Replacement wheel for GT

[tonycharente]

Ciao! Hello to all,
Please excuse me that I don't speak Italian - but I can read Italian if you prefer to reply in Italian! Or in French...

I recently had to replace one of my 17" multispoke rims (TOORA model C573), which I believe to be from the GT (part number 60688033, equals GT, but otherwise identical to the untrained eye to the 156/147 version, part number 60689246, the only difference being the offset (ET35 on GT, ET40.5 on 156/147).

The brand new wheel I was supplied with, date stamped 6th month of 2009, had an entirely different model and part numbers ( SL2181 and 156084656, but also GAISi11Mg and B412), no mention of TOORA or any other manufacturer's name, but otherwise seems identical (still says "Alfa Romeo" although "Italy" rather than "Made in Italy") except that the bore of the wheel stud holes is slightly smaller (the little centering tool won't slide through).

My question is: is this a genuine Alfa wheel, or is it one of the replicas?

I have done Google searches on the various stampings given above and got nowhere, other than the thought that perhaps the SL stands for Speedline...). The online Eper that I can open is dated 2005, so can't help.

Many thanks to all.
Tony

 

[Qix]

Hi Tony, if the name Alfa Romeo is printed inside the rim I believe it is original

 

[MAD147]

Hi,
It doesn't take much to counterfeit manufacturer's seals in order to make a product look real. The "Italy" instead of "made in Italy" mark, in my estimation is a first indicator of a replica, poorly manufactured I would add. The price could also be another indicator. If it's too discounted, it's not cool. Moreover, the part numbers have to match either Alfa Romeo’s or the original manufacturer’s; if they don't, most likely there's something fishy about it. Also, did you get the rim from an official Alfa Romeo dealership/service garage, from a toora dealership or through other generic channels?
Let's switch subject. Main wrong feat: the wheel stud. Original parts have to match certain accuracy standards in order to be deemed suitable for sale. Otherwise, they're usually either destroyed or sold with a huge discount as defective but still safe for road product.
Bottom line: if I were you, I'd go have a chit chat with whoever sold you the rim and ask for some clarifications. Something doesn’t add up.
Much love

 

[tonycharente]

Hi,
It doesn't take much to counterfeit manufacturer's seals in order to make a product look real. The "Italy" instead of "made in Italy" mark, in my estimation is a first indicator of a replica, poorly manufactured I would add. The price could also be another indicator. If it's too discounted, it's not cool. Moreover, the part numbers have to match either Alfa Romeo’s or the original manufacturer’s; if they don't, most likely there's something fishy about it. Also, did you get the rim from an official Alfa Romeo dealership/service garage, from a toora dealership or through other generic channels?
Let's switch subject. Main wrong feat: the wheel stud. Original parts have to match certain accuracy standards in order to be deemed suitable for sale. Otherwise, they're usually either destroyed or sold with a huge discount as defective but still safe for road product.
Bottom line: if I were you, I'd go have a chit chat with whoever sold you the rim and ask for some clarifications. Something doesn’t add up.
Much love

Thank you for your thoughts, but wouldn't it be just as easy to copy both the "Made in Italy" and also the original Alfa part number?

Also I paid full price - 476 Euros + VAT for ONE wheel (that's why I'm concerned in case it's a replica...)

And I have since discovered that some of actual Alfa wheels do have part numbers starting with "15608..."

And that TOORA went into liquidation a few years ago - so are Alfa having to buy from another source - perhaps Speedline (hence the "SL" in the "SL2181")?

I wonder is there anyone on this forum who has bought the replica wheels (widely available at about a quarter the price in Italy) who could tell me what markings they have on them, please?

Grazie mille
Tony