Save the Wheels Photographers

[agent]

If you created something so great and so iconic someone decided to rip it off and sell it for cheap? Its pretty much disrespectful.

So, is every part on your car Genuine BMW?

[spike68]

I can understand the desire for high-quality wheels, but I think they are unjustified in many of their applications.

I think we both agree that unsafe, untested replica designs using inferior materials shouldn't be on the market.

This is where I cant blame you. People have their reasons. But if anything, it would be better to see people use simply a more inexpensive wheels that is not a replica. I reason why I say that is because we believe design integrity is important. It's something that XXR or rota dont have at all. If you created something so great and so iconic someone decided to rip it off and sell it for cheap? Its pretty much disrespectful. People should at least be aware of that sense.

[blasphemy101]

Only gravity casting and in some cases low pressure casting.

The reason why replica companies use gravity casting is because it takes less cost, which results in the low price for consumers. Im sure you know that. Since the metal in a gravity cast isnt as dense, it cannot withstand high heat treatment unlike a high pressure or forged wheel.

Interesting. Good info. I had heard about the heat from powdercoating possibly causing damage. For some reason, I didn't make the connection.

You make a good point, but I would honestly still rather go with the higher quality wheels. Thats just where I stand. Knowing that a forged or pressure cast wheel and widthstand greater forces is price I would be willing to pay. and even if I couldnt afford that, there are plenty of OEM wheels that look damn good and are of higher quality and the same cost if not cheaper than replicas.

You have made excellent points as well. I'm running TRM wheels on my E30 because they are affordable, expendable, and offer the size I want (15x8). However, they aren't a replica wheel, just an inexpensive one. I'm running custom bored OEM wheels on my s2000 for similar reasons.

I can understand the desire for high-quality wheels, but I think they are unjustified in many of their applications.

I think we both agree that unsafe, untested replica designs using inferior materials shouldn't be on the market.

[Andy.B]

Since this thread has become an argument over different types of wheels, here is an interesting article from a recent grassroots motorsports issue discussing wheel tech:

Wheels of Fortune

[spike68]

So cast wheels can't be welded? Not arguing with you; I really don't know.

Only gravity casting and in some cases low pressure casting.

The reason why replica companies use gravity casting is because it takes less cost, which results in the low price for consumers. Im sure you know that. Since the metal in a gravity cast isnt as dense, it cannot withstand high heat treatment unlike a high pressure or forged wheel. Even powder coating low cost wheels can slightly alter its properties causing it to be more "weak" than it already is. Welding a crack falls under this. Welding a gravity cast wheel can be a solution, but you create a larger weak point in the wheel to crack at again because of the heat given off from the weld.

Which, in turn has even greater negative side effects than replacing a cheaper wheel. Down-time is likely to be greater (unless you overnight parts from Japan), and I imagine a lip or barrel for Work/BBS/etc. 3-piece wheel costs more than an entire cast wheel like the TRM C1 that LFG showed.

I'm largely speaking in defense of inexpensive, easily replaceable, but quality wheels a la TRM C1s. I agree that cast replica wheels based on designs intended for FORGED wheels can be unsafe without extensive testing. IIRC, that was the case with the Rota sub-zeroes real-wheel guys are so fond of posting pictures of. On the other hand the Volk TE37's design is substantial enough that some cast replicas (Rota Grids) have been proven to be safe enough for motorsports use.

You make a good point, but I would honestly still rather go with the higher quality wheels. Thats just where I stand. Knowing that a forged or pressure cast wheel and widthstand greater forces is price I would be willing to pay. and even if I couldnt afford that, there are plenty of OEM wheels that look damn good and are of higher quality and the same cost if not cheaper than replicas.

[blasphemy101]

...Even if you tried to fix it, the heat from welding the crack back up may alter the properties of the metal causing to be even more unsafe...welded back up without altering the metal to an unsafe condition...

So cast wheels can't be welded? Not arguing with you; I really don't know.

...At least with higher quality wheels, which in some cases are 3 piece, you have a high chance of just replacing just the lips or barrels...

Which, in turn has even greater negative side effects than replacing a cheaper wheel. Down-time is likely to be greater (unless you overnight parts from Japan), and I imagine a lip or barrel for Work/BBS/etc. 3-piece wheel costs more than an entire cast wheel like the TRM C1 that LFG showed.

I'm largely speaking in defense of inexpensive, easily replaceable, but quality wheels a la TRM C1s. I agree that cast replica wheels based on designs intended for FORGED wheels can be unsafe without extensive testing. IIRC, that was the case with the Rota sub-zeroes real-wheel guys are so fond of posting pictures of. On the other hand the Volk TE37's design is substantial enough that some cast replicas (Rota Grids) have been proven to be safe enough for motorsports use.

[e30saam]

Save the Wheels Photographers

Brada is one of our biggest supporters. We're connecting with Zane much more than any of the other wheel companies that we've talked to. We love hanging with the gang they have.

Yup. He's a good dude!

[spike68]

Brada is one of our biggest supporters. We're connecting with Zane much more than any of the other wheel companies that we've talked to. We love hanging with the gang they have.

[e30saam]

Believe it not, but we pitched that idea to memoryfab ;) We're trying to get Brada Wheels in ATL to do the same.

Dude, I bet Zane would totally do that. Good idea!

[Bglad]

This thread smells like R Kelly's sheets




PISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[spike68]

Whether it bends or cracks, if it doesn't hold air, it's broken.



I'm not sure I understand your argument. It's not like wheels blow apart like a hand grenade when they crack.

Of course, my comments are based on the levels of abuse most wheels experience. I wouldn't drift on BBS LMs, and I wouldn't endurance race on Rota Sub-zeroes.

You make a point. Either way, it's broken. But I believe there is a point to where a lower quality wheel would crack to a much larger extent compared to a high quality wheel bending. the damage would be less extensive. There is also a point to where a lower quality wheel will become non-functional and a higher quality wheel will remain functional.

Most replica wheel companies create monoblock wheels. Its most cost effective and its easier to gravity cast the entire wheel. If this wheel cracks, its basically not worth fixing. Even if you tried to fix it, the heat from welding the crack back up may alter the properties of the metal causing to be even more unsafe. At least with higher quality wheels, which in some cases are 3 piece, you have a high chance of just replacing just the lips or barrels. And in the case of something like a forged or pressure cast monoblock wheel, it's safe (to an extent) to get the wheel straightened or, in the case of cracking, welded back up without altering the metal to an unsafe condition.

[spike68]

heh

Believe it not, but we pitched that idea to memoryfab ;) We're trying to get Brada Wheels in ATL to do the same.

[lambo]

heh

[KIRIEIW]

Genuine BBS 15' Basketweaves aka Euroweaves
Really tired of them cause they don't stick out to normal people


E30 alpine white 325 by kirieiw, on Flickr

[blasphemy101]

...My issue with fake or poor quality wheels is where fake wheels break, the real wheels bend...

Whether it bends or cracks, if it doesn't hold air, it's broken.

...Think of how much damage to a car that could save if a wheel bent as opposed to breaking or cracking...

I'm not sure I understand your argument. It's not like wheels blow apart like a hand grenade when they crack.

Of course, my comments are based on the levels of abuse most wheels experience. I wouldn't drift on BBS LMs, and I wouldn't endurance race on Rota Sub-zeroes.