Educate me: 14'' BMW Basketweave center caps - ebay vs OEM?

[andrewboi]

Hi all,

Hoping someone can clarify something for me. I am searching for some centercaps for my 14'' basketweaves. I noticed OEM prices from BMW are very expensive, and the prices of used listed here in the classified are also significantly higher than eBay (for used on the forum vs. new on eBay).

Are the ones on eBay replicas? Does not include all the pieces? Am I missing on something here?
for example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261965849620?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Are these supposed to be plastic or made of metal? Perhaps the eBay ones are plastic only?

Thanks!
Andrew

[allen_t]

Hey

Bottom of the ad states "Material = Plastic"

The OEM ones are metal.

[andrewboi]

Hey

Bottom of the ad states "Material = Plastic"

The OEM ones are metal.

Ah thanks, that makes sense

Did BMW ever make plastic OEM ones though?

[reelizmpro]

Not for E30's...no. The waffles are metal and the nuts are plastic. Could these possibly be the new style cap from BMW? They look like they'll work. Time to investigate.

The part number they list 36 11 2 225 190 is for the center covering with emblem. Not sure if this is a mix up or a scam.



part number for the complete cap with waffle like they show on the site is 36132225622 $70.71 each

The ad is very misleading.

[jhaurimn]

Im looking at an oem one right in person now and the ebay picture. The waffle centers definitely look different. The edges and curves of the waffles on the ebay ones are much more sharp than oem.

[1843lamp]

Thank you Andrew for asking this question ,I bought a set of 14" basket weaves last weekend and the seller forgot to bring the two center caps he had I need to find replacements as well and know nothing about these wheels ,I bought these wheels because the opportunity came up and I had no time to do research .when the two caps arrive I will be able to examine them .

[Vincenze]

It seems that the plastic parts of these eBay copies can be used to repair original center caps.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-of-new-1984-1991-BMW-BBS-14-Wheel-Center-Hub-Caps-STYL-5-E30-318i-325e-325i/223772969627

[e30strokr]

It seems that the plastic parts of these eBay copies can be used to repair original center caps.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-of-new-1984-1991-BMW-BBS-14-Wheel-Center-Hub-Caps-STYL-5-E30-318i-325e-325i/223772969627

i bought the ebay ones...the locking mechanism is very cheap/thin may not hold on for long

[Vincenze]

i bought the ebay ones...the locking mechanism is very cheap/thin may not hold on for long

What is an alternative? Are there repair parts for the original caps?