OEM wheels silver polished chrome

[steve fox]

There seem to be many suppliers offering OEM wheels. Most have either silver, high polished or chrome in price ascending order.
I was unaware the factory offered different wheels with the 04MM.
Any one know what's up with this?

[ctrlraven]

All stock wheels are high polished forged aluminum. 2003 cars had a full size silver spare tire, 2004 had a mini spare. Replicas are made from casting.

[RF Overlord]

I was unaware the factory offered different wheels with the 04MM.The factory did not. Aftermarket rims should be called "OEM-style".

[IwantmyMMnow!]

2003 cars had a full size silver spare tire

I find this interesting...mine is an 03, but has the donut. I guess it's possible for

a. the original owner used the full-size spare and got a donut in lieu of getting a full-sized/OEM tire.

b. the place I bought my MM from ganked the full-size spare to make some coin and replaced it with a donut

When I had my fronts replaced a couple months ago, the tire shop noticed that the rim on the front passenger side has a very slight 'warp' to it; not enough to be an issue, but enough of one that made it a little tricky to weight it for balancing. Instead of being able to put the balancing weights in one area, he had to put a few of them in different locations to get that tire to balance properly. This 'discovery' all but firms up my suspicion that the previous owner hit something, as the passenger fog lamp lens is busted out, there's a small blue mark (about 1" long) on that corner of the bumper, that rim has a decent amount of curb rash on it, and the bumper is slightly off-kilter on the drivers' side.

Eventually, I plan on getting a new rim to replace this one and will use the curb-rashed rim/tire as my spare. But, that depends on one question...is it better to have an OEM front-sized spare or rear-sized spare, or does it matter?

[Comin' in Hot]

300a has a full size spare, 300b has the donut

[IwantmyMMnow!]

300a has a full size spare, 300b has the donut

AHA!....but I'm still pretty certain the PO hit a curb or something based on what has been revealed since I bought it....

[steve fox]

So, the wheels listed as silver OEM are full size (painted silver?) wheels, the polished aluminum OEM are standard factory wheels and the chrome plated OEM are aftermarket chrome plated factory standard aluminum OEM wheels?

[RF Overlord]

the chrome plated OEM are aftermarket chrome plated factory standard aluminum OEM wheels?Not necessarily...they may be "OEM-style", but unless they specifically state that they are forged, then they are NOT OEM rims...

[SC Cheesehead]

So, the wheels listed as silver OEM are full size (painted silver?) wheels, the polished aluminum OEM are standard factory wheels and the chrome plated OEM are aftermarket chrome plated factory standard aluminum OEM wheels?

Nope, unpolished forged finish.

A couple guys here have had their OEM rims chromed, and they look sharp, but like RF siad, unless they are forged, and specifically noted as OEM rims, they're aftermarket.

BTW, nothing wrong with cast rims as long as they're good quality. If you find a set, I suggest you find a good metallurgical shop to x-ray them for internal flaws (voids, stress lines, etc.) that could cause wheel failure under load.

[steve fox]

Right, many cars have cast wheels. Does anyone here know a brand or supplier which sells "good" quality cast wheels? I ordered a set from Motor city. They were Chinese with the surface color of a gum wrapper, complete with wrinkles and scuffs. The alternative is either pristine OE wheels at $$$$$ or not so nice OE at $$ then a recon for $$.

[SC Cheesehead]

Right, many cars have cast wheels. Does anyone here know a brand or supplier which sells "good" quality cast wheels? I ordered a set from Motor city. They were Chinese with the surface color of a gum wrapper, complete with wrinkles and scuffs. The alternative is either pristine OE wheels at $$$$$ or not so nice OE at $$ then a recon for $$.

I'm not aware of any US manufacturers making replica cast wheels, and as you've noted, the Chinese cast products are of suspect quality.

Best bet may be to keep your eyes peeled for a nice set of used OEM, unless you're in a big hurry.

Like the old saying goes:

Fast, Cheap, or Good: Pick Two

;)

[RubberCtyRauder]

I'm in the process of having my OEM Marauder wheels re-finished. I should be picking them up next week (generally a 7 -10 business day turn around) Glass bead inside and out, polish, clearcoat powder coat which is far better than spray on clearcoat for wheels. They should pretty much look like new.

[RF Overlord]

Fast, Cheap, or Good: Pick Two I don't think you can have #2 and #3 together. Anymore.

[Roadwarrior]

Eventually, I plan on getting a new rim to replace this one and will use the curb-rashed rim/tire as my spare. But, that depends on one question...is it better to have an OEM front-sized spare or rear-sized spare, or does it matter?
The full-size spare in mine is the same original size for the front tires of the MM. {235/50/18}

[BODYMAN]

I find this interesting...mine is an 03, but has the donut. I guess it's possible for

a. the original owner used the full-size spare and got a donut in lieu of getting a full-sized/OEM tire.

b. the place I bought my MM from ganked the full-size spare to make some coin and replaced it with a donut

When I had my fronts replaced a couple months ago, the tire shop noticed that the rim on the front passenger side has a very slight 'warp' to it; not enough to be an issue, but enough of one that made it a little tricky to weight it for balancing. Instead of being able to put the balancing weights in one area, he had to put a few of them in different locations to get that tire to balance properly. This 'discovery' all but firms up my suspicion that the previous owner hit something, as the passenger fog lamp lens is busted out, there's a small blue mark (about 1" long) on that corner of the bumper, that rim has a decent amount of curb rash on it, and the bumper is slightly off-kilter on the drivers' side.

Eventually, I plan on getting a new rim to replace this one and will use the curb-rashed rim/tire as my spare. But, that depends on one question...is it better to have an OEM front-sized spare or rear-sized spare, or does it matter?

What Ive seen is late 03's have a Donut.

[efi4eye]

I don't think you can have #2 and #3 together. Anymore.

It's supposed to be fast, cheap, reliable - pick two... semantics, I know

[RF Overlord]

I was referring to the Walmart-ing of America. My statement stands.

[efi4eye]

Sorry, this is a car forum so forgive me for using the "creed of vehicular modding"