Fake vs. Real M3 Rims?

[BASS]

Is there a way to tell the difference between a genuine m3 rim vs a fake one? I know the real m3 rims have the //m symbol near the centercap, but can they also make fakes with this //m symbol on it?

Thanks

[hammerfang]

im not 100% sure but i believe there is some marking made by bmw on the inside of the rim which proves its authenticity

[XtremeR 325]

When you say fake, do you mean replicas? They make some replicas that visually look identical to OEM, but most of the time OEM are stronger if I’m not mistaken.

[Goon]

Theres usually 'BMW' stamp imprinted on the inside of the wheel. I wasn't sure if my LTWs were genuine until i took the wheels off and saw the stamp. At least that's what I think. Correct me if I am wrong.

[CleanAzzE30z]

E30 ///M3's (real) and U.S. E36 ///M3's (fake) are easily diffrentiated. Oh oops, you mean someone putting an ///M kit on an E36? j/k. Well, the E36 ///M3s ahad different side skirts, and mirrors that most people dont take the time to replicate and/or purchase. They also have a different looking exhaust by a little bit. If the owner took the time to really make a convincing replica through the details, then you cant really tell. Not a problem with the E30 ///M. And one thing you can ALWAYS check. The vin #'s on ///M cars ALWAYS start with WBS, not WBA or whatever the other one is. No other car BUT an ///M car has the vin # starting with WBS.

[///M3UT]

Originally Posted by CleanAzzE30z

E30 ///M3's (real) and U.S. E36 ///M3's (fake) are easily diffrentiated. Oh oops, you mean someone putting an ///M kit on an E36? j/k. Well, the E36 ///M3s ahad different side skirts, and mirrors that most people dont take the time to replicate and/or purchase...

"rim"

nice write up tho


OP- i belive the real OEM wheels have BMW stamp inside the lip

[CleanAzzE30z]

wow.....I cant believe I missed that. wow I feel stupid.

[motorsports_3]

Which M3 wheels are you talking about, there are many different ways to tell.

[wahrany]

you could just look at the rear trailing arm for the m engraving, i was going to call someone on it once but if he went that far,then i really dont care.

[Pressurizede36]

wow I feel stupid

yeah nice

[DN41387]

hahah

[delatlanta1281]

There are markings inside the wheels.

[deafboy]

Dont they have the motorsport emblem on them, by the lug nuts. That and the serial #.... I thought the difference were rather obvious... mine are replicas.... made obvious by the chrome...haha

[Andrew]

I was going to say the litte ///M near the center, but thats been said. All OEM Bmw wheels will say bmw somewhere in the backside.

[Tvan]

Originally Posted by CleanAzzE30z

wow.....I cant believe I missed that. wow I feel stupid.

well you just answered about two months worth of newb questions, so don't feel bad.