Replicas vs Aftermarket Alloys?

[KKHAN786]

Hi Guys,


I may have asked this before a long time back but I still can't decide. I like the Audi RS7 alloys but as we all know they are very expensive and also don't come in a size suitable for the A3. I have a A3 1.6TDI sportback 2009 reg.

I came across some replicas on eBay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262277424663


After some research I know there are mixed opinions on replicas due to safety and durability etc. But I haven't got the money for genuine and even if I did I wouldn't spend it on alloys... And I also don't want to cheapen the look of the car with some after markets unless they're nice.

I found a picture of the replicas on an A3 like mine:

What I'm asking is what people think of these in terms of durability as per the link above. And whether they will last long in normal use. I know there is a reason why they cost a quarter of the originals.

Or I came across the AXE EX14 and the FOX RACING FX10 alloys. I want the alloys to stand out and look unique because I haven't seen any RS7 alloys about but I see he rotor style a lot. I'm open to any other options and any advice is much appreciated.

 

[zyn-a3]

Hi Guys,


I may have asked this before a long time back but I still can't decide. I like the Audi RS7 alloys but as we all know they are very expensive and also don't come in a size suitable for the A3. I have a A3 1.6TDI sportback 2009 reg.

I came across some replicas on eBay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262277424663


After some research I know there are mixed opinions on replicas due to safety and durability etc. But I haven't got the money for genuine and even if I did I wouldn't spend it on alloys... And I also don't want to cheapen the look of the car with some after markets unless they're nice.

I found a picture of the replicas on an A3 like mine:

View attachment 98535


What I'm asking is what people think of these in terms of durability as per the link above. And whether they will last long in normal use. I know there is a reason why they cost a quarter of the originals.

Or I came across the AXE EX14 and the FOX RACING FX10 alloys. I want the alloys to stand out and look unique because I haven't seen any RS7 alloys about but I see he rotor style a lot. I'm open to any other options and any advice is much appreciated.

hi,

just sent you a message about this.

thanks

 

[desertstorm]

Well they look like they are diamond cut, even OE wheels seem to suffer a lot with issues, small scratches in the lacquer can lead to major corrosion especially in the winter. So I would assume aftermarket wheels won't be any better. Personally after some experience with VW OE diamond cut wheels I wouldn't have them again.
You can get quite reasonably priced good quality TUV rated mostly made in Europe wheels from Tyreleader.co.uk . These come with the correct PCD adaptors and a re delivered within a few days. I have had a quick look these are a few of the ones available in the size you were looking at.
https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/alloy-wheels/ats/twister-978/8x18-et50-5x112-70.1-51030

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/alloy-wheels/anzio/spark-935/8x18-et47-5x112-66.6-459105

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/alloy-wheels/alutec/raptr-933/8x18-et45-5x112-70.1-169128

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/alloy-wheels/borbet/s-647/8x18-et45-5x112-72.5-377027

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/alloy-wheels/alutec/poison-933/8x18-et45-5x112-70.1-140222

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/alloy-wheels/rial/bavaro-60/8x18-et48-5x112-70.1-36494

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/alloy-wheels/speedline/sl2-marmora-611/8x18-et45-5x112-76-28710

If you don't need 8 inch wide wheels have a look at the 7.5 inch wheels as well.

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/alloy-wheels/ats/streetrace-474/7.5x18-et43-5x112-66.5-36709

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/alloy-wheels/alutec/monstr-932/7.5x18-et45-5x112-70.1-49131

 

[KKHAN786]

Well they look like they are diamond cut, even OE wheels seem to suffer a lot with issues, small scratches in the lacquer can lead to major corrosion especially in the winter. So I would assume aftermarket wheels won't be any better. Personally after some experience with VW OE diamond cut wheels I wouldn't have them again.
You can get quite reasonably priced good quality TUV rated mostly made in Europe wheels from Tyreleader.co.uk . These come with the correct PCD adaptors and a re delivered within a few days. I have had a quick look these are a few of the ones available in the size you were looking at.
https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/alloy-wheels/ats/twister-978/8x18-et50-5x112-70.1-51030

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/alloy-wheels/anzio/spark-935/8x18-et47-5x112-66.6-459105

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/alloy-wheels/alutec/raptr-933/8x18-et45-5x112-70.1-169128

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/alloy-wheels/borbet/s-647/8x18-et45-5x112-72.5-377027

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/alloy-wheels/alutec/poison-933/8x18-et45-5x112-70.1-140222

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/alloy-wheels/rial/bavaro-60/8x18-et48-5x112-70.1-36494

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/alloy-wheels/speedline/sl2-marmora-611/8x18-et45-5x112-76-28710

If you don't need 8 inch wide wheels have a look at the 7.5 inch wheels as well.

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/alloy-wheels/ats/streetrace-474/7.5x18-et43-5x112-66.5-36709

https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/alloy-wheels/alutec/monstr-932/7.5x18-et45-5x112-70.1-49131

Thank you for your help. I'll look into that site. Just in my mind this whole time I was thinking if they're not Audi alloys (replica or genuine) then it makes the Audi look abit tacky?


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[dp_motley]

If I were you and didn't want to spend a fortune on alloys, but wanted good looks and valued safety, I'd look at reputable wheel makers. There are some (NIU or MAK to name) that make brand dedicated alloys, inclusive Audi. For instance:

https://www.makwheels.it/en-sh/sarthe-black-mirror-f8080rhbm50we4x.aspx#!/
Or more Audi 8P alloys by MAK: https://www.makwheels.it/en-sh/audi-a3-sportback-8p-2004-082012-18-alloy-wheels-1.aspx
NIU: http://www.niuwheels.it/en/alloy-wheels/niu-ingolstadt

Do not look at prices on their websites, rather try tyreleader or performancealloys. The prices are much better there.

