Wheel Prices
02-04-2009, 05:30 AM
#1
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My Ride: 2005 545i E60 Orient Blau Metallic
Premium, NAV, Winter Package, Heads Up Display, Logic 7 Audio, AngeliBright Upgrade [White], M5 Body Kit, M Embroidered Seats
Im looking at a new set of rims for the 545i and can't understand the difference between some of these OEM prices and third party vendors...
All these rims are DOT, JAL, SAE certified. They obviously pass all safety standards, else they wouldn't sell them. They look like they all have a great finish.... So why the price diference? What makes OEM so special?
I like the M6 rims and they're available for like 800 bucks through eBay vendors like raceking, vortex_tuning, etc.....
Can someone help me figure this out? Is it worth the OEM price????
All these rims are DOT, JAL, SAE certified. They obviously pass all safety standards, else they wouldn't sell them. They look like they all have a great finish.... So why the price diference? What makes OEM so special?
I like the M6 rims and they're available for like 800 bucks through eBay vendors like raceking, vortex_tuning, etc.....
Can someone help me figure this out? Is it worth the OEM price????
02-04-2009, 05:50 AM
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My Ride: 2004 530i
premium package/active steering/auto sunshade/tiag/black dakota leather/logic 7
35% tint all around
19' DPE GT7
difference is oem and replica, the oem wheels have quite a bit better build quality to them. Its an interesting debate most guys here on e60.net will tell you definitely go oem for quality, and if you hop over to the e46fanatics forum most people say you are wasting money going with oem. I guess the question is how deep is your wallet and how many pot holes do you drive over?
02-04-2009, 06:47 AM
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Weight is a big deal. OEM wheels weigh less than a replica.
Better materials.
Better quality.
Less prone to cracking or bending on a pothole.
There you have it.
Go OEM.
Better materials.
Better quality.
Less prone to cracking or bending on a pothole.
There you have it.
Go OEM.
02-04-2009, 09:39 AM
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My Ride: 2010 VW Passat Wagon 2.0l Tsi
Grey/Grey Budapest 18"
Lost to HPFP issues:
08 535i sport pkg
Lost to Dreaded E61 Sun roof leaks:
07 E61 530Xi
The Hub centric spacing! 
02-04-2009, 03:52 PM
#6
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Originally Posted by Howitzer' post='784858' date='Feb 4 2009, 07:47 AM
Weight is a big deal. OEM wheels weigh less than a replica.
Better materials.
Better quality.
Less prone to cracking or bending on a pothole.
There you have it.
Go OEM.
Better materials.
Better quality.
Less prone to cracking or bending on a pothole.
There you have it.
Go OEM.
VMR reps actually weigh less in larger sizes compared to the oem counterparts.
OEM have strict build quality guidelines but another factor is where they are made. Germany and Czech Rep when most other replicas are made in Korea, China, India or other Eastern European countries.
What the cost comes down to is manufacturing costs. Obviously you will pay for OEM because of the labor rates they have to pay. Casting is Casting but the quality of their standards can also come into play too.
I have always had replicas on my rides with the exception of my rsx. Ive never had an issue.
02-04-2009, 04:06 PM
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My Ride: 2004 E60 530i, 2012 E70 X5 35i
Model Year: 2004
Go with OEM with your e60. You might run into problems when you use replicas, like vibration, wrong fitment, and wheel strength.
Good luck man.
M6 wheels are awesome. I didn't like them before, but they grew on me so much.
Good luck man.
M6 wheels are awesome. I didn't like them before, but they grew on me so much.
02-04-2009, 05:16 PM
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Originally Posted by PraiseTheLowered' post='785308' date='Feb 4 2009, 04:52 PM
VMR reps actually weigh less in larger sizes compared to the oem counterparts.
Lighter than the OE forged M6 wheels? I sort of doubt it. The VMR wheels I've encounted are just slightly lighter than the OE cast M5 wheels.
02-04-2009, 08:02 PM
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My Ride: 2005 545i E60 Orient Blau Metallic
Premium, NAV, Winter Package, Heads Up Display, Logic 7 Audio, AngeliBright Upgrade [White], M5 Body Kit, M Embroidered Seats
The are forged and weigh the same as OEM according to the store Im dealing with.. Ill try to get the #s............