How to tell a real ZHP wheel from a fake?

[M0nk3y]

Ok mafia, can you help someone out please?

My friend owns a E36 M and just bought some ZHP wheels. They were really cheap, and he suspects that they maybe fakes.

Any easy way to tell if it's the real 135 wheels or fakes? I can take pictures tonight, I'm heading over there to check them out.

Thanks,

Kyle

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Kyle, the key must be on the inside of the wheel. There will likely be a stamp that does not exist on a knockoff. Kind of like BBS LM wheels. None of the knockoffs have the BBS stamped into the actual wheel.

Someone with a style 135 wheel should take a picture of the backside of the wheel (with the wheel off the car).

Also, OG style 135 wheels only come in 18 inches for us. From the FAQ:

Question: What are the stock sizes for the 135M wheels that come on the ZHP?
Answer: They are 18x8 in the front and they are 18x8.5 in the rear. The front wheel's offset is ET47. The rear offset is ET50.

Question: What about the tire sizes?
Answer: The OEM setup calls for 225/40/18 in the front and 255/35/18 in the rear.

Question: what are the part numbers for the front and rear 135M wheels?
Answer: The front wheel is BMW part number 36117896470. The rear wheel is BMW part number 36117896490.

The entire FAQ (http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1789-Frequently-Asked-Questions-%28FAQ%29-About-the-BMW-E46-330-ZHP-Performance-Package-Option).

Style 135 wheels also came on the BMW E60 but they were ET20 offset (as opposed to ours, which were in the 40s).

I'm guessing that the part numbers (at least part of them) will be on the legitimate OEM wheels. Should be on the backside of the wheel.

[SoarinZHP]

On the replacement wheels I put on my first BMW, they had something like, "Non OEM wheel" or "Not Original Equipment" stamped either on the inside of the spoke or where the lugs meet the hub. They were cheap and they looked good. At the time, I didn't want to spend the $$ for genuine wheels. I just wanted the look of style 43....

[MasterC17]

Here's pictures of the insides of mine. Also, if you weight them they should be 28.05lbs for the fronts and 28.25 for the rears.

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk52/MasterC17/Parts/zhp2wf5.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk52/MasterC17/Parts/zhp2wf6.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk52/MasterC17/Parts/zhp2wf7.jpg

[danewilson77]

Should say something on the inside of the rim, that should yield a clue......

[Marcus-SanDiego]

MC17, thanks. That's what we're looking for. The part number is stamped on the spoke. And the size (18x8) and offset (ET47) is on the front spoke, too. Winner.

[danewilson77]

MC17, thanks. That's what we're looking for. The part number is stamped on the spoke. And the size (18x8) and offset (ET47) is on the front spoke, too. Winner.

+1.....good stuff.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[MrMaico]

I think another way to tell may have been to check if they are staggered. I have yet to find any reps that come in an 8 1/2" rear. All the ones I've found are square 8's. May still want to check that if he's assuming he is buying a staggered set.

Barry

[M0nk3y]

Yea...they are reps.

I wasn't there to tell him, but I knew instantly once he told me 18x8. Thanks for the help guys.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

This note, though: it's not out of the realm that someone could be running a square setup with 18x8 all around. I'd want to see the back of the wheel to know for sure.

[billschusteriv]

Good stuff guys.

Back of the wheel should be the place to check. IIRC some guys on Bf.c were looking for two fronts or two rears to run square.

[danewilson77]

Yea...they are reps.

I wasn't there to tell him, but I knew instantly once he told me 18x8. Thanks for the help guys.

18x8 is one of the sizes....

[M0nk3y]

I checked the wheels. There is nothing stamped on the spokes at all and the ///M Badges on the wheels aren't even there

[danewilson77]

I checked the wheels. There is nothing stamped on the spokes at all and the ///M Badges on the wheels aren't even there

ok

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I checked the wheels. There is nothing stamped on the spokes at all and the ///M Badges on the wheels aren't even there

Thanks, Kyle, for the follow up.

[norman@southbayBMW]

You can check the inside of the wheel it should have a 7 digit part number stamp on the spokes

[Marcus-SanDiego]

See bottom of the FAQ: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1789-Frequently-Asked-Questions-%28FAQ%29-About-the-BMW-E46-330-ZHP-Performance-Package-Option

[norman@southbayBMW]

Fronts should say 7896470
Rears should say 7896490

[spencers]

I checked the wheels. There is nothing stamped on the spokes at all and the ///M Badges on the wheels aren't even there

bingo. replicas

[MasterC17]

In case you want to see it here is pictures of the rear:

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk52/MasterC17/Parts/zhpwr5.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk52/MasterC17/Parts/zhpwr6.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk52/MasterC17/Parts/zhpwr7.jpg

Cleaner pics of front:

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk52/MasterC17/Parts/zhp1wf5.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk52/MasterC17/Parts/zhp1wf6.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk52/MasterC17/Parts/zhp1wf7.jpg

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Thanks, MC. I have been using these pictures in the FAQ. I will edit.

[nike001]

I got a bulletproof way of telling:

...they're light. bahahaha