Opinions on these Wheels:

[keithl]

I am definitely leery. Thanks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250536788995&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

California Performance Wholesale Inc.
18 19 WHEELS FOR PORSCHE 911, BOXSTER, CAYMAN - NEW
US $599.00 (set of 4)
Size:

19x8.5
Offset:

+48
Bolt Pattern:

5x130
Make:

Marinello
Model:

GT3

[lizBox]

Those wheels look pretty nice.

The seller has 100% positive feedback and looks to have sold wheels for a few range rovers, bmw, lexus. And they all gave him good feedback.

[schnellman]

I'm not a big fan of aftermarket wheels, but these look great. The description is right on, and the feedback for similar high-end wheels is positive. With that price, it's certainly worth a shot.
If you go through with the purchase, please let the rest of us know what you think of the wheels once you get them, and get them on your Box.

[keithl]

Originally Posted by schnellman

I'm not a big fan of aftermarket wheels, but these look great. The description is right on, and the feedback for similar high-end wheels is positive. With that price, it's certainly worth a shot.
If you go through with the purchase, please let the rest of us know what you think of the wheels once you get them, and get them on your Box.

I like the look; the price is why I was suspicious. I didn't know if anyone here had experience with this company or wheel manufacturer. Thanks.

[renzop]

They look nice but I don't see how $600 per wheel is a great deal on a no-name wheel. How much does it weigh? What's the finish really like? What will it look like in 2 years? I bought a set of cheap wheels about 15 years ago and they looked great new but the finish quickly deteriorated.

Personally, I would pass unless I saw them in person and knew how much they weighed.

[schnellman]

Originally Posted by renzop

They look nice but I don't see how $600 per wheel is a great deal on a no-name wheel. How much does it weigh? What's the finish really like? What will it look like in 2 years? I bought a set of cheap wheels about 15 years ago and they looked great new but the finish quickly deteriorated.

Personally, I would pass unless I saw them in person and knew how much they weighed.

If I read the description correctly, it says for a set of four wheels. That's why I believe it's a good deal, price wise.

[gerrygug]

Looks like the ad reads $599.00 for set of 4
My question would be how much do they weigh and how strong are they?

[idheaton]

Nice rims, I bet those would looks sweet on a Boxster. I also concur it seems like a good price for 19"s, it's sux that the set of tires would cost you more than the rims.

The only thing to me is that the set doesn't appeared to be staggered as it is listed as 19 x 8.5.

You need 9.5 - 10.5 in the rear....at least imo.....

[keithl]

Originally Posted by renzop

They look nice but I don't see how $600 per wheel is a great deal on a no-name wheel. How much does it weigh? What's the finish really like? What will it look like in 2 years? I bought a set of cheap wheels about 15 years ago and they looked great new but the finish quickly deteriorated.

Personally, I would pass unless I saw them in person and knew how much they weighed.

$600.00 for the set.

[gerrygug]

When you Google Marinello Wheels, which is the brand named in the Ebay listing, this is what you get: http://www.marinellowheels.com/

[blinkwatt]

Wheel Dynamics was selling replicas for $1200....I found the same wheels on eBay for $600....people were suspicious of the $600 eBay wheels but not Wheel Dynamics...

[dave99box]

For price, its clear that these replica wheels are made in CHINA. Given what I know about quality of Chinese products, I wouldn't trust my safety to them.

[manolo]

I cant speak for quality as I havent used these wheels, but I checked into them when I was looking for wheels. The catch was the weight. I think he quoted me something like 28 for the front and 33 for the rear. Thats 8 to 10 lbs heavier per wheel than my OEM wheels amd significant unspring weight. I ended up getting my OEM wheels powdercoated black and have been very happy with that.

[aparmex]

Originally Posted by manolo

I cant speak for quality as I havent used these wheels, but I checked into them when I was looking for wheels. The catch was the weight. I think he quoted me something like 28 for the front and 33 for the rear. Thats 8 to 10 lbs heavier per wheel than my OEM wheels amd significant unspring weight. I ended up getting my OEM wheels powdercoated black and have been very happy with that.

Can you post a picture of your wheels powdercoated?, I want to do that on mine but not absolutely sure

I was watching these wheels on ebay because they are similar to the ones that the boxster spyder has but I do not if you can fit 19 inch wheels in a 97 boxster, has anybody done that? right now I have OEM 17's, I heard that if you get a bigger rim with thinner tires you get a lot of vibration and discomfort, is that right?

[Overdrive]

I believe others have mentioned in other threads about this subject that the problem with wheels larger than 17 on the earliest 986s is that they were not designed to handle these, and it is possible to cause serious damage to the frame and other parts of the car. Later 986s were strengthened from the factory to be able to handle larger wheel diameters, but I'd say steer clear of anything over 17 for a 97. In my opinion, the look isn't worth the risk of damaging the car or having some failure occur while driving.

[eightsandaces]

I can't speak to the quality of these particular wheels, however it should be noted that wheels for cars other than Porsche can routinely be had for around 600 per set if you don't get fancy. Point being you can't judge it on price alone. The long term finish resiliency and resistance to bending after as pothole would be interesting to know.