Counterfeit Wheels
 

I could have just put "fake" wheels, but "counterfeit" just sounds so much more...sinister.

So I'm looking and looking for wheels. So much so that they're all starting to run together. I'm limited on time and budget, so it makes it that much harder.

Yes, I know, the big bad ebay. After finding some decent but ultimately excluded used wheels from other places, I did happen to come upon some on Ebay, and then searched and found a ton.

My question is, how do you know if they're fakes? Is that a prevalent thing, faking wheels? I know probably like a BBS or something that's thousands a piece maybe, but even in the couple hundred per wheel area, is faking a big worry?

What are some signs to watch out for. Obviously I analyze their pictures very carefully with ones that I can find from the manufacturer, look for slight differences in logos, color..whatever, but that's as far as I've gotten. I'm not going to go buy some on Ebay from a shop in China or anything out of the country, but they've got auto shops that have great ratings selling wheels that are a good deal. Not like a STEAL of a deal, where you know something's up, just good enough deals.

I've rambled enough, can anyone help?

Honestly, some of the fakes are good enough that the owners don't know they're fake. We had a situation on another forum where a seller had listed Rays wheels but the logo said "Ravs." I think they were made by Konig or somebody similar, and could've even used the same Rays mold, but Rays didn't make em.

TLDR, buy wheels new from reputable sellers or ya never know.

EDIT: or hope the seller will show you their original invoice.. which is a hell of a long shot on eBay.

there are plenty of "fake"/replica wheels from, uh, reputable? (if that's a thing) companies...why would you buy a random set off ebay?

I mean, what "budget" are you talking here?

Also, price is going to pretty much tell you if they are real or not.
Not gonna find legit HRE's for $400 bucks.
And, if you're gonna buy "real" wheels, why wouldn't you just buy them from a place that you know has/sells legit parts?

So, I wrecked/damaged/hurt my car, and I have a certain amount of money from insurance to pay for the entire thing. Unfortunately (fortunately maybe?), only two wheels and two tires were destroyed. So, the insurance company said take the money they'd give me towards used OEM and I they'd be fine if I put that money towards higher quality stuff if I just paid the difference.

So, my budget is a little fluid, which doesn't help you guys. By fluid I mean, if I see a really cool wheel and have to spend an extra 100/set on it, then something else doesn't get as good of an upgrade, you know what I mean? It's a balancing act, and one that I evidently suck at. It kept me up the last couple nights thinking about all this.

Okay, back to the point.

Budget. I know I could go out and get Enkei RFP1 or whatever wheels that everyone uses. I know that. They're good, they're light, not majorly expensive, but for me, I've never had aftermarket wheels, asthetics also plays a role. I'd rather not have one of the top two or three kinds of wheels that twins owners buy, just because I don't want it to end up looking like everything else. Make sense?

So, how I ended up on Ebay, I was looking up pictures of a more expensive wheel that's a bit out of any stretch of my price range. When I saw all the wheels on Ebay, I kind of forgot about that wheel so never did find it, but realized there were a ton of places there that just had their prices listed instead of (PM me for forum pricing (then waiting a day or two)). Most every time I'm game for that, but this car needs to get put back together.

So, I thought an option might be to get a better (possibly even forged?) wheel set on Ebay for a bit of a discount instead of going with lower quality, cheap wheels at full price from a random internet retailer.

As far as price, I'm looking at about $1000-$1100/set at the max

Buy from a reputable/licenced dealer.
If you aren't sure if they are real, just post here and ask.
-Stickers
-Finish, colors, quality and texture
-weight
-dual drilled or not
-centerbore
-centercaps
-via/jwl stamps
-valve stem location
-fake 2/3piece bolts
-inside of wheel not replicated but outside is
-size never made
Plenty of replicas out there, not that many fakes.

RAVS EN6. YOLK RACIN6
BB5 88S
V1/\ JVVL

Pick a design you like.
Pick a color or finish you like.
Pick a size. Usually 17 or 18.
Pick a width. Usually 7.5-9.5
Pick a tire, that would decide your width range.
You aren't going to get anything forged at that budget.

How about this?

http://www.vrwheels.com/index.php?ma...oducts_id=6489

And since not too many people run 16's (and if you're willing to), these should help set you apart:

http://www.vrwheels.com/index.php?ma...oducts_id=6685

http://www.vrwheels.com/index.php?ma...oducts_id=6690

Thank you (all) for your help! I know I'm not going to find a set of (insert high dollar brand here) for dirt cheap on Ebay and have it be legit. I was talking on the phone when I was writing, wasn't completely clear. I would, legitimately (I think), think it's possible to find maybe a used set from someone of a nicer wheel (Maybe even forged) for a good amount cheaper than a brand new set. That's more what I'm thinking, rather than Look, a $5000 BBS set for $799 including green valve stem covers!

Just trying to be fast, find a good deal (even or especially if) it's used, but not have the same wheel everyone else has.

Thanks for your offer of help to help me sort out a possible fake here or there, that would be a big relief.

Thanks guys!

I definitely thought Advan's were more expensive than that. Those aren't fake?Unfortunately, it's not my color anyway (more of a gunmetal, anthracite, matte, or gloss black type) unfortunately, because it's in my budget. I'll look around at that site though, thanks!

Nah, VR Wheels is reputable. Those aren't aggressive specs, so they'll be priced lower.

Ravspec wheels is also another reputable vendor. There was one more rare wheel vendor, I just can't remember their name right now.

Just a heads up, some wheels are used and some are new from VR Wheels.

