How can you tell when a rim is BMW Original?

I know it is maybe a newbie Q. but I can't tell when a rim is original or not. there are so many replicas that looks almost the same as BMW rims but there not. I encountered a set of rims that looks like the M5 rims of E39 which the writing of "Made in Italy" at the inner side, can it be original rim? I'm expecting it to be "Made in Germany"

I really need to know that key points for identifying.

Thanks!

Right off the bat I'd say you'd be best to check on the inside spokes of a rim for the letters BMW and not BWM, which is what I read one time about what reps can have on them.
I smell a rat with the fact they were made in Italy. Better though than if they had come out of Hong Kong, lol.

Following are some pics of the inside of 3 spokes on a genuine (oem) 19" BMW rim (style 132) that I bought for my X5. I gave them a real good clean before I had them fitted and exposed all stamps on the inside.
I imagine e39 rims would be similar (re markings) and to that look for stamps/markings somewhat the same. Hopefully someone will chime in with pics of e39 rims.









GL getting hold of your new rims.

PB

Some wheels have the numbers on the front circling the inner hub. All OEM wheels have a part number stamoed on them, et and size of wheel. If the wheels you are intending to purchase do not have the long set of numbers like in the pic above they are not OEM wheels. You can Google his part number from the pic and it will show you that it is OEM Equipment.

Actually, the rim is only part of the wheel, and then only if it's a 2-piece wheel.

Originally Posted by edjack

Actually, the rim is only part of the wheel, and then only if it's a 2-piece wheel.

Yeah. ++1.

Ditto what was mentioned above. The wheel will have either all 11 or the last 7 digit BMW part nbr somewhere on them (around the hub or back of spokes)..and will also have the wheel specs & offset info. The offset info will be proceeded by either "IS" or "ET".

style 5 wheel with last 7 digits of part nbr stamped around the hub (circled in red in pic below) along with other wheel specs and the BMW trademark acronyms
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style 37 MPar with all 11 part nbr digits stamped on the back of the spokes as well as other wheel spec info and BMW trademark

Originally Posted by ibrant

the writing of "Made in Italy" at the inner side, can it be original rim? I'm expecting it to be "Made in Germany"

My factory fitted style 71 wheels were made by Cromodora in Italy and they say Italy on the back, so it's not outside the bounds of possibility. They do have "BMW" and BMW part numbers stamped on them.

Thanks guys, so I should look for the stamp of BMW and a number so I can google it after to check for genuine OEM, BTW I read here http://www.e39m5.net/style-65-e39-m5-alloy-wheels that at the 65 style rims an Italian company was involved, don't know if it gives the right to stamp "made in Italy".

Guys, I found my perfect rims!! It's from E65, style 94, 18", Original BBS & BMW, stamped with BBS logo at the inner side of the rims. I think it looks great.

You need to bore out the hub of the wheel to make them fit.

Originally Posted by edjack

Actually, the rim is only part of the wheel, and then only if it's a 2-piece wheel.

Indeed. That is kind of a pet peeve of mine.

I've seen a few style 65 Reps that are made in Italy....

ibrant - If those bolted right on and the hubs seated properly they've either been bored out previously (a good thing) or they are replicas. The E65 has a different center bore than the E39.

Originally Posted by ECSTuning

ibrant - If those bolted right on and the hubs seated properly they've either been bored out previously (a good thing) or they are replicas. The E65 has a different center bore than the E39.

yep... the tire repairman did had to bore them, but i'm upset with his work. the car shivers between 80kph and 105 kph and it ruins its perfect ride. I do need to bore them again in a professional place.

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From April 26, 2012

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Guys, can you tell me what is the correct bore measurement I should ask my carver to carve?
as well as the current rime bore measurement..

Thanks!

Originally Posted by BentValve

I've seen a few style 65 Reps that are made in Italy....

with BBS stamp on it?

Originally Posted by ibrant

Guys, can you tell me what is the correct bore measurement I should ask my carver to carve?
as well as the current rime bore measurement..

Thanks!

I Guess I'm answering my self..
atached is the size of the central bore.