Man you guys have got to be careful. The rim business is big business. I have been saying all along that replicas and OEM's at too good to be true prices are a scam. I really hope you get your money back from the seller. Sometimes it's worth the cash to deal with the stealer IMO.........Phil

ttt

I just checked out my stock Style 87's that came with my '03 4.6. On the face of the rim, it has BMW stamped near the center cap. On the inside of the rim, each spoke has different numbers and such and it says Made in Italy on one of the spokes. I looked at a front and a rear. They were both the same thing. I replaced my stock 20's with chrome replicas and they are fine. Only problem is I paid $1500 for them. I would say get some money back or send the rims back for a full refund.

Usually most BMW replics are made in Italy and have BWM stamped instead of BMW. Maybe they wanted to say Design as BMW. :D

I have heard that some have BMW stamped on the front. I was also told that some of the chromers sand off these marknigs on the front. :dunno:

However, that "Design By Germany" just does not sound like BMW and the dealer does not think so either....

very frustrating. I mean I paid $2400 for OEM BMW 87 rims. I obviously want to be 100% sure I got what I paid for. The dealer and so far everyone here seems to believe I got some replicas.

I would still like to hear from some more 87 rims owners :) I know you are out there!!!!

Here are pics of my Style 87, 18" replicas when I opened the box.
http://s113117221.onlinehome.us/Imag...lica18-box.JPG
http://s113117221.onlinehome.us/Images/replica18a.jpg

thanks for the pics so far.

I just weighed them both.

Front came in approx 16.5 KG
Rear came in approx 17.5 KG

---------------------------------------
And I compare to these weights given in the article section here:

"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"


So my rims are apporx 4 KG heavier in the front. About 8# more
and the rears are appox 3.1KG heavier. About 6.82#more

I do not think the increase in weight could be soley attributed to the chrome/copper. There is just not 4kg or 8# of those metals on each rear, nor 3.1kg or almost 7# more on the fronts. That would come to about about KG or 30# of added chrome/copper :wow: Sure they are 20" rims, but 25% increase in weight on the rears from chrome?? Hmmmmm I have heard that typically chrome plating adds about 2# to any given rim.


I am going to take these rims to another dealer in Chicago and let them have a look as well.

So far the communication between the seller and myself are good. I feel bad for him b/c right now I am thinking he may have unintentionally sold my a set of rims that are not OEM.


also the "Design By Germany" grammatical error is just blaring at me. To me it just screams "I am not OEM." :D

but I am still gathering info.............

Replica rims have an UNMISTAKABLE pitting complex after about 6 months. Also, Im not sure if its a universal thing, but I think BMW rims have a smooth rear surface, not a rough or serrated one.

But the pitting, that F(&$IN pitting, is what gives it away. Hence the "great" prices,.,.,.

:D bump for more OEM 87 rim owners.

Intel55, I think you are spinning your wheels on this. Those rims are not the real deal. If you truely want to keep them, ask the seller to refund some of your money. I've seen replicas for as low as 900.00. If you are still thinking that they are OEM, they're :tsk: not. I've looked at the inside of my rims and as previously posted, you can tell the real deal from a copy. I've had many wheels and other items chromed on my cars and bikes, even with a triple plated wheel, you can't add that much weight.......Phil