Opinions on replica wheels?

Quality will be undeniably compromised but I think the newer replicas are very indifferent in terms of weight compared to originals.
 
I dunno if I would skimp on the only thing that attaches me to the road, especially as you can buy the real deal and get most of the money back when you sell them on.
 
I am not saying they are made out of cheese as the newer sets are TUV approved so I would have no issue with using them.

In terms of quality I am talking aesthetically not structurally, I have read stories of the finish not being 100% on some.

I am on the hunt for a second hand set, keep your eyes peeled people!
 
Is there anyway of actually checking the TUV approval to make sure some crafty little bugger hasn't just stick a little sticker on the rim saying 'DIS WEEL IZ TUV APROVED LOL'?
 
I may be wrong, but my opinion is much the same as with tyres, why skimp a couple of pounds when the consequences of under performance are massive. (I don't know how likely it is) Especially when the much of the initial outlay can be recouped in this case.
 
In terms of weight, the first batches of LM reps AFAIK weighed in a fair bit more than the original BBS items.

In terms of things being replicas, I can assure you most MR2 355 wanna bees are made of crud compared to Marenello's finest.
 
Maxeh said:
In terms of weight, the first batches of LM reps AFAIK weighed in a fair bit more than the original BBS items.
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Yep, weight is usually the biggest issue with replica wheels.



Some replica wheels are of poor quality no doubt about that, but if you pick which reps you buy you can get some VERY good quality ones.

Mine are made in Italy, they have been on the car for almost 3 years now, covered over 40k been bashed over more potholes than i care to mention, washed with wonder wheels (acid) had quite a few sets of tyres on them, taken off the hubs loads, driven very hard down roads and round the Nurburgring and i've not split or buckled a wheel nor do i have any paint issues with them.

How can this be they are Replicas they should be crud quality, I mean OEM BMW wheels don't suffer from paint issues, or corrosion, my dads 4 year old Honda Accord alloys are just about shot due to poor paint finish........

Yep damn those poor quality replica wheels which are much worse than OEM units.
 
[TW]Fox;16315791 said:
It's what I intend to do if I go for a 335i
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I've been thinking about that combination also, its purely win! :D


(insurance... however.. is fail for me :mad:)
 
You can get good replicas and you can get bad replicas. You can't tar them all with the same brush.

Firestar, were your alloys made by PA Replica?
 
I don't know why replica wheels are considered acceptable by the masses tbh. If you wore ripoff designer clothes or fancy watch etc. you'd be ridiculed and rightly so.
 
Clarkey said:
I don't know why replica wheels are considered acceptable by the masses tbh. If you wore ripoff designer clothes or fancy watch etc. you'd be ridiculed and rightly so.
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I understand what you are saying but its not the same, you can buy clothes in ANY size and long as you buy the correct size they WILL fit.

Wheels are different, people want to choose a wheel design from other cars, the OEM maker never designed the wheel to make it work with other makers hub fitments so people are more than happy to accept replicas, plus wheels aren't seen as a designer good anyways.

Maxeh said:
Let me know the maker too Firestar, if they are good then I could be interested.
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Will do, won't be till next weekend now since my car is parked in a private underground carpark and the spaces are quite tight so can't really get down to have a look.
 
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