I have been looking to refurb my Zeniths, but for only a £100 more I can get a set of BBS CH replicas, however being reps I have my concerns about quality, weight etc. Does anyone have experience with these or other replica wheels that they could bring to the table?

I've had experience of reps in the past and to be honest, it wasn't great. If you compare them to the real deal or even some of the cheaper but mainstream manufacturers there is a noticable difference in quality. The wheels may look good but some are made from tinfoil that buckles at the slightest provocation. The laquer is poor which means they rot quicker and not all of them have the correct type approval so in essence, there is even a question mark over their legality.

A mate of mine bought some really nice looking RS6 copies for his Audi and every wheel had balance issues - they would balance but they required a load of weight. Also one had a hop straight out of the box and I think he buckled another one about two months into owenership.

I get the impression that cheap aftermarket solutions are not only made from inferior quality material but are also weaker in design with less actual material used in order to acheive the same result.

Another friend put some 19" "turbine" type on his Scirocco and buckled a wheel the first time he hit a pothol which was about a week after mounting them. He then proceeded to go through three tyres in as many months on holes etc. Possibly not to do with the wheel but as the fitment was also available as a factory option, I doubt VW would even offer it if this was happening on a reguler basis with the factory wheels.........

You'll probably find the Zeniths are made by Speedline or somebody equally as well know in the wheel game so the quality is good.

IMHO you get what you pay for.

I'd have the same concerns TBH.

'It depends' is the answer unfortunately, as reps can vary massively in quality, materials used and overall weight. Pete seems to have a decent set of CH reps on his motor though, and I was impressed with the quality and weight. He's also had them a while with no issues. Maybe fire him a question? http://briskoda.net/forums/user/36289-pete8tch/

i can echo everything that wardth has said.

i had reps on my last car - an astra

they were heavy, needed loads of balance weights and still lost balance regularly.

then i buckled one with a visit down a pothole.

never again.

pay the extra and get genuine wheels would be my advice

Thanks for all the advice guys, I suppose at even a 3rd or 4th of the cost of the originals it would be a gamble. Its a shame as they're my favourite wheels by far, but I just can't justice the expense of the real ones. :(

Get some, and if you don't get on with them just flog them on ebay for a little less than the traders on there. You will soon sell them as they fit so many different cars.

I was looking at these. £399 a set in 18"s, the accounts on here seem dubious though so I'm going save up and look for a second hand gen set I think.

I was looking at these. £399 a set in 18"s, the accounts on here seem dubious though so I'm going save up and look for a second hand gen set I think.

I think I will go down that route, just missed a set with tyres for £650 on the mkvgti forum.... :'(

Thanks for all the advice guys, I suppose at even a 3rd or 4th of the cost of the originals it would be a gamble. Its a shame as they're my favourite wheels by far, but I just can't justice the expense of the real ones. :(

You could sell the wife and children

I think I will go down that route, just missed a set with tyres for £650 on the mkvgti forum....

Was just thinking of that set, but thought I wouldn't rub it in!

What about some Pescaras from an ED30? Could be a cheaper option, while still being 'pukka' ?

You could sell the wife and children

I need 4 wheels though Bryan!

Was just thinking of that set, but thought I wouldn't rub it in!

What about some Pescaras from an ED30? Could be a cheaper option, while still being 'pukka' ?

Pescaras would be excellent, but I think they attract similar money.

my brother bought some real BBS split rims in 19 inch for his cls and the edge was shiny but even at £4,800 pound he had to have these refurbed and he looked after them

but weight wise think there was about one 5 gram on each wheel.

Pescaras would be excellent, but I think they attract similar money.

What's the budget?

Too much? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3043028.htm

What's the budget?

Too much? http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3043028.htm

At this moment in time, yes to much, but a bargain for someone else.

Silly question, but is there a difference between BBS replicas and BBS style wheels?

My 02p:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220819430460&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I'm watching these - genuine 19" BBS CK's which are the perfect size for a vrs, 8" wide and et44, plus they have great tyres on - mich supersports.

Unfortunately I don't have a grand spare, and the chap's turned me down with my (admittedly, derisory) offer.

If you consider how much a decent set of new tyres is, you're actually getting the wheels for a pretty good price?

You are asking for trouble on potholes with that tyre size.

Still, each to their own!

My 02p:

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I'm watching these - genuine 19" BBS CK's which are the perfect size for a vrs, 8" wide and et44, plus they have great tyres on - mich supersports.

Unfortunately I don't have a grand spare, and the chap's turned me down with my (admittedly, derisory) offer.

If you consider how much a decent set of new tyres is, you're actually getting the wheels for a pretty good price?

I'm not a CK fan, but that's a decent deal

Would look great on the wagon Rob

I'm not a CK fan, but that's a decent deal

Would look great on the wagon Rob

+1,

I think the graphite zeniths look the business on yor passion wagon Rob, if you do get the CK's, I will have your old wheels.

I had genuine Pescara's on my vRS and sold them for more than I paid for them! It is worth going OE for the guarantee of quality

I had genuine Pescara's on my vRS and sold them for more than I paid for them! It is worth going OE for the guarantee of quality

Who asked you? :p

I'm not a CK fan, but that's a decent deal

Would look great on the wagon Rob

Yeah, I know. :S Ideally i'd re-do them in the same colour as my neptunes - that would be just peachy IMO. Can you lend me 500 quid? :p

+1,

I think the graphite zeniths look the business on yor passion wagon Rob, if you do get the CK's, I will have your old wheels.

They're neptunes, but yes you can have them if you want? £1,000 a fair price?

The CH alloys do look good on a vRS, I would either go for these or a set of the newer RS4 reps in Anthracite

Never really fell in love with my Pescara's as they always looked smaller than 18" on the rear at least due to the size of the rear quarter

They're neptunes, but yes you can have them if you want? £1,000 a fair price?

I knew that, I was just testing - congratulations, you passed!

Never really fell in love with my Pescara's as they always looked smaller than 18" on the rear at least due to the size of the rear quarter

Strange that, I can see your point. :wonder: