Gti MK5 Monza 18" alloy - real or OEM

jel

Hi,

Does anyone know how to tell if the 18" Monza alloys on a MK5 GTi are real or fake??

Thanks!
James.

paddydriver

Depends if they're intentionally intended to be fake or are just copies/replicas? They are stamped BBS on inside etc. The quality of paint job and cut is usually good giveaway too - recall it being some type of laser cut but not sure of exact spec.

If I didn't get stuck into watching rugby today I could have sent you photo's as I have 18" Monza's on my GTI and are swapping on brand new genuine GTI 17's that I bought some time back. 18's are still on there now till next weekend.

Plenty of forums that discuss this topic so a google around should help.

Paddy

jel

paddydriver wrote: »

Depends if they're intentionally intended to be fake or are just copies/replicas? They are stamped BBS on inside etc. The quality of paint job and cut is usually good giveaway too - recall it being some type of laser cut but not sure of exact spec.

If I didn't get stuck into watching rugby today I could have sent you photo's as I have 18" Monza's on my GTI and are swapping on brand new genuine GTI 17's that I bought some time back. 18's are still on there now till next weekend.

Plenty of forums that discuss this topic so a google around should help.

Paddy

Thanks Paddy - the reason I ask is that I see some plastic film coming off in places in the Monza's. I'm not sure if this is from the elements or from cleaning them.

Here's a picture I took today if u have any ideas.

MetzgerMeister

Jel,

This can happen on any alloy that is painted and lacquered. It's mainly from ****e on the roads but could also have to do with something you might use when cleaning them. Do you use a chemical i.e. Turtle Wax wheel clean or something like that?

jel

einheisserschre wrote: »

Jel,

This can happen on any alloy that is painted and lacquered. It's mainly from ****e on the roads but could also have to do with something you might use when cleaning them. Do you use a chemical i.e. Turtle Wax wheel clean or something like that?

I actually noticed it the day after I had the car valeted! If i'm cleaning them myself i just use a normal alloy wheel cleaner.

The appearance of this is not really bothering me, i'm just concerned that the wheels are exposed now and will start to deteriorate.

Do you know if the wheels will degrade with this coming off?

MetzgerMeister

With the lacquer coming off, I'm sorry to say that it does mean that it's easier for the metal to degrade. You could always just bring them to someone and get the relacquered or even get them powdercoated (bit drastic at this stage since there's not much else wrong with them).

jel

I was thinking that at the end of the day it's a car, and it's not always going to be perfect.

It might make sense to leave them for a couple of years and get them refurbed/repaired then.

I assume that with wheel repairs any wear and tear from the metal being exposed can be fixed quite easily.

paddydriver

jel wrote: »

Thanks Paddy - the reason I ask is that I see some plastic film coming off in places in the Monza's. I'm not sure if this is from the elements or from cleaning them.

Here's a picture I took today if u have any ideas.

That edge looks a little perfect - is there any chance they were refurbed after being kerbed a bit? Mine are 5 years old now and as much as I tried to be careful there are a few marks and dampness has got under some of them and caused, what are commonly referred to on these wheels as, wriggly worms... i.e. little white worms down under the laquer finish. Never saw the laquer come off in lumps or peeling though.

All said though they look fairly genuine though as the paint work in the spokes looks good etc.

Looks like they are on a GTI, based on red calipers, so what has you thinking they may be fakes?

Paddy

jel

Yep they are on an '07 GTi that I bought from a reputable dealer around a month ago. The dealer said that they are OEM.

I posted the same query on a different site and someone pointed out they could be reps as he works in fixing wheels and he never saw wear like that on OEMs.

Yep, i've heard that these wheels can cause some problems like what you mentioned, it doesn't bother me if in years to come I can restore them to the original glory with some refurb.

MetzgerMeister

jel wrote: »

I was thinking that at the end of the day it's a car, and it's not always going to be perfect.

It might make sense to leave them for a couple of years and get them refurbed/repaired then.

I assume that with wheel repairs any wear and tear from the metal being exposed can be fixed quite easily.

Exposed metal can often become pitted from road salt etc. I'm not sure how easy it is to put right.

I've been having the same trouble with my own alloys. The ones on the car when I bought it developed white spots on the paint and eventually peeled even though they were OEM painted. I got a 2nd hand set, got them resprayed and put them on the car about 2 years ago. The paint and lacquer are chipping all over the place. I don't know if it's down to a bad paint job (wouldn't surprise me) or if it's the metal.

Due to the fact that they're perfect i.e. no kerbing, damage at all, I'm going to get them powdercoated and double lacquered in a few weeks. I just hope that it will mean the end of worrying about them but no one ever knows!

jel

Do you know what the cost is to powdercoat and double lacquer all 4 alloys? Will the finished job give the impression some work was done to them or will they just look brand new again?

Let me know how that goes for you and if it is worth it!

It's the one problem with buying a nice car, any defections do your nut in!!

MetzgerMeister

jel wrote: »

Do you know what the cost is to powdercoat and double lacquer all 4 alloys? Will the finished job give the impression some work was done to them or will they just look brand new again?

Let me know how that goes for you and if it is worth it Paddy!

It's the one problem with buying a nice car, any defections do your nut in!!

Defections are an absolute B@$+@RD!

For my alloys (18" RX-8), I was quoted €200 by a company in Carlow. I have to get the tyres off myself and bring them to them. In my opinion, it's an excellent price. The finished job (if done properly) will make them look brand new if you don't have kerb rash or damage on them.