Replica wheel opinions
01-03-2009, 01:12 PM
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My Ride: 2007 525i Black/Black Sport, Prem, 6M, Sirius
So I had my snow tires mounted on the stock 122 style sport rims, thinking that I would probably get a new set of rims and tires once summer came around.
In general, I don't like anything but an OEM appearance, love the look of the M-Sport package that some UK E60's get, makes me jealous
, I think that would be the long term goal, to give my car the "M-Sport" package.
I was browsing through e-bay for wheels, and stumbled upon a store that sells replica sport wheels:
http://cgi.ebay.com/19-Wheels-Rims-fits BMW-E60-550-545-530-745-750-645_W0QQitemZ200293632691QQihZ010QQcategoryZ43960Q QtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem (19'' sport wheels)
http://cgi.ebay.com/18-Wheels-Rims-fits-BMW-545-530-550-633-740-750-840_W0QQitemZ190266386277QQihZ009QQcategoryZ43958QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem (18'' sport wheels, ones that come standard on the UK M-Sport package)
Has anyone had experience with replica rims? I don't want to spend 3000 dollars on rims, so that's why I'm thinking about this route....comments/concerns are much appreciated!
In general, I don't like anything but an OEM appearance, love the look of the M-Sport package that some UK E60's get, makes me jealous
, I think that would be the long term goal, to give my car the "M-Sport" package.I was browsing through e-bay for wheels, and stumbled upon a store that sells replica sport wheels:
http://cgi.ebay.com/19-Wheels-Rims-fits BMW-E60-550-545-530-745-750-645_W0QQitemZ200293632691QQihZ010QQcategoryZ43960Q QtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem (19'' sport wheels)
http://cgi.ebay.com/18-Wheels-Rims-fits-BMW-545-530-550-633-740-750-840_W0QQitemZ190266386277QQihZ009QQcategoryZ43958QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem (18'' sport wheels, ones that come standard on the UK M-Sport package)
Has anyone had experience with replica rims? I don't want to spend 3000 dollars on rims, so that's why I'm thinking about this route....comments/concerns are much appreciated!
01-03-2009, 01:34 PM
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Hi.
Some replicas can be decent quality. I don't know about the quality on these you linked, and the first one doesn't open to me at all.
Anyway, the second wheel is 8" wide and ET is 20, so it will not look as good as some OEM 8,5" or 9" wheels with lower offsets. This wheel has a more flatten shape because of it's width and quite high ET number. It would look ok, but not as good as OEM. And it would look like "sucked in the wheel arch" too without spacers. Oh, and it's centre hub is for e39, so you would need a hubcentric ring, and because of that the wheel may be much more difficult to get balanced properly.
And why not to go to 19". Finding a wider rim (and smaller ET number) would be easier.
I've had replica wheels just like your second link (except their outfit replicated style 166 rims) presents. Same width, diameter, ET number and centre hub. And I'm talking about my own experience, nothing more
.
I hope you understood everything I wrote... English isn't my mother tongue.
Some replicas can be decent quality. I don't know about the quality on these you linked, and the first one doesn't open to me at all.
Anyway, the second wheel is 8" wide and ET is 20, so it will not look as good as some OEM 8,5" or 9" wheels with lower offsets. This wheel has a more flatten shape because of it's width and quite high ET number. It would look ok, but not as good as OEM. And it would look like "sucked in the wheel arch" too without spacers. Oh, and it's centre hub is for e39, so you would need a hubcentric ring, and because of that the wheel may be much more difficult to get balanced properly.
And why not to go to 19". Finding a wider rim (and smaller ET number) would be easier.
I've had replica wheels just like your second link (except their outfit replicated style 166 rims) presents. Same width, diameter, ET number and centre hub. And I'm talking about my own experience, nothing more
. I hope you understood everything I wrote... English isn't my mother tongue.
01-03-2009, 06:21 PM
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Originally Posted by jalanson' post='758568' date='Jan 3 2009, 05:12 PM
So I had my snow tires mounted on the stock 122 style sport rims, thinking that I would probably get a new set of rims and tires once summer came around.
In general, I don't like anything but an OEM appearance, love the look of the M-Sport package that some UK E60's get, makes me jealous, I think that would be the long term goal, to give my car the "M-Sport" package.
