Replica Rims (was: Which winter tires for a Bimmer?)

On a related note: ever purchased knock-off rims for your Bimmer?

The steel wheels that BMW offers aren't the prettiest (if only trim rings
were available; why *don't* they make trim rings in 16" and 17" sizes?),
and BMW's OEM alloys are so darn expensive, at least as a winter set.

In my surfing I've seen some knock-offs made by Replica Wheels and OE
Replica Wheels that look near identical at half the price. The
cost/appearance certainly makes them an attractive alternative, but are
they any good?

For example:

<http://www.1010tires.com/wheelsearch.asp?brand=yes&wheelbrand=OE+Replica>

Whatcha think, would you consider them?

Kevin

"Kevin Oberle" > wrote in message
7.142...
> On a related note: ever purchased knock-off rims for your Bimmer?
>
> The steel wheels that BMW offers aren't the prettiest (if only trim rings
> were available; why *don't* they make trim rings in 16" and 17" sizes?),
> and BMW's OEM alloys are so darn expensive, at least as a winter set.
>
> In my surfing I've seen some knock-offs made by Replica Wheels and OE
> Replica Wheels that look near identical at half the price. The
> cost/appearance certainly makes them an attractive alternative, but are
> they any good?
>
> For example:
>
> <http://www.1010tires.com/wheelsearch.asp?brand=yes&wheelbrand=OE+Replica>
>
> Whatcha think, would you consider them?


Yeah, I would definitely consider OEM replicas, but not at those prices.
There are many places that you can get the same rims at 1/2 that price.
Keep looking. Also, check out the prices for tire and wheel packages (with
alloy wheels) from tire rack.

-Fred W

> Whatcha think, would you consider them?
>
The website you posted sold 17", but I didn't see a 16" version. I
doubt that you would want to pay for 17-inch winter tires! Tire Rack
sells reasonably priced Borbet (German) wheels with their winter tire
packages, which are very good and I believe are cheaper than the
"replica wheels" you were looking at. I have the 16-inch set with
Blizzaks and they look/perform very well.

You might even be able to fit 15-inch wheels on your car, which would
be a great option as the tires are much cheaper and readily found on
eBay. My wife's Maxima has 17" summer rims, but I put 15" snows on in
the winter. Work fine and at $75/tire it amortizes to only about $75
per season of wear---cheap insurance and I don't mind if she or my son
wallops a curb!

Matthew

(maxima1) wrote in
om:
>
> I doubt that you would want to pay for 17-inch winter tires!

Unfortunately, I don't have any choice. My E46 330Ci came with 18" rims;
the smallest rims that will fit on it are 17", due to its large brake
calipers.

I actually have a 16" winter wheel package leftover from my previous car (a
325Ci) that I need to sell.

Thanks,

Kevin

"Kevin Oberle" > wrote in message
7.142...
> (maxima1) wrote in
> om:
>>
>> I doubt that you would want to pay for 17-inch winter tires!
>
> Unfortunately, I don't have any choice. My E46 330Ci came with 18" rims;
> the smallest rims that will fit on it are 17", due to its large brake
> calipers.
>
> I actually have a 16" winter wheel package leftover from my previous car
> (a
> 325Ci) that I need to sell.
>
> Thanks,
Kevin

Clearing the calipers is always the big problem. What replicas have going
for them is that properly designed ones will deal with the offset issue.
That's why it's impossible to get a generic set of plain old steel rims to
fit.

my dealer has used sets this time of year as well,
check with yours




"tech27" > wrote in message
o.verio.net...
>
> "Kevin Oberle" > wrote in message
> 7.142...
>> (maxima1) wrote in
>> om:
>>>
>>> I doubt that you would want to pay for 17-inch winter tires!
>>
>> Unfortunately, I don't have any choice. My E46 330Ci came with 18" rims;
>> the smallest rims that will fit on it are 17", due to its large brake
>> calipers.
>>
>> I actually have a 16" winter wheel package leftover from my previous car
>> (a
>> 325Ci) that I need to sell.
>>
>> Thanks,
> Kevin
>
> Clearing the calipers is always the big problem. What replicas have going
> for them is that properly designed ones will deal with the offset issue.
> That's why it's impossible to get a generic set of plain old steel rims to
> fit.
>
>

Winter Rims?

