[fatfrog]

Hello all,

I'm looking to change my 18" wheels with RFT's to some 19" wheels with non RFT's. How do these cheaper aftermarket wheels that are being sold by vendors here and on ebay stand up to the rigours of driving on UK roads ?

I initially thought that I'd try to source some 19" 220M's since they are forged and try to make them work on an E91 with the required arch mods but then came across these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/19-BBS-LM-...item19d1cc9d6f

I assume the above will fit quite nicely on an E91 but will they bend/crack/fall apart after a few thousand miles ?

Cheers.

[DuckySpud]

I'd say first of all, go to somebody like CM Wheels or BM Auto sport. They have a good reputation and you know you're dealing with nice helpful guys

I got my wheels from CM Wheels, had them on for around 5k miles now and holding up fine. No problems at all with them other than there a pain to keep clean haha (I went for BBS LM reps).

[verysideways]

Generally speaking the quality of wheels you get from places like CM and BM Autosport means you're getting the look for a price, they may just be a little heavier than the BBS/BMW/etc. equivalents.

But then a set of wheels for £600 versus a set of £2000, you can't complain too much!

[Kerr]

Are the wheels supplied from CM and BM really different brands?

It would be an expensive job to tool up to make replica wheels and I wonder how many people are actually doing it.

[Danny.B.]

Originally Posted by DuckySpud

I'd say first of all, go to somebody like CM Wheels or BM Auto sport. They have a good reputation and you know you're dealing with nice helpful guys

I got my wheels from CM Wheels, had them on for around 5k miles now and holding up fine. No problems at all with them other than there a pain to keep clean haha (I went for BBS LM reps).

Im on the verge of doing the same! How have the wheels kept? Is the chrome still looking good? No lacquer peeling anywhere etc?

[Tak1986]

I got my set of winters from mark @ bm autosport, they are pretty well and no issues so far since fitted in November.

PM Chris @ cm wheels here or contact mark @ bm autosport, they should be able to help!

[lemans 330d]

i would go with preowned genuine everytime if i couldnt stretch to new genuine as know of people buy replacement genuine 313 rears to replace the snidey ones.

IMO if genuines crack that you pay more for and go through stringent testing then the copies will not be as good and you do get what you pay for.

[106turbo]

Originally Posted by lemans 330d

i would go with preowned genuine everytime if i couldnt stretch to new genuine as know of people buy replacement genuine 313 rears to replace the snidey ones.

IMO if genuines crack that you pay more for and go through stringent testing then the copies will not be as good and you do get what you pay for.

Ive had around 5 sets of various reps on different cars and none have bent, cracked or broken yet. Alot of the time they look no different from genuine. Granted there are some shocking reps about.

Imo i'd never buy genuine BMW worried that even though i'd spend all that money there still likely to crack.

[Kerr]

Originally Posted by lemans 330d

i would go with preowned genuine everytime if i couldnt stretch to new genuine as know of people buy replacement genuine 313 rears to replace the snidey ones.

IMO if genuines crack that you pay more for and go through stringent testing then the copies will not be as good and you do get what you pay for.

Personally I would have issues buying either.

We all know how difficult it is to keep alloys straight and true without damage.

Many that are for sale on ebay are exactly that. Either not 100%, damaged repaired or often stolen.

Replicas are often questionable but at least at £120 per wheel they are a bit more disposable if damage happens.

[fatfrog]

My understanding is that only the M3 wheels are forged and the remaining OEM 3 series wheels are cast. Granted that at this price point you get what you pay for but I'm wondering if it's better to get a used set of M3 wheels and make them fit or get something that will fit nicely but may bend or crack further on down the line. I'll give Mark a bell next week.

Cheers.

[DuckySpud]

Originally Posted by Danny.B.

Im on the verge of doing the same! How have the wheels kept? Is the chrome still looking good? No lacquer peeling anywhere etc?

