Really cheap rims - what's the catch?

[Mark_T]

Wow. Sorry folks - I wasn't trying to start something. This took off like a Mobil1 thread!

"Lucky we didn't say anything about the dirty knife. "


Mark

[Mark_T]

I think the middle line here is that the rims are definitely not Porsche quality, but are most likely safe enough for non-racing applications, and at that price you can replace any rim that becomes even slightly damaged.

Will I buy them? Not sure. I think I will keep my eyes open for a good deal on a used set of the real thing for a few months and, if nothing comes up, then I'll give it some further consideration.

I sure appreciate all the peeps who took the time to post their views. There's some really good food for thought in here. Thank you!

Mark

[blinkwatt]

Just to throw this out there,for approval ratings. The Italian made replicas are JWL approved(along with others)....

Japan Light Alloy Wheel. The technical standard for Light Alloy Disc Wheels for Passenger Car
approved by Ministry of Transport (MOT).

Their approval stamps look like this,from inside the wheel



That's just one of the approval ratings the wheels have.

[landrovered]

IMO...If a wheel has rating marks like TWL and TuV and is made by an ISO9000 company then it is an aftermarket wheel and not a cheapo wheel. I would have no problem buyng a wheel with these marks.

ADDED: The problem is how do we know the Italians didn't buy them from these people. I wonder if these are stamped... http://wheelshome.en.alibaba.com/product/257570588-200155524/Replica_alloy_wheels.html

[Wret]

At those prices they are worth considering for winter swap, fitted with the safest snow tires available of course.

[landrovered]

Chinese wheel ...

http://media.photobucket.com/image/chinese%20rims/Chiows/fake.jpg

[Perfectlap]

"Porsche quality" cast alloys aren't all that. I have a set of factory Carrera lights and I've bent two and cracked one. And did I mention I only drive weekends?

Unless you're talking a forged wheel (not hollow) you would be wise to keep the budget to a minimum and prepare yourself for the eventual wheel bend. Unfortunately finding a solid forged wheel is not cheap. CCWheel makes one for the Boxster but I think the set will set you back $3K. That's tough to swallow when its 30% of the resell value of some cars. But better that than spedning $3K on exhaust and headers that will net you an extra 10% hp.

I also had a set of BBS RK's (the mesh style) on my previous car which were also pricey cast alloys and while driving ohh...3 mph I hit a high driveway curb a just the wrong angle...ding. BIG dent. Solution? I drove over to the rough part of town where these guys working out of an old factory did nothing but fix bent wheels and repainted them for $100. They had dozens of SUV wheels stacked high waiting to be done. I don't think there were more than three guys working there.

[ekam]

Originally Posted by blinkwatt

Just to throw this out there,for approval ratings. The Italian made replicas are JWL approved(along with others)....

Japan Light Alloy Wheel. The technical standard for Light Alloy Disc Wheels for Passenger Car
approved by Ministry of Transport (MOT).

Their approval stamps look like this,from inside the wheel



That's just one of the approval ratings the wheels have.

Please don't kid yourself. Are those approval stamps done from a proprietory stamping/casting machine solely designed and operated by JWL or the MOT?

You should go visit China sometime and see the stuff they make there...

Seriously people, all wheel (cast, forge, fake or OEM) will crack or bend if you hit it hard enough. And not every single fake/replica wheel will crack while doing 80mph on the highway.

And no matter what comes out of this thread, it won't stop anyone form buying fake/replicas.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by ekam

And no matter what comes out of this thread, it won't stop anyone form buying fake/replicas.

Nor should it. Folks looking for wheels should just know what to look for and what they could potentially be getting into. Everything you do carries risk, each individual has to weigh the risk with the benefit and make a decision that works for them.

[landrovered]

My summary of this thread: You get what you pay for in most cases.

[lbrown2009]

Landrover, I put a set of 18's on my 01, I shyed away fromt the 19's because of the rough pavement here... so far so good.