Picked up some HREs today - need advice
#1
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Picked up some HREs today - need advice
Hey guys. I picked up some HRE 590Rs in Craigslist today for a great price. They came off of another E55 so they bolted right on (test fit). They were pretty filthy so I spent the afternoon polishing and cleaning them up. I need some advice from the experts here on a few things:
Tires - the rims are 19x8.5 and 19x10 with 245/35/19 front and 275/30/19 rear tires. The rear tires are through the steel cords and I'm going to need new rubber before mounting the wheels. What tires offer the best value and are soft, sticky and quiet? I want the E to ride smooth with little tire noise and be able to hook well at stoplight encounters and the local drags. Any tire suggestions?
Lugnuts and Locks - I don't want to use the stock lugnuts. Where can I get a proper lugnut and lock set for these rims? Any suggestions on what finish and lug type would look best? I'm thinking chrome lugs or maybe black? Just want to make sure I get ones with the proper taper and length for safety etc. Any ideas?
Touch-Up - The rims have a few minor nicks here and there on the gunmetal finish. Where can I get proper touch-up paint for these rims? Should I contact HRE directly or just pickup the closest gunmetal touchup paint I can find at the auto parts store? Any ideas?
I appreciate the help guys, I can't wait to get these mounted up on my ride.
![](http://mrweelr.com/E55AMG/HRE3.JPG)
![](http://mrweelr.com/E55AMG/HRE4.JPG)
![](http://mrweelr.com/E55AMG/HRE5.JPG)
![](http://mrweelr.com/E55AMG/HRE6.JPG)
![](http://mrweelr.com/E55AMG/HRE1.JPG)
Tires - the rims are 19x8.5 and 19x10 with 245/35/19 front and 275/30/19 rear tires. The rear tires are through the steel cords and I'm going to need new rubber before mounting the wheels. What tires offer the best value and are soft, sticky and quiet? I want the E to ride smooth with little tire noise and be able to hook well at stoplight encounters and the local drags. Any tire suggestions?
Lugnuts and Locks - I don't want to use the stock lugnuts. Where can I get a proper lugnut and lock set for these rims? Any suggestions on what finish and lug type would look best? I'm thinking chrome lugs or maybe black? Just want to make sure I get ones with the proper taper and length for safety etc. Any ideas?
Touch-Up - The rims have a few minor nicks here and there on the gunmetal finish. Where can I get proper touch-up paint for these rims? Should I contact HRE directly or just pickup the closest gunmetal touchup paint I can find at the auto parts store? Any ideas?
I appreciate the help guys, I can't wait to get these mounted up on my ride.
Last edited by mrweelr; 10-02-2011 at 02:55 AM.
#5
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#7
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Yeah, I feel damn lucky. I was looking for a nice set of used HREs and my co-worker turned me onto the Craigslist ad. Needless to say, I jumped all over it.
After looking at tire specs on TireRack, I noticed the Continental Extreme Contact DW tires got great reviews and I like the weight, diameter and section width specs as compared to other brands like Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Are these Continentals good tires? How noisy are they and do they hook up well on launches?
After looking at tire specs on TireRack, I noticed the Continental Extreme Contact DW tires got great reviews and I like the weight, diameter and section width specs as compared to other brands like Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Are these Continentals good tires? How noisy are they and do they hook up well on launches?
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#8
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You got it man, lol. The seller was asking $2400 firm and I paid him what he was asking as I felt the price was more than fair. He said he paid around $5K for them new. I wanted black HREs, but the gunmetal looks pretty sweet against the Obsidion Black on my car. They feel lighter than the stock wheel/tire combos and are shorter too. Anyone know how much these rims weight vs the stockers?
#9
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#11
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Thanks. He had different brand tires on them and the skinny one's a blown out 275/30/19. Notice how the other tire isn't flat or stretched nearly as much and it's the same size. After comparing tire section widths, diameters, weights, tread patterns, reviews, etc. I'm leaning toward some new Continental Extreme Contact DWs in 275/30/19. The 285s are a few pounds heavier and taller so I'm going to stick with the 275s.
#12
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'13 GT-R AMS Alpha 9+, CLA45, E55
I'll give you some advice owning a few sets of HRE's in my day and I'll be dead honest which is something you may not want to but need to hear.
For the finish on these wheels, send them to HRE directly and let them take care of refinishing. They check the barrels for anything out of spec, disassemble the entire wheel, strip off all the finish, powder coat the centers, re-polish or powder coat the outer barrels, re-assemble them with brand new hardware, brand new center caps and ship them back to you looking brand spanking new.
