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Esseesse
Original Poster
1,879 posts
77 months
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Hi, just wondered if anyone has any experience with replica Style 37's? Anyone have any idea how much heavier they are over the (apparently forged) originals? I'm considering the set linked below for a yet to be purchased e39 530i. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
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ndg
238 posts
106 months
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I've had a set of these for three years. Not sure on the weight side of things, as I've never had an original set.
Be prepared to refurb after a year or two. As is very common with diamond turned lips and faces the dreaded corrosion will get in any stone chip and spider out under the lacquer. I re-furbed with a painted finish, looks more OEM and less drug dealer!
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Esseesse
Original Poster
1,879 posts
77 months
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Thanks for the reply. No problems with cracking or buckling then? No obvious adverse affects on handling/ride?
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Esseesse
Original Poster
1,879 posts
77 months
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I would prefer a second had set of OEMs, searched and searched though and there's only a few single wheels on eBay it seems.
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Fox-
9,952 posts
115 months
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The OEM style 37 is one of the nicest wheels BMW have ever made and it would be a real shame to miss out on this by going for a set of replicas. The replicas never match the factory combination of both polished and painted finish properly and are usually easily spotted by the lack of tapered spokes etc. Hang on for some geniune ones. You won't regret it. I love mine!   
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E38Ross
10,499 posts
81 months
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Fox, do you have a link to lots of full size pics of your car, including interior? Wouldn't mind a few.... It looks that good.
Long trip due soon isn't it? I did 500 miles in the E38 over the weekend and just crossed over 120K. After 100 miles with the cruise control set to 77 and about 2300rpm I couldn't help but want to just drive, drive and drive some more.
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ndg
238 posts
106 months
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Esseesse said: Thanks for the reply. No problems with cracking or buckling then? No obvious adverse affects on handling/ride? No issues with buckling or cracking and they're fitted to an E38. Handling/ride is affected, but this is going from 235/60R16's to 255/50R18's on the front, 285's on the rear. The car is more sensitive to toe settings now, if you have a a little too much it tends to tramline quite badly. Obviously going from 16's to 18's has degraded the ride, but not to unacceptable levels.
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Esseesse
Original Poster
1,879 posts
77 months
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ndg said: Esseesse said: Thanks for the reply. No problems with cracking or buckling then? No obvious adverse affects on handling/ride? No issues with buckling or cracking and they're fitted to an E38. Handling/ride is affected, but this is going from 235/60R16's to 255/50R18's on the front, 285's on the rear. The car is more sensitive to toe settings now, if you have a a little too much it tends to tramline quite badly. Obviously going from 16's to 18's has degraded the ride, but not to unacceptable levels. What I really meant was, is the handling noticeably different to genuine wheels because of the weight difference etc? Good to hear they don't break too easily. I think I've found a set of genuine ones in good condition (that didn't take as long as I thought!) so I will go and view the car without the Style 37's this weekend with the intention of putting them on it.
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8Tech
461 posts
67 months
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You would probably need to be Jensen Button to notice the difference in ride due to the weight difference.
However, the replicas are nowhere near the quality, strength or finish of the original wheels and I have seen brand new buckled wheels delivered before on more than one occasion.
You will of course save a fortune on pattern wheels and you will probably get them in a kit with tyres.
Make sure you get the correct staggered sizes and use a decent tyre, not the basic ones they usually come with.
Personally, I would wait for a half decent used OEM set to come along and have them PROPERLY refurbed, add your choice of tyres and away you go in the knowledge that should you hit a nasty pothole, you may damage the wheel but it will not shatter.
Just my opinion though as your not buying a Saxo!!
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mondeoman
6,758 posts
135 months
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ndg
238 posts
106 months
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Esseesse said: What I really meant was, is the handling noticeably different to genuine wheels because of the weight difference etc? Good to hear they don't break too easily.
I think I've found a set of genuine ones in good condition (that didn't take as long as I thought!) so I will go and view the car without the Style 37's this weekend with the intention of putting them on it. Again. not tried OE 18" wheels, but handling was much better than 16" OE's due to reduced sidewall flex and wider contact patch. I run Pirelli P-Zeros all round, originally bought the wheels with Toyo's which were good but wore quick quickly, and the fronts were a little undersized. If I could have found them at the time I would have had OE style 37's or style 31's.
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roofer
1,719 posts
80 months
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As Fox, one of the best wheels ever made by BMW. I've had reps and OEM, and never had a problem with either.
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