Cheapest place to buy OEM wheels

[suparockin]

Hi everyone,

My car is a company vehicle and the budget was stretched already to get my fully loaded Tig so I didn't opt for the 18" wheels (got the 17" ones standard on the 147).

Now I am feeling buyers remorse, am trying to find a way to get the 19" Savannahs or the 18" New Yorks.

I found this site in the US, but they don't ship to Australia.

http://volkswagen.dealerfit.com/store/volkswagen-tiguan-accessories-cat318_2393.php?usid=89c9a95a74c82877f7970599a6066da4

The dealer said New Yorks would be $3K with tires, that is ridiculous!

I guess the other thing I could do is check to see if anyone has updated their 18"s and want to sell them?

Ideas?

[Sharkie]

I personally think the stock 17"s on the 147 looks better than any of the VW OEM 18" & 19" alternatives ....

For a really good look I'd be considering some of the other OEM look ones like the RS4 & RS6s ...... (but then I'm baised with my 18" RS4s)

[suparockin]

I personally think the stock 17"s on the 147 looks better than any of the VW OEM 18" & 19" alternatives ....

For a really good look I'd be considering some of the other OEM look ones like the RS4 & RS6s ...... (but then I'm baised with my 18" RS4s)

Really? I love the New Yorks, they are all over the brochures (even when they are showing the TDi or the 125!).

[JamesTiguan147]

I can see why you want the 19" savannahs. I looked at the black ones, you dont want to know the price the dealer quoted me, he was almost ashamed to tell me i think.

The happy medium in my opinion are the PCW Audi Q7 Bi-spoke 18"x8 replicas. Fitted with good tyres for about $2,000. There are gunmetal out there but i want the black ones to match my black 147. Stud pattern is 5x112, same as the Tig.

I really wanted some big wheels, i even started the 20" thread, i have almost completely changed my mind. Anything more than 18's forces you to lower this SUV which is crazy in my mind, like jacking up a F1 car. If you dont lower it at thoses sizes the car's look is ruined, massive gaping holes in the wheel arches are highlighted, so you are stuck.

I'm considering the above with a low offset, i reckon something like this is a perfect balance to retain the SUV nature of the car, improve the look, yet keep ride comfort and practicality as well as avoid turning a great looking car into something it isn't, can make it look tacky.

Just my thoughts.

[suparockin]

Re: Cheapest place to buy OEM wheels

I can see why you want the 19" savannahs. I looked at the black ones, you dont want to know the price the dealer quoted me, he was almost ashamed to tell me i think.

The happy medium in my opinion are the PCW Audi Q7 Bi-spoke 18"x8 replicas. Fitted with good tyres for about $2,000. There are gunmetal out there but i want the black ones to match my black 147. Stud pattern is 5x112, same as the Tig.

I really wanted some big wheels, i even started the 20" thread, i have almost completely changed my mind. Anything more than 18's forces you to lower this SUV which is crazy in my mind, like jacking up a F1 car. If you dont lower it at thoses sizes the car's look is ruined, massive gaping holes in the wheel arches are highlighted, so you are stuck.

I'm considering the above with a low offset, i reckon something like this is a perfect balance to retain the SUV nature of the car, improve the look, yet keep ride comfort and practicality as well as avoid turning a great looking car into something it isn't, can make it look tacky.

Just my thoughts.

Do you have a link for those replica's?

[gareth_oau]

a couple of options for you to consider:

1/ buy non genuine from somewhere like tirerack

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/results.jsp?filterSize=18&filterFinish=All&filterBrand=All&filterSpecial=false&filterNew=All&autoMake=Volkswagen&autoModel=Tiguan&autoYear=2009&autoModClar=SE+4Motion&sort=Brand

One of the guys from Ozaudi purchased 5 high spec tyres from tirerack and had no problems and saved a justifiable amount, even after duty and GSt was added here.

or 2/ set up a parcel forwarding account in the US.

I've just used a crowd called www.parcelsforwarding.com for some snow gear.

You are given an address in the US. your supplier sends them to this US address, where they are redirected to your Ozzie address. cost is circa 5% or order value, plus actual delivery costs to Oz

[team_v]

The most cost effective option is to get some replica wheels.

They are all made in the same place so there is no real difference, except VW will charge you an extra 1.5k for them.

Alternatively, you could look on ebay for oem wheels.

[Sanman]

Really? I love the New Yorks, they are all over the brochures (even when they are showing the TDi or the 125!).

IMO In the metal they look kind of frilly and overworked

[JamesTiguan147]

http://www.jackbakertyres.com.au/wheel_pages/audi_wheels.html

These are the 20 or 22's but on a black car even gunmetal polished face looks decent.

http://www.tempetyres.com.au/gallery_closeup.asp?group=Audi&imageid=image7&index=Audi+1%2E4

[Maverick]

The most cost effective option is to get some replica wheels.

They are all made in the same place so there is no real difference, except VW will charge you an extra 1.5k for them.

What utter bollocks.

Clearly you've never seen the difference between the OEM wheels and the replicas.

There are two types of replicas, those made by reputable companies and which are decent quality and those sold by places like Tempe which are the cheapest rubbish with no quality control and poor finish.

