I want to freshen up replica style 37 wheels...buy new painted replicas or powder coa

[1999750il]

Hi all,

I am looking to freshen up the look of my 99 750il by getting the replica m parallel style 37 wheels either repainted or powder coated OR should I buy a new replica style 37 set on Ebay for $1300??
They are 18 inch by 8 inch width and the inside of the spoke is stamped with "GERMANY" but not BMW so I dont believe they are original BMW.
I have done some research and I believe that all new replicas are cast painted wheels with a poly top coat. I believe the original BMW style 37 wheels have a polished lip with a painted face/spokes?
My research also found that while powder coating is more durable than painted....new replicas only come painted & not coated....has anyone replaced there wheels and experienced issues with either?
Reviews also show that painted wheels take more washing/care than powder coating and they have a shorter life before corrosion ruins them.

Thanks for your time & suggestions.

[CPHES]

This is a dupe? Mods - can we merge? But reps are all cast - OE are forged. Reps bend. OE crack. OE part #s are engraved in.

[luauboy]

Hi all,

I am looking to freshen up the look of my 99 750il by getting the replica m parallel style 37 wheels either repainted or powder coated OR should I buy a new replica style 37 set on Ebay for $1300??
They are 18 inch by 8 inch width and the inside of the spoke is stamped with "GERMANY" but not BMW so I dont believe they are original BMW.
I have done some research and I believe that all new replicas are cast painted wheels with a poly top coat. I believe the original BMW style 37 wheels have a polished lip with a painted face/spokes?
My research also found that while powder coating is more durable than painted....new replicas only come painted & not coated....has anyone replaced there wheels and experienced issues with either?
Reviews also show that painted wheels take more washing/care than powder coating and they have a shorter life before corrosion ruins them.

Thanks for your time & suggestions.

You don’t want cast wheels - you want forged wheels


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[1999750il]

Hi CPHES/LUAUBOY,

thanks for the reply. I certainly rather have a forged wheel over a cast one but from my research....the style 37 wheels are all cast...even the OE BMW wheels.
I believe the OE forged wheels came on later style wheels on certain models
Please let me know if Im wrong.

[CPHES]

You are wrong. I have a set of OE style 37. The part #s are engraved on the backside of the spokes. OE are anodized / painted centers. Do you have a set now ( OE or rep ? ). I have a set of OE, and a set of reps ( cast - marked as made by Fond Metal in Italy ). Forged wheels are lighter and stronger.

- - - Updated - - -

Also, most of the later reps are not made in any European country. I would be careful of any new reps out there now.

[1999750il]

Hi CPHES....thanks for the information. Im even more confused now..lol
I have a set of what I believe are replicas based on the stampings on the back of spokes. States Germany but no other indication of being genuine BMW. Also I cant tell if the lips/face is anodized/polished. I found a seller of new replicas..and claims all replicas are coming from China or Taiwan.wheel1.jpgwheel3.jpgwheel5.jpgwheel2.jpg

[purplecty]

Just get some used factory ones. They look so much better!

[CPHES]

Yes - those are reps. Not sure who made them. My reps say Fond Metal - Italy. I got them back in 2011 from a longtime e31 guy. He bought real ones to upgrade. All Forged rims - BMW or otherwise have info engraved / etched in. It is not cast, so they can’t be like your pics. You could rattle can those a solid silver - do good prep work, and they could come out nice.

[luauboy]

You are wrong. I have a set of OE style 37. The part #s are engraved on the backside of the spokes. OE are anodized / painted centers. Do you have a set now ( OE or rep ? ). I have a set of OE, and a set of reps ( cast - marked as made by Fond Metal in Italy ). Forged wheels are lighter and stronger.

- - - Updated - - -

Also, most of the later reps are not made in any European country. I would be careful of any new reps out there now.

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[1999750il]

hi guys..i appreciate your advice but having no luck finding OEM style 37s for less than 2000...The NEW replica sets are from either China or Taiwan...are you suggesting to stay away from replicas made outside of Europe?

[TheAngryBear]

What condition are you looking at? 2k seems like mint or at least near/refurbished.
If you are willing to either do it or have it done, there are sets for less (or should be). So depending on what the costs are…
Worse comes to worse, drop me a line. I’ve got an OEM set that needs refinishing (and a small crack repair) that I haven’t gotten around to.


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[luauboy]

hi guys..i appreciate your advice but having no luck finding OEM style 37s for less than 2000...The NEW replica sets are from either China or Taiwan...are you suggesting to stay away from replicas made outside of Europe?

It isn’t where they are made that matters - it’s whether they’re forged or cast wheels ..


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[1999750il]

Hi Luaubo......Thanks for the advice. I have been online looking at reviews of the cast aftermarket wheels and there are alot of mixed reviews of their durability..some state that their aftermarket wheels showed discoloration/peeling after a few years while others claim they never had issues. Used OEM BMW wheels are selling above $2000 while the new replicas are in the $1300 range. I need to find a reputable manufacture of replica wheels that others have used & have experience with....its just not that easy to find though.
Not looking to spend $2-3K on a set of wheels/tires.
thanks again for the help

[luauboy]

Hi Luaubo......Thanks for the advice. I have been online looking at reviews of the cast aftermarket wheels and there are alot of mixed reviews of their durability..some state that their aftermarket wheels showed discoloration/peeling after a few years while others claim they never had issues. Used OEM BMW wheels are selling above $2000 while the new replicas are in the $1300 range. I need to find a reputable manufacture of replica wheels that others have used & have experience with....its just not that easy to find though.
Not looking to spend $2-3K on a set of wheels/tires.
thanks again for the help

As is the case - you get what you pay for … i wish you luck in your search … restoring these old BMWs isn’t for the faint of heart - or those who are light in the pocket … cast wheels will not take a lot of punishment .. such as pot holes or road debris - they will inevitably bend - or worse - crack … so it’s not just the $$ - it’s safety … if it’s just you in the car - then at least you’re not putting others at risk …I would NOT be afraid to pick up some ‘scrap’ rims that need rework - such as straightening and refinish - a full set of 4 might set you back at extra
$700+ over the price you pay for the scrap rims …


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[Btkeenan]

I see pretty frequently staggered sets of oem m parallels at the local pick your part for cheap or on craigslist/fb marketplace in ok condition for around 1k so I would start there for a better deal. They had a new set on ecstuning for a while of staggered for around 2500 but those are now discontinued.

Keep in mind also that eBay charges 13% which usually inflates the prices of the parts for sale.

[clarkitect]

I would buy a set like these:
https://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/wt...760634093.html

If you look at the pictures you can see the numbers stamped in the back of the wheels which indicates they are OEM forged. Seems to me you can get them for a lot less than $1000. I had a mint set for sale forever before I finally sold them for $500.

[kurva]

I would buy a set like these:
https://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/wt...760634093.html

If you look at the pictures you can see the numbers stamped in the back of the wheels which indicates they are OEM forged. Seems to me you can get them for a lot less than $1000. I had a mint set for sale forever before I finally sold them for $500.

1k is not too crazy if nice, price is up on bmw rims, including m pars. very desirable.

[CPHES]

That is an ok deal. A bit of elbow grease should make them nice