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[Neon21db]

What's the difference? Are the replica rims heavier or something? Also, where do most people get their rims? Online or at a specialty store?

[MPoWeRMAN]

reps can bend when you hit a pothole, specially 19's otherwise, pretty much the same

[ALTWheelsE90]

Originally Posted by MPoWeRMAN

reps can bend when you hit a pothole, specially 19's otherwise, pretty much the same

OEM Wheels and Aftermarket wheels both can be damaged by potholes. OEM wheels (most anyway, some higher end models now come with forged wheels from the factory), and Aftermarket wheels are all single piece cast (with the exception of the forged ones). A pot hole is a wheels worst enemy period.

[SaskE90]

Also i noticed that when a number of cutomers brought their bmws into the shop to put on winter rims and tires the ones were were putting replica wheels on that have already been used for a couple of years. i noticed that on some of them the finish on the wheels was wearing off and on a set of e46 replica wheels the finish was peeling off on all four of the wheels.

[treublue]

so not all OEM wheels are forged?

[canucklion]

no

Originally Posted by treublue

so not all OEM wheels are forged?

[MarkA]

Check out this website for more info on the weights and construction methods of wheels : http://www.wheelweights.net/

[ALTWheelsE90]

Originally Posted by treublue

so not all OEM wheels are forged?

Forged oem wheels have only been used sporatically the last couple of years.

[Panoz]

Replica are crappy...and they bend easily

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Panoz

Replica are crappy...and they bend easily

Really? I have heard pretty good things about them on this forum. As a person looking to buy some in the near future, why would you say that? Bad experience?

[ward]

replicas are like many products, I'm sure most are fine, but there are certainly also unreputable shops making cheap wheels as well.


buying a replica is a little more of a shot in the dark, if you buy from BBS, OEM.... you at least know what you're getting.

but a good vendor may support replicas with great service too, but they certainly don't have a name to protect like a big maker does.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by ward

replicas are like many products, I'm sure most are fine, but there are certainly also unreputable shops making cheap wheels as well.


buying a replica is a little more of a shot in the dark, if you buy from BBS, OEM.... you at least know what you're getting.

but a good vendor may support replicas with great service too, but they certainly don't have a name to protect like a big maker does.

What about ASA? I like the AR1's. I also like the CSL replicas--any manuf. that you have had good success with?

[ward]

The only wheels I've run other than stock are Moda's (by BBS)

there's a ton of folks with ASA, hit up the search button

[ALTWheelsE90]

Originally Posted by carlitosz

Care to explain?

Definitely would like to hear why the opinion also.

[8t]

for OEM rims if you happen to damage 1 of them till beyond repair you can just buy of 1 rim from BMW(provided they still make them), i think not in the case of replicas.

bt

[canucklion]

+1
and the old saying applies here "you get what you paid"

Originally Posted by carlitosz

You can replace on reproduction wheel by itself aswell. Most of you are comparing OEM Wheels made by Ronal,BBS, etc Vs ALL replica wheels.

Is like me saying that all aftermarket wheels are soft, or heavy or ugly. I cannot generalize a product. Replicas are products just like any aftermarket wheels. Some are good and some are bad. Lets stop rating replicas in general and start rating companies instead. Is not logical that the companies that are doing the job propertly have to pay the price of the careless ones.

-carlitosz

[ward]

Originally Posted by canucklion

+1
and the old saying applies here "you get what you paid"

that's part of the issue with replicas, somebody may have a higher price and a lower quality product, or vice versa.


that's the whole problem, you never know until it's too late

[aapriadi]

"you get what you pay for" rule always apply in this case...very few replica manufacturers are reputable and crappy replicas wont look as good as the original rims they're trying to copy
i've had moven rg-5 (hamann pg2 replica) for my 1st set of aftermarket rims and was happy with it, hit some major potholes and they're still fine. but they never look as good as the PGs
if you want replicas, do your research and read customers' testimonials as well just to be sure
do note, however, that even oem and aftermarket rims can also crack if you hit major potholes...

[ALTWheelsE90]

Originally Posted by 8t

for OEM rims if you happen to damage 1 of them till beyond repair you can just buy of 1 rim from BMW(provided they still make them), i think not in the case of replicas.

bt

The same goes for replicas. Its not like you have to buy the complete set over again. You can buy just the 1 rim as a replacement. If the company that sells replicas refuses to not sell you just 1 replacement rim, you should definitely take your business elsewhere because there are times where people need replacement wheels.

[ALTWheelsE90]

Originally Posted by aapriadi

"you get what you pay for" rule always apply in this case...very few replica manufacturers are reputable and crappy replicas wont look as good as the original rims they're trying to copy
i've had moven rg-5 (hamann pg2 replica) for my 1st set of aftermarket rims and was happy with it, hit some major potholes and they're still fine. but they never look as good as the PGs
if you want replicas, do your research and read customers' testimonials as well just to be sure
do note, however, that even oem and aftermarket rims can also crack if you hit major potholes...

do note, however, that even oem and aftermarket rims can also crack if you hit major potholes...

Enough said. If any of you think oem rims are bulletproof, you are so highly mistaken.

[8t]

Originally Posted by ALTWheelsE90

The same goes for replicas. Its not like you have to buy the complete set over again. You can buy just the 1 rim as a replacement. If the company that sells replicas refuses to not sell you just 1 replacement rim, you should definitely take your business elsewhere because there are times where people need replacement wheels.

thanks, it is good to know that one can just buy 1 rim rather than the whole set, in Singapore most of the guys end up replacing the whole set of 4 cos nobody wants to sell them rim per rim.

thanks
bt

[xyz123]

Originally Posted by Neon21db

What's the difference? Are the replica rims heavier or something? Also, where do most people get their rims? Online or at a specialty store?

One difference I remember from discussions last year in this forum was that BMW OEM wheels have bigger bulges on the inside lips of the wheel than aftermarket wheels. I don't know if it is true, I did not personally check to find out. However, I have no reason to doubt it and my guess would be that if it is true, the heavier lip might be specified to better hold the tire on the rim in case of a flat. BMW's were not the first, but one of the first to specify runflat tires which of course, have to stay on the rim after a flat to be of any use. At any rate, I bought aftermarket wheels (Borbet) for my winter runflat tires and I have no fears for safety.

I suspect that BBS is not the only supplier of OEM wheels for BMW and that other manufacturers of high quality aftermarket wheels also supply luxury carmakers including BMW.

I also remember reading somewhere (was it on tirerack's website?) that ASA originally licensed BBS's technology. If so their wheels should be of good quality. Tirerack's website is a good place to learn about wheel manufacturing - advantages of low pressure vs high pressure casting, forged wheels, etc.; it gives such detailed information on each of the brands and wheels they sell but you have to dig for it, it's kind of hidden on pages that you have to get to by clicking on links.