Are there any markings to tell a genuine Double Spoke 2 from a replica?

[beady]

I was wondering if there was an easy way, casting marking perhaps, to tell a real DS2 from a replica? Hopefully going to look at a set after work and would like to be able to tell if they are real.

Also, was the width for '95 non-staggered DS2's 7 or 7.5 inches?

Thanks,

Mike

[BimmerM3inGA]

The genuine article has a recessed ring around the lugnut area, there is also the small recatangular "///M" emblem near the lugnuts - or if the emblem is missing, there should be an indention where it goes.

http://www.goinpostalperry.com/bmw/Real_M_Wheel.jpg
Pictures always help!

[RMStephenson]

They make DS-II replicas? I thought the ones shown above are the Lightweights...

[Flexia]

i think 95 is 7.5 and not sure what the part numbers are but they should be stamped on the wheel

[BimmerM3inGA]

Well, there are two styles called "Double Spoke". This is the other style. I'm not sure which is referred to as the "2" version, but I'm thinking it's the first one I posted (like on my car in my signature).

The Lightweight looks like the first image, but has "Motorsport" embossed in the flat area between the "ring" and the "base" of the spokes.

http://www.goinpostalperry.com/bmw/double_spoke.jpg
The other Double Spoke.

[beady]

Well, there are two styles called "Double Spoke". This is the other style. I'm not sure which is referred to as the "2" version, but I'm thinking it's the first one I posted.

The Lightweight looks like the first image, but has "Motorsport" embossed in the flat area between the "ring" and the "base" of the spokes.

http://www.goinpostalperry.com/bmw/double_spoke.jpg
The other Double Spoke.

These are the wheels that I am looking at hopefuly. I thought there were the Double Spoke II's, and the first pic you posted were the I's?

The guy said there were "real" and not replics, so I assumed there were replicas out there. Just wanted to know how to tell if they were real or not. Would the replicas not have the indention fro the M logo cast into them?

I see you have enough hits to post pics and have PM capabilities now.

I went back and compiled my list of suspension, etc, bushings I want to replace, and made a better spreadsheet. If I include new LCA's, ALL rear control arm bushings (not just RTAB's), bump stops, shock mounts, trans mounts, engine mounts, diff bushings, subframe bushings, etc it come out to about $1000, ouch. Going to have to decide how much of that I want to spend. I don't mind doing the labor, but there are other things I'd like to do to the car, and at some point it's past the point of diminishing returns, even on a free car.

Mike

[BimmerM3inGA]

Mike,

A replica may or may not have the indention for the logo, but the ring is a dead giveaway. If it's not there, it's a replica. There was a guy selling a set of "authentic" M Contour wheels on eBay a while back. Three of them were replicas, and he had no idea. So don't take the seller's word for it!

As I understand it, the wheels you are looking at are the "I" version of the Double Spoke design. The ones on my car are the "II" style.

Yup, I can finally post some pics. I've actually been a member for over a year, but didn't post all that much until now.

I know what you mean about all the work. Right now, my ///M needs about $2,000 worth of work (parts alone, not counting any labor that I can't do myself). Part of me wants to get something new that doesn't need anything, but I can't sell it knowing it needs work. So I'd have to do it anyway. And once I do it, I won't want to sell it!

[xplodee]

You guys are all wrong.

Double Spoke I:
http://www.bmwmregistry.com/faq/E36_M3_Early_Wheel.jpg

Double Spoke II:
http://www.goinpostalperry.com/bmw/double_spoke.jpg

The five spoke wheels are referred to as the 'lightweight' wheels because they came on the '95 lightweight. There are two versions of hte LTW's, the ones with the words MOTORSPORT cast into them, and the polished ones with the m sticker.

As for avoiding reproductions, I don't believe anyone ever copied the DSII wheels, but I will not claim that as fact.

[BimmerM3inGA]

So there you go! Thanks for the clarification!

[beady]

You guys are all wrong.

Double Spoke I:
http://www.bmwmregistry.com/faq/E36_M3_Early_Wheel.jpg

Double Spoke II:
http://www.goinpostalperry.com/bmw/double_spoke.jpg

The five spoke wheels are referred to as the 'lightweight' wheels because they came on the '95 lightweight. There are two versions of hte LTW's, the ones with the words MOTORSPORT cast into them, and the polished ones with the m sticker.

As for avoiding reproductions, I don't believe anyone ever copied the DSII wheels, but I will not claim that as fact.

All wrong, or all wrong but me? I said those were DS2's :-)

BimmerM3inGA, check your PM box please.

Mike

[beady]

Can anyone give me an estimate on what a set of 5 of these wheels, staggered, from a '99 M3 is worth? They should be in good shape I assume.

Thanks,

Mike

[BimmerM3inGA]

Hehe, Mike. Looks like you were right, and I was wrong. So, this is what it feels like to be wrong. I always wondered.... ;)

[kimsey]

DS I = Hotness:b_hot

[99E36M]

DS anything = PITA to clean!

[kimsey]

DS anything = PITA to clean!

Nah. I just take one of the kids out of my sweat shop for about an hour or so. It's neat how their little fingers fit inbetwwwn the spokes.:)

[xplodee]

I sold my stock set of DSII's in eh shape for 400 plus shipping. A great condition set could get closer to 700. They're very heavy wheels (24lbs) and hard to clean.

[jr1966]

You guys are all wrong.

Double Spoke I:
http://www.bmwmregistry.com/faq/E36_M3_Early_Wheel.jpg

Double Spoke II:
http://www.goinpostalperry.com/bmw/double_spoke.jpg

The five spoke wheels are referred to as the 'lightweight' wheels because they came on the '95 lightweight. There are two versions of hte LTW's, the ones with the words MOTORSPORT cast into them, and the polished ones with the m sticker.

As for avoiding reproductions, I don't believe anyone ever copied the DSII wheels, but I will not claim that as fact.

You got it right on the double-spokes. I have the first one in my 325i. These were found on the earlier E36 M3s. The DSIIs were on the later E36 M3s.

On the LTWs, the ones with the "MOTORSPORT" cast onto them are the forged ones, I believe.

[beady]

Thanks for the replies. I went and looked at one set yesterday, he wanted $500 for 5 wheels. 2 had almost new looking tires on them.

There were three 7.5's and two 8.5's. One of the 8.5's was ALL chewed up around 2/3's-3/4 of they circumference. Also, all the wheels had some rash and marks on them.

He wouldn't come down so I walked, and wasn't feeling like I was missing out on anything.

Mike

[Mad Dragon]

When in doubt, look on the inside of the wheel for a BMW part number.