Geneva 2016: All New Alpina B7

[Alan l.]

The 80's called and they want their wheels back...

They slap the same old ugly wheels on everything they make. Just ruins the overall look for me.

Alan

[M5Serge]

The wheels look horrible but they had to do it. That car is too heavy for the 21" and low profile tires. I have the 2013 and you can go through rims like nothing.

[auaq]

Originally Posted by ChrisNich117

Lol! So they finally switch to forged wheels instead of the shit cast iron wheels they've always had but then decrease the size to 20in.

Cast iron? Is this really true?

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by auaq

Cast iron? Is this really true?

Not even remotely true.

[TXSTYLE]

Originally Posted by ChrisNich117

Lol! So they finally switch to forged wheels instead of the shit cast iron wheels they've always had but then decrease the size to 20in.

Yeah.... And unfortunately, they STILL use that shitty design that is beyond atrocious and 1980's.

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

Yeah.... And unfortunately, they STILL use that shitty design that is beyond atrocious and 1980's.

None of the official images or public display cars have the new 21" Forged Wheel installed nor are there any images of them individually. The Edition 50 B5/B6 wheels are a hint but not identical. There are 2 additional forged wheel designs commissioned for special additions and new models but there is a a conflict occurring internally so they won't be introduced anytime soon.

BMW's 100th Anniversary begins in a few days so there will be a significant amount of Special Editions, rebirthing of "lost" philosophies, combined with the future developments laid out.

[MSportDC]

Originally Posted by ChrisNich117

I'm sure it was an economic decision lol. 21's would have cut into that already absurd premium haha.

Economics you say? This is a f'ing Alpina - people with money wouldn't mind paying for the 1" premium over 'standard' 20 inches. It's about style and exclusivity. Clearly someone at Alpina/BMW is retarded.

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by ChrisNich117

They already charge an insane premium. The 21in wheels would have cut too deep into their profit margin. I'm sure they negotiated a nice supply contract with the wheel manufacturer and the 21in was simply not cost effective. They should have changed the design since those wheels look much better in the larger size.

Economics has nothing to do with it and suggestions to that are 100% without merit.

[ChrisNich117]

Originally Posted by miamiten

Economics has nothing to do with it and suggestions to that are 100% without merit.

Why? And do tell me what kind of metal was used in the previous wheels. These new wheels are forged, the previous ones were not! They were incredibly heavy.

[Grumpy514]

Anyone have an idea of the paint color code or name?

[DTMAMG]

wild guess, Alpina Blue??

[ChrisNich117]

Originally Posted by auaq

Cast iron? Is this really true?

It is true. The previous wheels were cast. And this clown already said so in a previous reply to my post. The wheels were incredibly heavy and now they finally switched to forged wheels.

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by ChrisNich117

It is true. The previous wheels were cast. And this clown already said so in a previous reply to my post. The wheels were incredibly heavy and now they finally switched to forged wheels.

I sincerely hope you're not referring to me as a clown. It's extraordinarily rare to have someone of my position within the wheel manufacturing industry personally spend time on enthusiast forums. You're more than welcome to come visit our manufacturing facilities in Germany or Toyama Prefecture Japan.

I know the contract isn't about economics because the contract is with my company. No wheel is cast IRON so get your shit straight before harking nonsense.

[1BlinkGone]

Cast iron wheels? Not hardly. Cast aluminum, most likely. Big difference. I can't think of a single time we've had cast IRON wheels OEM on cars in the last 40+ years...lol Steel wheels, yes. But even those days for steel wheels are pretty much gone for cars. (Not trucks)

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by 1BlinkGone

Cast iron wheels? Not hardly. Cast aluminum, most likely. Big difference. I can't think of a single time we've had cast IRON wheels OEM on cars in the last 40+ years...lol Steel wheels, yes. But even those days for steel wheels are pretty much gone for cars. (Not trucks)

Thank You!

The only reliable references to CAST IRON Passenger Car wheels are from 1885 and 1905 respectively and they were complete failures as would be expected.

Through the early 1930's, Bronze or Brass Belted Wood Wheels were preferred, followed by stamped/rolled steel wheels which continue to this day as "steelers".

The 20" Alpina Classic 20 Spoke Wheel is to Alpina's DNA as much as the Hofmeister Kink and Kidney Grill is to the vehicles they are based upon. Japan is actually the single largest market country for Alpina and they respect heritage and design lineage. The Classic wheel doesn't lend itself well to a forged manufacturing method. That combined with the heritage is why it remains and will continue to do so. Great care has been taken to modernize the 20 spoke wheel design and adapt it to newer manufacturing methods, materials, and growing global younger demographic.

I will not comment as to which alloy will be employed for the G12 Based B7 21" Forged Wheel Option.

I will say that between the 20" Classic Cast Aluminium Alloy 20 Spoke and a similar 21" Forged 20 Spoke Wheel using 6061-t66 Aluminium Alloy, the gross weight savings would be approx 3-7lbs each due to the certification load ratings for the car itself yet the manufacturing cost difference will be in excess of $6000. The option price once they are released will certainly be below that figure.