Telling the differences between a Replica and the Real Thing?
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From: San Francisco
CLk320
Telling the differences between a Replica and the Real Thing?
i got a deal from a friends friend friend...they say its Lorinser LM5. but im not sure if they are real or not. is there ne ways by lookin at the wheels that you could tell if they're real? another info would be great! thanks
-Greg
-Greg
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300ce
..........I bought authentic L5 wheels several years ago. Then I saw replicas on ebay being sold by someone called SkyCinternational. I bought one of the replica wheels to use as spare and ended up using it as a main wheel when my authentic Lm5 wheel got bent. I cannot tell any difference and frankly, I if I had another car that needed these wheels i'll get the replicas. The only issue is that the replicas don't have the Lorinser center caps.
Ted
Ted
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Originally posted by Ted Baldwin
..........I bought authentic L5 wheels several years ago. Then I saw replicas on ebay being sold by someone called SkyCinternational. I bought one of the replica wheels to use as spare and ended up using it as a main wheel when my authentic Lm5 wheel got bent. I cannot tell any difference and frankly, I if I had another car that needed these wheels i'll get the replicas. The only issue is that the replicas don't have the Lorinser center caps.
Ted
..........I bought authentic L5 wheels several years ago. Then I saw replicas on ebay being sold by someone called SkyCinternational. I bought one of the replica wheels to use as spare and ended up using it as a main wheel when my authentic Lm5 wheel got bent. I cannot tell any difference and frankly, I if I had another car that needed these wheels i'll get the replicas. The only issue is that the replicas don't have the Lorinser center caps.
Ted
-Bruce
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300ce
yea, materials, and the creation process is different also
..........of course they are different otherwise these will not be called replicas. But at $1k for four rims vs $5K I spent on the authentic ones and with no visual difference and so far no performance difference, I think the replicas are more than a good deal. I do understand the satisfaction of knowing that you have the "authentic" stuff in your car, however most of the enhancements such as illuminated door sills, wood kits, carbon fiber kits etc are not made by any of the big tunning companies...just some bright guy/gal with an idea and shop.
Ted
..........of course they are different otherwise these will not be called replicas. But at $1k for four rims vs $5K I spent on the authentic ones and with no visual difference and so far no performance difference, I think the replicas are more than a good deal. I do understand the satisfaction of knowing that you have the "authentic" stuff in your car, however most of the enhancements such as illuminated door sills, wood kits, carbon fiber kits etc are not made by any of the big tunning companies...just some bright guy/gal with an idea and shop.
Ted
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From: San Francisco
CLk320
Hey Ted Baldwin,
you said you had LM5 b4 on your car, aren't the real ones multi piece? and replicas are 1 whole piece? shouldn't there be a gap between the lip and the inner rim since its a multi piece? so how could your 1 replica look jus like the real thing? thanks
-Greg
you said you had LM5 b4 on your car, aren't the real ones multi piece? and replicas are 1 whole piece? shouldn't there be a gap between the lip and the inner rim since its a multi piece? so how could your 1 replica look jus like the real thing? thanks
-Greg
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The replica german wheels you see on ebay are made in Taiwan. The quality is VERY good.
The main difference is the replicas are fake multipieces and the valve stem is in a different location and has a different appearance.
However, from far away, it is very difficult to tell the difference. Hell, the replica's usually have a polished lip!
It used to be that replicas = poor quality. But over the next few years, you will see more wheels coming from China/Taiwan.
The main difference is the replicas are fake multipieces and the valve stem is in a different location and has a different appearance.
However, from far away, it is very difficult to tell the difference. Hell, the replica's usually have a polished lip!
It used to be that replicas = poor quality. But over the next few years, you will see more wheels coming from China/Taiwan.
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Originally posted by 3 bAn 2 PoW 0
Hey Ted Baldwin,
you said you had LM5 b4 on your car, aren't the real ones multi piece? and replicas are 1 whole piece? shouldn't there be a gap between the lip and the inner rim since its a multi piece? so how could your 1 replica look jus like the real thing? thanks
-Greg
Hey Ted Baldwin,
you said you had LM5 b4 on your car, aren't the real ones multi piece? and replicas are 1 whole piece? shouldn't there be a gap between the lip and the inner rim since its a multi piece? so how could your 1 replica look jus like the real thing? thanks
-Greg
-Bruce