You won't find a used forged set at that price.
You won't find a used 3 piece set at that price.
At least not decent sizes @17x8 minimum and 5x100.
Maybe you get lucky and you do find a set, I doubt they will be in good condition though.
Enkei is the best value overall.

LOL This is the first thing that popped into my head as I read the OP's post...

http://www.fakewheels.com/images/vork1.jpg
VORK RAVS

I'd take them! You take PayPal?? :)

All we know is.... He's called The Stig

Tire Rack has a handful of cheap 17x8 and 17x9s.

Miata forum?

For the rest of you, Konig Flatouts actually say "RAVSENG" on the wheel, as part of the casting. I'd say they're still decent quality - and Konig has actually worked with Enkei in the past regarding MAT / flow forming. It may be that Konig even worked with Rays, who knows...

the OEM wheels are actually very good and probably a whole lot better than most "fakes". In your position I would buy a pair of OEM (you can get them for a song on here usually on here most of the time) and save up for a decent set of brand name wheels from a reputable vender when you can afford it.

Buying random car parts from unknown venders just because they are cheap and you are in a hurry rarely ends well.

Not like you are some 16 year old getting parts for his 98 Civic on his part time McDonalds wage.

Do it right. Do it once.

Very true... I see takeoffs all the time, but now that I might be interested, nothing. Lol. Interestingly, the insurance guy showed me a site they use to get oem wheels that are overstock. On the estimate I think mine are 148/ea. from there.

Still more expensive than getting them around here when they're around though.

All we know is.... He's called The Stig

Overstock OEM wheels???? I doubt they are real since I don't know who would be overstocked on them.

Oh, it could have been. Seems I see those wheels everywhere...

That's the other thing, I've seen "FORGED" cast into the wheels as well... I guess they meant it as in "forgery" rather than a metal forming technique...:lol:

Interesting, they have virtually all makes... Well, I didn't click into each link, but they were there. I'll look up on the estimate where they're from and pm you the url

All we know is.... He's called The Stig

I am curious. Not like the car manufacturers are going to let somebody sell off their products as "overstock". Be very odd if they do at any rate.

Oh yeah, I forgot. Just a sec

All we know is.... He's called The Stig

If I were you, I would just buy a used set of OEM wheels. A $1000-1100 budget won't really get you a decent set of aftermarket wheels, just junk. As Tcoat said, do it once, do it right. Use the money you just saved and invest in some decent tires and a weekend or two of DE events.

I would keep an eye on the member and vendor classifieds though. You can sometimes find some great wheels for a steal. A couple years ago, I bought a set of forged BBS wheels (that retailed for over $700 EACH) for only $1200 because BBS was clearing out discontinued inventory. Just be patient, keep saving, and keep your eyes open; you never know what you might find.

If you really want a set of aftermarket wheels, just get a set of Konigs/XXR/whatever "fake" brand you lie from a reputable dealer. XXRs don't spontaneously combust and they won't shatter like glass the first time you hit a bump. Are they as high of quality as Volks? No. Are they affordable? Yes. Would I buy anything really pretending to be "real" on eBay? No. It's probably a big Chinese turd. The big replica companies might not have original designs but at least there is some kind of quality control

If your insurance estimate lists them at $148/ea they should be able to provide you with the name of a place where you can get then for that price. If they can't, then they need to give you more money. It's that simple, the insurance company can be held accountable to that estimate.

The store you found is most likely not selling over stock wheels either. Nearly every one of those sites selling OE wheels is selling damaged wheels that have been "repaired". Somebody slams into a curb, cracks a wheel and insurance replaces it. These guys buy the cracked wheel for a few bucks and weld it back together. The quality and safety of such wheels varies greatly. Some wheels can be repaired, many can not(read should not) be repaired, but that doesn't stop these stores. There are no laws against selling repaired rims and no standards/test by which they repairs have to be qualified against. It's a total crap shoot, but you could get lucky and get a set of wheels that came off a totaled car (rear wheels in a front end collision), but when I was talking to several of those stores they all admitted that they have no way of knowing the history of the wheels they sell.

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Ravs Eng lol

Yall got them yolk wheels :lol::lol::lol::lol:

Googled yolk wheels, hoping to get some crazy pictures of wheels with eggs on them. Dissapointed when all I got was actual Volk wheels. :mad0260:

The counterfeit wheel business has been around a long, long time. Had a guy try to sell me some authentic Cregar mags (what we old guys called rims...errrr wheels...whatever the hell the currently correct term is) back in 75.

Is Counterfiet a brand just like Nameless?

haha i googled it too :thumbdown: same result lol

blah! this time around i know those hahaha being a classic muscle car enthusiast my self. i do own a 69 chevelle and we got 2 bel airs in the family so i know them cragars :p

this made me lol. This is always a tough one especially when you had 4-5 different companies making the same thing (think Fenton, Appliance, Keystone, E/T, and more.) I actually have a new old stock set of 14x8 Reverse Keystone Raiders (cragar s/s style) sitting in the boxes in my garage. :thumbup:

Depending on what they fit if I ever find just that right Duster/Dart weekend car I know who to call!

Yes you do! I like to call myself a vintage wheel geek. I tend to collect / hunt down just about anything I can from Fenton, Truespoke, Appliance, Cragar, Keystone, and Zenith wire wheel (not a fan of Dayton's cause their not a west coast thing, so I still with the OG Zenith from campbell ;) )

They had a whole different look to them than modern wheel. Of course the 14s now look so tiny!

But they sure do look good wrapped in some 520's on my cadillac LOL :cheers:

Hard to see but check those bad boys out.



Forget what they were exactly but do remember they were about 40% of the value of the car in 82.