M-Pars...How to tell if they are fake or if they are the real deal?!

[BMW4LIFE]

Like the title says...

I came up across some in San Fran but not sure if they are real or not...

They are 18"

They have what looks like to be a dirty chrome or polished finish

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y291/persian805/3p83oa3l85Y35Z15U4a43e0ef3c4354241d.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y291/persian805/3nc3pc3l65O15Z25Q4a434253a31c991117.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y291/persian805/3n53k73o65Q55Z05P3a434e160502894-1.jpg

[bubba966]

Fake. And cheap fakes at that.

There's no recess for the M emblem. And they're chrome. Good fakes will have the recess. And fakes usually are machined. Hard to tell you what to look for. Just need to see them side by side to get to know what to look for.

Also real ones will have BMW part #'s on the back.

[BMW4LIFE]

Fake. And cheap fakes at that.

There's no recess for the M emblem. And they're chrome. Good fakes will have the recess. And fakes usually are machined. Hard to tell you what to look for. Just need to see them side by side to get to know what to look for.

Also real ones will have BMW part #'s on the back.


Thanks Bubba

Yea I went on ebay and looked at some on a 2001 740I and noticed the lack of the ///M logo...and the chrome finish

I decided to call the guy and ask him some questions and when I asked him to send me a pic of the BMW number he was like what number???

I was like k bye! haha!

Thanks for the quick response bud! =)

[BMW4LIFE]

So I hear that there are good and bad replicas

I found some more replicas with newer tires (owner states few miles on tires)

rather cheap price

how can I tell if they are good replicas or cheap ones?

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y291/persian805/3ne3oe3lb5V55O35T0a46f72a8842769b1e.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y291/persian805/3nd3k33pc5Q55T05R2a46a10724c4568d11.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y291/persian805/3k73p33o05V45P25S2a462177f580da1919.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y291/persian805/3k43m73p25Q25Z25W0a466daa49db288c10.jpg

[Grantus]

If you cant tell, it doesnt matter!

[Geoff Hoad]

The good replicas are usually made in Germany and therefore subject to TUV certification and control. They will have the manufacturer's name and details cast into the rear like BMW. If in good shape they are a good bet. However, unless they are in as new condition it is really important (as with any second hand wheel) to ensure they are completely round and the only way to do that is on a balancing machine. So if you do buy them before you put tyres on have them checked for roundness. If not round it should be an easy job for a wheel shop to fix.

If you don't, expect shimmy or wobble.

The other thing is to ensure they are the correct size otherwise at best you will need spacers, at worst, they wont fit at all.

[632 Regal]

the most important thing before purchase is to make certain that they are round and not all whacked out of shape. Only way I know to check is to spin them on a hub you can check with a dial indicator or a shop thats willing to 'help' you with your purchase.