Replica vs Original Rims: Any real difference?

[peckchoonheng]

After searching for the original rims online, I realize that the whole world is selling replica rims. If the replicas are inferior in performance and safety, why is there such a huge market for these? If these are really inferior, in which aspects are these poorer compared to the original?

 

[bmw7833]

I wish to know too..

 

[Jerman]

After searching for the original rims online, I realize that the whole world is selling replica rims. If the replicas are inferior in performance and safety, why is there such a huge market for these?

If these are really inferior, in which aspects are these poorer compared to the original?

I was at this shop and was shown a 18" rim ie. the replica vs original. The weight is the key factor! Ori is lighter. Not able to comment on the other aspects such as quality, durability, safety & realibility!

 

[peckchoonheng]

Now I'm going for bigger wheels and wider tyres (maybe 275/35) wonder if this has reached a point where the difference between the replica and original starts to show.

 

[Mont-o]

Replica rim hard to do balancing....vibration. Most of them. Original rim build is solid, precise and quality. Go for original bro.:top:

 

[anaksarawak]

few months ago, when I was in a huge search for cheap 17" rims. I have tried a few replicas and as per what Mont-o said.. it is hard to balance and make your brake not smooth also.

The weight is the same as my ori 15"rim, yeah the replicas is almost the same only 200g heavier incl tyres.

 

[KL2DC]

Keep in mind that within replicas there are varying degrees of quality so its not representative to group all replicas together. Some even meet all international standards including TUV.

I've seen some very high quality,light and strong replicas most notably Velocity Motoring CSL replicas. A lot of folks swear by them.

I personally do not have a problem with replicas.

 

[reedoor]

basically, weight is the main issue. quality & finishing might b different as originals might use more complicated design to make it hard to copy. & replicas normally jus copy the overall look but not all, for example, original forged bronze TE37 is with polished lips & textured spokes surfaces but replicas do not do this as the cost of the mould itself for those finishing is very high, & definitely, the replicas cannot compare weight with the originals.
Original EVO regamaster is having a curb at de side of their spokes while replicas wont hav. cos its expensive to hav "sliders" at such a big mould.

quality wise, definitely the originals r better, but i do admit tat nowadays some taiwan products r giving some quite good quality.

but for me, if my pocket allows, i wudnt go for replicas.

 

[chriseunos]

The master of wheels have spoken!

 

[syahruln]

My fake breyton magic on my e23 with hubring balances better than my ori proton rim on my LE, so no issues for me on the balancing, on-wheel or off-wheel. Only problem is that it isn't as wide as the ori breyton. Quality isn't that much worse either since I've managed to get my tank into many potholes in KL and JB and they still ride smoothly... at 80, 120, 160, you name it.

 

[KL2DC]

Yeah if you're not gonna track it, a high-grade, lightweight, certified replica should do the trick...at least you don't have to worry about it constantly driving around town. Don't forget the wheels are vulnerable to all manners of debris and hazards.

My freakin CHs already have chips, rashes (farkin carwash) etc

 

[guru]

i noticed the diff in the quality of the finishing..at a glance most reps look the same as oris , but the paint and chrome got diff.
i suppose there are really good reps around, only too few and far between..especially here in malaysia where everyone 'boleh'.. to be honest almost all the wheel shops just want a high return and couldn't care less about quality or safety

 

[reedoor]

basically wat we see here in malaysia, those taiwan rims are actually kinda not bad. wat i can see from these taiwan products are... they r improving... but not till the standard like VR, WORK, SSR, BR, etc tat goes more into quality & manufacturing method.
& yea, 1 tat i hav missed out is tat, if not mistaken, until now i still dont see any taiwan manufacturer comes out with any 2pc or 3pc design. all we can see here are those fake 2pc design with screws around the wheel, for example: BBS LM.

our local brands are JRD (which provide rims for protons, i think they sucks) & BSA (went to their factory at kajang b4 with my gf (my gf did a proposal for them) & chat with the factory manager, they did some quite nice rim designs & export to US). their quality wise, i think BSA is much better, but i do see some of the wheels usually in not good condition on nearly every car i saw fitting this brand, especially chrome color peal off. i hope we wud hav some good local wheel product someday.

cheers...

 

[peckchoonheng]

Can someone name some more of the respectable replicas?

 

[Blue Coupe]

I am also looking to change my rims... I saw a M5 18" selling at 2,500.. I think the originals are 3 to 4 times higher right? as some of you mentioned about higher quality replicas, do you know where can I look at them.. anyway does anyone wants a 16" original 318ci rims... year 2004

 

[reedoor]

blue coupe, ur actually looking for rims for 3 series or 5 series? or is ur E90? wats ur budget on rim+tyre?

 

[aramis]

blue coupe, ur actually looking for rims for 3 series or 5 series? or is ur E90? wats ur budget on rim+tyre?

why huh? you can help to source for rims? if so, please let me know. I am looking for a set of 18"x8.5 for E46.

 

[bmw7833]

blue coupe, ur actually looking for rims for 3 series or 5 series? or is ur E90? wats ur budget on rim+tyre?

I am oso looking for e39 original 17"/18" rim..

 

[reedoor]

aramis,
i hav a set of 18" 3pc ACT for E36, i added spacer to fit in my car. 8JJ with +37 offset all around. gold in center color, chrome lip at de side. check out my post at chasis & wheels.

bmw7833,
there's a set of original AC type 2 for 5 series lying on my fren's shop. 17in if not mistaken, rim in good condition, but tyre not suitable for our road, snow tyre. asking rm2xxx for rim only. i think they do hav other 5 series wheels. i'll check out for u.

 

[TomJB]

Allow me to give me 2cents here...

Actually I am doing rep rims here in my factory... I am... Er... Can say a sub-con of a Taiwan brand...

For my opinion... Rep also being class into diff. category... Such as Korean stuff for branded stuff like LV too have A class, AA class, AAA class and such...

So if you are going for rep... Go for a recognised rep... Rep done by such as company with ISO cetified and with a real R&D dept. to back up with...

Comp like my mother company, sorry... We only copy the looks of the ori and not the quality of the ori... So I guess everyone knows and understand what I am saying here...

Ori done it with one whole piece... We? We did it with plastering it togather... I don't wish to go in more details here as I believe I should not reveal more... HaHa...

Go for only reps done by recognised company...

My 2cents!