Real or Replicas?
#1
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Anyone know how to determine if the 2005 "lobster claw" 997 wheels on my 2001 996 are real or knock-offs? And how much $$$ these go for if real, or fake?
![](http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j193/ptwalker/IMG_2678.jpg)
I'm keeping them either way, just curious.
![](http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j193/ptwalker/IMG_2678.jpg)
I'm keeping them either way, just curious.
#3
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Guess I should have googled harder
, found MSRP on the OEMs to be roughly $5300, but haven't found the knock-off price, or how to tell if they are real.
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I'd imagine it'd be hard to read the part #s w/out taking the wheels off. They're generally on the backside of one of the spokes, if you don't want to take the wheel off, a mechanics mirror through the wheel could be helpful. If real I'd imagine a market value of around $1500-2000 used, perhaps ~$1200 for replicas. Mille Miglia (sp?) replicas are horrible btw, so lets hope they're not that.
I generally dislike non-stock wheels, but these do look good on your car.
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#8
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I'd imagine it'd be hard to read the part #s w/out taking the wheels off. They're generally on the backside of one of the spokes, if you don't want to take the wheel off, a mechanics mirror through the wheel could be helpful. If real I'd imagine a market value of around $1500-2000 used, perhaps ~$1200 for replicas. Mille Miglia (sp?) replicas are horrible btw, so lets hope they're not that.
I generally dislike non-stock wheels, but these do look good on your car.
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What makes the "Mille Miglia" wheels so bad. Tell-tale signs?
#13
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Due to short cuts made and/or a cheaper manufacturing process, the structural integrity of the wheels suffer. I've seen replica wheels break apart at the spokes on the track under high loading. (Other wheels are not immune to failure, but, in my experience, I've seen more replica wheels fail at the track than any others.)
Replica wheels are also heavier - due to increasing the material in an effort to make them stronger.
A few years ago I had a chance to compare factory 18" turbo hollow spokes with 18" replica 996 GT3 wheels. Rear compared to rear, the replica was 14 lbs heavier per wheel.
However, for regular street driving, I think the replicas are fine. I have my snow tires mounted on replica rims.
Replica wheels are also heavier - due to increasing the material in an effort to make them stronger.
A few years ago I had a chance to compare factory 18" turbo hollow spokes with 18" replica 996 GT3 wheels. Rear compared to rear, the replica was 14 lbs heavier per wheel.
However, for regular street driving, I think the replicas are fine. I have my snow tires mounted on replica rims.
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BBS makes quite a few of the OEM wheels for Porsche (They even made the OEM wheels on my old Saab)
Not sure if they made the Lobster forks" but if they did it will say BBS on the back.
Not sure if they made the Lobster forks" but if they did it will say BBS on the back.