6spdNavy99

Can anyone tell me the advantages (if any) of OEM wheels over repros? I am looking at 2000-2002 wheels for my '99 and I noticed that OEM wheels are sometimes $600 more than reproduction wheels. Is there a disadvantage to getting the repros and saving some $? Do they have a different appearance? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. :confused:

PeterK

I think they are identical.

MattG

Reproduction wheels are usually CAST and OEM wheels are usually FORGED.

Theoretically, on a thin spoke wheel like the 00-02's, if you drive the car pretty hard or live in an area with rough roads, you should spend the extra cash and get FORGED OEM wheels. However, we have sold MANY sets of 00-02 Reproduction rims and have never had one come back with a crack.

ifeeltheneedforspeed

Huh? The 02' ZO6 has "spin cast" wheels? This does not mean "forged". What's up? Bill

ZEEEE06

Forged wheels are stronger than cast wheels. Cast wheels usually have bubbles in the wheels and that's why they're weaker.

CSDMagRed01

The OEM Y2K wheel is forged while the aftermarket wheels are usually cast and slightly thicker to make up for being slightly weaker. The forging process puts the metal under extreme pressure and orients the molecules rather than allowing them to be random as in casting. Think of wood being oriented fibers (grain) and cotton being short random fibers. Not a great analogy, but hopefully it gets the idea across. Spin casting gives the metal some orientation and is stronger than low pressure casting but it's still not as strong as forging. Since most wheels are cast, it makes a safe wheel. Most high end street and race wheels are forged centers (HRE, CCW, Fikse) with spun rims. The process is more expensive and so is the product. :yesnod:

Carmen