What's wrong with AMG copies?

[ReggieGasket]

Leaving aside judgements on style and the desirability of having non OE wheels, what are the problems with AMG copies? I'm thinking more about the manufacturing side. I've been told that the wheels are similar in terms of the metal, but that the paint finishes are lower quality. Can anyone confirm this? And what does it mean in practice? Do this type of wheels look bad after a year or so, even if they are unscratched? Must they be taken off in winter?

 

[Dieselman]

I would be surprised if there was a noticeable difference in paint quality.

The main differences will be styling and maybe wheel weight.

 

[BaldGuy]

Allot of the people on here are "purists" and only use AMG or OEM parts... There are good copies and bad and as DM says above, they usually weigh more. I ran some 18" copies on a W202 C Sport i had many moons ago and they looked great and to be honest i could not have cared about the weight.. the best bit was that they were a fraction of the cost.
I however now will only use AMG and OEM parts, not snobbery just what i prefer on my current car...

cheers Greg

 

[d w124]

I ran some 18" copies on a W202 C Sport i had many moons ago and they looked great and to be honest i could not have cared about the weight.. the best bit was that they were a fraction of the cost.
I however now will only use AMG and OEM parts, not snobbery just what i prefer on my current car...

Gor,you must be doing well now

 

[BaldGuy]

Sorry... reading that back i sound a right cxck!!! for those who know me... im not.... I just like my cars to have the best things if possible....

 

[MicB]

The only real issue must be any uncertainty there may be about ''fit for purpose''.......there will be those that will be fit for purpose and those that may not be fit for purpose......beyond that surely it must be a matter of personal choice.

Mic

 

[TDE1]

Sorry... reading that back i sound a right cxck!!! for those who know me... im not.... I just like my cars to have the best things if possible....

LOL.

IMHO, if the car is an AMG, then use proper gear. If not, and as long as what's being fitted is up to the job, then what the heck.

 

[developer]

The only real issue must be any uncertainty there may be about ''fit for purpose''.......there will be those that will be fit for purpose and those that may not be fit for purpose
Mic

Uncertainty, this is the crux for me - Chinese (other countries are available) rip offs may or may not be safe - have you seen some of the crap Dom finds on his counterfeit programme?

What price the safety of you and yours - bearing in mind the speed/forces your wheels are subjected to?

 

[martyp87]

I was going to buy a set of 19" AMG reps off eBay but decided against it and bought something completely different instead - no car related.

However, if you look around you can find genuine used AMG (and regular Merc) wheels for very reasonable prices. Personally, I'd wait until a genuine set come up for sale which suit your car tha way you have the real deal and peace of mind at a very good price.

 

[hotrodder]

I would have thought that casting quality (porosity levels/secondary melt alloy/sub par or skipped heat treatment) would be more likely than cheap paint to save a buck. All speculation though and very unlikely if the wheel came from a foundry/manufacturer that's known for good quality wheels i.e. they just decided to produce something in the 'amg style' and didn't add 'AMG tax' to the price

 

[ghibbett]

I would have thought that casting quality (porosity levels/secondary melt alloy/sub par or skipped heat treatment) would be more likely than cheap paint to save a buck.

Totally agree with this, however note that paint will also play a large role in terms of cost (and value!). I spent a few years as a wheel & tyre quality engineer, and you'll certainly pay more for an OEM paint finish.

What do I mean by that? You're paying towards a more production-ised paint process at a well-known (within the industry) painter to very clear and specific standards, as set out by Mercedes Benz. As such you're also paying towards the inevitable scrap that occurs from more rigorous quality standards.

Does this mean the wheels will be perfect? Nope. Quality standards do allow for some defects (for instance I have a few 'different colour inclusions' on my C63 wheels), however you will find that all 4 wheels will at least be the same shade with minimal defects as viewed from a set distance (normally between 30-60cm at an angle of 30 degrees to the horizontal).

Also remember that if the original AMG wheels are forged, and cheap copies are cast, that you'll be getting not only a heavier wheel but also a weaker wheel (design for design).

 

[BTB 500]

Most replica split-rims are one piece wheels i.e. the bolts are dummies.

 

[ReggieGasket]

Yes, I do sit on 90mph with 3 kids and and the wife in the car when visiting parents. Safety is a criteria. Forgot about weight too. I'm liking the OZ designs now . I assume they're OK?

 

[wooddoor6]

OEM paint quality, obviously not talking about AMG diamond cut wheels then

 

[nick mercedes]

Leaving aside judgements on style and the desirability of having non OE wheels, what are the problems with AMG copies? I'm thinking more about the manufacturing side. I've been told that the wheels are similar in terms of the metal, but that the paint finishes are lower quality. Can anyone confirm this? And what does it mean in practice? Do this type of wheels look bad after a year or so, even if they are unscratched? Must they be taken off in winter?

The biggest problem is if you damage one, it's not always possible to get another single one.

Given that Mercedes have yet to master manufacturing wheels that last for 18 months before needed a refurb, consider getting a cheap genuine set to use over the winter.

 

[Benza750]

You can also have problems getting four wheel alignment done when copied wheels are fitted, holes in wheels between wheel bolts are there for the alignment clamps to mount through. We used to get cars on the geom checks and couldn't do them untill we found original wheels to put back on

 

[ReggieGasket]

Yes, good point. I'm surprised by the comment about OE wheels. That include AMGs? My car is a 2008 with 55k; the original 17" AMGs still look very good.

 

[wooddoor6]

It's mainly the diamond cut wheels that have problems, water gets behind the lacquer in the centres and forms a white cloudy film, mine are 2 years old and showing this on 3 wheels.

 

[Alps]

most copies i have seen on the later design are of poor quality, crack easy, finish does not last long.

Unless they are from a quality aftermarket (most of which will have their name embossed on the rear) wheel maker I wouldnt touch them.

 

[ReggieGasket]

Thanks for that. Are there any quality aftermarket companies making AMG copies? Or are the quality aftermarket wheels the well known brands like OZ? I see a company on ebay selling new 18" OZ wheels and tyres for £900. AMG copies for £550 with tyres don't look such a great deal if they have poor resale value. I guess the best thing about second hand OE wheels at around £600 (with used tyres) is they will hold their value. Yes, OE wheels make the most sense.