Are these real Alpinas?

[cory58]

I want to replace my basketweaves and am trying to learn about Alpinas. Saw these ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ronal-Alpina-7J-16-4x100-alloy-wheels-BMW-E30-E21-16-KBA-alufelgen-/230989154775?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Wheels&hash=item35c806c9d7#ht_282wt_1170

Are they real alpinas? If so, what does Ronal have to do with Alpina. Isn't it correct that et 28 would be a good offset for a stock E30? Is $1200 shipped a good price for real Alpinas?

Sorry for all the questions. Thanks in advance for any responses.

Cory

[LateFan]

Others will know more than me, but...

Check the number of spokes - Alpinas are one different from replicas and tributes.

Ronal made the wheels for Alpina...I think.

Alpinas have the small center dish like your ebay pics.

[E30Jigzaw]

I would say yes they are authentic alpina wheels .. Why don't you go with bbs rs?

[MR 325]

Yes those are real. The wheels were made by Ronal, Alpina didn't manufacture wheels.

They are designed for the E30 and will fit perfectly.

[cory58]

Thanks for the responses! I wonder how hard it will be to source used center caps, since new ones from Alpina are over $200 each.

Any suggestions for Alpina replicas that are made well?

E30jigzaw - the BBS RS are sweet, but I prefer the look of the Alpinas.

Thanks again, Cory

[Farbin Kaiber]

The wheels in the eBay sale are open lug versions. (Maybe you know that though...)

[LateFan]

The wheels in the eBay sale are open lug versions. (Maybe you know that though...)

..and look really good with the centers black!

[cory58]

The wheels in the eBay sale are open lug versions. (Maybe you know that though...)

MANY THANKS! I'm just starting to look for wheels, so I did not know they were open lug.

To me, the open lug with black center looks great on an E21, but I prefer the center caps on E30s.

[MR 325]

Any suggestions for Alpina replicas that are made well?

Here you go:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=275509

[cory58]

Here you go:
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=275509

Awesome. Thanks! I'll give Mr. Abrahams a call and see what he thinks about the 17x7.5 Kopis on my set up: 'vert with stock suspension.

Cory

[bmwextremeguy]

Yes those are real alpina's as I have a set of 6 classic version. Only thing is one may have to roll the fenders and either put spacers or grind a little on the brake caliper to make the rims fit correctly.

[audiquattrot]

they're real.

Had Kopi reps on an old E30 i used to have. Would bend like a mf'r.

Caps w/ the locks & keys used rarely come up for the original Alpinas....i wouldn't bank on snagging a set that easily. Kopi caps are cheap plastic and larger in diameter, so you can't use them.

[mr ilia]

Ronal > the name you can trust.

[cory58]

The wheels in the eBay sale are open lug versions. (Maybe you know that though...)

Correction - I sent the link to Susan at KSK Distributing, the Alpina rep for the USA, and she confirmed that the rims in the ebay ad ARE made to accept the full center caps.

Further, she confirmed that the only 16x7 et28 Alpina rims were made for the E30, with the full center cap. The open lug 16x7 Alpinas have a different offset. The may work on an E30, but were made for other models.

Hope this is helpful to anyone else considering Alpina rims. Susan at KSK was extremely helpful, even though she knew she wouldn't be selling me anything. If you have any need for new Alpina parts or information, here is their web site.

http://www.alpina-usa.com/

Cory

[audiquattrot]

Yeah Susan is awesome. She gave me tips to replace my Alpina center cap stickers which I wouldn't have figured out w/o damaging them. According to ksk, the E30 alpinas are no longer available so getting a set is only going to get more expensive