[Jon D]

Just stumbled across these: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accesso.../alloygator-v2
Has anyone tried them and, if so, what do you think?
I've sent the company an enquiry to see if they're compatible with RFTs (http://www.alloygator.com/).
At £60 for 5 plastic rings, it's not exactly cheap, but well worth it if they work

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by Jon D

Just stumbled across these: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accesso.../alloygator-v2
Has anyone tried them and, if so, what do you think?
I've sent the company an enquiry to see if they're compatible with RFTs (http://www.alloygator.com/).
At £60 for 5 plastic rings, it's not exactly cheap, but well worth it if they work

Old thread here Jon:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...rim+protectors

[shortie]

Read a few threads now about them working their way loose and coming off whilst driving causing body work damage.

No personal experience of them myself though

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

Old thread here Jon:

Thanks; I ought to have known better and searched before posting .
Self bollocking administered accordingly .

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by shortie

Read a few threads now about them working their way loose and coming off whilst driving causing body work damage...

Hmmmm, think I'd rather have a curbed rim!

[BanziBarn]

I think they could look a bit crap. Personally, I'd rather just not drive into a curb

[shrink]

This is one benefit to the oem Bridgestone rfts. They have rock hard side walls and very generous rim protectors. I've made the odd schoolboy mistake in my car, and the rim protection on the bridgestones has been invaluable. I'll miss that when I take them off

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by BanziBarn

I think they could look a bit crap. Personally, I'd rather just not drive into a curb

I'd rather not drive into curbs too, but I'm just not that good

[StarSailor]

Nearly £100 fitted - that's 2ish wheel refurbs?

I'd save the money - they would also ruin the look of my wheels...and the gators will also look even more of a t**t if they get scuffed?

And, if you were to really hit a kerb, I can't see the plastic ring doing an awful lot...

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by shrink

This is one benefit to the oem Bridgestone rfts. They have rock hard side walls and very generous rim protectors. I've made the odd schoolboy mistake in my car, and the rim protection on the bridgestones has been invaluable. I'll miss that when I take them off

I know what you mean, but my 640i has 20" 'style 356' diamond turned rims, with the face almost flush with the tyre and, apart from taking inordinate care, there's very little to protect them.
I fear that it's just a matter of time until I suffer a lapse of concentration...
Fortunately I have rim damage insurance, but I think these particular wheels have to be sent away for repair.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by StarSailor

Nearly £100 fitted - that's 2ish wheel refurbs?

I'd save the money - they would also ruin the look of my wheels...and the gators will also look even more of a t**t if they get scuffed?

And, if you were to really hit a kerb, I can't see the plastic ring doing an awful lot...

I agree that they look a bit naff and the reports of them coming off at speed has decided me against them.

[katie.g]

i used these with my mv3's on my old e91

easy to fit, i did it all in a few mins, they looked ok in silver

they do protect the wheel , but once you kerb the alloygater it needs replacement, they dont re-trim as easily as the video clip shows

now using bridgestone rft's which have a big rim protection strip built in to the tyre but its still not enough on the fronts, only saves the slightest of scrapes

i now also have a wheel respray booth in the loft, and it gets used too often !!!

Worth wheel silver and clear laquer matches original colour spot on, its actually easier to rub down the rim and respray than you'd ever think after a bit of practise, i made some cardboard "polo mints" to mask off the tyre quickly

regards katie

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by katie.g

i used these with my mv3's on my old e91

easy to fit, i did it all in a few mins, they looked ok in silver

they do protect the wheel , but once you kerb the alloygater it needs replacement, they dont re-trim as easily as the video clip shows

now using bridgestone rft's which have a big rim protection strip built in to the tyre but its still not enough on the fronts, only saves the slightest of scrapes

i now also have a wheel respray booth in the loft, and it gets used too often !!!

Worth wheel silver and clear laquer matches original colour spot on, its actually easier to rub down the rim and respray than you'd ever think after a bit of practise, i made some cardboard "polo mints" to mask off the tyre quickly

regards katie

Thanks for the positive info. As to your rim repair tips, that's what I did with the painted 19" wheels that were on my old E92. However, the 20" rims I now have are diamond turned and flat faced with just a clear lacquer coat on the bare aluminium alloy - no longer any chance of covering up my mistakes with a quick lick of paint .
Cheers,
Jon

[creepy coupe]

They're a bit like leaving the protective plastic on a sofa. then removing it when you sell it.You have the imperfect look, and the new owner benefits.

[willhollin]

I saw a car recently with some on, looked pretty awful tbh.

I don't think they would suit a 640i, I mean you don't have those door protectors on do you?

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by willhollin

...I mean you don't have those door protectors on do you?

How do you know?

[CarAbuser]

Complete the look with a bonnet bra and wind deflectors. Maybe some mudflaps to stop the car getting dirty.

I'd love to see some pics.

[Sparky68]

As said above would rather risk a kerbed rim than have mine look that awful the whole time

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by CarAbuser

Complete the look with a bonnet bra and wind deflectors. Maybe some mudflaps to stop the car getting dirty.

I'd love to see some pics.

Along with the rim protectors, I was looking for some plastic chrome edging strip, which I could cut to length and fit onto the door, boot and bonnet edges. Sadly I couldn't find what I was looking for, but the solution came, quite unexpectedly, in the form of some discarded polystyrene packaging strips from a fridge. I've glued them on with some wallpaper paste and it doesn't look too bad; only problem is that I can't fully shut the doors, but I'm getting used to the draught.
Odd how a simple enquiry can attract so many assumptions