Can tell if ZCP wheels are replica?

Have you ever seen a bad replica of ZCP wheels? It seems like a pretty easy part to knock off, am I wrong?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/pts/3280276811.html

fongpi wrote

Have you ever seen a bad replica of ZCP wheels? It seems like a pretty easy part to knock off, am I wrong?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/pts/3280276811.html

Yes, you are wrong. Do yourself and society a favor by learning a bit about wheels. These 2 threads are a great primer:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=353224
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=357430

Anything can be copied. Wheels are the one thing I won't go cheap on.

X2Board wrote

Anything can be copied. Wheels are the one thing I won't go cheap on.

+1

i almost bought some reps... but i thought to myself, ive already spent 74k on this damn car, why go cheap on your wheels...

its like wearing a versace suit and putting on a cheap belt and some aldo shoes..

Oh wow ok, thanks for the info fellas! So, with that out of the way, how can I be sure that the wheels I'm buying are real? Since BMW won't sell me the competition package wheels by themselves, I have to go aftermarket.

fongpi wrote

Oh wow ok, thanks for the info fellas! So, with that out of the way, how can I be sure that the wheels I'm buying are real? Since BMW won't sell me the competition package wheels by themselves, I have to go aftermarket.

You are able to order them through a BMW dealer such as us. They retail for $644 per wheel but our parts department gives discounts to forum members.

Shop around, the price for the OEM per wheel sits around 520. Depending on the paint. Search search and search. This forum is somehow resourceful.

fongpi wrote

Oh wow ok, thanks for the info fellas! So, with that out of the way, how can I be sure that the wheels I'm buying are real? Since BMW won't sell me the competition package wheels by themselves, I have to go aftermarket.

I wondered about the same thing as well about a month ago when I was shopping for a used set of OEM winter wheels. I called my dealer and asked them how I can tell if wheels are OEM and not replicas. They told me that there is a BMW part number imprinted on the back of each wheel along with the word "BMW" and if I call back with this part number they can verify that it's an actual OEM wheel.

It's not illegal to copy the look and style of an OEM wheel but I'm certain it's illegal to imprint BMW and a fake part number.

Due diligence is important when buying anything used. Ask for the history of where the wheel came from, is the seller the original owner or not? If you don't get a good vibe with the answers to your questions then simply walk away.

It is not a matter of going cheap or expensive. It is all in the materials, manufacturing process, R&D the company makes, weight. The overall quality of the product. I've seen wheels that are ultra expensive and in terms of all this, they are worthless pieces of crap...

ADV.1 wheels come to mind...

On performance vehicles like M3's, I'd stay between the lines of BBS, Volk/Rays and SSR to name a few...

I am yet to se a replica wheel that has ALL the characteristics of the original item, so you are literally paying less for less. but why compromise on something that give you both performance and safety at the same time?

Check out http://www.getbmwparts.com/. They are a sponsor and a BMW dealer. Many people buy from them. Turner Motorsport is also a good source for BMW OEM wheels.

The wheels on the craigslist add you listed is a replica of the E46 M3 Competition wheels. Not the ZCP wheels on the E90/92.

Does anyone have pics of a space grey E93 with black competition package wheels?

Speaking of which, anyone have black competition package wheels they wanna sell =)?

Who makes the ZCP wheels for BMW?

BBS. As with all M wheels, I'm sure.

OP, have you checked the classifieds on here? Should be able to find an OEM set w/tires for about $2000 (give or take a couple hundred bucks).

Also, whoever said that their parts department won't sell you the wheels is just a moron. That's quite possibly the stupidest thing I've heard somebody from a dealership say after... M3 comes with run-flats.

jamze132 wrote

Who makes the ZCP wheels for BMW?