None of them come from the OEM factory and none will match the OEM for quality or finish.

[Golf Houso]

None of them come from the OEM factory and none will match the OEM for quality or finish.

OEM wheels are not that great Mav, if you play with enough sets like I have, stripping them down, polishing and painting you'll realise there is virtually no difference between an uber mass produced wheel made in the Czech Republic which sits on your GTI/R32 and the vast majority of those reps you see sitting in the window of Tempe.

I really don't blame you for thinking that way, but trust me on this one the VAG OEM wheels are really just mass produced to be cost effective and even the BBS/Ronal/Oz wheels are made by VW under a license, not by the companies themselves.

If the wheels failed in any way, they'd be in for a 1-3 million law suit against them, and believe you me mate I've seen CTP cases where they've chased people overseas.

[Maverick]

OEM wheels are not that great Mav, if you play with enough sets like I have, stripping them down, polishing and painting you'll realise there is virtually no difference between an uber mass produced wheel made in the Czech Republic which sits on your GTI/R32 and the vast majority of those reps you see sitting in the window of Tempe.

I'll have to disagree. OEM wheels are built to a standard, the finish on them is excellent and often they will last the life of the car without problems like the coating peeling or a failure. Volkswagen have to ensure the quality is up there and that they meet or exceed the standards. After all it's Volkswagens name on the wheels.

The finish on the wheels from places like Tempe are just rubbish, I've seen them and up close they look shocking with defects throughout the paint. The quality of the finish of the wheel is poor.

BobJane who sell cheap wheels as well have a 1m rule, if you can't see a defect from a metre they won't fix or replace the wheel. (source: http://www.bobjane.com.au/warranty.html)

How many wheel from Tempe Tyres meet AS 1638? Very few.

These are the only standards that are acceptable for alloy wheels on a car in Australia.

AS 1638 Australian Standard
DOT Department of Transport USA (not acceptable except in VIC)
JWLT Japanese Light Alloy Wheel Truck and Bus (not acceptable except in VIC)
JWLT Japanese Light Alloy Wheel (not acceptable except in VIC)
JIS Japanese Industry Standard
TUV/KBA German TUV Certification
VIA Vehicle Inspection Association Japan (not acceptable except in VIC)
WIS Wheel Industries Associate (Australia) (not acceptable in VIC)

I really don't blame you for thinking that way, but trust me on this one the VAG OEM wheels are really just mass produced to be cost effective and even the BBS/Ronal/Oz wheels are made by VW under a license, not by the companies themselves.

But they're made in a factory that meets all the requirements and they're putting their name on it, they're not selling cheap knockoffs that are mass produced in China for the cheapest price with no name or a forged name attached to the wheel.

The difference is the wheels with a name attached to them have to be fully responsible for the wheel and it's compliance. The cheap knockoffs don't have to do any of this.

If the wheels failed in any way, they'd be in for a 1-3 million law suit against them, and believe you me mate I've seen CTP cases where they've chased people overseas.

You could say the same about Tempe Wheels for illegally drilling wheels to get them to fit but they still do it.

[Golf Houso]

I'll have to disagree. OEM wheels are built to a standard, the finish on them is excellent and often they will last the life of the car without problems like the coating peeling or a failure. Volkswagen have to ensure the quality is up there and that they meet or exceed the standards. After all it's Volkswagens name on the wheels.

I have three sets in my backyard that around 8-10 years old and are suffering from pealing clearcoat, and other problems. Again mate, thats just a claim your making from your informed opinion and not based on any personal experience or hands on experience of any kind.

The finish on the wheels from places like Tempe are just rubbish, I've seen them and up close they look shocking with defects throughout the paint. The quality of the finish of the wheel is poor.

I've seen sportmaxxes that have better paint finishes than OEM wheels, again you really need to be into something to understand the differences.

The difference is the wheels with a name attached to them have to be fully responsible for the wheel and it's compliance. The cheap knockoffs don't have to do any of this.

They have public liability insurance, as do the manufacturers.

Oh and here is the cout de gras in your wheels case Mav:

This is an example of peeling clearcoat on a wait for it...







There was another instance on a second wheel, but i managed to sand most of it back.

So if even BBS cannot make a wheel whose clearcoat can last a lifetime, I very much doubt VW or any one else could either Maverick!!!

[JamesTiguan147]

Another great option for a black tig in my opinion, machined face black RS8 18 inch wheels.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BRAND-NEW-AUDI-RS8-STYLE-WHEELS-FIT-RS4-RS6-A4-_W0QQitemZ280408752131QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20091012?IMSfp=TL091012157001r2219

note the Q7 gunmetal wheels are also on this page as well as the sizes confirming the 5x112 stud pattern and i think the offset as well.


cheers

[suparockin]

Another great option for a black tig in my opinion, machined face black RS8 18 inch wheels.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BRAND-NEW-AUDI-RS8-STYLE-WHEELS-FIT-RS4-RS6-A4-_W0QQitemZ280408752131QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20091012?IMSfp=TL091012157001r2219

note the Q7 gunmetal wheels are also on this page as well as the sizes confirming the 5x112 stud pattern and i think the offset as well.


cheers

Those with postage are more than the OEM ones from VW??