Is it cheap, no, no it's not. But it's right. And you have top tier wheels on a top tier vehicle. I wouldn't give my cars anything but the best, but again this is just my opinion.
I can only say this because I've refinished 3 sets of these wheels... First 2 times I thought a couple companies would do a decent job... I can't even start to begin my complaint of how bad the finish came out and how much of a hassle it was.
HRE is one of 2 wheel brands I will ever buy aftermarket and the services they provide are what put them there. ADV.1 is the other and for the exact same reason. Email HRE and you'll talk with Vince who has been there for quite some time and one of the most responsive and caring individuals you could have the pleasure doing business with.
Rear tires - I always ran 275's on my rears and the Nitto Invo or NT05 were a great choice. Great grip. But if you want a great tire that is honestly in a league of its own go with the new Pilot Super Sport.
Lugs - I ran DPS LUGS on my HRE's and they were the absolute *****!!!! Call James or Peter over at ACGSD and they can set you up. No one will be able to steal these beauties when fastened down with them
Congrats on the new wheels, they look fantastic.
For the finish on these wheels, send them to HRE directly and let them take care of refinishing. They check the barrels for anything out of spec, disassemble the entire wheel, strip off all the finish, powder coat the centers, re-polish or powder coat the outer barrels, re-assemble them with brand new hardware, brand new center caps and ship them back to you looking brand spanking new.
Is it cheap, no, no it's not. But it's right. And you have top tier wheels on a top tier vehicle. I wouldn't give my cars anything but the best, but again this is just my opinion.
I can only say this because I've refinished 3 sets of these wheels... First 2 times I thought a couple companies would do a decent job... I can't even start to begin my complaint of how bad the finish came out and how much of a hassle it was.
HRE is one of 2 wheel brands I will ever buy aftermarket and the services they provide are what put them there. ADV.1 is the other and for the exact same reason. Email HRE and you'll talk with Vince who has been there for quite some time and one of the most responsive and caring individuals you could have the pleasure doing business with.
Rear tires - I always ran 275's on my rears and the Nitto Invo or NT05 were a great choice. Great grip. But if you want a great tire that is honestly in a league of its own go with the new Pilot Super Sport.
Lugs - I ran DPS LUGS on my HRE's and they were the absolute *****!!!! Call James or Peter over at ACGSD and they can set you up. No one will be able to steal these beauties when fastened down with them
Congrats on the new wheels, they look fantastic.
#17
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im selling a set of michelin pilot super sport ![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
#18
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I disagree with tgoss** in terms of sending to HRE. You will spend another $2K having them refreshed, at which point you are over $4k into these wheels. If you can not touch them up yourself, B. Gorman (see supporting vendors) can have them powder coated and reassembled for a fraction of the price. He can re-polish the faces, and even repair or replace a barrel if needed. They look great.
Tires, I like the hankook ventus V12 (same sizes you are running).. price is right, and great tires.
Tires, I like the hankook ventus V12 (same sizes you are running).. price is right, and great tires.
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'13 GT-R AMS Alpha 9+, CLA45, E55
I disagree with tgoss** in terms of sending to HRE. You will spend another $2K having them refreshed, at which point you are over $4k into these wheels. If you can not touch them up yourself, B. Gorman (see supporting vendors) can have them powder coated and reassembled for a fraction of the price. He can re-polish the faces, and even repair or replace a barrel if needed. They look great.
Tires, I like the hankook ventus V12 (same sizes you are running).. price is right, and great tires.
Tires, I like the hankook ventus V12 (same sizes you are running).. price is right, and great tires.
That being said B. Gorman is no doubt a stud individual and looks like he does great work.
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07 RS4 sold, R53 Cooper S, 2008 Cayman S, 2012 GTR
PM me the serial number on the back of your HRE's so that i can confirm which lug bolts you need... most of the monobloks were built for ball seat (factory lug bolt) while the 3pc while are built for conical... but i'd like to make sure before anyone sends you the wrong lug bolts. Great pickup!
James@ACG
James@ACG
#25
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Sorry, it's not my car. The kid I bought the wheels from owns it and he's into drifting. He says it's the best car he's ever owned, even better than his previous E55. Lol...OK kid, whatever
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
Last edited by mrweelr; 10-02-2011 at 11:25 PM.