Really cheap rims - what's the catch? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Mark_T · 07-06-2010, 09:26 AM

I found this site while browsing for rims, and the prices seem to be too good to believe. Anyone dealt here or know anything about these peeps? I'd sure be happy to find the Carrera rims I'd like at this price, but I also don't want to prove that Barnum was right!

cheap rims - click here

Mark

blue2000s · 07-06-2010, 09:31 AM

Material and manufacturing process differences can lead to wheels that are:
-soft
-brittle
-heavy
-non-symmetric

Just because they look the same, doesn't mean they are the same. There are hundreds of different aluminum alloys and several different ways to shape it into a wheel.

Although I'm sure Porsche has a ridiculous mark-up on the factory wheels, as they do on other parts, they do use quality wheels.

Mauiboxster · 07-06-2010, 10:16 AM

Although I do agree with that statement about the quality level. I am pretty sure whatever company does produce these knockoffs have to follow some type of guidelines to ensure they are safe. I think you would be ok. (thanks for the link)

Think of medicine. You have all the knockoff brands and they are actually produces in the same facilitys minus the T stamp.

landrovered · 07-06-2010, 10:30 AM

I would not be so sure about the integrity of the marketplace/invisible hand.

I saw some rims recently that would make your hair stand on end, they were in a welding shop to be repaired, they were cracked, I wouldn't run a bicycle on them much less attempt to repair them after they failed once.

...and then after the horrible accident, your insurance company tells you that you are not covered because the aftermarket wheels you were running were not NHTSA approved.

Unless their is a TüV stamp or comparable quality rating, I wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole.

tonycarreon · 07-06-2010, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mauiboxster

Although I do agree with that statement about the quality level. I am pretty sure whatever company does produce these knockoffs have to follow some type of guidelines to ensure they are safe. I think you would be ok. (thanks for the link)

Think of medicine. You have all the knockoff brands and they are actually produces in the same facilitys minus the T stamp.

um, think of some recent items from china... anti-freeze laced toothpaste, lead infused baby toys, cribs that collapse when looked at. legitimate companies usually follow some set of safety standard - which is some of what you pay for, but a lot of companies take as many shortcuts as possible to make something that "looks" normal but cost 1/10th to manufacture...

also, it should be noted the wheels in the link are remanufactured ( "repaired" ) and not new.

blue2000s · 07-06-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonycarreon

um, think of some recent items from china... anti-freeze laced toothpaste, lead infused baby toys, cribs that collapse when looked at. legitimate companies usually follow some set of safety standard - which is some of what you pay for, but a lot of companies take as many shortcuts as possible to make something that "looks" normal but cost 1/10th to manufacture...

also, it should be noted the wheels in the link are remanufactured ( "repaired" ) and not new.

They state on the front page that they offer both remanufactured and new aftermarket wheels. I don't see where it states which these are.

Mauiboxster · 07-06-2010, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue2000s

They state on the front page that they offer both remanufactured and new aftermarket wheels. I don't see where it states which these are.

When you call and give them a part number they will tell you what they have in stock and which catagory the ones they have in stock are. for the wheel I just asked about they said they have 8 that where are OEM and have a lifetime warranty and three that are aftermarket with the same warranty that where made in Germany using the original molds.

looks to me to be a pretty good deal.

tonycarreon · 07-06-2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue2000s

They state on the front page that they offer both remanufactured and new aftermarket wheels. I don't see where it states which these are.

google search the part number, all that comes up are remanufactured rims.

but either way, the old adage will hold true - you get what you pay for.

blue2000s · 07-06-2010, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mauiboxster

Although I do agree with that statement about the quality level. I am pretty sure whatever company does produce these knockoffs have to follow some type of guidelines to ensure they are safe. I think you would be ok. (thanks for the link)

Think of medicine. You have all the knockoff brands and they are actually produces in the same facilitys minus the T stamp.

The analogy to a generic drug isn't really accurate here.

Mauiboxster · 07-06-2010, 11:12 AM

I called the company and asked them exactly how their prices are so low. First of all the company is called Coast to Coast and they are nothing more than the fullfilment company for 50+ websites. The wheels they sale are mostly originals from junk yards, broken or simply unused. They are not made in China, in fact if they are replicas they are made in Germany and Italy. Also, if they do have to make one they are using the original molds and same material as original.

Of course all of this is coming from the person running the online sales. But if it is true my analogy of medicine is exactly right.