Make your own new wheels out of old barrels? I think I'm about to!

[wagonist]

Heres the deal... I saw a pic of this E36, with what looks a very basic billet center and some OZ/RH/BBS style lips/barrels. First thing I tough I can draw that up in 5 minutes!

The inspiration:



I have a set of OZ Mitos that are currently on my car and the offset/backspacing is pretty perfect on the barrels. I'm getting kind tired of the centers so why not have some new ones made! I would reverse mount the new centers to give me about 1/2 to 3/4" more lips over what they have with the current "front mount" centers. Also I'd reuse all the hardware (OZ bolt and nuts)

The barrel's I'd be using:



I got in contact with a local small time (I think) wheel maker and they said they can do it for sure given I give them dimensioned out drawings.
(not the forum sponsor, but Roti if your reading this and willing to do if for a reasonable price, please contact me!)

some of the shops work:



This got me tinkering on CAD to see which wheel design I should go for. (I'm an architect by trade but know basic 3D cad) I came up with 6 quick ones, just in 2d till I decide which style I want to commit design time to.
Remember its going on a Mercedes so monoblock look is what I going for.

Heres a few I came up with tonight:



The first 4 are intended to be "flat faced" while the 5th is to have a some depth sort of concaveish w/ peak (think TH-Line) and the 6th is to have curvature and looks similar to an old school "Bundt" wheel (tho that might take a shitload of machiening )

Feel free to throw out some ideas or suggestions. It take me no time to draw it up in 2d. I should decide on a final design in a few days which I'm make to scale and in 3d

[Ant]

that E36 has OZ Breyton wheels.

So you are getting someone to make custom faces to fit OZ barrels / lips? Yeah that'll work. Probably cheaper than all new OZ's too so good work on supporting someone local to do that. the last design could be cool since you rarely see such full face wheels in 3 pce. Gl with it all

[martinm13]

I would love a set of the bundt centres. I have 14" bundts on my w108 but if i could get a 16" set that was 3 piece I would probably die. I have seen 1 set where a guy cut the face out of a set and used bbs barrels but that seems sketchy to me.

[Wastegate13]

OMG, the first drawing would be my pick.

[squeakyclean]

Very original idea. Hats off.

I like the 1st design in the 3rd row.

[Strawhat]

In theory, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to do this. It's just most people don't have the ability/skill to use CAD and make a proper rendering. You may also need to worry about the structural soundness of any design you come up with, but as an architect, I'm sure you know that.
My vote is for the 1st and 4th. IMO, why not add a bit of concavity to the face?
Like redoing the O.Z. Breyton, but "modernizing" it in a way, if that's the right word to use. Rather than copying the design, you could expand on it.
Either way, please end up doing this. Will be awesome.

[milano_red]

Very original idea. Hats off.

I like the 1st design in the 3rd row.

Props for creativity! I like the two on the bottom

[evilstar]

I would ove to see the 1st design but concave.

[Nickgt40]

Props for creativity! I like the two on the bottom

Yep, that entire post.

Can't wait to see how this turns out.

[RCSummers]

id love to do this with a ton of wheels.

[BigRuss]

Number 6 is a knock out in my opinion.. Would love something like that for my gen 1 xB

Seriously who farted

[7elephant]

Number 6 is a knock out in my opinion.. Would love something like that for my gen 1 xB

Seriously who farted

+1 , personally would like to see this idea done..

[kabel88]

Good idea, look what this guy made. He made a pretty awesome job!

http://www.bilgalleri.dk/fotoalbum/stylingprojekter/65604-sams_nye_custom_split_faelge

[jettagt8v80]

5 and 6 are hot, and im sure rotiform would do it but it would take 4 months and it would cost an arm and a leg

[200sx]

I've been down this road so I thought I would add my 2c.

I started with the same plan but ended up just buying new barrels at the same time. That way I was able to maximise dish and have the precise fitment and look I wanted. If those current wheels already sit very well or are close to what you want then I guess there is no need but just something to keep in mind. If you are going to go this far you may as well go all out.

As far as design goes, I like your first few designs a lot. The only thing I would suggest is to think very carefully about edge treatment. With a nice clean simple design, how you deal with the edges of the cut-outs will make all the difference. ADV1 is a good example of this.

Lastly, I say go for it. Nothing is as satisfying as having someone compliment you on your wheels when you designed them yourself.

I’m keen to see where this goes. Good Luck.