RE: Replica Wheels

[metsownyou]

Hey guys,

I think I will eventually change out my stock 17" wheels on my new 335i and was wondering if you guys have had experience with replica wheels. There is a local distributor here who has replica wheels and they are a fraction of the cost of the real deals.

What is your experience with them? Do they last? Tell me what you think!

Thanks

[mryakan]

Depends on which company makes them.

P.S. Please post in the Tire/Wheel section next time. Thread towed.

[metsownyou]

Oops sorry

[RenegadeE36]

So you just bought a $40,000 car and you can't invest $2,000 more for real wheels?

[mryakan]

So you just bought a $40,000 car and you can't invest $2,000 more for real wheels?
I never understood that argument. If a wheel does the job and looks nice, who cares who made it? And what does the price of a car have to do with the price of a wheel? Is there a written rule to say that you should not spend less than 5% of the price of a car on wheels?
Also getting replicas is not about price. Some wheel styles are not made anymore, so replicas are the only choice. Others are not available or won't fit other cars (e.g. M6 wheels on an e90), so replicas are the only option.
That being said, paying the dealer price of 3K for a set of wheels is beyond what most people are willing to spend on car mods. After shelling out 40K, your bank account is depleted and you probably want to save on mods. I could argue that 2K wheels are more affordable for people who payed just 6K for their cars.

[RenegadeE36]

You can't tell me Quality or Weight is anywhere close in a replica wheel.
I own reps, they weigh 26 pounds, I also have BBS RSs and they are only 15lbs. Saving 44lbs in unsprung weight is a huge difference. If you buy a twin turbo sports car why put cheap heavy wheels on it.

As far as price of car to price of wheels, why would it not make a difference. My car is worth $2,000, I was a poor college kid when I bought reps because they're cheap.
If I had the cash to buy a $40,000 car I would only assume I would still have some cash left over. If your bank account is down from buying the car, just wait to buy wheels.

[mryakan]

You can't tell me Quality or Weight is anywhere close in a replica wheel.
I own reps, they weigh 26 pounds, I also have BBS RSs and they are only 15lbs. Saving 44lbs in unsprung weight is a huge difference. If you buy a twin turbo sports car why put cheap heavy wheels on it.

As far as price of car to price of wheels, why would it not make a difference. My car is worth $2,000, I was a poor college kid when I bought reps because they're cheap.
If I had the cash to buy a $40,000 car I would only assume I would still have some cash left over. If your bank account is down from buying the car, just wait to buy wheels.
Not everyone cares about handling and thus unsprung weight. Most people buy wheels for looks. If performance was the main reason, you'd go with the smallest diameter wheel that clears the brakes, but rarely does anyone do that unless they are for the track.
Reality is, 4-5lbs extra per wheel for street use is not a big deal for most. If they can find something that looks nice and does not break the bank, why not! I am not saying one should buy cheap reps, but there are some quality reps out there that look nice, don't weight a lot and are a bargain.

[metsownyou]

How much do you think the stock 17" wheels weigh on the car now?

[GotBHP?]

You can't tell me Quality or Weight is anywhere close in a replica wheel.
I own reps, they weigh 26 pounds, I also have BBS RSs and they are only 15lbs. Saving 44lbs in unsprung weight is a huge difference. If you buy a twin turbo sports car why put cheap heavy wheels on it.

As far as price of car to price of wheels, why would it not make a difference. My car is worth $2,000, I was a poor college kid when I bought reps because they're cheap.
If I had the cash to buy a $40,000 car I would only assume I would still have some cash left over. If your bank account is down from buying the car, just wait to buy wheels.

Why do you assume he paid cash for the car?

Why buy a 3 series when you can get a Lotus that weighs >1500 lbs less if weight is such a concern of yours? Or even a motorcycle? It is his money, let him spend it in whatever way he chooses.

[smshirk]

Here is a good source for replica wheels. i haven't bought any BMW wheels but did buy a replacement Cup2 wheel for Porsche and it was better than decent, although not the same as OEM. It was made in Italy not China.

http://www.wheelsandcaps.com/catalog.asp?Make=BMW

[ChuckDizzle]

How much do you think the stock 17" wheels weigh on the car now?

I'm guessing the wheel itself is between 20-25lbs, then add the tire. Not to mention, BMW loves runflats and those weigh more than a conventional tire. I'd venture closer to 40lbs+ per wheel and tire.