alloys

diarmo111

is there anyway of checking if alloys are genuine or replicas (the alloys in question are rs8's)

colm_mcm

If they're attached to a Golf then they're fake.

mista_2k10

If they look like this then there genuine + there should be some sort of part number on them...

tossy

If the are RS8's then the are fake,there never was a car called an RS8,and Audi never fitted those wheels to an S8.

The wheels in question are A8's and if the are fitted to a golf/bora/Octavia/toledo/leon without adapters the are fake,if the are double drilled i'e 10 bolt holes the are also fake.

north.

There is always a serial number on genuine ones, and it can be seen after washing, it should be sparkling!

tossy

north. wrote: »

There is always a serial number on genuine ones, and it can be seen after washing, it should be sparkling!

There are serial numbers on reps too,i think you mean a part number? but then you would have to be familiar with VAG part numbers to recognise it as a VAG part number.

malin182

This might sound stupid but apart from the pride factor, whats the main differences between replicas and the real deal? Durability?

I was thinking of getting the GTI ones which are considered replicas:

http://www.alloy-wheels.ie/vwrep.html

tossy

The 2 main and most obvious differences between OEM and reps are weight and strength,reps are heavier sometimes considerably so and also not as strong.

Less obvious differences are the actual finish of the product,the might look OEM and mint when new but over a short period of time can corode and start to look nasty.

There is a great choice of OEM second wheels available for slae on adverts/donedeal/ebay etc some might not be in mint condtion but i'd take scuffed OEM wheels over reps personally.

malin182

Ok thanks for that, I was in touch with www.alloy-wheels.ie and they said the GTI alloys are not in stock and wont be for another 2 months, so wondering if theres anywhere else in ireland that sells them or a website? I was on www.wheelbasealloys.com and notice they do a free balancing test with purchases. Obviously I cant get that done over there so if I order them how necessary is it to get a balance test or is it as simple as changing the wheels with the stock wheels?

malin182

Ive actually been given an offer on 19" for €500. Not sure about the difference in the ride though between stock and that big a jump, also 19" on a golf, pushing it?