I am doing a little research prior to the purchase of an E46 M3. I'm a big fan of the CSL wheels/ competition package wheels. I have found replicas for $899 vs. $1600 for originals- the weight is 25.5 ea.---does anyone know how close a quality replica is to the original? I am going to use these for the street, and the stock 18's will see track/autox duty.....so as long as these replicas have a good track record- I'd like to save the $800 bucks....thoughts?

thanks,
tj

many people have the replicas and i havent heard any problems with using them. u can tell by looking at them that they are reps though. modbargains.com has them for pretty cheap

I bought ZCP originals from the dealer for $2k.

I would only buy OEM or the RAC monolites.....nothing else.

velocity motoring reps are far superior to others.

Thanks for the feedback.

Sounds like they all claim to be within 1-2lbs of the original CSL wheels, but fall very short on quality and weight. So, I'll just stick to the real thing.

T

where are you finding these for 1600? only place i've seen that ahs them in stock is asking 3700.

where are you finding these for 1600? only place i've seen that ahs them in stock is asking 3700.

Ive seen them for 514.95 a piece on Bavarian Autosport.

http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp

where are you finding these for 1600? only place i've seen that ahs them in stock is asking 3700.

I was referring to the Competition wheels, which are virtually identical to the CSL wheels(correct me if I'm wrong). The factory comp wheels are on special right now at TurnerMotorsports for $1876.00.

T

I was referring to the Competition wheels, which are virtually identical to the CSL wheels(correct me if I'm wrong). The factory comp wheels are on special right now at TurnerMotorsports for $1876.00.

T


Show that to any dealer and they're likely match the price.

someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but IIRC CSL wheels are 1/2" wider than ZCP....can't remember if it's just the back...or both....

Show that to any dealer and they're likely match the price.

someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but IIRC CSL wheels are 1/2" wider than ZCP....can't remember if it's just the back...or both....

I believe its the front actually.

How much do the RAC Monolites go for? RG4s

it is front only that are .5" wider for the CSL wheels.

If RAC were still making the RG-4's they would be close to $4K.

it is front only that are .5" wider for the CSL wheels.

If RAC were still making the RG-4's they would be close to $4K.

They stopped making them? Blast. :(

[quote=TheMossMan;8485382]Show that to any dealer and they're likely match the price.

Interesting, I didn't realize this. Maybe I'll try this route...

Though I ended up going with a set of CSL fronts and competition rears, I had seriously considered the RG4 very recently. It's not in production, but Chuck did say if you could round up 10 for a group buy, he could produce sets in the mid $3K's. Go to chuck@racmonolites.com for more info.

John Hammack

chuck is the man, and that would be a great discount for the RG4's
I love mine and would never trade them.
I am running 265f/275r with the RG4's... just about Neutral!
If you can get 10 peeps it would be the way to go for sure!

Ive seen them for 514.95 a piece on Bavarian Autosport.
http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp

Pass on the BAV and go get them for $100 bucks a wheel cheaper here
http://www.bmwwheels.com/bmwwheels_detail.asp?ws=163&Series=E46
cheapest priced oem competition wheels around:buttrock

Pass on the BAV and go get them for $100 bucks a wheel cheaper here
http://www.bmwwheels.com/bmwwheels_detail.asp?ws=163&Series=E46
cheapest priced oem competition wheels around:buttrock

That is cheap, but I would also simply suggest you go to your local BMW store and talk with parts dept. They typically will do their best to meet internet pricing (w/shipping) that you have found. I got my local BMW dealer to match best pricing found for ZCP rotors & ZCP wheels in my quote. He was suprisingly happy to meet those prices and revise my ongoing quote when I found even better pricing. Now I get the upside of a relationship w/ a BMW parts dealer in my hometown....which can't ever hurt. You won't get a "deal" until you ask for one....just don't be afraid to negotiate.

this guys also has them fairly cheap.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M3-ZCP-COMPETITION-WHEELS-19-INCH-BRAND-NEW-E46_W0QQitemZ250076957069QQihZ015QQcategoryZ43959Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

this guys also has them fairly cheap.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M3-ZCP-COMPETITION-WHEELS-19-INCH-BRAND-NEW-E46_W0QQitemZ250076957069QQihZ015QQcategoryZ43959Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Yeah, that guy is a parts dealer @ Roadshow BMW in Memphis, TN. That price is about what Turnermotorsport and Bavarian Autosport want for theirs. You can't beat BMWwheels price of $815 for all four,......... Makes me wonder if they are actually OEM ZCP's or just replicas.:confused

As to the question of the quality of our Velocity CSL wheels (http://www.modbargains.com/product.aspx?pf_id=bmw-e46-wheels004), Heres a recent review that may help in answering your question:

"Ever since getting the CSL replica wheel and tire combo, I have been tracking the car VERY heavily. I have gone through 3 sets of tires, and the wheels have been in multiple high and low speed collisions. One impact in particular was at 45mph going into a 6+ inch cement curb and hitting both front wheels at that speed + popping the tires. I am just amazed by the quality of the wheels, they have held up extremely well with all this abuse, and while my stock 16" wheels actually BENT at even slower impacts, these have held up and only show signs of a basic "curb rash" rather than deformation. I went through 3 sets of front wheel bearings and every single front control arm bushing is destroyed, while the rims are not even bent."