I was browsing through e-bay for wheels, and stumbled upon a store that sells replica sport wheels:
http://cgi.ebay.com/19-Wheels-Rims-fits BMW-E60-550-545-530-745-750-645_W0QQitemZ200293632691QQihZ010QQcategoryZ43960Q QtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem (19'' sport wheels)
http://cgi.ebay.com/18-Wheels-Rims-fits-BM...oQQcmdZViewItem (18'' sport wheels, ones that come standard on the UK M-Sport package)
Has anyone had experience with replica rims? I don't want to spend 3000 dollars on rims, so that's why I'm thinking about this route....comments/concerns are much appreciated!
In general, I don't like anything but an OEM appearance, love the look of the M-Sport package that some UK E60's get, makes me jealous
, I think that would be the long term goal, to give my car the "M-Sport" package.I was browsing through e-bay for wheels, and stumbled upon a store that sells replica sport wheels:
http://cgi.ebay.com/19-Wheels-Rims-fits BMW-E60-550-545-530-745-750-645_W0QQitemZ200293632691QQihZ010QQcategoryZ43960Q QtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem (19'' sport wheels)
http://cgi.ebay.com/18-Wheels-Rims-fits-BM...oQQcmdZViewItem (18'' sport wheels, ones that come standard on the UK M-Sport package)
Has anyone had experience with replica rims? I don't want to spend 3000 dollars on rims, so that's why I'm thinking about this route....comments/concerns are much appreciated!
Had replicas once, never again. Quality wheels are key to a BMW driving like a BMW.
01-04-2009, 09:52 AM
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How exactly would a replica affect the car??? i cant think of any advantages an original wheel would give provided both have same fitment and are staggered etc, but im sure there must be a reason for the huge price differences.
01-04-2009, 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by kadafi39' post='759131' date='Jan 4 2009, 08:52 PM
How exactly would a replica affect the car??? i cant think of any advantages an original wheel would give provided both have same fitment and are staggered etc, but im sure there must be a reason for the huge price differences.
01-04-2009, 10:26 AM
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My Ride: 2004 E60 530i, 2012 E70 X5 35i
Model Year: 2004
Originally Posted by kadafi39' post='759131' date='Jan 4 2009, 01:52 PM
How exactly would a replica affect the car??? i cant think of any advantages an original wheel would give provided both have same fitment and are staggered etc, but im sure there must be a reason for the huge price differences.
And all depends on piece of mind. OEM vs REP.
01-04-2009, 10:39 AM
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Here is what I know about replica wheels:
1) Don't buy them
Why? A lack of weight, strength, and quality. OEM rims or brand-name known aftermarkets are usually very well made, engineered for your car, and are lightweight. You don't want a wheel that weighs a ton on your conrol arm. Cheap Chinese wheels are horrible for your steering mechanisms and wear / tear and are prone to cracking or bending.
Remember the thread earlier about shadowline tape? Someone buys the shadowline tape for 20 bucks, spends 4 hours applying it and then realizes it looks like complete ass and that you're driving a BMW and not a Pinto. "Why did I do this to myself", you wonder, and then quickly proceed to purchasing the REAL thing for good money knowing you'll be satisfied. Same deal with rims.
1) Don't buy them
Why? A lack of weight, strength, and quality. OEM rims or brand-name known aftermarkets are usually very well made, engineered for your car, and are lightweight. You don't want a wheel that weighs a ton on your conrol arm. Cheap Chinese wheels are horrible for your steering mechanisms and wear / tear and are prone to cracking or bending.
Remember the thread earlier about shadowline tape? Someone buys the shadowline tape for 20 bucks, spends 4 hours applying it and then realizes it looks like complete ass and that you're driving a BMW and not a Pinto. "Why did I do this to myself", you wonder, and then quickly proceed to purchasing the REAL thing for good money knowing you'll be satisfied. Same deal with rims.
01-04-2009, 10:55 AM
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In general, I don't like anything but an OEM appearance, love the look of the M-Sport package that some UK E60's get, makes me jealous , I think that would be the long term goal, to give my car the "M-Sport" package.
Are you saying in America you cant buy a 5 series with a M-sport kit on it from the factory?? Is it not just an option when ordering the car? That would suck if you can't. In uk its like a trim level, like how mercedes have classic, elegance and avantgarde, the BMW's have SE spec or M-sport spec as standard. its alot cheaper and easier to order the car with it than buy it aftermarket and then pay for spraying and fitting.
, I think that would be the long term goal, to give my car the "M-Sport" package.Are you saying in America you cant buy a 5 series with a M-sport kit on it from the factory?? Is it not just an option when ordering the car? That would suck if you can't. In uk its like a trim level, like how mercedes have classic, elegance and avantgarde, the BMW's have SE spec or M-sport spec as standard. its alot cheaper and easier to order the car with it than buy it aftermarket and then pay for spraying and fitting.