Replicas vs. OEM 20" 214's

[AUU 555]

Originally Posted by Nutinup

IMO, the replicas weight less for sure...gas milage should go up as well due to lighter wheel. I ordered the chrome 214 replicas and cant wait to scratch one and go buy another El Cheapo! I purchased mine from Blustarr (sp?).

100% agree

[TahoeM3]

I didnt actually weigh them, but my replica style 214 20's felt lighter to me than the stock 19 inch wheels.

[zizo72]

ok my front replica 214 is 40 lbs.!

[hangten808]

How do I tell if my style 168's are replica or OEM? is there any stamp or part number on the wheel to ID an OEM? Thanks in advance!

[MPowerFarmer]

Originally Posted by hangten808

How do I tell if my style 168's are replica or OEM? is there any stamp or part number on the wheel to ID an OEM? Thanks in advance!

same question but for 214s?

[z2g]

I think weight depends on whether the rims are cast or forged. Consider the cost of the stock rims, I would think they are forged. And, forged often means lighter. I am certain that the replicas are cast. You won't find forged rims for under $1k for a set of four.

[Penguin]

I would be worried about safety if I found replicas that weighted less than the OE rims in the same style.

It is highly unlikely that the replica rims are cast or forged better than the OE rims, and also unlikely that their basic alloy is as strong or carefully cast as the OE. So if they weight less than OE, I would question their strength -- usually replicas weigh more to compensate for lower quality materials and/or processes and provide similar strength to OE wheels.

[TYMSMNY]

Replica rims aren't any where close to the density or integrity of the originals. They were made to offer the same style but at a more affordable price. They've got to cut corners some where and make money!

[mavic1010]

OEM 214's weigh 38 lbs. Stock 19's (3.0si sport) weigh 28 lbs. Excluding tires of course.

[C's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by rh71

I carelessly scratched my right rear replicas on a curb during a tight parking lot turn this weekend and it hurts... but not as much as if it were OEMs... at least they don't cost as much to replace 1.

Anyway, wheelsandcaps.com is the place to go (they're on ebay too).

I've seen these wheels in person and I have the OEM one's and you can't tell the difference. They look great. If you're tight on cash, I would buy these in a heartbeat!