RIMS: OEM versus REPLICA

[harry]

Apart from the price difference - what's the general consensus or experience here? I've never had reps so can't comment and luckily avoided the soft OEM ones on the RS4 so don't have much to report. Lo siento.

Mind you having said that did have 19" MTM Bimoto and due to their size and weight are perhaps more susceptible to bending. IIRC anything over 15" is pushing the perameters of physics with regards rim strength.

OMG not being funny but I've gone OT already

[HardTimes]

I've never really been a fan of replicas (due to a set warping on me quite quickly)... although saying that my old M3 had them on (Didn't realise) and they were fine for a good 2 years until I sold it.

I guess it all depends on who is making them?

[andy1234]

Had a set of AC Schnitzer reps before now and they were spot on! Before that had a set of OZ volcanos that warped the second they went on the road.As above its just the luck of the draw whos making them (although i was very suprised at OZs buckling so easy).

[HardTimes]

I've found a local dealer who have 19" RS4 Double Arm replicas in stock... they're made in Italy and come with 12 months warranty. Any ideas who could be the makers?

[dummi]

i've only had one set of reps and they were soft but lasted 2.5 years of abuse, i do prefer the feel and confidence a purpose built wheel gives much more and i wont be buying reps again just really for the sloppy feel they gave..

[simple1]

Bi-moto wheels have a nasty habit of bending from the centre through the spokes, not the usual deformation around the rim, making them vertually impossible to roll flat again, have bent a few over the last years, but not as many as the original wheels, (27 in 6 months and that was not the record)
Nothing wrong with replica wheels in general, although I would say the finish never seems to last as long as the real thing. If you are going to run 30/35 profile tyres you stand a good chance of bending them regardless of maker. Case of you pays your money etc.........

[HardTimes]

Yeah, it leads me back to thinking I should just bite the bullet and go for OEM wheels although that wont be an option unless I find some at a decent price... £800 per corner doesn't bare thinking about! In my research on the net and after speaking to a few people, there seems to be a consensus that Audi source their wheels from Italy and my local dealer state his are made in the same factory (not Asia) and the only difference is the Audi stamp... I'm a little sceptical about this as you can imagine!

[harry]

Yeh sounds like sales chat to me.

Try this

sales@pwmotorsport.com

Mind you I don't suppose gettin yer hands on a set of second hand OEM rims will be tooooo much trouble in Liverpool

[simple1]

You should be able to pick up a set amongst the users here........... I paid £750 for a full set of brand new hard RS4 rims on the site........ try posting in the wanted/for sale section

[HardTimes]

You should be able to pick up a set amongst the users here........... I paid £750 for a full set of brand new hard RS4 rims on the site........ try posting in the wanted/for sale section

I have

Did you pay £750 for the new double arm alloys? This is what I'm after

[HardTimes]

Yeh sounds like sales chat to me.

Try this

sales@pwmotorsport.com

Mind you I don't suppose gettin yer hands on a set of second hand OEM rims will be tooooo much trouble in Liverpool

Just seen your reply!

I'm a respectable citizen thank you very much!

BTW: Who is the email address for... looks like some sort of holding site

[harry]

Not sayin you ain't mate and no offence but we all now a man who knows a man if you get my drift...

[simple1]

Sorry, no wheels were for B5 RS not the current double spokes..........

[HardTimes]

Sorry, no wheels were for B5 RS not the current double spokes..........

Ahh no worries mate... thanks

Do you think if I track these down at a decent price other people will be interested?

It might be my only bargaining tool... multiple orders!

[harry]

An Audi/VW tuner/enthusiast. Worth dropping him a line and seeing what he can do. Others on here have used him an can vouch for his services

HTH