Need some input on purchasing wheels

[bberg22]

So this is the first car I plan on having a winter set (stock 18's) and a summer set of wheels/tires. I am new to aftermarket wheels and I am hesitant to get really expensive wheels with the crap New England roads. I drive at least 20k miles a year so I need reliability. I don't plan to lower the car. My goal is some good looking wheels that will be reliable and inexpensive and lighter than stock to lower unsprung mass. I am leaning toward black wheels in an 18 inch size (worried about road damage) since with all the miles I drive it is virtually impossible to keep the brake dust away. Right now I think something like the Enkei Raijin from tire rack since it comes with the lugs, rings, and I can get my tires mounted for free. Thoughts?

[infinkc]

its really your choice. i would just stay away from cheap china reps.

[Trent212]

Cheap and reliable aren't usually two words that go good together. That being said, price range helps in these situations.

[Jv218]

I have a set of hre ff01 and I can you I'm disappointed. I live in New England as well specifically Boston and today I find out 4 of my rims are bent after a month


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[cobrario]

Just went with 18x8 OZ Ultraleggera & 245/40 PSS for similar reasons, ride quality and longevity. Enkei's look like they only come +45, it's personal preference but that may tuck more tire in the wheel well than you'd like- I got mine +35 at the recommendation of Jran and I'm pleased with the more aggressive stance.

[Trent212]

In the city I would definitely go with an 18 and a 245 or 255/40 tire.

[SportVier]

To keep it simple and reliable, I'd avoid wheels that require "hubcentric" rings, spacers, or non-OEM bolts. Along those lines, I'm pretty impressed with the price-to-quality ratio of the Neuspeed wheels.

[jran76]

So this is the first car I plan on having a winter set (stock 18's) and a summer set of wheels/tires. I am new to aftermarket wheels and I am hesitant to get really expensive wheels with the crap New England roads. I drive at least 20k miles a year so I need reliability. I don't plan to lower the car. My goal is some good looking wheels that will be reliable and inexpensive and lighter than stock to lower unsprung mass. I am leaning toward black wheels in an 18 inch size (worried about road damage) since with all the miles I drive it is virtually impossible to keep the break dust away. Right now I think something like the Enkei Raijin from tire rack since it comes with the lugs, rings, and I can get my tires mounted for free. Thoughts?

The Enkei's will be fine if that is what you are after. But.... The size options are basically stock like. I'd personally recommend something just a tad more aggressive that will push the wheel out a little further. After all, if you are going with aftermarket wheels, I think you are probably going for an overall improved look. So.... Something like an 18x8.5" ET35-38 or 18x9" ET40-42. That extra 5-8mm over the ET42 of the Enkei will help a lot in the looks department. Add a nice 255/40/18 tire, and you'll be happier....

For the record, the stock 18" wheel is a 18x8" ET47, and the 19" wheel is a 19x8.5" ET43.

If you are set on Tirerack, which is fine, it may be worth calling them, and asking what they have in those slightly more aggressive sizes.

[Dr GP]

I would consider getting some inexpensive wheels from either Hartmann Wheels or Velocity Motoring. Lots of guys running them with pretty good success. IF you do damage one, it will not cost you an arm and leg to replace one. Nice styles to choose from as well.

[jran76]

In general, if you have not had aftermarket wheels before, I would go with an inexpensive set. At some point you will mess them up, and you'll feel a lot better about it with a $300 wheel as opposed to a $600 wheel. They'll also be cheaper and typically easier to replace if the need arrises, and you'll learn how to lessen the chances of messing them up over time.... There are plenty of good wheel options out there under $400 a wheel.

[SportVier]

Two 18" options from Neuspeed in black. Light-ish, semi-aggressive offsets, 66.6 bore, take OEM lug bolts, and you can use OEM center caps.

[Evan2]

VMR! Tracy offered a great deal during the winter for wheels and tires, so much that it made more sense to do that instead of swapping tires on my 19s I have for the summer.

[jran76]

Nuespeed, Enkei, VMR, and OZ are all good reasonably priced wheels. I would have no issues with any of those.

[SportVier]

I would consider getting some inexpensive wheels from either Hartmann Wheels or Velocity Motoring.

Not sure either are going to meet his "lighter than stock" criterion...

[SportVier]

Just went with 18x8 OZ Ultraleggera & 245/40 PSS for similar reasons, ride quality and longevity.

Don't get too confident around potholes with those. They are light, but not very "robust." Speaking from experience.

[Johnnycash]

Not sure either are going to meet his "lighter than stock" criterion...

most of VMR classic designs will be lighter than a stock 19 inch wheel, so maybe less/comparable to an 18, however if you pony up and spend the extra monies on some of their flow formed wheels the savings in weight will be more significant...

VMR is a solid choice and if you damage a wheel getting a replacement is easy and cheap.

[SportVier]

if you pony up and spend the extra monies on some of their flow formed wheels the savings in weight will be more significant...

No flow formed options in 18, afaik. Only cast.

[The Fat Kid]

We are in the same boat regarding New-England roads and the preference for 18" wheels

I picked up a set of 18" Enkei EKM3s and Blizzak WS80s from TireRack. I am probably going to sell them if you are interested in an 18" winter setup; the Blizzaks still have 12/32" left on them since they were only on for ~2.4k miles.

Contact Apex Wheels and let them know you are interested; they are reasonably priced, light, forged wheels.

You really need light AND strong for our area, which usually means spending $2k+ on wheels

[The Fat Kid]

I have a set of hre ff01 and I can you I'm disappointed. I live in New England as well specifically Boston and today I find out 4 of my rims are bent after a month


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All four wheels are bent?! Wheel Solutions in Allston gets really good reviews, and I like that he is a one-man business. People also like RimPro in Tewksbury.

