You can often tell if a rim is factory OEM by looking for the manufacturer’s emblem on the back (think Ford, Chevy, etc.). There will also nearly always be OEM type numbers on the rear of the wheel, which occasionally include the part number. The OEM wheel part number is typically stamped on the back of authentic Volvo wheels, Audi wheels, Volkswagen rims, and BMW wheels. BMW starts off its digits with 11, 66, 67, and 68, among other things!
It is likely that the sought-after wheel is not a stock wheel if the center cap or hub cap does not bear the carmaker’s mark. The center cap emblem, which is typically a reliable indicator of genuine wheels, can be misleading, though, as some aftermarket manufacturers make wheels that fit original equipment caps.
One thing to keep in mind is that factory original wheels frequently have an aftermarket finish (a different finish) than when they were first installed on the vehicle. For example, the rims might have been polished, chromed, or given a PVD chrome finish. The aforementioned wheels, which now have unique finishes, would be regarded as having a “aftermarket finish” on a rim that was manufactured by the original manufacturer.
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530iman
The numbers on the front of certain wheels circle the inner hub. Every OEM wheel has a part number, size, and wheel type stamped on it. The wheels you want to buy are not OEM if they don’t have the lengthy set of numbers shown in the image above. You may verify that it is OEM Equipment by searching for his part number from the image.
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How can I know whether a set of 17″ BMW Style 161 rims and tires I’m interested in purchasing from someone are genuine OEM BMW wheels?
I am aware that the part numbers for the front are 36116775599 and the rear are 36116775600, but will the entire part number be stamped on the rear or will only a portion be? Anyone had a photo of the back of a rim in this design?
What else ought to be behind that? I am aware that the BMW logo needs to be stamped, but should it be done anywhere or in a certain spot?
BMW will be written on the inside back of each spoke, and on the front of the wheel, near the center, there will be a one- or two-digit number.
RRoberts
Numbers are cast or stamped onto the middle portion of OEM wheels. These might correspond to the BMW part numbers that you can purchase from the dealer or perhaps online (you may want the German part numbers, usually different from the U.S. part numbers). The original 8 x 18 front wheel’s part number is 368018, while the original 9.5 x 18 rear wheel’s part number is 369518, according to a three-year-old Bekkers catalog. These are, at most, abbreviated BMW part numbers. If Bekkers are feeling friendly, they might be able to tell you the complete part numbers and/or the identification symbols on the inside of the wheel. It’s pretty chilly outdoors, so I’m afraid I can’t offer to take the wheels off and check.
Make sure to check the specs because some “Chinese clones” of OEM wheels are produced in other sizes, such as 8.5 in. width or different diameter. A good sign would be the availability of OEM tires in the appropriate sizes, such as the Dunlop 8080E or Michelin Pilot Sport.
Replica Warning Signs for BMW Wheel Style 24
It goes without saying that any duplicate wheel will not have the official BMW stamp on the back. The place of origin of the wheels is frequently branded as Italy. Additionally, most imitation wheels will only have “MOTORSPORT” stamped on the front, not the full “BMW MOTORSPORT.” Many wheels will not have the recessed space for the “M” badged sticker below the center cap if they are replicas of the facelifted version. Examples of genuine LTW / GT Style 24 wheel marks are shown in the photographs below.
How can I know whether the rims on my BMW are authentic?
Registered. Numbers are cast or stamped onto the middle portion of OEM wheels. These might correspond to the BMW part numbers that you can purchase from the dealer or perhaps online (you may want the German part numbers, usually different from the U.S. part numbers).
In worst-case scenarios, they can collapse under a heavy load like emergency braking or break in potholes while leaking air. Like any other good or service, quality can vary greatly depending on the price. Although a nice imitation wheel won’t be cheap, it will cost less than an original equipment wheel.
How can I tell whether my wheels are OEM?
Or maybe you are aware of what they mean but are unable to choose which is ideal for you. Are there advantages and disadvantages to each choice?
Original Equipment Manufactured, or OEM, refers to parts that were created (or approved) by the automaker and not an aftermarket supplier. BMW, Mercedes, Ford, etc., as examples. This wheel is a standard original Cadillac wheel.
An perfect reproduction of the original, or one that comes 90% near, is what a replica wheel or component is. Even though a replica wheel is not manufactured by the original car manufacturer, it is still considered aftermarket because it is meant to mimic the original. Replicas are imitations of designer goods like purses or shoes. Most of the time, you can’t even distinguish between them, which is against protocol. A wheel is NOT OEM if it is labeled as “Replica OEM” or similar. a little perplexing, yes?
