Is this a genuine Monza?

[Tortaruga]

Can anyone definitively tell me whether or not this is a genuine Monza 18" wheel from this photo??



It's all I have to go on at the moment before a potential purchase.

Cheers

PJ

[RedRobin]

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I'm not 100% without seeing the stampings on the back but I reckon it's not a genuine Monza because the outer edge of the openings are too sharp and slightly too wide. the edges should be softer.

Also, the centre cap recess doesn't look right.



^ Please note that my genuine Monza 18's are powdercoated.

[Tortaruga]

Thanks RR

The difference is very obvious looking at the 2 photos. However I believe the later wheels were made by Ronal as opposed to BBS. Perhaps Ronal produced this slightly different design..??

I'll mail the seller and ask him to give me the part number, stampings, etc. I'll even try and get him to take an inside photo for me.

[RedRobin]

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Here's another pic of my genuine BBS Monza 18 before powdercoating - In other words, diamond-cut and with grey inserts:



^ The most obvious difference is the amount of alloy between the 5 'holes' and the tyre at the rim. I now feel pretty sure that the one you are asking about is a replica. Hopefully it's not being claimed to be genuine. I don't know how the Ronal design differs, if it does at all - I would not expect it to differ as it's an OEM product.

BBS developed their patented 'hollow technology' on the Mk5 GTI's Monza wheels, so a genuine BBS/Ronal is probably lighterweight than a replica. Monza 18's are 11 kg (to the nearest kg).

[Kalpsn2000]

Based on those pics (and looking at a pic of my genuine Ronal) it looks like that is a replica, as RR mentioned.

I don't have a close up but here's mine:

[Greeners]

I'd say that was a rep.

[Saintsteve]

Is there not any part number stamped on the inside of the alloy?

it might of had the face Skimmed from a refurb.

It looks for me to difficult to tell.. I don't think it's a Replica wheel as they normally are more obvious .

[Mandy]

After reading the link below, I think they could be reps.

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,7632.0.html

[Kalpsn2000]

Is there not any part number stamped on the inside of the alloy?

it might of had the face Skimmed from a refurb.

It looks for me to difficult to tell.. I don't think it's a Replica wheel as they normally are more obvious .

The centre cap does not have the plastic rim and also there looks like a ridge in the centre around the centre cap, so must be a rep.

[stealthwolf]

Defo fake. Look at the ridges, the cut, the circular ridge and the poorly replica'd VW badge (has "serif")

[Saintsteve]

If the wheels been refurbed... It will look odd.. If the face has been skimmed, it will make the surface area look larger..

Look on the inside of the wheel , and all will be revealed.

[Tortaruga]

Thanks for all the replies .

I texted the seller asking for a pic and/or the markings of the inside of the wheels. I've had silence in response!

I'm pretty sure of what to look for now so hopefully I'll find a set. Unless I find a set of Turinis

[RedRobin]

I texted the seller asking for a pic and/or the markings of the inside of the wheels. I've had silence in response!

I'm pretty sure of what to look for now so hopefully I'll find a set. Unless I find a set of Turinis

....The power of this forum, eh! 

Did the seller advertise them as genuine or replica? His silence suggests he didn't bother to inform they are replica.

[Tortaruga]

....The power of this forum, eh!  

Did the seller advertise them as genuine or replica?

Yeah - wonderful forum. I think he honestly thought they were genuine as he replied initially saying "they were on the car when I bought it at xxxxxxx VW dealer".
This poses an issue: I buy a second hand car at a VW dealer and it has replica wheels. If I spot this or a wheel fails is the dealer then required to fit genuine ones? Or is it 'sold as seen'? Their 'comprehensive testing and reconditioning' (source:VW UK website) has failed in this case.

[stealthwolf]

The dealers probably advertise as Monza-style alloys, the "style" bit gets around the fact that they are reps. Alternatively just "alloy wheels", which they are. Just not OEM.