Here's the two pics from post one:

Edit: One pic as the other wheels have been sold.

ah yes you are right( sett of four ) , well they are replicas for that price, so i would not bother

Genuine question: Is there anything actually wrong with replicas? Has anyone ever bought a set of reps (or had a friend/colleague or family member) and had an issue with them in terms of quality (i.e. quality of finish or damage/cracking that you suspect an OEM alloy would have stood up to)?

Are reps CONSIDERABLY heavier than the equivalent car-manufacturer-built wheels? Would the average driver be able to tell the difference - the driver who does an occasional bit of fast road driving when the conditions allow, not someone who takes their car onto a track?

My thoughts (being completely naive in these matters) are that the car manufacturers price their wheels at such a level that the replicas become a highly attractive proposition. I've had replica wheels previously (on an Audi) and the finish on them was perfect and I had no issues during over 20K of use with cracking or punctures etc that you might expect with cheaper wheels.

Why is there such a dislike of replica wheels?

1. Yes, I know of several people that have had replicas buckle from pothole damage, seen hairline cracks develop, loose pressure etc. Those are each separate incidents, from different people, using different supplies and manufacturers of replicas.

2. The weight issue. Some sets I've seen have been OK weight-wise and within a reasonable tolerance of the 'real deal'. A good replica set of BBS CHs spring to mind here. The issue with the weight more than anything is fuel consumption, in my book. Yes, you can notice a difference (if my experience). Fitting reps to lower powered cars can also reveal a noticeable change in acceleration, as the car struggles to rotate the heavier mass.

Not wishing to scare people, but I really would give them a wide berth.

HTH,

Steve.

Makes the Pro Race 1.2s sound even better

Absolutely. I'm sure I've even seen a suitable set for sale somewhere....

the first one listed transporter plus the audi range, my boss has a brand new tranporter and the studs look alot further apart than the cars, but could be wrong. the engine in that machine needs to be in vrs.

Not a massive fan of either TBH Simon. Particularly not the 'carbon' ones.

Which R32 style do you like? Zolders?

Hmmmmmm. There not too bad. Are they the new one's or old? Steve.

Hmmmmmm. There not too bad. Are they the new one's or old? Steve.

Old, I think!

Yeah MY06-07.... I think. Not a massive R32 officiando, but I do know they switched designs later in the production cycle.

Yep, these were the later ones. Personally, I think it's these that would suit the Octy shape better.

When I changed the colour of my wheels at the wheel specialist a Mercedes amg came in, Bryan the boss said that car has replicas on, they were virtually new but still one had buckled. He said the appearance is the same but heavier and prone to buckling, he said they may be ok to fit to a 1.4 golf, for a young lad to impress his mates but not on any performance car, STAY WELL CLEAR he said ,

He would not paint the wheels on the amg, if they are buckled it is binned

Same wheels as on newer R32's were also fitted to Passat R36 and Phaeton-here's my old VRS with a relative's Phaeton wheels fitted for a laugh-19's, not sure of width-probably 8.5J or 9J by the looks-undriveable with these tyres (and offset?)on anyway

Those look like a 9J, complete with massive balloon tyres

Looks nice though, good shout. So the 18" R32 version, with 225/40/18 would be a win I reckon

Standard ride height too

@ the OP: I reckon they would really work :yes:

Standard ride height too

@ the OP: I reckon they would really work :yes:

OHHHHH. Now I don't which ones to go for.:S

I'd keep it OEM and go for those above, or some Interlagos from a Scirocco.

On the Interlagos idea. I came close to buying some myself, then set my sights on Turinis

I'd keep it OEM and go for those above, or some Interlagos from a Scirocco.

On the Interlagos idea. I came close to buying some myself, then set my sights on Turinis

You had to do it Steve. Now I am confused as to which wheels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:wonder:

Haha. Here to help

You know what to do

Go on then, list your favourites and we'll have the final say :p

Is that you Steve?

Haha, no

Just a random PhotoBucket image I came across

That white estate with the Interlagos wheels on is pretty stunning.

That white estate with the Interlagos wheels on is pretty stunning.

With 30mm off the ride height it would be perfect.

A-men to that.

Yep. And they would look even better on a white FL hatch. With Weitecs fitted.

Pity.

There are set on eBay from a fairly local'ish supplier for £490 - 19" version.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320578689629&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Obviously replicas, but factor in £750'ish for some 225/35/19 tyres and you've got yourself a cracking combo for around £1250.