I have a complete set of 15 factory original rims that would be perfect for
a set of winter tires. I have Style 17 in the 15" diameter that includes a
set of Michelin tires. The Michelins aren't very good for winter, but they
are great for summer, so you could put winter tires on the rims you have,
and use mine for summer.

http://www.kalach.easynet.be/bmw_wheels.htm

Check this link, I have a complete set (5) of Style 17 that will fit any
E36.







"Kevin Oberle" > wrote in message
7.142...
> On a related note: ever purchased knock-off rims for your Bimmer?
>
> The steel wheels that BMW offers aren't the prettiest (if only trim rings
> were available; why *don't* they make trim rings in 16" and 17" sizes?),
> and BMW's OEM alloys are so darn expensive, at least as a winter set.
>
> In my surfing I've seen some knock-offs made by Replica Wheels and OE
> Replica Wheels that look near identical at half the price. The
> cost/appearance certainly makes them an attractive alternative, but are
> they any good?
>
> For example:
>
>
<http://www.1010tires.com/wheelsearch.asp?brand=yes&wheelbrand=OE+Replica>
>
> Whatcha think, would you consider them?
>
> Kevin

"Jeff Strickland" > wrote in message
...
> Winter Rims?
>
> I have a complete set of 15 factory original rims that would be perfect
> for
> a set of winter tires. I have Style 17 in the 15" diameter that includes a
> set of Michelin tires. The Michelins aren't very good for winter, but they
> are great for summer, so you could put winter tires on the rims you have,
> and use mine for summer.
>
> http://www.kalach.easynet.be/bmw_wheels.htm
>
> Check this link, I have a complete set (5) of Style 17 that will fit any
> E36.

I have similar OEM basket-weaves on my E34. I would not recommend them for
winter duty. They are just too dificult to get and keep clean.

Just curious, what size are the Michelins? How worn are they? I might be
interested (for my E36) if the price is right...

-Fred W

"Fred W." <Fred.Wills@'remove this to reply to' myrealbox.com> wrote in
message ...
>
> "Jeff Strickland" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Winter Rims?
>>
>> I have a complete set of 15 factory original rims that would be perfect
>> for
>> a set of winter tires. I have Style 17 in the 15" diameter that includes
>> a
>> set of Michelin tires. The Michelins aren't very good for winter, but
>> they
>> are great for summer, so you could put winter tires on the rims you have,
>> and use mine for summer.
>>
>> http://www.kalach.easynet.be/bmw_wheels.htm
>>
>> Check this link, I have a complete set (5) of Style 17 that will fit any
>> E36.
>
> I have similar OEM basket-weaves on my E34. I would not recommend them
> for winter duty. They are just too dificult to get and keep clean.
>
> Just curious, what size are the Michelins? How worn are they? I might be
> interested (for my E36) if the price is right...
>


Jeez Fred, I don't need help like that! Actually, I agree. My rims would be
much better for summer duty than for winter. I'm thinking that the buyer
will use the current rims for winter and use the rims they buy from me for
summer. On the other hand, it is very difficult to keep a car clean in
winter, and if one could simply keep the salt hosed off, these rims would be
fine.

I have 225/55 x 15 92V Pilot MXM They are in good shape with about half of
the tread life remaining. I found a set of 17" rims from a '95 M3, so I have
tires and rims to get rid of.

Thanks for the offer Jeff, but you may want to take Fred up on his offer.
My E46 needs minimum 17" rims to clear the brake calipers.

I've now ordered a set of Replica Wheels and Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2s. It
was difficult to decide which tires to buy, but seeing that Michelin
produces a version of the 225/45R17s specifically for BMWs swayed me in
that direction.

Kevin