OEM VW/Audi wheel replicas or try and get originals? Brisbane?

[moda]

Hey guys,

I'll be taking over ownership of a Golf mk6 TDI once I sell my car, which currently has the standard 16s on it. Plan is to get 18s or 19s, and probably something in an OEM style (whether that be GTI/GTD/R/S4 style type wheel). Obviously OEM wheels are silly expensive and hard to get, so my question is, are the replica wheels any good? Fair enough they might be a bit heavier than the OEMs, but that's really par for the course. Are there any places worth looking in Australia/Brisbane that sell decent replicas? Or should I just try and get a set of originals, probably second hand? In all probability i'll chuck a set of Kumho KU31s on it, since i've had good experience with them on my current car (with 18s), unless someone can come up with a better alternative for tyres in around the same price.

Thoughts?

Thanks guys

[team_v]

ebay/tempetyres are probably your first port of call.

I had omanyt rep's on mine first, then upgraded to the RPF1's and dropped 4.5kg per corner.
Other than the weight i didn't have a problem with them.

[noone]

keep an eye on ebay, gumtree, classifieds here OzAudi.

Reps come from all over, some are great, some not so... Weights can be a lot more, structure can be poor (easier to crack) and finish can come off where it would stay put on OEM.

IMO if you need the OEM look, second hand IMO. Otherwise, tire rack in the US has some great stuff for good prices.

[dylan8]

Genuine wheels over reps everytime.
Sizes and specs are one reason people go reps. genuine wheels cant be had in the stud pattern required etc.
Other is cost. People believe replicas are cheaper, but if you do enough hunting and take your time genuine can be had cheaper

[moda]

Hrm ok, cheers gents.

If you were to go reps though, where should I be looking? Ebay(advancetyres?)/Tempe as Team_v suggested?

Still trying to work things out/figure out how much things are gonna cost.

Sold my old car and moved all my stuff into the new car today, pretty pumped to get some nice rims on it

[GTD_XU1]

With regard to tyres I fitted a set of P7 Cinturato's to my GTD about 23,000 km ago and I am happy so far and they suit my style, I don't go around corners on 2 wheels ( too old for that ). I do a lot of highway running at mostly legal speeds and they are nice and quiet, much better than the Bridgestone Turanza's fitted when new. I am on standard 17" wheels, tyres 225/45 17 etc, and I run them at 40psi all round, perhaps in a different size they may have different characteristics, I don't know. I reckon I will get at least 30,000km out of them, probably more. I needed tyres at 45,000 km service and the dealer had them fitted, balanced and 4 wheel align for $869, you may be able to do a better price but at the time the dealer's price was $100 cheaper than other quotes I had. I put up a review recently on tyrereviews.co.uk if interested. Good hunting with the wheels.

[brad]

I usually change rims when my tyres wear out. I just keep an eye on ebay / gumtree / various VW/Audi forums when my tyres start to get low. Fit the "new rims/tyres & flog the old ones off on the forums.

I currently am on my 3rd set of rims with a set waiting to go on shortly.

So far:
OEM: 16x6.5 with 205/55r16 - 45,000km. Sold for $200
tired looking BBS 17x8 + worn 235/45r17 khumos - 10,000km. bought $400 / sold $300
As new Audi OEM 16x7.5 + new Michelin Primacy 225/55r16. 60,000km. bought $400 / still on car. Worth $150 - 200ish at a guess.
slightl gutter rash Audi OEM 17x7.5 + 50%worn Bridgestone RE050A 225/50r17. Bought $400.

Be careful going to 19". Some states only allow a maximum +2" over the largets rim listed on the tyre placard in the fuel flap. (Also harsh ride, greater chance of sidewall/rim damage, heavy, visual exageration of gap between tyre & wheel arch.

[moda]

Fair enough.

I'll definitely go for 18s, think i'll go for the Talladegas (the ones on the R).... Looks like they're a hard commodity to come by, might have to go reps.

So any recommendations on where to go for reps?

[human traffic]

ah! ive been trying to search the forum for pretty much this same question but ive been getting stuck on the minimal character search re: rs4, s4 etc and not being about to use quotations for multiple words! ended up just doing a general -audi- and -style- search so thanks moda

ive been looking at getting the rs4 split spoke reps in 18s and come down from my 19" tallas. even tho it seems to be rather played out, ive always like the look of them (and couldnt afford a rs4 :p )
ebay have them and so does tempe tyres but i'll be looking a bit harder locally so i can save on shipping (hopefully not having the savings cancelled out with brisbane tax!)

[human traffic]

also found this thread

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f39/ebay-spec-wheels-72627.html

i wont be racing or even getting near the redline much so im comfortable with saving some dosh for other toys (:

[moda]

I ended up getting a set of genuine 18inch talladegas second hand Love them, car looks sexeh