An aftermarket wheel is created by a business that is not connected to the automaker, and the design does not attempt to mimic the original. Most aftermarkets have a considerably distinct visual appearance from the originals.
How to spot a replica or genuine wheel right away:
The best way to tell if a rim is original is to use the OE component number on the back; just Google the number to find out what brand and automobile it comes from.
What company creates BMW wheels?
Beyern Wheels is the main supplier of alloy wheels for BMW vehicles. Exclusively for BMW, they have a series of unique wheels. Even the 3, 5, 6, 7 series and the X3, X5, Z3, and Z4 have unique designs. They provide wheels in a range of designs and coatings, and some even feature the BMW insignia in the middle.
How do I identify the wheels I have?
The size of the wheels on your car should come first. You can discover that on the inside of the driver’s door frame or on the sidewall of the tires on your original wheels. For further information, see Tire Size Explained (Reading the Sidewall).
The fifth set of numbers and characters represents the wheel diameter (in inches or millimeters). What do the numerals on rims mean? The distance between the two bead seat regions, where the tire is secured to the wheel, is indicated by this number.
The width and offset of a wheel are also included in its size. The breadth equals the separation between each bead seat (from inside to the outside). The wheel and tire set’s alignment with the wheel well is determined by the offset.
Where are original BMW wheels produced?
One of the biggest wheel producers in the world, Ronal is based in Germany. They created Styles 132, 199, and 214, which were shown on the X5, 3-Series, and X5 (seen above)
What are OEM wheels?
A wheel that was mounted on an automobile by the original manufacturer is known as an OEM wheel. The terms stock rims, factory wheel, and take-off wheel are also interchangeable when referring to OEM wheels. “Original equipment manufacturer” is what OEM stands for. For every car type, OEM wheel manufacturers offer unique stock rims, and virtually always there are multiple choices. On the other hand, aftermarket wheels are created by numerous other businesses that either create custom rims or occasionally counterfeit wheels that resemble original wheels. Replica wheels can be an affordable alternative to buying OEM replacement wheels, particularly in cases where a used wheel or reconditioned wheel cannot be found.
What materials are used to make BMW wheels?
When a BMW leaves the dealership, alloy wheels are the most prevalent type of wheel. Similar to the paint job on your car, they are comprised of lightweight aluminum and finished with bright silver or a flat metallic tint before being clear coated. To match the size of your tires, alloy wheels are available in a variety of sizes. There are numerous spoked, vintage, and other variations. Your alloy wheels will require care and upkeep, much like the paint on your BMW and its parts.
Do all BMW wheels have forgings?
If this already exists, I apologize.
I’ve always like the challenge of searching for solutions rather than simply asking, but these search results are really strange.
On one E38 board, I’m seeing what I think **may** be some inaccurate information about which OEM BMW wheels are forged and which are cast.
V12 vehicles typically feature forged wheels. This is applicable to the E38 and E31 V12s and dates back to the E32 750il. The 8 cylinders don’t. The five double-spoke M3 LTW wheels were also forged. The casting and forging of the M-system II wheels (throwing stars) can be seen by looking at the design surrounding the hub when the covers are removed. If you can take a high-resolution photo of the wheel markings, you can easily distinguish between a cast and forged wheel. The marks on a cast wheel will be raised (cast in, of course), whereas the markings on a forged wheel are etched. I am aware that the E39 M5 wheel is cast and rather heavy. I’m not sure if BMW uses any forged wheels on their more recent vehicles; perhaps the cost is just prohibitive when you consider 19- and 20-inch wheels.
Why are OEM wheels so pricey?
Although OEM wheels are more expensive, their superior quality justifies this. The performance of your automobile will be directly impacted by these wheels because they were designed to fit a certain car model properly. Because aftermarket wheels won’t fit a car’s measurements properly, they might actually change how your car drives and lower the car’s worth. OEM wheels will assist in maintaining the value of your car after it has been driven off the lot.
What does a rim’s numbering mean?
The bolt pattern, which consists of two integers, shows the number of bolt holes a wheel has as well as the size of the fictitious circle those holes form. The wheel in our example, 4-100, has 4 lug holes arranged in a circle with a 100mm diameter. Remember that the second number can be expressed in either millimeters or inches.
Are tires for BMW expensive?
Common BMW tires range in price from $150 to $350 per tire, however high-performance tires can cost up to and even over $500 per tire. Although you won’t normally require pricey tires, you can call one of our experts with BMW training to learn more about the cost of various tires for your car.