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Unbranded Chinese replica wheels

Alloy wheels and tyre discussion
Pondrew
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Unbranded Chinese replica wheels

Post by Pondrew » Thu Nov 03, 2022 9:48 pm

Has anyone bought a set of BMW 'knock off' unbranded replica wheels? The ones that every man and his dog are selling on the 'Bay.
If so, any good?
With the cost of OEMs being £4,000 a set, I'm really tempted by the £200 a corner reps but worry about the strength.
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.

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Unbranded Chinese replica wheels

Post by craig3.2 » Fri Nov 04, 2022 12:02 am

Pondrew wrote: Thu Nov 03, 2022 9:48 pm Has anyone bought a set of BMW 'knock off' unbranded replica wheels? The ones that every man and his dog are selling on the 'Bay.
If so, any good?
With the cost of OEMs being £4,000 a set, I'm really tempted by the £200 a corner reps but worry about the strength.
I was thinking the same,if the strength is there?
I wouldn't want them on my z, rather buy a known aftermarket brand instead (if not buying BMW o.e) :thumbsup:
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Unbranded Chinese replica wheels

Post by smorris_12 » Fri Nov 04, 2022 12:32 am

There's been rep wheels produced for 25 years. Are they worse than ever they were? I had a set of E36 M3 knock offs many years ago and they were fine.

No idea what they're like these days but considering that various BMW wheels aren't well regarded for longevity, I don't think I'd be worried as long as they went thru balancing without a tonne of lead attached to them.
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Unbranded Chinese replica wheels

Post by Pondrew » Fri Nov 04, 2022 10:31 am

smorris_12 wrote: Fri Nov 04, 2022 12:32 am No idea what they're like these days but considering that various BMW wheels aren't well regarded for longevity, I don't think I'd be worried as long as they went thru balancing without a tonne of lead attached to them.
That's my thinking. So many "BMW" wheels are terrible quality, I don't see any advantage in spending the extra thousands. BMW don't make wheels anyway, they are all out-sourced.

I have been doing quite a bit of research. It looks like CM Wheels own several 'brands' of wheels. I presume they import Chinese unbranded wheels, then market them as 'branded'. It's the perceived quality and obviously higher price that I am wary of. Difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff nowadays.

It worked for Alan Sugar and the like, so why not?
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.

F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!

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Unbranded Chinese replica wheels

Post by buzyg » Fri Nov 04, 2022 11:50 am

Buy British and support the empire, that"s what I say. God save the queen. :D :wink:
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Unbranded Chinese replica wheels

Post by mr.tourette » Fri Nov 04, 2022 11:59 am

Veemans are great quality and usually reasonably priced :thumbsup:
if its got tits or tyres..its trouble :D

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Unbranded Chinese replica wheels

Post by bigwinn » Fri Nov 04, 2022 12:03 pm

Was just going to echo the sentiments that I’ve had several new BMWs with wheels made of cheese

Apparently it’s our roads that are the problem according to bmw
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Unbranded Chinese replica wheels

Post by Pondrew » Fri Nov 04, 2022 12:52 pm

mr.tourette wrote: Fri Nov 04, 2022 11:59 am Veemans are great quality and usually reasonably priced :thumbsup:
I just can't find any Veeman's I like. I've looked at EVERYTHING (below a certain price) and still keep coming back to the BMW style replicas.
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.

F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!

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Unbranded Chinese replica wheels

Post by Pondrew » Fri Nov 04, 2022 12:54 pm

bigwinn wrote: Fri Nov 04, 2022 12:03 pm Was just going to echo the sentiments that I’ve had several new BMWs with wheels made of cheese

Apparently it’s our roads that are the problem according to bmw
So surely it makes sense to buy cheap wheels that break, rather than expensive ones that break, no?
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.

F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!

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Unbranded Chinese replica wheels

Post by bigwinn » Fri Nov 04, 2022 1:08 pm

Pondrew wrote: Fri Nov 04, 2022 12:54 pm
bigwinn wrote: Fri Nov 04, 2022 12:03 pm Was just going to echo the sentiments that I’ve had several new BMWs with wheels made of cheese

Apparently it’s our roads that are the problem according to bmw
So surely it makes sense to buy cheap wheels that break, rather than expensive ones that break, no?

Agreed
If the forum helped you, why not help the forum back. Thats the Z4 way! :thumbsup:

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Unbranded Chinese replica wheels

Post by IRD » Fri Nov 04, 2022 5:31 pm

I bought some Atomic CSL replicas from BM Autosport for not much more than £600 earlier in the year. I am pleased with the finish on them and so far have had no problems. I found BM Autosport helpful and good to deal with.
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Unbranded Chinese replica wheels

Post by Pondrew » Fri Nov 04, 2022 5:49 pm

IRD wrote: Fri Nov 04, 2022 5:31 pm I bought some Atomic CSL replicas from BM Autosport for not much more than £600 earlier in the year. I am pleased with the finish on them and so far have had no problems. I found BM Autosport helpful and good to deal with.
Very shiny there, Sir! :thumbsup:
I have looked at BM Autosport but they don't have anything that really floats my boat. Same with CM wheels, they used to sell the wheels I want but not anymore. Only people selling through eBay have them, which also makes me a bit dubious.
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.

F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!

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Unbranded Chinese replica wheels

Post by B21 » Fri Nov 04, 2022 6:03 pm

When I was involved in sourcing parts / placing manufacturing in China there was for most products at least 3 levels of what appeared to be the same product….a version that was on par with something you would expect to see from Germany / Japan… a middle level analogous to a rust belt built product and a third version that was not expected to be used frequently and/or to an exacting level..

The problem with an eBay type purchase you don’t know whether you are getting a level 2 or level 3 product…

Having said that the technology behind wheels is not particularly revolutionary and s long as they err on the side of more metal then they are probably ok…

Personally hammering around a bumpy corner with potholes at high speed in a no name product doesn’t fill me with joy…
We choose to go to on with this endeavour at this time and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard..

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Unbranded Chinese replica wheels

Post by enuff_zed » Fri Nov 04, 2022 6:23 pm

B21 wrote: Fri Nov 04, 2022 6:03 pm the technology behind wheels is not particularly revolutionary
Surely revolutionary is the one thing they all have to be? :poke: :D
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Unbranded Chinese replica wheels

Post by Pondrew » Fri Nov 04, 2022 6:28 pm

B21 wrote: Fri Nov 04, 2022 6:03 pm Personally hammering around a bumpy corner with potholes at high speed in a no name product doesn’t fill me with joy…
Me neither, Peter, especially as I'm looking at 20" with lower profile tyres. And there in lies my quandary. BUT are the 'so-called' branded items with brand names no-one has ever heard of any better?

Another side problem I am having is finding matching front and rear tyres of the sizes I need. 235/35/20 and 275/30/20. I have found only PS4S come in both those sizes so far. And the cost is over £1,100 for the 4!! :o
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.

F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!

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