The Safety Profile of a Replica Wheel – Not all Replica Wheels are Created Equally
When customers are trying to decide between purchasing OEM wheels and replica wheels, the question occasionally arises, “Are replica wheels safe?”. Like any manufactured item, that depends on the quality of the product which can range anywhere from awful to flawless. Because of the increased demand, more replica wheels have entered the market, and not all of them meet the same safety standards of an OEM wheel.
Do Your Research
Legitimate replica wheels are not “knockoff” wheels. They are authentic replacement parts which function like the original product. Reputable companies that produce replica wheels do so with sound engineering and rigorous testing, just like OEM wheels. Oftentimes, the replica wheels are manufactured at the same factory, using the same exact equipment as the OEMs.
However, be wary of “fly by night” wheel companies. Companies that produce “knockoff” or “fake” wheels are not obligated to perform any testing procedures. They may skip many processes that proper wheel manufacturers implement to ensure safety, durability and performance at all times. This ultimately puts the safety of both vehicle and driver at risk.
Therefore, when you are looking for aftermarket replica wheels, make sure you do your research and purchase from a dependable company that has a solid reputation in the wheel industry. In addition, look for a company that has a lifetime structural warranty on their replica wheels. If a guarantee is not offered, you want to question the commitment of the company to quality and safety. To be completely confident before you make your purchase, read the customer reviews of both the company and their wheels.
Factory Reproductions Puts Them to the Test
The United States requires standardized tests (SAEJ2530) which focus on the structural performance of a manufactured wheel. Factory Reproductions’ replica wheels are subjected to the equivalent testing procedures of traditional OEM wheels and the attention to detail is exceptional throughout the entire manufacturing process.
. The wheels are put through three specific assessments:
- Radial Fatigue Test which tests the overall wear and tear by simulating normal road driving
- Cornering Test which simulates a high force turn to test the wheel’s effectiveness dealing with lateral loading
- Side Impact Test which tests the wheel’s strength against possible pothole or curb impact
When Factory Reproductions’ wheels have achieved or exceeded these established metrics, they are considered structurally sound and safe for the consumer. Because these replica wheels are manufactured using the same standards and specifications as OEM wheels, you can also be certain that they will be safe for your vehicle as well. They will fit and perform the same as you would expect an original equipment wheel.
At Factory Reproductions, we believe safety is a critical factor in replica wheel selection. If you are looking for replica wheels, and you have any questions about safety, don’t hesitate to ask. Give us a call at (800) 824-2676 or get in touch with us through our website, and we’ll get back to you shortly.
FAQs
Because these replica wheels are manufactured using the same standards and specifications as OEM wheels, you can also be certain that they will be safe for your vehicle as well. They will fit and perform the same as you would expect an original equipment wheel.
Are replica wheels as good as OEM wheels? ›
Since replica wheels are designed to replace factory ones, they usually meet the same load rating as a factory wheel for the designated vehicle.
What is the difference between real and replica wheels? ›
Are replica wheels as strong as genuine wheels? No, replica wheels are made using cheaper manufacturing processes and cheaper, heavier aluminium alloys. This makes them much more susceptible to cracking, bucking, scratching and vibration. They are much less safe.
Are aftermarket rims as good as factory rims? ›
Aftermarket wheels are often made with cheaper materials for mass production. This leads to a far less quality product compared to OEM or replica wheels. Time and time again, aftermarket wheels have proven to be structurally inferior to their OEM wheel counterparts.
Are OE replica wheels any good? ›
And the quality of OE replica wheels is often equal, if not better, to the high quality you get from the factory. Besides the potential bump in quality, the biggest advantage of OE replica wheels is the expanded sizes to choose from.
Can you trust replica wheels? ›
Because these replica wheels are manufactured using the same standards and specifications as OEM wheels, you can also be certain that they will be safe for your vehicle as well. They will fit and perform the same as you would expect an original equipment wheel.
Is it safe to buy refurbished rims? ›
In my expert opinion; a once damaged and repaired wheel is no different than a once damaged and repaired vehicle and as such; a “reconditioned”, “remanufactured” or “refurbished” wheel is nothing more than a “repaired wheel” which may have hidden and unknown remaining defects and potential significant safety issues ...
What makes a wheel a replica? ›
Rep wheels are replicas of other wheels, which are usually sought after iconic designs either currently in production or out of production - a rep wheel will usually try to look almost identical to the real one.
Are factory wheels cast or forged? ›
Cast wheels are the most common type of wheels that account for 90% of OE (Originally Equipped) wheels that are found on most cars. There are two popular casting methods used by manufacturers: gravity casting and low-pressure casting.
Is replica the same as authentic? ›
Replica goods are considered to be legitimate copies because they do not bear the branded product's trademark. So, while a replica might have the same feature and functionality of a famous or branded product, it usually carries a different symbol or logo which is admittedly similar to the famous one.
The don'ts of buying rims include ignoring functionality. Prioritize features that improve performance and safety. Avoid Buying Used Rims Without Proper Inspection – Buying used rims can be a cost-effective option, but only if they are in excellent condition.
How long do OEM rims last? ›
Many automakers claim that their OEM (original equipment manufacturer) rims are designed to last the entire lifespan of the car, in the right conditions. This is because wheels typically aren't made of steel anymore, but aluminum, or some other metal alloy which is resistant to rust.
Why are OEM wheels more expensive? ›
OEM wheels are made by the original equipment manufacturer of your vehicle and match the exact specifications of the wheels it came with. Not only will these wheels fit your car perfectly, they provide a safer and smoother ride.
Are replica wheels heavier? ›
You can buy some cheap replicates that are not even the same size as the wheels they are a copy of and will not look great, may well be heavier, the finish not matching the original colour and will bubble with corrosion, and be much more likely to buckle or crack due to impact than an oem wheel.
What does oe mean on rims? ›
Simply put, Original Equipment (or OE) tires are the tires that a vehicle was originally equipped with from the factory. To select OE tires, automakers work with tire manufacturers to choose or develop tires that complement the characteristics and purposes of the vehicle.
What is the difference between OEM and OE wheels? ›
OE replacement wheels typically look and, for most situations, perform close to the original ones, but, being cast (the OEM HC wheels are forged) are either weaker or heavier (usually, both). This is especially true for wider wheels, where the weight of cast replicas can become problematic.
What are fake rims made of? ›
Alloy wheels should be made solely from raw material to guarantee their strength and durability. Car makers will go for top quality to reduce the occurrence of complaints/warranty requests. Most cheap or counterfeit wheels are sourced from China and are made from a blend of scrap alloy and raw material.
