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Changing the BMW wheelcap on 858M (18) wheels

3K views 8 replies 8 participants last post by  9090  
#1 ·
Having Portimao blue, and blue wheel calipers, the blue ring and blue of the BMW logo made for too many different blue tints on the side of the car.

So I decided to get some cheap black and white wheelcaps to easily get rid of two of those blue tints.

Image
Image


Its 1 minute installation! but it took me 2 months of waiting time...

buyers beware! on Aliexpress and other variants, there are different models of the right diameter that DO NOT click inside the rim and pop out immediately.
I'll show you what to (not) buy! (and avoid you needing to spend 3 times 4€ before getting the right one)
(I'ts not about the money, its about having to wait 3 weeks for the delivery between each purchase)

you obviously need the 56mm diameter size and the model where all "pins" are the same, in rather soft pliable plastic, and similar tot the one from the original wheelcap.
If the model exists in matte black and white plastic on the back its probably good, if its in black and silver plastic its not good.
note that the black/white black/silver base choice is idiot because you don't see this color when in place so it doesn't matter.

do NOT get those in rigid plastic and/or do NOT get the ones where some "pins" are wide and some are not.
Image

this is a link to the model I ordered: it seems unavailable as of now https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005563729088.html
this looks like a good one: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005344460017.html

these are the ones I got that DO NOT fit:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005468927011.html (either black or silver)

I assume they are not allowed to show the real front end so you have to read and be sure what you order. but the quality of what you get seems decent (taking into account the price you pay)


TIP: to remove the center caps there are various methods online, the most basic one consists of using decent tape and then firmly pulling it off. I decided to gently use a vise grip to "catch" the bmw logo that sticks out. Not clicking the vise grip, that would damage the roundel, just gently holding on the sides and pulling out. Note that this only works for the old logo with the blue rind and not the new ones with a flat surface.
Image
 
#2 ·
Having Portimao blue, and blue wheel calipers, the blue ring and blue of the BMW logo made for too many different blue tints on the side of the car.

So I decided to get some cheap black and white wheelcaps to easily get rid of two of those blue tints.

View attachment 32485 View attachment 32484

Its 1 minute installation! but it took me 2 months of waiting time...

buyers beware! on Aliexpress and other variants, there are different models of the right diameter that DO NOT click inside the rim and pop out immediately.
I'll show you what to (not) buy! (and avoid you needing to spend 3 times 4€ before getting the right one)
(I'ts not about the money, its about having to wait 3 weeks for the delivery between each purchase)

you obviously need the 56mm diameter size and the model where all "pins" are the same, in rather soft pliable plastic, and similar tot the one from the original wheelcap.
If the model exists in matte black and white plastic on the back its probably good, if its in black and silver plastic its not good.
note that the black/white black/silver base choice is idiot because you don't see this color when in place so it doesn't matter.

do NOT get those in rigid plastic and/or do NOT get the ones where some "pins" are wide and some are not.
View attachment 32489
this is a link to the model I ordered: it seems unavailable as of now https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005563729088.html
this looks like a good one: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005344460017.html

these are the ones I got that DO NOT fit:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005468927011.html (either black or silver)

I assume they are not allowed to show the real front end so you have to read and be sure what you order. but the quality of what you get seems decent (taking into account the price you pay)


TIP: to remove the center caps there are various methods online, the most basic one consists of using decent tape and then firmly pulling it off. I decided to gently use a vise grip to "catch" the bmw logo that sticks out. Not clicking the vise grip, that would damage the roundel, just gently holding on the sides and pulling out. Note that this only works for the old logo with the blue rind and not the new ones with a flat surface.
View attachment 32487
Vice grips way over the top.
Use a large blob of Blue Tac and pull sharply, comes off easily without damage.
 
#3 ·
usually, you knock them out from the backside unless they have a little hole in them and then you can pull them out with a bent pick
 
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#7 ·
That's way overkill for this. Did it on my winter and summer sets, the wheels are not that delicate. Can use the plastic pry tools also if worried or use painters tape. The floating 50y set I bought came with a small flat head which I used.
 
#8 ·
I use a curved dental pick tool. No marks and easy removal.
 
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