I've got a choice of scratched up polished OEMs for $650 plus shipping (including spare and some front tires that are probably too tall -- 235/50/18), or a brand spankin' new set of 4 machined replicas on the bay for $686. Anyone had experience with replicas? Are they bad enough to warrant buying an OEM set in need of refinishing? :help

Here's the link to the replicas: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/18-Stagger-M-Parallel-Fits-BMW-5-7-Series-Wheel-Rim_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2 Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3 a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem 270374037944QQitemZ270374037944QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5 fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_2854wt_1167

I've got a choice of scratched up polished OEMs for $650 plus shipping (including spare and some front tires that are probably too tall -- 235/50/18), or a brand spankin' new set of 4 machined replicas on the bay for $686. Anyone had experience with replicas? Are they bad enough to warrant buying an OEM set in need of refinishing? :help

Here's the link to the replicas: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/18-Stagger-M-Parallel-Fits-BMW-5-7-Series-Wheel-Rim_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2 Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3 a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem 270374037944QQitemZ270374037944QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5 fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_2854wt_1167 (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?campid=5335818596&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Febaymotors%2F18-Stagger-M-Parallel-Fits-BMW-5-7-Series-Wheel-Rim_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2 Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3 a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem 270374037944QQitemZ270374037944QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5 fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories%23ht_2854wt_1167)

my m-par reps seem to be good. mine came from www.discounttire.com (http://www.discounttire.com)
i think i paid about 500 shipped for mine.

Thanks for the tip, Doug! They've got the 18x8's for 150 each, and the 18x9.5's at 160 each. Current special $50 off a set of 4 with free shipping. Grand total of $570 shipped! Tough to pass up that deal...

The only problem with these, is there's no indentation for the M label, hmmm I guess I'll keep looking.

Whatever you do, make sure you get staggered wheels. Your 8 deserves it!

Tire sizes should be 245/40 and 275/35 or 285/35

your car deserves better than replicas!

elibeemer. i am sooo diggin your avatar.
'Oh, shit. I forgot about the beer. You want one? How 'bout some ether?'

Thanks for the tip, Doug! They've got the 18x8's for 150 each, and the 18x9.5's at 160 each. Current special $50 off a set of 4 with free shipping. Grand total of $570 shipped! Tough to pass up that deal...

The only problem with these, is there's no indentation for the M label, hmmm I guess I'll keep looking.

They dont have the logo but mine came with the little pocket for it. mabe it just doesn't show in the picture.

They dont have the logo but mine came with the little pocket for it. mabe it just doesn't show in the picture.

i wouldn't think they are junk. just a reproduction of the OEM.
maybe even better than the original. who knows

reps are whats on my white one. many thousands of miles with no probs. staggerd only is the rule! make sure you get hubcentric rings to fit wherever you buy them from. most aftermarket, if not all will require this. IT IS IMPORTANT.

replicas are 1) heavier than the real thing and 2) not as "true" or perfectly round, so there will be some more vibration while driving. the REAL question is; will you *notice* a damn difference? well, that's only something that you can answer. (hint: most people don't)

Thanks for all the responses, guys. You've made my decision easier. As long as I can find a set of replicas with the little relief for the M logo, that's what I'm going with. Can't see paying as much or more for a used, scratched up set of OEMs.

Oh, one question though, will the black lug bolts from my 16" turbines work with the new replicas? Discount Tire wants $70 for their "Wheel Installation Kit," basically a chrome set of lug bolts.

25mm is what you want. i'm 98% positive. that's stock length and also the length that went on my e38 replica mpars (before i added spacers :eek:...)

There is an italian aftermarket brand of M-pars that I had heard lots of good feedback for over the years; The brand name is FM wheels. They looked very much like the real deal, including the M badge, with great finish quality, and various 8 series owners bought these in staggered and where very happy with them.

They used to be sold by the Wheel Exchange - which I think must have gone out of business. Neither their own website not their ebay store works anymore.

Maybe somebody else knows of an alternative source for these?

Replicas are not forgeed, hence weaker. They are also heavier.

Other then that, no difference. If you 8 is cruiser, replicas are fine!

I bought 2 sets from these guys in Sarasota:



O E Wheel Distributors is an industry leader in new and innovative designs. We have over 8.7 million in inventory and growing. Feel free to contact us at anytime. Our toll free phone number is 1 866-273 3651. We also have a website listed under oewheelsllc.com where we show all of our latest designs and new item arrivals.


No affiliation. They carry the M-Parallel Replicas WITH the M-Logo indentation. The wheels are staggered with the correct offsets and include the center caps and M-Logos. These do NOT require the hubcentric rings. I had absol;utely no problems withthem whatsoever and logged over 70,000 miles on them (between my 750iL and the 850Ci).

I bought 2 sets from these guys in Sarasota:



O E Wheel Distributors is an industry leader in new and innovative designs. We have over 8.7 million in inventory and growing. Feel free to contact us at anytime. Our toll free phone number is 1 866-273 3651. We also have a website listed under oewheelsllc.com where we show all of our latest designs and new item arrivals.


No affiliation. They carry the M-Parallel Replicas WITH the M-Logo indentation. The wheels are staggered with the correct offsets and include the center caps and M-Logos. These do NOT require the hubcentric rings. I had absol;utely no problems withthem whatsoever and logged over 70,000 miles on them (between my 750iL and the 850Ci).

I got the same wheels (M-Pars) from the same place. Good quality.