Hello NAM Members,

Can anyone tell me why I should not buy a set of Replicia R112 wheels

instead of paying Mini the overpriced amount they want for a set ?

I can't tell the difference but I would like some comments . . . suggestions . . .


Thanks, MiniKar

 

It's practically stealing if you go for the replicas.

 

The quality of the replica will be sub par of OEM hence the cheaper price. The replica should perform fine. I am not sure how they will hold up cosmetically over time.

 

Shouldn't the replica or rip off wheel really be called a counterfeit? I would be concerned about the lack of quality over the oem wheel.

 

Get the best priced wheel. No one will know the difference. There are plenty of quality aftermarket wheels out there that do not say MINI, but, look and performs just as good!

 

True lots of good quality after market wheels out there. I would wonder about the quality of a wheel made by a company that rips off the designs of others.

 

Maybe there wouldn't be so much of an issue if car manufacturers didn't price their OEM wheels so freakin' high. I was going to replace my S Spokes with another MINI wheel until they told me how expensive they were

Gave my business to 1010tires.com

 

Agree OEM is overpriced, however, if you are persistent in watching, you can find sets of OEM wheels on sites like eBay. It suprises me to see a fair number of people buying new Mini's and then immediatly switching the wheels out. I can understand switching from run-flats, but the OEM wheels? To each their own...

Here's one example: http://tinyurl.com/4t2zqmr

 

Lots of great deals to be found right here in the marketplace forum.

 

Thanks for all of the input !

I will consider all of the suggestions; even the ones that want
me to spend more money . . . . . . .

 

they are here in SF Bay Area often...

 

Ha then every rota owner on this board is to blame

 

OK, I just spoke to a retailer in Los Angeles of these replica R112 wheels.

He said they are made in China and weight 21 pounds.

$ 100 each plus shipping. . . . . . . . .

Alot of aftermarket wheels are being made in China, just check the Web

 

OEM wheels are super heavy as well so I would not spend that much money on OEM wheels.

 

 

Its less about where they are made and more about how they are made.

I doubt a $400 price point allows for much in the way of quality control, but you may very well buy a set and never have a problem.

The finish/paint will almost certainly be of a lesser quality.

The moral implications of a replica wheel are another issue.

If you want them buy them.

 

I don't have issues buying a replica wheel as in most of the wheels that you want aren't made anymore. So you have to rely on replica wheels. Also sometimes the original wasn't offered in the correct offset / bolt pattern.

 

I bought a black set of replica R112 wheels from WheelsPlus USA in California. They're made by Stuttgart Alloy Wheels in the UK and honestly I can't tell the difference between them and the factory ones which cost almost 3 times as much. The center caps aren't blank anymore. I had custom made center cap stickers in black with red MINI lettering.





See what I mean?