB-3's on your black (same color as mine) XI, how would you refinish your 123's for that car if you were going to do so? AND, what is so horrible about chrome? The only answer I have gotten is "people here don't prefer chrome" and the obvious warning about chrome & salt.

Since I have bought a new set that I plan to use year round, if anyone is interested in a clean set of 138's (XI offset) with nearly new tires, let me know. They would make a great set of winter wheels or to put on a car you're selling or turning in off lease.