Every wheel buyer hits this question eventually. Do you go for an OEM style wheel that copies a factory design, or a branded wheel from a name like Concaver, Carbonado or Japan Racing? Here is an honest comparison.
The short answer
OEM style suits you if you want the car to look like a higher-spec version of itself, and you want to spend less. Branded suits you if you want a design nobody else has, a wider or deeper fitment, or a specific finish.
Price
OEM style wheels start around £140 per wheel, so a set of four is roughly £560 to £800. Branded wheels typically run from £165 to £300 per wheel. You are paying for the design, the brand and often a lighter construction.
Fitment
This is the real difference. OEM style wheels copy factory sizes and offsets, so they bolt on and sit exactly as the manufacturer intended. Branded wheels often use lower offsets and wider rims on purpose, for a flush or deep-dish look. That can mean spacers, arch work or coilovers.
Our fitment finder shows both, with a warning on anything that needs checking. If in doubt, read how to know what wheels fit your car.
Availability
OEM style wheels are usually in stock with us and dispatched next working day. Branded wheels are often ordered in, typically three to four working days, because the range is enormous.
Delivery cost
Worth knowing: OEM style wheels ship free to the UK and Ireland, any size, no minimum. Branded wheels are £70, or free over £800.
Resale
A well-known branded set tends to hold value better second hand, because buyers recognise the name. OEM style wheels hold value reasonably too, since they suit any owner wanting the factory look.
Which should you choose?
- Daily driver, standard suspension: OEM style, every time. Correct offset, no surprises, cheaper
- Lowered or modified: branded, where the low offset is the point
- Replacing one damaged wheel: OEM style, see our single wheel replacements
- Show car or something different: branded, every time
Common questions
Are OEM style wheels lower quality? Not necessarily. Ours are VIA and JWL tested, the same impact and fatigue standards used across the industry.
Can I mix them? No. Keep all four wheels the same specification.
Do branded wheels need spigot rings? Usually yes, because they are made with a larger bore to fit more cars. They are cheap, and we will tell you which size you need.
Shop OEM style wheels · Shop branded wheels · More on OEM style vs premium brands