E61 replica alloys

[futie]

Hi all, don't suppose anyone has fitted some replicas to their E61 (or E60) have they? Need 4 tyres and my alloys are pretty scuffed too - also one is losing pressure so i'm guessing a crack (runflats) or could be the valve I guess ..

Am considering just replacing all 4 alloys and tyres. Of course BMW want a kings ransom and i'm considering the following:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/19-M6-alloy-wheels-tyres-BMW...

(M6 replica with tyres for £800!)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/19-M5-alloy-wheels-tyres-BMW...

(M5 replicas £800 too)

I'm sure these aren't quite the same quality as OEM wheels and i'm absolutely sure the tyres won't be a well known brand! But for £800 it's not a bad deal. Has anyone fitted these and have any pictures? Any bad experiences?

Cheers,
Marc

[6BMW]

You would be better off sticking to genuine wheels. The replicas will only cause you further problems with our pothole ridden roads.

how about these?

http://www.bmautosport.co.uk/index.php?catid=92&am...

[richterswil]

Just sent you a PM.

[futie]

Hi,

I realise the obvious 'OEM will be better' view but (a) if my current wheels are OEM then they haven't fared very well and (b) it looks like £1K+ for used alloys and part-worn tyres compared with £800 for brand new. I'm guessing that the extreme stiffness of runflat sidewalls are partially to blame for the rough ride too, so would be a bonus if I could improve that with std tyres.

richterswil - I recognise your car from a few months back! You send me some pics of your 172's and they looked great. OEM if I remember correctly? Any experience of replicas? (p.s. didn't get your PM - will check profile to make sure it's set up ok)

Am really looking for pictures of M6 reps on cars or real world experience - anyone?

[rassi]

The £800 for the replicas is not the end of the story - what tyres are included in that deal? I suspect some very cheap and nasty stuff, in which case you would be much better off getting your OEM wheels refurbished and then throw some quality tyres on them when replacement time is due.

[richterswil]

futie said:

Hi,

I realise the obvious 'OEM will be better' view but (a) if my current wheels are OEM then they haven't fared very well and (b) it looks like £1K+ for used alloys and part-worn tyres compared with £800 for brand new. I'm guessing that the extreme stiffness of runflat sidewalls are partially to blame for the rough ride too, so would be a bonus if I could improve that with std tyres.

richterswil - I recognise your car from a few months back! You send me some pics of your 172's and they looked great. OEM if I remember correctly? Any experience of replicas? (p.s. didn't get your PM - will check profile to make sure it's set up ok)

Am really looking for pictures of M6 reps on cars or real world experience - anyone?

Recheck your e-mails - my 172M's are OEM and have just been refurbished and refitted to the car. For 30k miles or so before that I've had good quality M6 replica wheels although I have always stuck with good tyres (Contis for me) so the cost was much higher than the £800 you've mentioned.

[christer]

I am not sure I would put cheap replicas on my car but I am sure I wouldn't put cheap tyres on! A decent set of tyres would set you back 600-800gbp so what are those wheels worth? I would refurb and put decent tyres on.

[aircooler]

I bought a new set of replicas (in 17") for my E91 330D (2009 model) and including a set of new winter tyres cames to £800. I've now completed more than 2000 miles and they're great.

[futie]

Thanks for your advice everyone. Jury is still out but am leaning towards std tyres and a refurb of the alloys.

[Mr Green]

futie said:

Thanks for your advice everyone. Jury is still out but am leaning towards std tyres and a refurb of the alloys.

My advice would be to consider the total weight(wheels and tyres) runflat tyres are alot heavier than normal tyres, and after market wheels are rediculously heavy. I have just swapped the after market wheels that were on my car when I bought it for the originals, the AMW weighed 22.5 kilos, the originals weighed 15 kilos. That's a total of 30 kilos lost on the unsprung weight.(E36)
Ask the seller to tell you the weight before you even set off to look at them.




I still own this car it came with 225x60x15's. I tried M5 copies 235x45x17(not good)then I tried 225x55x16 from an E60(probably the best) then I put these on 225x50x17 from an E60 after changing the runflats to Kumhos all round(looks good and drives well).

OEW everytime for me.

[futie]

FYI pushed the button on some 172M replicas and Avon tyres yesterday. Have to say that they look fantastic, came at a very reasonable price and ride much better than the outgoing runflats + MV2's! I also felt the weight of a genuine 172M and this replica - to my untrained arms there was nothing in it. Also quite hard to tell replica from OEM, certainly in this style.

Will upload some pics ..

[futie]