Hi Danny. They have kept well, there's a couple of bits on the lip that have marked with brake dust, but that's more due to me not cleaning them ad often as I want due to the foul Christmas weather haha. No sign of lacquer peel or anything, had a few heavy knocks in the potholes round Sheffield as well and they seem to be holding up fine

[Danny.B.]

Originally Posted by DuckySpud

Hi Danny. They have kept well, there's a couple of bits on the lip that have marked with brake dust, but that's more due to me not cleaning them ad often as I want due to the foul Christmas weather haha. No sign of lacquer peel or anything, had a few heavy knocks in the potholes round Sheffield as well and they seem to be holding up fine

Fantastic, cheers mate!

[zltm089]

Interesting thread.

BMW oem v/s replica wheels v/s "real" branded expensive ones?

[gangzoom]

How often have people cracked their wheels on public road? I only ask because in 14 years of driving I've had plenty of punctures but yet to come across a cracked wheel? Have I just been very lucky, or is it more to do with the fact up unitll a few months ago I've never run a car on alloys larger than 18inches

[verysideways]

Originally Posted by gangzoom

How often have people cracked their wheels on public road? I only ask because in 14 years of driving I've had plenty of punctures but yet to come across a cracked wheel? Have I just been very lucky, or is it more to do with the fact up unitll a few months ago I've never run a car on alloys larger than 18inches

Personally i think it's a runflat issue - the runflats are so stiff on the sidewall construction that they transmit forces through to the wheel much more than conventional tyres, which tend to absorb and spread those loads more evenly.
That and the fact we have ever lower profile tyres and worsening roads full of potholes...

[Greg330]

Originally Posted by verysideways

Personally i think it's a runflat issue - the runflats are so stiff on the sidewall construction that they transmit forces through to the wheel much more than conventional tyres, which tend to absorb and spread those loads more evenly.
That and the fact we have ever lower profile tyres and worsening roads full of potholes...

It's a good point, normal tyres on an OEM alloy will probably help...

Personally my aftermarket alloys have faired better than OEM and I wouldn't hesitate on having another set. Although I would use a reputable supplier like CM or BM autosport.

[fatfrog]

Originally Posted by gangzoom

How often have people cracked their wheels on public road? I only ask because in 14 years of driving I've had plenty of punctures but yet to come across a cracked wheel? Have I just been very lucky, or is it more to do with the fact up unitll a few months ago I've never run a car on alloys larger than 18inches

Neither have I but I've generally had cars with lightweight forged wheels (coming from a Jap car background). Maybe the answer is to stick with an 18" and non-RFT. I would love a set of 260M's but they seem to be rare as hens teeth.

Whilst searching ebay over the past few days I have noticed a few wheels that are bent/have been repaired etc hence the reason for this thread.

[sixpot]

Bought my wheels from CM Wheels, and they are apparently TUV approved, and load rated at 750kg each.

[verysideways]

Originally Posted by fatfrog

Neither have I but I've generally had cars with lightweight forged wheels (coming from a Jap car background). Maybe the answer is to stick with an 18" and non-RFT. I would love a set of 260M's but they seem to be rare as hens teeth.

Whilst searching ebay over the past few days I have noticed a few wheels that are bent/have been repaired etc hence the reason for this thread.

That's why i'm running non-RFT on 18's (270M in my case). Ride is great, magic carpet!

[gman3msport]

Originally Posted by 106turbo

Ive had around 5 sets of various reps on different cars and none have bent, cracked or broken yet. Alot of the time they look no different from genuine. Granted there are some shocking reps about.

Imo i'd never buy genuine BMW worried that even though i'd spend all that money there still likely to crack.

Make that about 10 sets for me and never 1 issue.

[Hotcoupe]

Set of fine porcelain BMW wheels - approx £2,000
Set of reps £500 ish.

Reps will usually outlast OEM wheels by quite some margin,even more so if the OEM wheels are fitted with runflats.

[acerboo]

theres a thread on one of the usa forums that shows the effect of a cheap wheel coming apart and the resulting damage to the car, far more than a good set of wheels in the first place. you get what you pay for!