Replicas vs OEM M166 Wheels
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 87
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From: Auckland, New Zealand
My Ride: BMW 530d
I've owned my 2004 530d since new and have decided to keep it till the LCI version of the F10. No mods except hardwiring for a V1 plus a BEL XR80 and Blinder, till now. This is the longest I've ever kept a car - 43 cars in 34 years and my wife says that if I kept it another two years then spending $15k on it would have been worthwhile. 
First mod was to replace the worn out suspension - Bilsteins and B&G Springs - lowered 30mm, then LCI Taillights and a Bluefin Superchip.
I decided on Replica 166's and Fulda tyres that I got a good deal for on our local version of eBay. Read some comments on these here but took the punt anyway as OEM 166s plus tyres would blow the budget. Plus an aspect I have enjoyed in my car was the handling vs ride comfort compromise of my standard suspension with dynamic drive. Replica 19s would be a relatively cheap way to find out how harsh my ride would be.
Surprisingly there was virtually no difference in ride comfort or noise going from 17in wheels with Conti Sportcontact 2s to 19in with Fulda Carat Exeleros. I have no doubt that the Contis are a better handling tyre, but this is our family car and if I want fun then the bike at the track does the trick better than the 911! The Fuldas are a good compromise. But I really didn't like the appearance of these wheels - I'd read what people said about the OEM 166's being more dished, but didn't appreciate the difference. They really spoiled the car for me..?
So last week my OEM 166's arrived from Germany and I had them fitted yesterday. And now I can't stop looking at the car!!! I opted for M6 offset and have the usual recommended sizes of 245/35x19 and 275/30x19 with the Fulda tyres. I'm SO happy!!!
Photos of the Replicas and OEM 166s
First mod was to replace the worn out suspension - Bilsteins and B&G Springs - lowered 30mm, then LCI Taillights and a Bluefin Superchip.
I decided on Replica 166's and Fulda tyres that I got a good deal for on our local version of eBay. Read some comments on these here but took the punt anyway as OEM 166s plus tyres would blow the budget. Plus an aspect I have enjoyed in my car was the handling vs ride comfort compromise of my standard suspension with dynamic drive. Replica 19s would be a relatively cheap way to find out how harsh my ride would be.
Surprisingly there was virtually no difference in ride comfort or noise going from 17in wheels with Conti Sportcontact 2s to 19in with Fulda Carat Exeleros. I have no doubt that the Contis are a better handling tyre, but this is our family car and if I want fun then the bike at the track does the trick better than the 911! The Fuldas are a good compromise. But I really didn't like the appearance of these wheels - I'd read what people said about the OEM 166's being more dished, but didn't appreciate the difference. They really spoiled the car for me..?
So last week my OEM 166's arrived from Germany and I had them fitted yesterday. And now I can't stop looking at the car!!! I opted for M6 offset and have the usual recommended sizes of 245/35x19 and 275/30x19 with the Fulda tyres. I'm SO happy!!!
Photos of the Replicas and OEM 166s
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,585
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From: Los Angeles
The replicas are just terrible looking. It's like night and day when you compare them to OEM 166s. The concave look on the OEM wheels are the reason people love them so much, without it they look like garbage wheels.
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,998
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From: St. Louis Burbs, USA
My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Car looks really nice...love the color.
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,342
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From: HK
My Ride: carbonized MB coupe
i had Ac IV reps, and they weighed next to nothing, thats why they are so cheap
Originally Posted by tbal' post='1035029' date='Oct 18 2009, 05:53 PM
Asides the looks, replicas typically weigh a lot more than the oems...
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17,508
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From: So. Cal (SFV)
My Ride: 2011.5 Alpine White E90 M3 | Black Novillo Leather | Carbon Fiber Leather Trim | ZCP | ZP2 | M-DCT | Navigation | Moonroof | 6FL Mods: TMS 12.5mm spacers all around l Hawk HPS Brake Pads l OEM M3 Edition Grills l Paint Matched Side Gills l Key Hole D
Originally Posted by billhk' post='1035075' date='Oct 18 2009, 07:13 AM
i had Ac IV reps, and they weighed next to nothing, thats why they are so cheap
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 453
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From: Dubai- UAE
My Ride: BMW 550i 2007 M-Kit installed- 367 BHP Sapphire black, comfort seats, comfort access, HUD, Professional Nav, Logic 7.
Originally Posted by Speed_Force_E60' post='1034909' date='Oct 18 2009, 06:28 AM
The replicas are just terrible looking. It's like night and day when you compare them to OEM 166s. The concave look on the OEM wheels are the reason people love them so much, without it they look like garbage wheels.
Replicas look ugly.... your car looks much better now
