OEM vs Replica Rims?

Beamie · September 12, 2020

Anyone have good experiences with replica (alloy) rims?

Replicas seem to be much more available and substantially less expensive.

I had some once for BMW winter wheels and I couldn't tell the difference but that was a long time ago and I suspect things get worse rather than better in time.

CamGTP · September 12, 2020

They are good stuff when you buy them through the right people.

A place I used to work at would buy a few sets a year for customers and for the money they are great quality.

https://www.oewheelsllc.com/

ClipperSkipper · September 15, 2020

I went back and forth with this for years, however after tire leaks and corrosion, I bought a set of brand new take offs from a 2020 Sierra for short money. My only regret is losing the Michelin ride!

Beamie · September 15, 2020

3 minutes ago, ClipperSkipper said:

I went back and forth with this for years, however after tire leaks and corrosion, I bought a set of brand new take offs from a 2020 Sierra for short money. My only regret is losing the Michelin ride!

I've seen those but like the single spokes better, but any case they all seem to be coming up in short supply so the prices are getting pretty high. I prefer the Michelins too so I'm hunting for bare wheels and those are even harder to find than the wheel/tire combos. I caved on Michelins for coopers last time and regret it so this time is going to be what I should have done last time. The Coopers stink in snow compared to the Michelins LTXs. But the way things look I wonder if we'll even have snow again! Drought everywhere.

ClipperSkipper · September 15, 2020

They are in short supply, as everyone is fixing their trucks. Following bed=off repairs last Summer, I ended up with a rear spring/shackle mount kit, so I put them up on Marketplace. I think that they were the last pair on the face of the Earth! Guy that showed up said that nobody had them, and paid me more than I did, after looking at a new 2020 Sierra SLT at $63000. So we keep the old stuff going.

Beamie · September 15, 2020

17 minutes ago, ClipperSkipper said:

They are in short supply, as everyone is fixing their trucks. Following bed=off repairs last Summer, I ended up with a rear spring/shackle mount kit, so I put them up on Marketplace. I think that they were the last pair on the face of the Earth! Guy that showed up said that nobody had them, and paid me more than I did, after looking at a new 2020 Sierra SLT at $63000. So we keep the old stuff going.

How much did they cost you?

ClipperSkipper · September 15, 2020

$800 bucks free ship.

Beamie · September 15, 2020

Thanks. Seeing the bare wheels a couple hundred better. Guess I should bite.

Edited September 16, 2020 by Beamie

unit731 · September 25, 2020

Put new OEM GM gray steel rims on my Silverado Z71. With new center caps.

Less worry about salt corrosion here with aluminum alloy rims.

Been on for 7 years now and still look new. Although the center caps have somewhat faded.

bubbanbrenda · October 24, 2020

I paid $999.99 for 4 aftermarket "Denali" wheels 2 years ago, and after 18 months they looked like crap. I've cleaned and polished them all I'm going to, I'll put the old 17" factory wheels back on before I pay for after market OEM wheels again.

CamGTP · October 25, 2020

If someone wanted to, they do sell a sealer for rims that you put on before they ever see the road. At a previous job we had a mobile wheel guy that would come in for general repairs and would spray seal new rims before we mounted tires. Then you could ceramic coat them or add a different type of sealant every 8-12 months.