Wrong wheel?

SamyBoy13

SamyBoy13

SamyBoy13

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Plymouth
Hi guys I recently 6 weeks ago brought a BMW F30 from a local BMW specialist, the experience was great and I'm happy with the car so far as I have spent some time to find one I was happy. However, as I was cleaning my wheels a week ago I realized that one of the wheels is a replica (different inner rim shape there is a gap whereas the original is solid, very hard to notice you really need to know what you're looking for) went back to the place I purchased the car from and they told me that this is a replica, which would have been straight when they replaced all the tires prior to the sale. They have reassured me that there is nothing to worry about?!

Hence my question can I take any action in this instance? As I have said you really need to look to see the difference and I'm only worried because I had replicas in the past & some can be very delicate, to say the least!

Many thanks

Sam
 
Theres nothing to worry about in terms of safety but now you know about it, would you technically have to tell the insurance company as its a modification from original spec?
 
Bear said:
Theres nothing to worry about in terms of safety but now you know about it, would you technically have to tell the insurance company as its a modification from original spec?
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No it's a wheel that looks like the other 3 - 95% of people wouldn't have even noticed.

Even if all 4 were replicas, could you be reasonably expected to know they weren't original? No, therefore I wouldn't be declaring them. (Same applies if a different style of OEM wheels were fitted)
 
Armageus said:
No it's a wheel that looks like the other 3 - 95% of people wouldn't have even noticed.

Even if all 4 were replicas, could you be reasonably expected to know they weren't original? No, therefore I wouldn't be declaring them. (Same applies if a different style of OEM wheels were fitted)
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Hence I said "now you know about it" would you technically have to tell the insurance as its been modified from standard. If you know about it and pretend you dont know because 95% wouldnt notice then thats different
 
I wouldn't be desperately worried if it's the same size/spec, though personally i'd prefer to replace it with a genuine one. I don't think you'll get very far with the dealership on this front, so I wouldn't expend much energy trying to 'take action'.

I wouldn't be particularly happy if it's a different size though, in terms of width or offset. In that circumstance i'd be complaining and expecting a properly matched wheel, preferably genuine.

Edit - as an example, 666M wheels are often copied - genuine ones are a 9" and 10" staggered setup, a lot of replicas are 8.5" and 9.5". I wouldn't one replica in that case, that's half an inch difference in width, even if the quality of them is ok.
 
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Bear said:
Hence I said "now you know about it" would you technically have to tell the insurance as its been modified from standard. If you know about it and pretend you dont know because 95% wouldnt notice then thats different
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I still wouldn't be declaring it
 
Bear said:
Hence I said "now you know about it" would you technically have to tell the insurance as its been modified from standard. If you know about it and pretend you dont know because 95% wouldnt notice then thats different
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No you technically wouldn't, load of rubbish, it's not a modification
 
Technically your supposed to seek expert advice in regards a car being modified if you are uncertain if it has been modified.
Its your requirement as the owner.

If the wheel is an OEM copy though then I would let it slide personally.
Although I would probably seek one out over time and replace it when for example getting a new tyre.
Its not a bad thing to have a spare rim in the garage anyway
 
If the car was expensive and bought approved used from a main dealer then it would annoy me and I would want it put right. If the car was bought from a non-main dealer then I would be annoyed at myself for not checking the car more thoroughly but would accept it's just part and parcel of buying a used car.
 
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Mercenary Keyboard Warrior said:
Technically your supposed to seek expert advice in regards a car being modified if you are uncertain if it has been modified.
Its your requirement as the owner.

If the wheel is an OEM copy though then I would let it slide personally.
Although I would probably seek one out over time and replace it when for example getting a new tyre.
Its not a bad thing to have a spare rim in the garage anyway
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The car has not been modified....

Its like saying if a fit a non oem oil filter, i tell my insurance company...??
 
Haze said:
The car has not been modified....

Its like saying if a fit a non oem oil filter, i tell my insurance company...??
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No you are talking rubbish, its nothing like an oil filter as insurance companies dont list things like oil filters as declarable items. Changing alloy wheels is a modification. If you changed all 4 wheels to a replica brand, you would have to declare it

From Aviva "If your vehicle's alloy wheels were fitted by the manufacturer, they'll be covered and you don't need to tell us about them on your insurance policy. If the alloy wheels were not fitted by the manufacturer, but were fitted later, you must tell us about them on your insurance policy."

Hence I said "now you know about it" would you technically have to tell the insurance as its been modified from standard. If you know about it and pretend you dont know because 95% wouldnt notice then thats different.

I was asking the question about the technical standpoint from an insurance point of view. Personally if it was me, I would buy a second hand original wheel and replace the replica, many others wont care and carry on as normal
 
It is a like for like replacement, it has not changed the appearance of the car, or the bhp of the car, or increased it's value.... It does not need to be declared
 
Haze said:
It is a like for like replacement, it has not changed the appearance of the car, or the bhp of the car, or increased it's value.... It does not need to be declared
Click to expand...
An actual insurance company appear to disagree with you. A replica has not been fitted by the manufacturer.
 
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