Replica Wheels
 

I am looking to switch out my 214's for a set of 337's. I have to say it's awfully tempting to save $5k and go for replicas.

I did do quite a bit of forum reading about reps, but I was hoping to hear from anybody who has had reps for at least a couple of years. What problems have you run across? What should I look for when buying reps? Would you get reps or OEM in the future?

Thanks for any feedback!

This should be interesting ...

Just bought Style 300 replicas, should be able to discuss about them in a few years, since I haven't received them yet.

Let's see what the others have to say about this.

I've had my reps for nearly 4 years and since the beginning they've given me problems with vibrations at high speeds. I just don't drive highways often enough to replace them. It's really a shot in the dark when you order them - some people have zero problems... my best advice is to make sure each and every one received is perfect in finish and spins perfectly round. Don't settle just because sending back and forth is a hassle.. you will regret it later. Saving $5k is obviously a huge incentive.

I've ben in the automotive industry for several years before, if I may, switching gears, and out-of-round wheels weren't uncommon on OEM wheels also.

Those wheels are manufactured by aftermarket suppliers, to molds owned by the car manufacturer (ex: the Style 214 are built by Ronal, several BMW wheels were built in the past by BBS).
The manufacturer needs to pay the least they can, and still provide acceptable durability to the wheels, but they don't manufacture them themselves.

Usually, OEM wheels are casted (poured thru a mold) instead of being forged.
2 types of casted wheels:
- Gravity molded (poured in the mold)
- Low pressured casted (removes more imprefection, let's put it that way).

Most of the OEM wheels on the automotive market today are gravity casted, which is the cheapest way of making a wheel, it's like making a cake, for lack of better explanation.

Forged wheel uses a solid aluminium block, which is then machined to specification. You have 1 piece forged, 2 pieces (center and rim made separately, then attached together), 3pieces, ...

When you buy an aftermarket wheel, it's recommended by the retailer to check them BEFORE mounting them, because it's possible to have an out-of-round on the massive amount of wheels they purchase.
That's what the automotive manufacturer does, so that's why we see less out-of-round wheels from them, they act as a good customer ;).

Buy a one piece forged wheel, its the strongest wheel that you can get.

Thanks for the post.

What do you mean by "OEM"? Ronal and BBS are the OEMs, correct??? But then you use OEM to refer to the actual wheel... should the OEM really just be 'non-OE' or "reps" or "cheap wheels"?

I am being slightly pedantic, but the whole OE/OEM/Aftermarket has become so confused that the term OEM is virtually useless.


A

What I meant is that Original Equipment from Manufacturer are made by aftermarket suppliers, who does from time to time, replicas wheels.

That's why it can be confusing, since the line's not as cleat as anyone would like.

I bought the 20" 215 Reps in Gunmetal about a year ago. I love them, no issues at all. Gone through a bunch of holes here in NYC and they've been solid. My experience has been great so far.

Strange...I always thought OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer. The people that make the OE parts, but then sell non-OE parts that are identical to the OE parts..these were called, as a shorthand. "OEM parts"

But sadly the term OEM can mean virtually anything.

They can be OE from the Manufacturer

They can be 'equivalent part from the manufacturer that made the OE part'

They can be 'aftermarket part made by a company that once made an OE part, so the company is an OEM and the part is- 'from an OEM'

They can be simply aftermarket- not OE, not even made by an OEM, (ie ebay specials)


I'm not quibbling with you- my point is to bring up to buyers that the label "OEM" means nothing due to they widely varying interpretations....

A

Do you mind sharing where you got them from ??

Sure. I got them from SD Brothers Tires in Escondido. Their eBay username is go_chargers! eBay My World - go_chargers!

Thank you !!

Can you tell us if it's common for tires themselves to be out-of-round and causing vibration issues at high speeds? Or is it most often the rims?

My thought is that since the tire is filled with air, any imperfections with the rubber are smoothed out anyway, so it's likely the rim, spinning the weight of itself unevenly.

Tires are rarely out-of-round, as a piece of rubber can adapt. Bur rubber can be unevenly distributed, resulting on vibration and impossibility to balance, as an out-of-round wheel may be.

On the tires, we say that they have a flat spot.
I've heard that improper storage may also damage a tire, but I've never see this personnaly.

And, for the last part on wheels, BMW doesn't manufacture wheels themselves, outside company makes them on molds exclusive to BMW.
Ronal makes the 214, so they'll never replicate them to sell them directly.
But BBS could make a replica of the 214, but wouldn't copy another model they already have a binding contract with BMW.

