Would an OEM wheel be exactly the same as that ordered through Tesla?

[UltralightBeam]

Unfortunately, I have a bent rim on one of my 20” perf wheels. Tesla, of course, is looking at $$$ for a new one. But I have found an OEM replacement for much less. Should I be good with going that way or are Tesla wheels special in the sense that they’re really made by BBS or something? Ie: Brakes are really sourced from Brembo.

Really, what I’m getting at is if the Tesla really is price gouging or are they using a premier mfg for the wheels. In this case, maybe the cheaper alternative stating they are OEM wheels are really just replicas.

Any insights to help?

 

[WilliamG]

Unfortunately, I have a bent rim on one of my 20” perf wheels. Tesla, of course, is looking at $$$ for a new one. But I have found an OEM replacement for much less. Should I be good with going that way or are Tesla wheels special in the sense that they’re really made by BBS or something? Ie: Brakes are really sourced from Brembo.

Really, what I’m getting at is if the Tesla really is price gouging or are they using a premier mfg for the wheels. In this case, maybe the cheaper alternative stating they are OEM wheels are really just replicas.

Any insights to help?

Can’t answer your question, but how much did Tesla quote you for a single 20” wheel?

 

[UltralightBeam]

$700 from the service center. Math doesn’t check out from Tesla’s package but.... IDK if a la carte is just higher... really, I think it’s just that all installation costs are just ‘rolled into’ the pricing.

 

[zhu-]

Is it being sold by a company or an individual? I haven't seen any replica's of 20" Model 3 wheels yet.

How bent is the wheel? I paid $200 to have a 19" on my previous car bent back and it was perfect afterwards.

 

[UltralightBeam]

Let me know what you think...

(Best I could do as the upload was too big) Repairable?

 

[reheat]

Have you checked the Marketplace section on this site? Some people are selling their 20" stock wheels, maybe you can pick one up for cheap.

 

[Bill Foster]

Well, that looks repairable. Straightening the wheel is usually 100-150. That’s where I would start first.

Also, aftermarket “oem” wheels are often made in China of crappy materials. If you think factory wheels bend easy..... well lol

 

[zhu-]

That looks repairable to me too. Just make sure there's no cracks of any kind anywhere.

 

[Bill Foster]

$700 from the service center. Math doesn’t check out from Tesla’s package but.... IDK if a la carte is just higher... really, I think it’s just that all installation costs are just ‘rolled into’ the pricing.

Honestly compared to other “luxury” car manufacturers, that’s a hell of a price.

 

[WilliamG]

Honestly compared to other “luxury” car manufacturers, that’s a hell of a price.

Agreed. Usually a lot more. Personally I’d not risk any bend in a wheel. I’d be buying a new one. With cars as heavy as ours my life is worth more than a few hundred.

 

[UltralightBeam]

Thanks everyone for the input. Tesla at first wasn’t sure about how long they could get a new wheel in and have (shortly after I asked them to really check) confirmed that they could get one in tomorrow.

So I’m just going to swallow this one and get it replaced through Tesla but also take the rim back to have it looked at. If repairable, I’ll at least have a spare for any future incident (of course only if it’s deemed to be safe).

 

[zhu-]

Honestly compared to other “luxury” car manufacturers, that’s a hell of a price.

Yep, especially for a 20". The 19" I had repaired on my Mercedes was around $1000 to replace, not including labor, and it was just a C300.

 

[Bill Foster]

Yep, especially for a 20". The 19" I had repaired on my Mercedes was around $1000 to replace, not including labor, and it was just a C300.

lol you should see the price on a bigger AMG wheel. Ive seen 3200 for one

 

[mobilesuit818]

If you are okay with OEM meaning aftermarket and made in china....

I personally would change them out to forged lightweight wheels and sell the 4x as a set and discounted (dont understand why people sell these for $$$ but that another conversation)

I would recommend leveling up on developing eagle eyes and reflexes to avoid potholes/dips.

Worth mentioning that the Model 3, much like every car out there, is not a truck and you need to slow down/avoid potholes/bumps like the plague.

Your wallet and your car/rims will thank me later. Donations links are in my profile.

 

[zhu-]

lol you should see the price on a bigger AMG wheel. Ive seen 3200 for one

Oh I know haha - though they are beautiful.

Your wallet and your car/rims will thank me later.

Don't forget about your kidneys. I'm fairly certain mine has been relocated from all the potholes I hit in my previous car.

 

[richyrich]

Regarding cheap wheels that look as good as the real thing I always found this video interesting -

 

[UltralightBeam]

The repaired one though should be just as safe though right?

Yeah.. I do avoid dem potholes but this time, it’s a blame shared with midnight in the boonies, and distracting in-laws...

 

[zhu-]

The repaired one though should be just as safe though right?

Yeah.. I do avoid dem potholes but this time, it’s a blame shared with midnight in the boonies, and distracting in-laws...

From my research at the time, if there are no cracks of any kind then a repaired out-of-round wheel should be as good as new - the repair shop should be able to confirm the structural integrity. I believe my wheel might have been slightly more bent and I felt very obvious vibrations right after I hit that unavoidable pothole going 60+ on the highway. There were no issues with the wheel for the rest of the two years after the repair.

 

[Bill Foster]

From my research at the time, if there are no cracks of any kind then a repaired out-of-round wheel should be as good as new - the repair shop should be able to confirm the structural integrity. I believe my wheel might have been slightly more bent and I felt very obvious vibrations right after I hit that unavoidable pothole going 60+ on the highway. There were no issues with the wheel for the rest of the two years after the repair.

They do tend to be softer in the repaired area, but not by much. Always worth it to have It straightened

 

[MentalNomad]

Just to clarify language, here...

An OEM wheel WOULD BE a wheel from Tesla, whether you buy it from Tesla or not.

An OEM Replacement is a different wheel which someone claims will be a match, but it's not an OEM wheel.

OEM means "Original Equipment Manufacturer." A part that is an OEM Replacement is not an OEM Part.