Mike Co-owner of ModBargains has had these wheels on his car for 2 years now(had the first set on his own car, daily driven everyday) and they still look new, I see them everyday, they are without a doubt great wheels. Many of our customers have tracked them without any problems.

Save money and get the replica.. and spend a little extra on the tires. The replicas are more than perfect for the street. Tracking your car may be bit of a different story... but dont listen to those bimmer fanatics that always say... "Nothing but OEM/authentics for my car" They're just playing into the market. Research yourself and save $$$.

As to the question of the quality of our Velocity CSL wheels (http://www.modbargains.com/product.aspx?pf_id=bmw-e46-wheels004), Heres a recent review that may help in answering your question:

"Ever since getting the CSL replica wheel and tire combo, I have been tracking the car VERY heavily. I have gone through 3 sets of tires, and the wheels have been in multiple high and low speed collisions. One impact in particular was at 45mph going into a 6+ inch cement curb and hitting both front wheels at that speed + popping the tires. I am just amazed by the quality of the wheels, they have held up extremely well with all this abuse, and while my stock 16" wheels actually BENT at even slower impacts, these have held up and only show signs of a basic "curb rash" rather than deformation. I went through 3 sets of front wheel bearings and every single front control arm bushing is destroyed, while the rims are not even bent."

Mike Co-owner of ModBargains has had these wheels on his car for 2 years now(had the first set on his own car, daily driven everyday) and they still look new, I see them everyday, they are without a doubt great wheels. Many of our customers have tracked them without any problems.

wouldn't m3 owners want the 19's to fit our cars?

Yeah, that guy is a parts dealer @ Roadshow BMW in Memphis, TN. That price is about what Turnermotorsport and Bavarian Autosport want for theirs. You can't beat BMWwheels price of $815 for all four,......... Makes me wonder if they are actually OEM ZCP's or just replicas.:confused
Opps,,,,,,,,sorry, I did not see that it was $407.00 EACH. :help

Save money and get the replica.. and spend a little extra on the tires. The replicas are more than perfect for the street. Tracking your car may be bit of a different story... but dont listen to those bimmer fanatics that always say... "Nothing but OEM/authentics for my car" They're just playing into the market. Research yourself and save $$$.

To those that know, it is fairly easy to spot the replicas when compared to the OEM's. The concave "dip" in the rear is much less pronounced, and it isn't smooth like the OEM's. This is the real reason why I am going with the OEM's. The price difference is worth it to me to have the real thing, and the real look. I am more than making up that difference by going with an OEM ZCP brake upgrade instead of dropping a load for a BBK. Unless you are a hardcore track person, THOSE are the real unecessary money drains. I am sure that the reps are fine, I just prefer the look of the OEMs because they create a more "deep" looking rear wheel setup. If the reps could re-create this look accurately, then perhaps I would give them a whirl....hint, hint.

You should neve skimp on tires regardless....PS2's all the way. Better tires also = better braking.

I have my local BMW dealer selling them to me for $420/each. No shipping costs....good enough for me.

wouldn't m3 owners want the 19's to fit our cars?

Yes we've got 19's (http://www.modbargains.com/product.aspx?pf_id=velocity009) for fitment of the M3 as well as 18's (http://www.modbargains.com/product.aspx?pf_id=velocity007) for the M3. Since I thought he was tracking his car, most autocross/track guys prefer the 18's.

back from the dead!

Has any one had experience with putting CSL rears all around?? I just a little concerned with what size spacer I may need to maintain lock to lock clearance.

Thanks d00ds

CSL rears wont fit on the front as their way too wide & different offset (from memory but i could be wrong). We do the Velocity reps & they are by far the closest to the origional items and their the correct 8.5x19 & 9.5x19 staggered sizes

I just wish the rear Velocity wheels had as much concave as the OEM ZCP wheel!!!:( That is what made me change my mind about getting the reps.!

I'm currently running with 19's on a '05 M3. Is there a big difference running with 18's instead. Just curious...:shifty

I'm currently running with 19's on a '05 M3. Is there a big difference running with 18's instead. Just curious...:shifty

YES. for me the 18's are more comfortable (not as harsh) and just give a smoother ride. I have my car slammed with PSS9's with 295 width tires on the back and drive hard in a pothole infested areas of baltimore& dc and for me it was just a better move to avoid rubbing.

Thanks for the feedback. I 'll make sure to rent a car in Baltimore...