I am confused a little, is this legal?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...2783238&rd=1,1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...2783238&rd=1,1
having said that, i'm all about getting a good deal, and have bought knockoffs in the past. i would have some right now, but they sent me the wrong ones so i got the tsw's instead.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/18-x8...QQcmdZViewItem
This leaves the question, Their knockoffs are knockoffs, but would you buy their own designed wheels or frown on them too? Or how about the replica factory wheels that are available in different sizes that were never available from the factory? Personally I like this one as you can strengthen a desireable factory look, like an 18" 8 hole Mercedes wheel on our w124's. It never was manufactured by Mercedes.
Last edited by mbenzman; Mar 7, 2007 at 09:05 AM.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG


You are my idol! However, don't you think that would make for, like 3 companies left in the entire world? Everthing I see looks like a knockoff of someone else's idea; music, movies, cars, jewelry, etc. There's really nothing new under the sun, man. King Solomon saw that in his day.
Buyer beware! If it feels good do it. I don't have a set of aftermarket wheels, but I'm not opposed to it especially with the price and custom sizes available. Tuv approval is a decent indication of quality. I won't look down on you for coming into my shop with aftermarket wheels!
shdoug, I DO support the real companies, I PAY for my mp3s and dvds, sorry if that offends you.

mbenzman, you are just a d!(k. Leave personal attacks out of this and go play with yourself in the mirror some more. If you were a REAL mbenzman, you wouldn't own a glorified convertible c-class and an american made minivan. Your 500E is the only purchase keeping you in the game.
I have an opinon and I am entitled to it, so if you can't deal with that I suggest you try this site instead: www.blahblahblahidontgivea****.com
EDIT: vraa, I HAVE been playing nice, but your warning has been heeded.
Last edited by ZorroAMG; Mar 8, 2007 at 01:47 PM.


shdoug, I DO support the real companies, I PAY for my mp3s and dvds, sorry if that offends you.

Did I say anything about copying mp3s and dvds? I'm talking about legitimate business transactions, not piracy and stealing.
Last edited by shdoug; Mar 8, 2007 at 01:53 PM.
I am not trying to argue or have heated debates with you shdoug, just my opinion I am sharing


I am not trying to argue or have heated debates with you shdoug, just my opinion I am sharing

shdoug, I DO support the real companies, I PAY for my mp3s and dvds, sorry if that offends you.

mbenzman, you are just a d!(k. Leave personal attacks out of this and go play with yourself in the mirror some more. If you were a REAL mbenzman, you wouldn't own a glorified convertible c-class and an american made minivan. Your 500E is the only purchase keeping you in the game.
I have an opinon and I am entitled to it, so if you can't deal with that I suggest you try this site instead: www.blahblahblahidontgivea****.com
Maybe it don't make sense to you because you don't know everything and this would conflict with your self image. Read and learn
Back to YOUR mistake. Lorinser has copied o.e. wheels, Have you figured it out yet? Oh no, bad example, you go get some more "E" knowledge and come back. You really don't know s**t, so step on my toes and get some!
As for your attack on a few of my cars, two REAL AMG's baby, and you say the 500E (built by Porshe) is my only game? I have other vehicles too, good thing you haven't found that out yet, like my 6.9 and it's no "game".
This could be fun, ever notice the AMG sections here, come over there and tell the REAL BOYS that their CLK55's and ML55's are not real AMG's.
As far as being a real MBENZMAN, If you talk to M.B. They recognize me as a real MBENZMAN as I am factory trained. And you are what? An aspiring ACTOR? I'll work on Mercedes and you go ahead and act like it or anything else . Some people on this forum have been in my shop so I'm not a ghost.
Last edited by ZorroAMG; Mar 8, 2007 at 04:42 PM.
You are correct there and even though I do have decent business sense and education, I won't pretend I am the know-it-all either
(I got your back bruh
)
"Uh oh! Theres a flag on the thread at the 38th post, thread fans..."
"Looks like facemask on the snap"
"Warnings in the backfield with the ref eyeing the players before the benches clear for a free for all."
"2nd down!!"
Last edited by DarkHand; Mar 8, 2007 at 06:27 PM.
I'm not trying to be condescending, cuz that would be hypocritical. I've gotten pissed about stupid stuff on these forums before too. It's just funny how seriously we take this and how much time many of us (myself included) spend on here.
So let's not take ourselves so seriously.
I am not trying to argue or have heated debates with you shdoug, just my opinion I am sharing

To apply your hypothesis that a market has no place for a replica or let's even call it a knockoff, would then create a non competitive market for the specific product.
If the original manufacturer "A" will not move on their price point, then they have established a niche market of limited size.
A second manufacturer "B" comes along and replicates the product with a lower price point and expands the market.
So who is the better business man ????
Very rare there is patent infringement because it is easy to do the slightest modification to the design to get around the original patent.
More difficult is to get around trademarks and copy rights.
The global market for aftermarket auto parts is so large that there exists a place for all producers at varied price points.
The subject of wheels is especially interesting as it is a no brainer for a manufacturer with casting experience to design a wheel blank that can be machined to various specifications.
Country of origin or manufacture does not assure that the blank has come from where all blanks originate, which is the PRC.
Following your train of thought then did the originators of the custom light weight performance wheel, such as Minilite in the U.K. and Cragar in the USA get knocked off by AMG, Brabus, Lorinser, et al ???
So why pay top dollar when you can get equal quality in a finished product with a lower price point?
There was an old saying among Bentley drivers in the pre and post war era.."I'm secure enough to drive a Bentley".....in essence it was identical to the Rolls Royce, just different grille shell and badging, and cost at the time about $600.00 less...
Who cares about labels, names, designers, etc...I'm into performance and if I can only get it from the originator, then I'll pay to play....but I will always try to source a more competitive equal if possible....