New issues here, also! You can put that money in the eliminate DAF kit. ;)

I have been looking at Reps too, I am having a hard time deciding. Mine need refinishing but refinishing would cost just about as much as buying replica's.

I was looking at the same wheels for my Black X5. I was also considering the X6 M wheels. Hard to decide I wish I could see them on the car.

http://image.trucktrend.com/f/173330...x6_m+wheel.jpg

Those X6 M wheels are nice. If you buy OEM, you have to have the rear wheel hubs bored out to fit on the X5 though.

Finally received my set from ModBargains yesterday.
:woohoo:
Went to the States to pick them up.
I'll install them tomorrow and could post picks, if you like.

That would be great :thumbup:

Out with the old, in with the new !

I've verified when removing the Rep Style 375, and 19" with 255-50R19 weight 60lbs.
New staggered weight 67 in front (275-40R20) and 72 in rear (315-35R20).
Not too much added unsprung weight, but the visual difference was worth it.
Too bad it's not as sunny as I'd have loved to take pictures...

Definitively needs the fender extender, as it looks "Pimp my Ride"ish (comment from my wife) without.
Just ordered them yesterday.
Will complete the look.

Are you going to get extended flares?

Of course !
As stated in my previous post, I've already ordered them and they're on their way.

Can't wait to install them, my wife hates the X5 now.
And I do find it soooo ugly right now.

I do hope that with the extended flares, it'll be nice again.
Starting to second guess my wheel purchase as we speak... :(

Once the extended flares are in, night and day. I had the same thoughts when I first got the wheels. They were "sooo ugly" because they protruded from the side of the car. Looked like a miniature version of a monster truck. Didn't even want to drive the car! There's a reason why there are separate fender flares for 20+ inch wheel applications.

Just proof that I went through EXACTLY the same thing....

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ns-please.html

They just don't do her justice! :(

Just went to the border to get my flares.
Got them for 309$ from BMW of Newton, free shipping.
Will be installing those right now.

I bought replica's as well that I am installing tomorrow when they arrive. I decided I didn't like the X5M wheels but really liked the 10th anniversary wheels. I have seen these on a black X5 before and they looked great. I wanted something with a more substantial look to them. I'll post pictures this weekend after they are mounted up.

20" Alloy Wheels For BMW E53 E70 X5 X6 3.0 4.5 4.8 is X drive Rims Set Of Four | eBay

Could you weigh them before the install? Just curious how heavy they are compared to OEMs...

Thanks so much for the order! I love the way they look! Its nice to be able to change them up! The X5M is always a good look, but we have been selling a lot of the X6M as of late!

Here is a shot from another customer of mine who just did the X6M Style on his X5M... :thumbup:

http://www.modbargains.com/images/Pr...-blue-x5-2.jpg

^ in the interests of accuracy... aren't those the X5/X6 "performance wheels" and not the X6M specifically? ShopBMWUSA.com: BMW Performance Wheel Style 375 Wheel and Tire Set

The style 300M 5-spokes from the previous page are the X6Ms.

And here are the X5M wheels.

I believe you are right. Im not sure why our supplier labels them as such..good catch! They still look good no matter what car they come on from the factory!

Yes, exactly.

Those 375m are the wheels that I used to have, and that I've removed.
Too much of an hassle to keep clean, and alwys felt covered with brake dust (smaller picture on my post, see page 2).

I now have the Style 300 wheels (bigger picture, or see top of page 3) and I've installed the fender flares.

WOW, what a difference !

When you hear that fender flares aren't required on a 20" or 21" set, well technically, it's true, but it's also ugly as hell.

Will post new pictures on the detailing section when the truck will have received a proper detailing job, next weekend.

And Diesel X5, I did order my set of style 300 machined / Hypersilver. Thanks for the tip, they do look more factory.

What do the OEM's weigh?

You wouldn't think the fender flares would make much of a difference, but once you see it with or without, it's a completely different look. More aggressive, and from the back or 3/4 view, quite a bit sportier.

My biggest regret is not getting the hypersilver (machined with black was a recommendation). Should've gone with my initial gut instinct. Not much I can do about it now. Thus my suggestion to you. Glad you like it!!

You should maybe look to have them repainted.
Not that expensive, look in your area.
If that makes you like the wheels, it's a good investment.

20s! :D

here are my 10th anniversary reps installed, they look very nice. Huge upgrade from the 214's.

Offset is right on too. 40ET front 35ET rear.

What a great thread. Subscribed.

-future 35d owner.

'08 4.8i with staggered style 87 replicas:

'10-X5-35d, curious what did you end up doing with your Style 375 wheels?

Sold them locally. :thumbup: