Cheapest place to buy OEM wheels

[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-AUD...012157001r2219

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-AUD...012157001r2219

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??