[truekumar]

Hi guys,

So ive just bought a brand new M340i XDrive and looking to change the wheels to 20s. Ive seen the following replica 795Ms but just wondering what the risks to purchasing these would be?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4x-20-M-S...sAAOSw9htfawqO

[MD707]

They’ll be heavier and the detailing on the spokes won’t be as nice - but no ‘risk’ as such. You hear horror stories about bucking and bending on ‘cheap copies’ but all depends on the quality of the rep. And I’ve had OEM wheels on a Porsche that were buckled. So who knows really....I don’t think it’s fair to say reps are always rubbish. And an OEM set with tyres is what, £3.8k?

[OM3RTA]

Originally Posted by G21-M340i

They’ll be heavier and the detailing on the spokes won’t be as nice - but no ‘risk’ as such. You hear horror stories about bucking and bending on ‘cheap copies’ but all depends on the quality of the rep. And I’ve had OEM wheels on a Porsche that were buckled. So who knows really....I don’t think it’s fair to say reps are always rubbish. And an OEM set with tyres is what, £3.8k?

This is all the advice you need

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by G21-M340i

They’ll be heavier and the detailing on the spokes won’t be as nice - but no ‘risk’ as such. You hear horror stories about bucking and bending on ‘cheap copies’ but all depends on the quality of the rep. And I’ve had OEM wheels on a Porsche that were buckled. So who knows really....I don’t think it’s fair to say reps are always rubbish. And an OEM set with tyres is what, £3.8k?

The statement "not all reps are rubbish" does not equate to "there is no risk". Of course, ANY wheel will buckle if you hit it hard enough but clearly there are risks when buying something that hasn't passed any kind of quality inspection, or been tested as suitable for the vehicle in question. The way I see it, the risks fall into 3 areas:

1) The wheel simply might not fit (without the tyres rubbing) due to a combination of width and offset. The ebay set linked above looks fine in this regard but do your homework.

2) Quality assurance - there is none on Chinese replicas. They could be made out of melted down bean cans for all you know.

3) Load rating. Again, there is none. These types of wheels have never passed any load rating tests. Will they be strong enough for your specific car with your family on board? Or when towing?

Accept the risks by all means, but don't pretend there are none.

[MD707]

Who would put Chinese reps on £50k car, though? Have to agree I’d run a mile! The ones I got for the Porsche (it was an old car) were Italian and seemed fine...but yes, agree on all the above 👍

[Beemer5to3]

I'd also add insurance to the above - obviously you need to declare modifications to insurance, but I'd wonder if they'd wriggle out of anything if any parts added weren't approved for your vehicle? Just a thought.

[GOLFFRR]

you get what you pay for.

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by Beemer5to3

I'd also add insurance to the above - obviously you need to declare modifications to insurance, but I'd wonder if they'd wriggle out of anything if any parts added weren't approved for your vehicle? Just a thought.

In my experience they are not interested in that, but times are changing. Homologation is a word you are going to hear more of.

[truekumar]

Hmmm....I will probably go for a set of Borbetts then. I've been told that they are a very reputable company and although they are not forged wheels, they are branded and therefore less risk:

https://www.borbet.de/en/by-titan-polished-matt

[Beemer5to3]

Originally Posted by truekumar

Hmmm....I will probably go for a set of Borbetts then. I've been told that they are a very reputable company and although they are not forged wheels, they are branded and therefore less risk:

https://www.borbet.de/en/by-titan-polished-matt

Borbet manufacture some OEM wheels, so you'll get a very good quality product from them. Those ones look nice too.

[Lorcan]

Borbet have also been a component supplier to AC Schnitzer in the past

[Josh Uk 1]

Did you buy the wheels? I have a 340i G21 and after some 20” wheels. But don’t want to pay 4K for genuine ones!

Any wheels recommended?

Thanks
Josh

[cramsnik]

If I was buying aftermarket wheels I'd make sure they at least had TUV or equivalent certification.