Honestly, there is not that much mark up in the the tire and wheel business....

Alex, if he knows the cost can also state they make very small margins on certain products. Yes, a profit but not as much as one might think

 

On second thought, you might be right. There's some evidence that suggests Tire Rack is not an authorized BBS dealer. I suspect they may source BBS from a supplier. Alex has recently written me to tell me he cannot get wheels that BBS-USA says they have in stock (such as the LM). Tire Rack also carries old BBS stock, such as the RC and RK,maybe the forged stuff is old stock too, but I'm not familiar with what's current from BBS-Japan. If Tire Rack is sourcing from a supplier, then they wouldn't have the same profit margin opportunity as if buying direct from BBS-USA. I'll have to email my source at BBS-USA and ask if Tire Rack is an authorized retailer.

Also, MINI-Madness' price on the RGR is "$553-$567 depending on color." I just got a reply from George Mehallick at MINI-Madness that I sent earlier today to inquire about the RGR. Guess the $403 was too good to be true afterall. That's too bad, I was very tempted!

 

That would be interesting to know. I inquired tirerack about getting the LMs and they told me the only way to get them in the US was through gray market.

 

Tire Rack is an authorized dealer and purchase directly from BBS. They may purchase closeout wheels from BBS trying to get some good deals.

My thoughts on the BBS LM is that Tire Rack does not want to step into the special order market and all the problems that follow it. It is a big pain in the a$$ when someone backs out after all the effort was put into getting the order shipped from Japan.

 

BBS-USA says they have the LM "in stock" (as you can see from the email I received from BBS-USA posted above). On the very next day, Alex wrote me and stated in reference to the LM and RX, "those are 2 wheels, I wish I could import, but cannot. I'd have the LM's if we could get em, I love that wheel." Now maybe, he's saying he can't get them because "Tire Rack" won't let him buy them, but it sounds like Alex just can't get them. So if BBS-USA has them, and Alex can't get them, there seems to be a disconnect don't you think? As a retailer, I would think he should be able to purchase anything BBS-USA imports, whether it's special order or not.

 

yeah, I emailed him and got the same reply. Guess I'll have to look for another wheel.

 

GMP Performance has them in stock. Price is $576 per wheel.

As for Tire Rack, with all the talk about wheels on this board, and the fact that Tire Rack gets a lot of free press (mostly good), I would think it would be to their benefit to offer some specials to the forum members. The increase in business would more than make up for a mildly reduced profit margin. How about 20% off close-outs and free shipping within the CONUS on all purchases regardless of anything else? Alex, are you listening???

If I've come across as anti-Tire Rack, that was unintended. I'm just fine with them, and have made 1 purchase from them in my lifetime (good experience). What I'm looking for is the bext deal on a set of 17" BBS wheels. They don't have to be forged, just something around 17/18 pounds will do, and I'd like a discount! Is that too much to ask???

Come on Alex, throw us a bone... Tis the season...

 

my limit is $500 a wheel including tires so RGRs wont work for me I guess.

 

There's always the BBS RC. Not forged, but still the cross spoke. They look really good in real. My local BBS dealer, Reifen Jager, keeps them in stock. At 18 lbs, they've got a lot going for them, especially considering everything BBS make for the MINI right now (non-forged) is over 20 lbs. Tire Rack is selling the RC for $299 each.

 

the mini-madness thing is false advertisement for all I'm concerned.

 

Its not me BBS doesn't bring everything to the states.

Alex

 

My contact at BBS is very helpful. He states that he can get whatever is made in 4x100 brought into the US market. Granted it may take awhile for the next container of wheels but it can be done..Lets not forget there is more places to get BBS wheels than tire rack..

 

More power to ya, My clout wasn't substatial enough to get 4-100 LM's here. I wish you luck.

Alex

 

so has anyone gotten LMs on their Minis. Sweet looking rims, just too much for Mini I guess, more like the M-cars territory.

 

 

I just want to go to the pulley party to see your rims VOID !!!