Here I sit . . .

[drmw]

God Peter....
You are damned close..
Black chrome

I think you will be very pleased with the look!

 

[S.Speed]

I think you will be very pleased with the look!

Its a big thank you to you that I am aware of such things.
You alerted me to both the refurbishers and the Black Chrome look.
Thank you very much for that. Its much appreciated.

 

[Developer]

You're very committed Simon .

 

[S.Speed]

You're very committed Simon .

I am ofted told I should be !!!

 

[cleverdicky]

Are you still there ?

 

[S.Speed]

Home now

Right..
Just got home and very pleased to say I escaped the Manchester rush Hour !!

Firstly a big thank you to Mark Sykes (mark.s on this forum) who contacted me with the discount code. That enabled me to get a rather nice discount.

I am very pleased with the wheels...
This company has branches all over the country and so if you are determined enough to put yourself out then you to can set off in the morning with old wheels and return that same evening with newly Powder coated and baked wheels..
On the subject of baking I was pretty surprised at just how hot they are cooked at. I don't know why but in my minds eye I was imagining they were gently warmed.. I really am NOT exaggerating when I tell you I could feel the heat from 3 feet away.. They warned me not to touch..

The thing is they look better than they photograph but hopefully you will see a difference from standard..

I discussed Gun Metal with them and they also advised against it..
I didn't want to stay standard silver though so we agreed on a fairly subtle compromise.
If you look at the insides of the wheels you will see they are Black and not silver...
The black is feathered in quite a subtle way..
They feel smooth as silk and rather gorgeous... I did notice that Donna kept caressing them.. ahem . .

I also had 2 Michelin Primacy MO tyres fitted to the rear whilst I was there..

The photos below show 1 of the wheels cooling down after being Baked.

 

[S.Speed]

More photos

Some more photos with the wheels fitted..
I have to impress on you that the look is more subtle by photo than in reality..
Overall a good compromise..
Different enough no to be a sheep..
Not so over the top that I look a moron (ish)

The effect is smokey rather than an out and out change of colour.

 

[Rotorhead500]

Looking good!

(Could do with a clean though!)

 

[S.Speed]

Errr I'm assuming you mean the car !!!!!

 

[andys320]

They look very nice and subtle!

 

[S.Speed]

They look very nice and subtle!

Thanks Andy..
The finish feels way superior to how they were..

 

[MERC210]

Re wheels ceacking !!!finish

they look great !!!!!!well worth the effort ,I have just got a 320 cdi e class face lift dec 2006 in black picking it up on mon morning 51k miles a/guard same wheels ,might get mine done ,but great fininsh ,what do you think of your 320 so far any issues ?

 

[Mic]

Excellent......very classy.

Mic

 

[S.Speed]

they look great !!!!!!well worth the effort ,I have just got a 320 cdi e class face lift dec 2006 in black picking it up on mon morning 51k miles a/guard same wheels ,might get mine done ,but great fininsh ,what do you think of your 320 so far any issues ?

You will love the car..
Its a cracking engine you will love it..
I have not had a single issue.
One thing I do recommend you have done as a preventative measure..
Ask an Indy or dare I say it your MB garage to fit a new Intake to Turbo oil seal.. That is the weak point on this engine..
They leak oil from there onto the inlet port shut off motor.. That's over £500 of a job to put right (Mainly labour charges)..
If you are handy at DIY you can do it yourself its not very difficult..
PM me with your e-mail address if you want detailed instructions..
The engine as I say is a peach.. VERY powerful and not like a Diesel at all..
At 51k yours has loosened up nicely..

 

[S.Speed]

Excellent......very classy.

Mic

Thank you Mic..
I genuinely take that as a compliment coming from you.

 

[whitenemesis]

Looking good Simon. They suit the car colour rather well

 

[S.Speed]

Looking good Simon. They suit the car colour rather well

Thanks Peter...
With any luck you will see them in the flesh before too long.

 

[JML270]

A lovely job, well done Simon - & thanks for the tip about the turbo seal - much appreciated.

 

[S.Speed]

A lovely job, well done Simon - & thanks for the tip about the turbo seal - much appreciated.

Please remember that the turbo / inlet oil seal is only an issue on the V6 Diesels..
On inline engines its not really important..
Some indys are now doing the very sensible procedure of replacing the oil seal every other service..
In fact if you get it into your mind-set to have it done when the air filters are done then all will be well.
Air filter housings have to be removed to get at the oil seal and so it makes sense..

 

[npuk]

Looks good Simon and new centre caps are perfect for that finish.