Hope it helps

 

[KKHAN786]

If I were you and didn't want to spend a fortune on alloys, but wanted good looks and valued safety, I'd look at reputable wheel makers. There are some (NIU or MAK to name) that make brand dedicated alloys, inclusive Audi. For instance:

https://www.makwheels.it/en-sh/sarthe-black-mirror-f8080rhbm50we4x.aspx#!/
Or more Audi 8P alloys by MAK: https://www.makwheels.it/en-sh/audi-a3-sportback-8p-2004-082012-18-alloy-wheels-1.aspx
NIU: http://www.niuwheels.it/en/alloy-wheels/niu-ingolstadt

Do not look at prices on their websites, rather try tyreleader or performancealloys. The prices are much better there.

Hope it helps

So you're saying the Mak and Niu wheels are both on performancealloys and tyre leader? By first glance they look quite nice...seem premium too. I'll have a look into this thank you!


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[dp_motley]

I just checked out. MAK is more expensive at performance alloys than at MAK own webshop. Sorry for misleading. But NIU is cheaper at performancealloys. It's where I bought them myself. I like NIU for their light weight. Mine 17" are 9,5 kilos, the 18" are 10 kilos, according to Andy, but I didn't have them to measure. They look much better in person than on a photo.

 

[KKHAN786]

I just checked out. MAK is more expensive at performance alloys than at MAK own webshop. Sorry for misleading. But NIU is cheaper at performancealloys. It's where I bought them myself. I like NIU for their light weight. Mine 17" are 9,5 kilos, the 18" are 10 kilos, according to Andy, but I didn't have them to measure. They look much better in person than on a photo.

Have you got any pictures of the alloys you got? Just wondering how they would look on a black a3 sportback. Also I'm thinking generally for alloys 18s are perfect for the a3? I'm not into lowering the car etc. 19s I have read ruin the ride?


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[dp_motley]

Here's mine. I believe they would look better on a black A3 AND if they were 18" than on my car. They are available in black polished too.

 

[KKHAN786]

Here's mine. I believe they would look better on a black A3 AND if they were 18" than on my car. They are available in black polished too.

View attachment 98641

Looks nice! Are there any other brands like Mak and Niu?


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[dp_motley]

To add. I believe 18" wheels offer much better look than 17"s. I was wrong when I bought 17" because I believed that 18" would ruin ride comfort. I bought 18" rotors already, but didn't fit them yet. I will compare the ride quality on the light 17" vs the heavier 18" rotors.

One think for you to remember. When you fit 8x18 wheels with offset 50 on a stock hight car (or even 7,5x17 ET45), it will look like your wheels are out of the wheel wells. For me, this was the reason to lowering.

 

[dp_motley]

Looks nice! Are there any other brands like Mak and Niu?


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Yes. RC Design RC29. They also use the Audi RS6 concave design: https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/alloy-wheels/rc-design/rc-29-3870/8x18-et50-5x112-57.1-457802?car=31319

 

[KKHAN786]

To add. I believe 18" wheels offer much better look than 17"s. I was wrong when I bought 17" because I believed that 18" would ruin ride comfort. I bought 18" rotors already, but didn't fit them yet. I will compare the ride quality on the light 17" vs the heavier 18" rotors.

One think for you to remember. When you fit 8x18 wheels with offset 50 on a stock hight car (or even 7,5x17 ET45), it will look like your wheels are out of the wheel wells. For me, this was the reason to lowering.

Oh I see. I'll have to look into that then. Do you know what the stock offset should be?


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[dp_motley]

The stock offset for 8PA is 51-56. It depends on wheels. I have genuine 16" alloys with winter tyres, they are ET51. I saw OE 17" alloys with ET56. The genuine rotors for a black edition A3 8P are 7.5J x 18 ET54 (8P0601025BS / 8P0601025EB).

I bought the silver rotors 8J x 18 ET50 because they will fit my lowered car the same as the 7,5J x 17 ET45 NIU wheels on the picture above.

 

[KKHAN786]

So are the replicas I was referring to a straight no then? These fitments are confusing me too. I want it to be on stock suspension etc and don't want to lower the car. I mean on the eBay ad, the seller has excellent feedback too


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[dp_motley]

It's not a straight no. I'm just too careful at buying something made by an unknown maker that potentially can affect safety. May be these wheels are the best on the marked. Who knows. You have a chance to try them and share your experience.

On the fitment. My wheels are 7,5Jx17 ET45. When I was on a stock suspension, they were a little out of the wheel wells. The wheels on ebay ad are 0,5 inch broader, so they will be out of the fenders, guaranteed. Add that the tyre side wall will be narrower than the gap between the tyre and the fender, and this will add to the SUV-like look.

 

[KKHAN786]

It's not a straight no. I'm just too careful at buying something made by an unknown maker that potentially can affect safety. May be these wheels are the best on the marked. Who knows. You have a chance to try them and share your experience.

On the fitment. My wheels are 7,5Jx17 ET45. When I was on a stock suspension, they were a little out of the wheel wells. The wheels on ebay ad are 0,5 inch broader, so they will be out of the fenders, guaranteed. Add that the tyre side wall will be narrower than the gap between the tyre and the fender, and this will add to the SUV-like look.

I guess it's just the case of finding some nice looking affordable alloys and then finding someone nearby who can fit them on and can lower it if needed. I'm new to all this so in my mind you just had to put the new alloys on. It makes sense though as the replicas or aftermarket alloys are suitable for many car brands and models.

I just want the alloys to stand out but not ruin the look of the car. The style I like are like the RS7 ones. Less spokes but they look sharp and on point.


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[dp_motley]

Get and fit them. You'll never know if they are good or bad before you try.