When we talk about replica wheels we’re referring to aftermarket rims designed to mimic the ones which came on your car when new.
Your original wheels are known as OEM, which means Original Equipment Manufacturer. These may be made by the car manufacturer themselves, or an official third party manufacturer who conform to their standards.
There are many reasons why you would buy replica wheels, but did you know they’re usually not of the same quality as your original OEM wheels?
In this article we’ll discuss the pros and cons of replica wheels vs OEM, but this may also be a great opportunity to invest in something a bit nicer – like OZ Racing wheels!
Why Would You Buy Replica Wheels?
The most common reason people buy replica wheels is wear or damage to the original wheels.
If you live in a city with a lot of kerbs, you may find your spouse takes out chunks of your rims over time, and this not only looks bad, but lowers the resale value of the car.
Replacing damaged wheels with a new set of original OEM wheels will likely bear a high price, or may not be possible based on the model or age of your car.
The originals or OEM (Original equipment manufacturer) bear a high price and are also very difficult to get because of their less availability in the market.
Replica wheels, on the other hand, tend to be much more affordable, and more readily available.
This is why most people buy replica wheels. But do you know how replica wheels differ from OEM wheels in terms of quality?
What are Replica Wheels?
Replica wheels a.k.a “OEM style” or “reproduction” wheels. They are designed to meet the specifications of the original manufacturer wheels as closely as possible. They are available at a lesser cost owning to the cost-effective materials and cheaper techniques of manufacturing used to produce them. Though, they differ from the originals when closely analysed.
Choosing and buying replica wheels
You can visit any automobile store in your locality to inquire about buying custom wheels and check the samples the store may have on display. You may also ask about their online stores as it is quite possible they might not be in stock. It’s a no-brainer that the buying tyres online can save you lots of time, which you can spend on other important things. You can surf the Internet and come across many websites that sell Tyres, but you should always choose the one that stocks a large variety of wheels and tyres, especially Achilles tyres which is one of the best tyre brands on the market. Most sites offer options that help you choose the replica wheels that exactly match your requirements. The things to keep in mind while ordering your sets of wheels online are:
- The design
- The color
- The size and shape
- The Cost
- Warranty and durability
By specifying your requirements, you can get the desired design that fits your vehicle perfectly. Buying tyres online is usually advantageous as it’s a time-saving process that lets you browse through a variety of options sitting comfortably in one place.
As mentioned earlier, wheels determine the performance and safety of your vehicle. It is wise to be patient and well aware of what you are searching for. A good quality tyre for a reasonable price is the best deal when buying tyres online from your local tyre shop.
