OEM wheels vs Replicas’, Knowledge or opinions

[No Tyme]

I am getting the itch for different wheels and don't have first hand knowledge of the differences or problems, if any reguarding replicas vs OEM wheels. I had a set of 5308's that were PVC coated but let them go when I was in a pinch for cash. Now once again I am not happy with my Hollander 5704's that I have now, and keep looking at the Hollander 5668 wheels.

You may have first hand knowledge of aftermarket replica wheels so I would like to hear from those who have own or know of those who own or have own replicas...

From what I know the PVD coating can be superior up here in the rust belt, but I just don't have enough first hand knowledge of non OEM wheels...

Comments?

 

[newdude]

No matter the replica mfg's claims to being built to the same standards, they usually are not.

 

This video sums it up best:

 

Some true/false:

 

http://www.ebay.com/gds/The-truth-about-replica-wheels-and-why-OEM-is-better-/10000000007814191/g.html

[No Tyme]

WOW! A wealth of info their.

And to think that the OEM wheels I was looking at are now gone...

 

Thanks for the informative links.

[kennerz]

I have OEM replicas. I read and watched both of the above links prior to buying. Here is the deal. Many people have replicas with NO issues. Some of the early chinese replicas were just plain horrible. The metalurgy is sometimes not the same, or the quality control, etc..

Also I have read posts where the OEM and the replica's were made at the same factory. I asked a reputable High volume tire wheel dealer about this. (not who I purchased from) and they said there are similar problems with both types of wheels and that they don't see the same number of flaws they used see often.

 

Just want to add that the wheels I bough had a chrome"type" of plating. Not the same as chrome, so watch out. the plating on my chinese OEM knock offs is super soft, I'm concerned about longevity for sure. I know how to detail and make stuff last, but the finish is no where near the quality of OEM, even though they look great right now. Only time will tell how they hold up. There were no balancing issues either.

 

I want to arm you with as much experiential info as possible.

 

Just don't buy the cheap "custom" chinese tire shop donk wheels, thoose are crap for sure.

 

word gets out when people sell junk.

[Chris]

Been on Factory Reproductions SS replicas for 4 years about 70,000 miles. Towed woth and it is daily driven. About 3 years in one wheel has a slight blemish in the chrome. That is the only issue i have had

[baggedlvintegra]

My .02 is that the GM replica wheel scene has been around a lot longer than many of the pop-up replica companies. That says 2 things, they are doing something right to be able to sustain business and the repetition and experience SHOULD be yielding lessons learned and quality improvements. PVD chrome is nothing new, in fact many legitimate wheel companies (even some OEMs) are moving towards this for environmental reasons. Some companies, specifically BMF, failed miserably in the PVD implementation and had major issues that forced them to discontinue the PVD line.