Whats the deal with rims, pricing, style, etc

[kinger]

I was possibly toying with the idea to change rims sometime and I can't figure out what is the deal with rims that sometimes cost $2000 a set USED no tires and complete packages sometimes less than $1000 elsewhere.  I understand forged... is that the main difference?  Brand names like Rays, or Fiske, BBS, etc are forged and cost triple other cast rims that otherwise look identical are they worth it?

Brand wise are there some rims that enhance the value of a ... conversely some that get ridiculed?  I see some references to Enkei as cheap crap although some look good to me. 

Where are my current 5zigen wheels in the spectrum of rx7 wheels, cool, not cool?  Are 3 Piece wheel just for show?  A forged monoblock is actually the best for performance correct? 

What are some of your dream wheels? 

Thanks for the help guys, just trying to learn the RX7 culture here  

[markfluko]

Just don't get Rota.

I don't understand the hate for Enkei, they have some really successful fair priced wheel options. RPF1, PF01... some of the Japanese wheels have a ricer tax on them that makes them expensive... TE37's used to rule the world.

I personally always thought FN01R/C were up in the top 3 best bang for your buck wheels for what you get, which I believe you have.

3 piece wheels you can swap out the barrels for more/less width, repair by replacing rather than rework, some people like the look...

If you want to go crazy, then look at the stuff in the Dymag/Forgeline/Fikse/CCW realm. Something out of those 4 would be my dream wheels.

A forged monoblock is actually the best for performance correct? 

With all the carbon composite wheels out there now I would say that doesn't hold true anymore.

Whatever the lightest wheel is would offer the best performance because it reduces the unsprung weight the most. But if they fly apart after a lap then what's the point... there are pros and cons to each material.

[largeorangefont]

I have to disagree on Rotas, they are decent wheels for a good price. Some people complain that they are near copies of some other types of wheels. Those are typically the same people that buy Rays and put Nankang or Fierce craptastic tires on their designer wheels.

Your 5Zigens are middle of the road reasonably strong, reasonably light, relatively inexpensive wheels.

For a street car get what you like and looks good on the car, you are not going to go wrong that way. Remember that a light forged wheel is not necessarily a strong wheel. You don't want a wheel that will turn into a D after hitting a pothole.

Generally wheels fall into the great automotive aftermarket triad:
Cheap, light, strong - pick 2.

That said, I really like Forgestar for custom wheels. You can get whatever size, offset, and color you require. They are reasonably priced and pretty light.

[kinger]

Thanks very helpful! 

How about these in particular:  RE Amemiya AW7 and XXR.

Thanks!

[largeorangefont]

The AW7 is a higher cost 3 piece wheel.

The XXRs are cast entry level performance wheels. Plenty strong, just a few pounds heavier per wheel than something flow forged, roto cast, or forged.

[largeorangefont]

I will add I dont know what your budget is, but regardless of what rims you get, get the best tires possible. You'll enjoy the car much more with cheap heavier rims and great tires than you will with some expensive wheel with crappy pedestrian tires on them.

[markfluko]

I don't have any personal experience with Rota's.

Just the horror videos/pics I've seen where someone's wheel cracks in half from running over a pebble or something... but that could be competitors propaganda for all I know.

[wickedrx7]

Lots of good points here. I am scared of Rota and forgestar for same reason. Seen the horror stories of failures. Not sure if it is founded but kept me from pulling trigger on them. Stick with well known brands. There is something to be said for "too cheap". And like ash said, tires make huge difference. Grip, ride comfort and road noise should all be considered. I love my star specs for a dual purpose tire but they are pretty loud.

[largeorangefont]

You guys have to remember that in racing/tracking wheels are wear items. Generally these horror stories can be debunked. I know the guy that broke the Forgestar wheels had other videos of him jumping curbs and beating the crap out of the wheels for many months on track before they failed. I'm not saying failures should be dismissed, but you simply don't know what was done to the wheel before it failed.

I had Forgestars on my CTS-V that was wrecked. I was impressed with how well they held up given the other damage. I have another set on my new one. I have had Rotas before as well. I bent one on a pothole once, but not on the track. It was repaired back to perfect condition.

I have bent a Wedsport wheel and an OE wheel (95 Cobra R wheel) in different cars at different times but at the same place on the same track. The OE wheels held up better, but was still bent.

All that said.. A cheap heavier wheel is probably not going to break at all. I have $99 each 24 lb wheels on my car now 

I know guys with SSRs that were bending them all the time on the street. They were just too lightweight.

[kinger]

When you say best tire you can afford, what are we talking...aside from cheap nankangs or something. 

my current set up 255-40-17 and 275-40-17 Nitto N555 have lots of tread but over 6 years old and 'seem' rough, loud, and slippery.  Any better choices or are these sort of the high end tires?  Or are mine just old from age not wear?

This is very helpful balance my expectations.  Thank you all!

[ls3_rob]

I curently own work xd9 and had rotas crack on me

dont cheap out when it comes to quality

Work, volk, Enkei

top 3

[sunshine]

When you say best tire you can afford, what are we talking...aside from cheap nankangs or something. 

my current set up 255-40-17 and 275-40-17 Nitto N555 have lots of tread but over 6 years old and 'seem' rough, loud, and slippery.  Any better choices or are these sort of the high end tires?  Or are mine just old from age not wear?

This is very helpful balance my expectations.  Thank you all!

For as much power as you probably have i dont see those tires doing anything other than spinning. specially if they are older. tires are one of those things, they suck to pay for, but really improve the car overall. long story short when i had my evo x i need tires badly and was dealing with some financial issues at the time. i purchase some average joe tires (dont remember the brand) but they sucked horribly. yeah i had tread, but the car was no longer fun to drive.
 there are tons of solid street tires out there for you nt05/rs3/re71/r888 just comes down to what you wanna spend.

[largeorangefont]

When you say best tire you can afford, what are we talking...aside from cheap nankangs or something. 

my current set up 255-40-17 and 275-40-17 Nitto N555 have lots of tread but over 6 years old and 'seem' rough, loud, and slippery.  Any better choices or are these sort of the high end tires?  Or are mine just old from age not wear?

This is very helpful balance my expectations.  Thank you all!

You want to be hovering around 200 treadwear or below. The car will spin the tires through 3rd gear if you put your foot in it otherwise.

The 555s were ok for a Honda 6 years ago when they were new.

[wickedrx7]

200 tread wear and read reviews on road noise also, I would stick with 17's for a little taller sidewall for a street tire.

[kinger]

Thanks LOF this is helpful.  My last Sti was a rock star with just good all season tires.  So the lightweight RWD, 500HP configuration depends on good tires but I never studied them because I never had to.  What you said is making sense.  I'm trying to find a good sticky tire, that is quiet, and rides soft and compliant.  I do have the Racelogic TC and it does a brilliant job of using what power I have but I can tell the tires are tired and why I will be looking at new ones next year.  Also the whole point of the thread because I see packages with new rims and tires are sometimes cheaper than just tires from tirerack or something. 

Money is no object just want the best tire that does all that I listed above very well. 


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk