I've heard that Replica S65 wheels are an exact copy of the OEM ones - in particular, the 2010+ S65 wheels. Does anyone notice a difference? I keep looking at them and it seems that something is off - but i just can't tell what...

I'm thinking about selling my 22" VR05s to get the 20" S65 (either OEM or Replicas depending on price).

https://mbworld.org/forums/wheels-ti...w221-s550.html

Hey where do they sell the replica s65 wheels?

There is a level of detail and sculpting to the OEM that the fakes just don't seem to care about, and this makes them seem off.

See my post here..

https://mbworld.org/forums/s55-amg-s...l-pricing.html

Not to mention the TUV testing of the real wheel. Safety first.

Would you wear a real Rolex or the $20 knockoff?

I bought a set of reps from Tire Rack and have been pretty happy with them. You can see a photo of my 600 with them on the car in my photos (garage).
For a set of 4 offset wheels the price is $668 w/o shipping on the S65 replicas. Here is the link........ http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...All&sort=Brand

I think the OEM AMG wheels do look the best, but you will be hard pressed to tell the difference and the price for the reps is very reasonable.

WOW!!! People are still wearing Rolex watches? I thought that went out of style in the 80's

LOL! The Submariner with the ceramic bezel is a perennial classic. Others, such as the uber-gaudy 18KYG or the diamond-encrusted look like you're trying too hard. Minimalist is the way to go.

MB AMG wheels have been prone to cracking.

Not to mention most of their chrome wheels develop leaks after replacing the tires a few times. I hated doing tires on a Benz with chrome wheels!

Simply, wheels on most of all cars (over 90%) are cast. MB wheels are all cast with the exception of a very few models/options. So they will crack just as any other rim, and for that matter so will forged rims as well, they will bend, peel, and crack also. Nothing is bullet proof, right pothole and angle will take it out.

What you will see is lower degrees of failure with real OEM MB wheels as opposed to replicas. That of course will vary as well.

thanks for the info

Breitling baby .. a fan of the Avenger series (wearing an Avenger Skyland) ..

As far as I know AMG does not sell chrome wheels nor recommend that their wheels be "chromed" as it compromises the integrity of the alloy for reasons that include your experiences. The metallurgy does not work as it would on a steel wheel.

Often chrome is applied to wheels that are suspect, often damaged take offs, to cover up flaws.

Exactly.
To answer the op's question. The replicas are totally different.

I am driving around in my 3rd AMG car and I can say every one of them have had crappy wheels. The real AMG factory wheels are junk. Ask most of the MB mechanics and they will even tell you so. I have no problem putting replicas or knockoffs on my S65 because the real wheel is made so cheap it's no better. Let everyone tell you what they want. Do a search of AMG cars for sale and look at the carfax reports. Almost everyone of them will show you multiple visits to the shop for wheel balancing issues. The AMG wheels are NOT worth the money no matter what anyone tells you. If you don't believe me take a ride in a 1 or 2 year old factory AMG car and most all of them will feel like the tires are out of balance.

Why i haven't needed to rebalance my OEM SL65 wheels during last 4 yrs of ownership?? Maybe I don't know how the roads are in Md, but here in Socal it's somewhat smooth. My w211 E55 is on autotrader now & carfax is avail too. Nothing against u, but not true for all.

IMHO AMG replica wheels are for poseurs like putting an AMG badge on one's car at this high end. I think i remember seeing your blk 7TT w/ HREs on 6spdonline so u know what expensive/quality is.

There is a level of detail and sculpting to the OEM that the fakes just don't seem to care about, and this makes them seem off.

I agree! I finally found a set of 2010+ S65 wheels for 3k. I am a happy camper after searching for months. No problems at all!

Yep that was my TT with HRE's so I don't mind paying good money for good wheels. That said, the AMG wheels aren't worth the money IMHO. I'm not saying every set will be bad or have a problem but for a wheel that cost that much you should rarely hear of problems. It's not that uncommon for people to think they have a balancing problem with these wheels. This is my experience and most of the AMG mechanics will tell you about plenty of AMG cars coming into the dealer for balancing issues.