|
Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring.... |
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Buyers Guide for Replica BMW Wheels
When buying replica wheels, I make the following suggestions: 1. Take digi-pics of the condition of the boxes right where they are. 2. Take digi-pics of wheels immediately after taking them out of the boxes. Do this right where you have them,...FedEx facility/home,...it doesn't matter. Recommend digi-cam be set to record date/time. 3. Don't worry about a "test fit", if you have '02 and up X5, but kill the cat if you're curious. I'll add that my seller included a "warning note to do a test fit first and that if you mount tires on 'em - you bought 'em". 4. HAVE THE WHEELS SPUN ON A TIRE BALANCER BEFORE YOU MOUNT TIRES - TRUST ME!! Am I LOUD enough? You will thank yourself later. You may want to take a video-cam with you. Note any defects right away. I used NTB's tire chalk to mark the damaged area. 5. Find an installer that you trust, as you do not want a rookie working on this job. I had a 15-year veteran at NTB mount and balance mine. Make sure you ask the installer if they have machines that can mount tires w/o touching wheel. If they don't, I suggest you walk. 6. Try to get tires mounted where you can see the installers or if they will let you in the shop as they go about mounting your tires. Note that most shops will not allow you in the shop area, but as we all know, some will. Word to the wise, you're only in the shop as a courtesy, so don't be telling the installer how to go about his work,...remember this is someone you trust, Right! - ;-) Added value: I have Goodyear HP Plus tires (bought from Tirerack), size: 295/40X20, wheels: 4.6is Reps: 9.5F/10.5R, tire pressure: 33F/35R. I used the stock OEM lug nuts and OEM X5 wheel locks. Before you ask, Yes! There is definitely a staggered look even though the tires are the same size all-around. With that said, if all is ok, mount tires and enjoy your X's new character. JMDXX5 Weight Differences: There is quite a difference in wheel weight between OEM 20 inch rims and replicas. Here is the comparison (weights in kilograms) Front OEM : 12.5 kg Front Replica : 15 kg - a difference of 2.5kg, or 5.5 pounds more Rear OEM : 14.4 kg Rear Replica : 16 kg - a difference of 1.6kg, or 3.5 pounds more
Message: ...4.6is replica wheels are now mounted and installed! First things first: I followed JMDXX5's recommendations about buying replica wheels to a "T". For more info, see his post (link below). (Note: this post was so good and so useful it should be on X5World.net...thanks, JMD! You da MAN!) I purchased my tires from the Tire Rack. I went with Goodyear Eagle RS-A M+S-rated 295/40R-20s all the way around. These tires should be ideal for my driving style and the weather here in northcentral WV. We shall see. (Road test below.) Recommendations regarding Tire Rack are not needed...their reputation for service and quality is excellent. I went with wheels from O. E. Wheel Distributors (see eBay). The wheels JMD (and others) went with were from Highline Wheels, also dba on eBay. I believe they are very similar, but perhaps sourced from different manufacturers. Highline's shipping cost was $195 vs. $80 for OEWD. I could not justify the difference. I am pleased with the product. Are they 100% OEM quality? Quite honestly, ummmm... in a word, no. But they appear to be 90-95%. Here's why: Three of them had minor surface glitches that would have been unforgivable with OEM wheels or high-quality aftermarket wheels. However, for the <$900 cost (shipped), I can easily overlook the imperfections. Two wheels had minor scuffs in the paint on the edge of the rim that are now covered up by the tire. One wheel had a very small (<1/8") gouge on the outer rim that, too, is no longer visible now that the tires are mounted on them. I am a perfectionist, but I am also realistic about the fact that 90% of the time, perception is reality. If you can't see it, it doesn't exist. (On a related note, I bought replica AMG 5-spoke wheels for my '99 M-B ML430 from Discount Tire a few years ago and they were easily OEM quality, missing only the "AMG" stamping on the spoke to be the real deal.) My wheels were shipped in heavy cardboard boxes and were protected top and bottom with extra cardboard. They also had plastic rings and an elastic cover protecting the rim and wheel face. The boxes were a little beat up, but not too bad, and the wheels sustained no damage from shipping. Delivery time was 11 days from order date to driveway. I took pics of everything, boxes and blemishes, as per JMD's recommendations. I opened each box and visually inspected and photographed the three flaws with a digital camera. I took everything Monday evening, tires and wheels, to my most excellent tire guru, Jack, who should be NTB's Tireman of the Year. I asked him to pre-spin each unmounted wheel before mounting and make note of anything that seemed irregular. He called me early yesterday morning to tell me about the scuffs and to tell me they spun great. He held off on mounting them until he told me about the scuffs (great tire guy, like I was saying earlier). I told him I had pix and to go ahead and mount them all up. I went up last evening to get them installed. Jack had everything ready to go and told me everything spun smooth and true with only one wheel requiring any real weight. As my wife and I walked back to NTB and they had it sitting right in front, looking sooooo BAD! (Warning - Sexist opinionated remark ahead IMHO, adding 20" 4.6is style wheels to your X5 is like your wife/GF/SO going from a B-cup to a nice round D-cup...it enhances the look in just the right way and makes everything else look even better! I slipped Jack a twenty for treating us right and taking his time with the job. As I got ready to go inside to pay, he stopped me, thanked me for the tip, and then told me that there was no charge for the work! He told me that he and the manager spoke earlier and that they appreciated our regular business and the fact we send all our friends to him as well, so this one was on the house. Who says building business relationships is a thing of the past? Road test time. Initial observations: Nice ride, albeit somewhat softer (?) even with 38psi F/R. Odd...I expected to pay for the 20' look and performance by giving up some ride quality. This is most assuredly NOT the case. The Michelins seem to have a stiffer sidewall construction than the Goodyears, or perhaps a softer rubber compound since they are M+S rated. Handling is very similar to the 19" Michies. In standing water the Goodyears do not hydroplane at all, which was a concern for me going to the larger size all the way around. Very confident wet-weather composure, indeed. Another thing: I'm very sensitive to imbalanced wheels, and I gotta say that Jack hit this one on the money, too (he did the 19s a few months ago and they were perfect as well). They were baby-bottom smooth all the way up to "go directly to jail" speeds. Sorry for the length, but I know there is a certain amount of fear and loathing on this board when it comes to aftermarket replica wheels, especially the 4.6is knock-offs. I guess the point I wanted to make is that my experience has been (disclaimer: up to this point) a positive one and one I would do again. I had to work with a budget that precluded going with OEM wheels, but I wasn't ready to accept the fact that what I wanted couldn't be done for what I was willing to pay. Okay, I admit it, I am picky and value-conscious, but I'm not willing to compromise on what I really want. I think that what I got was worth what I paid, which I think is the definition of value. Hope this is of some use to others! Sorry for the length :-) Mike |
Sponsored Links | |
|
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
|