C's Bimmer

Gents - I decided on 19's. Now, I need your help deciding. I narrowed it down to 2. Please keep in mind that I have a 530xi, so I can't get the standard OEM 166 wheels due to the offset required on my car. Both of these wheels are replica's, but both have high offsets that will work with my car. The one thing I don't like about the replica 166's is that they have a tiny lip around the circumference, whereas the OEM wheels are smooth around the wheel.

Let me know which you think...

#1: Hartge Classic Replica's. Although they look black in the center based on the photo, these are silver wheels (not chrome).




#2: OEM 166 Replicas (notice the lip around the edge)


So #1 or #2?

PS - If you have any other recommendations, feel free to throw them my way. Just keep in mind I need an offset of 38-43 @ all 4 corners (3 series offset will work) and I can't run a staggered set-up).

ericdbs

number 1...looks more sporty..ericd

C's Bimmer

I agree, but so many people on this forum are glued to the 166 look. Thanks.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

BMW ///M 525xi

Hmmm are you sure this will work on the x-drive cars??? Different offsets,...?
Wouldn't that affect the xdrive?

carfreak

OEM 19's or other 20" aftermarket rims (Dpe, hre, iforged, radenergie). Between the two, the replica 166

C's Bimmer

Our offset is ET43. Standard 530i offset is ET 15/20. We need at least 38+ when going to an 8.5" rim. The best source for this is www.1010tires.com. Check their offset calculator and you'll see what I'm talking about. The wheels I posted are Et 38 and 40 with a width of 8.5.

rodybmw

Have you seen these wheels in person? I have seen them, they are made in Taiwan and have a very bad finish. I was interested in either the 166 Replicas or the Hartge ClassicII Replicas, but they both had dull finishes, imperfections in the paint, and paint chips, even brand new ones out of the box. The Miro's were worse than the Movens, but they implied that both were made by the same company. They are also very heavy. I don't like the small lip around the circumference either, but when I mentioned that to one of the shops that I visited they said that there was another Taiwanese Replica 166 that did not have the lip, but he said the finish quality would be the same. I wish that some of the Italian Replica wheels (like Ruotecompany) were available in the US, but I have not been able to find them. Ruotecompany has a 166 Replica that does not have the extra lip either, but I have not found any in the US.

There is an Australian company selling the Italian 166 Replicas on eBay and they will ship to the US, but the wheels are more expensive than the made in Taiwan Replicas and I don't know how much the shipping would cost. They may carry (or be able to order) an offset that will work for you. The wheel comes in 18", 19", and 20".

Here's the link to one of their listings of the 19" 166 Replica:http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BMW-E60-M5-19X8-ITALIAN-wheels-5-6-7-8-series_W0QQitemZ8039248303QQihZ019QQcategoryZ6782QQcmdZViewItem
Here the link to their eBay Store with other 166 sizes and other wheels: eBay store for ABI Wheels

C's Bimmer

I can't run OEM 19's on our car. They don't make them for the "xi" model. Only 18's. As for 20's, that's too much living in NY. The roads are not too pretty on some streets and I don't want to drive the car 5mph, just to avoid potholes. That's no fun. As for the other manufacturers you mention, my wife would kill me if I spent $5K+ on wheels. We just bought a new house and she has major plans on decorating. My car budget is limited.

C's Bimmer

That's so funny you mention this. I was looking at these wheels in Australia as well, but they want almost $400 to ship the US. If they arrive and have damage or are not to my liking, the recourse for sending them back and paying mroe out of pocket will just make me mad. Thanks for the advice on both wheels though. This is definitely good to know. The Hartge Classic Replicas though are made by a company called Velocity Motoring. Have you seen these exact wheels as well?

As for the 166 replicas, there is a company in the US that sells the Italian ones, but they don't have our offset. Stinks!

Check it out...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/19-8-5-9-5-...017555414QQrdZ1

znod

#1