Richard Galing

Flipsonic

Thanks for the pics Richard. I assume those are the 22s in the pic. IMHO, if it is lowered too much, the look is compromised. It makes the wheels look too small. It may look different in person, but I don't like the pic. It doesn't look like a SUV. The ground clearance on the new ML63 looks much better. I guess the 2" drop will be just right. Again, just my opinion.

Paul Le Corre

I like it very much. I still have trouble with the 22 inches rims but the bodykit looks perfeclty integrated.

Richard Galing

I was talking to Peter (shop foreman) & Dave (tech) about the ride height, since the spring tensioner hasn't arrived yet (perhaps sometime next week), they're not so sure how much drop to expect...the guesstimate is 2" and I would be happy with just that. Yes, those are 22" shown in the photo, and in approx. 8-10 weeks the new Brabus wheels will be released.

I had the Brabus exhaust & dual foglights installed today.

Richard Galing

Brabus uses 20" multipiece Mono 6s on their showroom W164 ML.

Whitey

Dang Rich, there's no stopping ya! She's lookin great already Are you going to blackout those rims?

Paul Le Corre

The problem with the brabus monoblock VI multipiece in 20 inches is the price tag. After calculation, I have to pay more than 9000 euros for the rims+tyres+installation.
Even if, on the long term, the 20 inches will be less costly than 22 (due to the price of the tyres) it's still a lot of money for rims.
Especially when I see those pictures and I realize that a sport suspension must be added to have a nice look ( the cars are too high on both pictures after my idea)

GregW / Oregon

Those are definitely Photoshopped, or it wasn't aligned. The front wheels have about -3 degrees camber.

GregW / Oregon

The 20" Monoblocks don't come in 1-piece? That would be the best. The 22s just don't look right, IMO, and 1-piece wheels are lighter and less expensive.

PS--Just found 20" 1-piece on website:
BRABUS Monoblock VI, double spoke design, 9.5Jx20, one-piece, tires 265/45 R 20 FA + RA or 275/40 R 20 FA + RA . Export only!

vraa

One piece wheels being lighter? Where did you hear that?

Usually they are heavier because they are cast, rather than forged out of lighter parts.

GregW / Oregon

From my many years of experience with many different wheels, it's almost always the case. Multi-piece wheels just have more metal to make the connection points strong enough, and for all the fasteners. An exception is if a forged center is used on the multi-piece. Wheel manufacturers are notoriously poor at giving accurate weights, or any weight information at all. Have yous seen any data on Brabus?

vraa

Just only on a few rims, they vary between 35-45lb per rim.

I think I misunderstood your post. You weren't referring to forged rims at all, and that's all the experience I have. My mistake.

GregW / Oregon

I was only referring to one-piece compared to multi-piece in the same construction type and style. Forged wheels are typically lighter than cast, but one-piece forged are still lighter than multi-piece forged. I have not seen anything on the Brabus Monoblocks indicating what the construction type is, though the centers look like they could be forged.

The reason for multi-piece wheels stems from racing where the same centers could be used with many configurations of wheels with different widths and offsets. However, a proper one-piece wheel of the same construction will always be superior in strength and weight.

Whitey

Given that could be a computer rendition, the Brabus ML looks more like the front wheels are slightly turned to the right (a usual pose used by phtographers to show off the wheel) than a -3 degress camber.

Rich's 22's are straight front and back but then, I'm not sure if he's lowered his ride yet.

BTW Brabus wheels are heavy per se as they need to meet tough TUV standards.....

Paul Le Corre

I have seen those rims but the wheel coverage is not suffisent for german market (that's why it's export only) and I don't want to damage my rims on the pavement when I park.

GregW / Oregon

But what is the difference from the multi-piece? They are listed as the same size with the same fitments, but the multi-piece are not labeled "export only."

Flipsonic

Not only may you damage your rims when you park but imagine what can happen when you hit a big pothole. I realize Brabus makes high quality rims, but the weight in front alone versus a 30 series tire can cause a world of damage. I have a friend with an X5 with 22s and 30 series tires who hit a deep pothole. Not only did he have to replace one of the front wheels but it caused some damage to his front end. Now, he has to stop or slow down everytime there is a bump. He had to change his driving style so it won't happen anymore. He's just more cautious now. Also, he had to upgrade his brakes ($$$) since the stock ones just wasn't cutting it after he put on 22s. I'm not flaming your ride Richard, I think those rims look tight. Just telling you to be cautious in case you see a pothole you cannot avoid. This is the big reason why I put 20s on mine.

Paul Le Corre

The difference is in the offset, the 20 multi-piece have maximum 55 in the front while the one piece have 45.

Richard Galing

Hahaha...no blk wheels just yet, however with the dreaded brake dust I'm thinkin bout it Definitely will do B11.

Paul Le Corre

Could you please post your impressions after installing the B11 kit?

Many people overlooked the kit since they thought it was not enough powerful but I think it's quite good.

Could you also give us the torque increase with the B11?