Hello guys, Please have a look at those wheels:
http://cgi.ebay.com/18-BMW-Mini-Blac...QQcmdZViewItem
They are from Wheelbase. Are those replicas or original? If they are replica, what are the side effects of having them and how to distinguish between OEMs and replicas??

 

From the way I read the ad they are not original wheels....GP Style wheels, BMW style wheels etc that is listed in the ad would lead me to believe they are not OEM.

 

Yeah, I'm on their website now http://www.wheel-base.co.uk/proddeta...?prod=GP%2D507 and Ithink they are not. Now, is it safe to get them? I mean would anyone be able to tell the difference? What are the DOs and DONTs when getting replica wheels?

 

maybe look up gnatster....he is quite the wheel guru from what I know of him

 

thanx man

 

not very many people will be able to tell the difference. especially in a photo. go ahead and get them, they'll look good.

 

Did you have an idea about how does my car look? I'm afraid it will not match my car. My car color is dark, is it wise to go ahead for a dark wheel too?

 

Those are not OEM wheels, they are replicas. The Oem wheels are 52mm offset.
Steve

 

Yikes. GBP 575.00 for cast wheels that as heavy as lead. You could almost buy a set of SSRs for that. Not long ago there were GP knock-offs (probably Chinese) listed on Ebay for much less. One should not pay real money for cast wheels--maybe <=US$700 per set. Wheelbase is in the U.K. so naturally their products are overpriced.

FWIW, whether or not they are OEM is irrelevant since the GP wheels are heavy cast crap as well.

 

Thanks Steve for the info. Does it matter in stability and driving? It's only 4mm offset!!!

 

OEM GP wheels are 18", they are lighter than the lightest 17" OEM wheels!!!! I do not think they are heavy at all compared to all Mini OEM wheels!!!!

 

As you wish, but even the lightest 17" OEM wheels are ridiculously heavy. It's a shame that MINIs do not come with performance wheels, especially given the premium they charge for the cars while cost-cutting everywhere else, such as the K-mart interior and econobox engine.

I think the GP wheels are easily the best-looking wheels for the MINI and that includes the entire aftermarket, including even forged wheels. There are no other wheels that complement the contours of the MINI.

 

So you are supporting me in getting those wheels? Even if they are replica???

 

575.00 GBP is equal to 1150.00 USD on a good day ..... That does not include international shipping and insurance (which from the UK will be air freight $$$) for something that heavy ! You are so much better getting the real thing locally for about the same price and if something goes wrong (like stress cracks), you can deal with it locally. Just my 2 cents on the subject.

 

They are fake. The easiest way to spot - the glossy black paint. Real GP wheels have a matte black finish.

 

Locally?? Who is selling OEM GP wheels? I would love to get them!!!!!

 

Very Fake.
You can tell by looking at the silver that goes around the rim is larger on the replicas.

 

No, but because I would not advocate overpriced, cast, heavy wheels, not because they are replicas. If your car is not a GP, then what would it matter if the wheels were not actually GP wheels anyway?

 

Easy way would be to ask for the specs, particularly the weight. If they weigh more than 19.8 lbs, they're fake.

By the way, how is a 19.8 lb wheel heavy for 18-inches? A quick scan of 18s on Tire Rack, and nothing is as light. Heck, there are three styles of OEM 16s that are as heavy, and one that is just 0.2 lbs lighter. Must be the knee-jerk bigger is automatically worse bias on this website.

 

Soon as I saw the ebay picture I knew it was a replica.

 

Tirerack is not exactly the source for lightweight wheels.
You nailed it with the adjective "OEM" since OEM wheels for cheap cars tend to be heavy. The GP was a pricier offering with unique wheels which were lighter but not light.
More like heavy is worse. That said, this site is dominated by members with heavy cast wheels. As with cars, most people buy wheels based primarily on how they think the wheels look.

 

Yeah, I do care for how does a wheel look on my car. I really care!!! I'm balanced between the 2 car mod schools: One says forget about weight and add power, the other says do not add so much power, lose weight. I'm balanced, I do few between this and that. Bottom line, I do not bother myself how heavy wheels are, I care for how they look.

 

All MINI dealerships (parts department) can order a set of GP wheels, but you need to provide the VIN # of the GP.

 

Well then you might want to be on the lookout for some GP knock-offs that list for about half as much as the ones at Wheelbase, since they're not worth that much.

 

Let me add another cent, you need to provide a proof of purchase too. Do you have a VIN I can use?