[Jv218]

All four wheels are bent?! Wheel Solutions in Allston gets really good reviews, and I like that he is a one-man business. People also like RimPro in Tewksbury.

Yes sir found out last night from Rick at auto engineering. Picked up the car today, literally they said It was the worse case of bent wheels ever seen there. That being said I'm very disappointed

[cobrario]

Don't get too confident around potholes with those. They are light, but not very "robust." Speaking from experience.

Thanks for the heads up, luckily in VA our roads don't suffer as much as in the northeast but I'll still be sure to use caution!

[The Fat Kid]

Yes sir found out last night from Rick at auto engineering. Picked up the car today, literally they said It was the worse case of bent wheels ever seen there. That being said I'm very disappointed

That sucks... Does HRE have any kind of warranty regarding bent wheels?

Did you get an oil change at Auto Engineering? Rick is a nice guy and I will definitely spend the extra money to have them mount/balance tires.

[jran76]

No flow formed options in 18, afaik. Only cast.

THE VMR V810 are offered in a 18" size.

http://www.velocitymotoring.com/wheels/v810/

You also have the OZ "HLT" models, some BBS options like the CH and CH-R, and a several options from Enkei. I think some of the Advanti wheels are, and I'm sure I missed a few....

To add to that, all "Flow-formed" wheels are some type of cast wheel. Just the barrel is rolled or formed to make it stronger, and require less material.

[bberg22]

Wow that was a lot of replies in a short time. I am going to sort through the suggestions but I personally feel more comfortable with around $300 or so per rim where it won't be total shit WHEN something happens because I feel like it is inevitable in New England. But if spending a bit more per rim will get a better setup than I can be flexible. I think I will stay with an 18 inch wheel, but I do want them to be more aggressive offset than stock probably around 38 offset and hopefully lighter than stock 18's which if I remember are about 24 pounds??. That said ideally I think I'm looking for an 8.5 inch wide wheel available in black and probably throw on 255 40 18 tires (I like a fat tire look)

[Dr GP]

Not sure either are going to meet his "lighter than stock" criterion...

You are correct. Light and Cheap are usually mutually exclusive. Light Cheap and Strong is usually not possible!

[bberg22]

You are correct. Light and Cheap are usually mutually exclusive. Light Cheap and Strong is usually not possible!

Extreme lightness isn't an absolute necessity, essentially it would be nice to reduce the unsprung mass but if that isn't possible in a wheel for around $300 than that is ok.

I really appreciate the help and feedback, I am open to learning from other peoples experiences!


Edit: Also any recommended wheel/tire mounting balancing shops in the southern NH area? and would an 18 x 8.5 et 38 and a 255 40 tire be relatively flush? I know it won't be as good as some of the other setups out there without lowering, etc. I am just trying to get a close to good looking flush without looking stupid or buying the wrong thing.


Edit again: I do really like the VMR V708 and V810. Anyone have what the specs would be on these as far as weight and strength/manufacture process? I have contacted VMR.

[Dr GP]

Just make sure the wheel/tire shop has a Hunter GSP mounting/balancing equipment. That machinery will NOT damage the rims . Plus it will balance the wheels with respect to the weight of the tires. Go here: http://www.gsp9700.com/. Put in your zip code and it will show you shops near you that can mount the tires properly. All to often, we see posts from owners who take their wheels to other installers only to have them damaged. Just a thought. I live in an are with quite a lot of potholes. BUT I have been able to run 19" tires without issue. Obviously 18" tires will have a wider sidewall and be lighter. BUT, 19s will look so much better.

[jran76]

Edit: Also any recommended wheel/tire mounting balancing shops in the southern NH area? and would an 18 x 8.5 et 38 and a 255 40 tire be relatively flush? I know it won't be as good as some of the other setups out there without lowering, etc. I am just trying to get a close to good looking flush without looking stupid or buying the wrong thing.


Edit again: I do really like the VMR V708 and V810. Anyone have what the specs would be on these as far as weight and strength/manufacture process? I have contacted VMR.

If you are not going to lower your car, something around the 18x8.5" ET38 would be pretty flush. You could go a little lower, down to ET35 or so, if that is what you are really after. Either way, something in that range will pretty flush at stock height.

There is a good VMR rep on here (Tracy I believe). Send him a PM, and I'm sure he can give you the specs of the VMR wheels. They offer an 18x8.5" ET35 in a lot of their wheels, but I'm not sure on those specifically. The V810 is cast with a flow formed barrel, so it will be a little lighter/stronger, but also a little more expensive. I think the V708 is fully cast.

[bberg22]

Just make sure the wheel/tire shop has a Hunter GSP mounting/balancing equipment. That machinery will NOT damage the rims . Plus it will balance the wheels with respect to the weight of the tires. Go here: http://www.gsp9700.com/. Put in your zip code and it will show you shops near you that can mount the tires properly. All to often, we see posts from owners who take their wheels to other installers only to have them damaged. Just a thought. I live in an are with quite a lot of potholes. BUT I have been able to run 19" tires without issue. Obviously 18" tires will have a wider sidewall and be lighter. BUT, 19s will look so much better.

Thanks for the link. And yea I have been playing around with the idea of 19 vs 18 and I tend to lean toward being conservative/reliable for things like this. My last car has 17s so this is a step up for me lol. Maybe once I get my feet wet ill look at more expensive or larger wheels, but for now I think i'm leaning 18.

[KRp220]

So this is the first car I plan on having a winter set (stock 18's) and a summer set of wheels/tires. I am new to aftermarket wheels and I am hesitant to get really expensive wheels with the crap New England roads. I drive at least 20k miles a year so I need reliability. I don't plan to lower the car. My goal is some good looking wheels that will be reliable and inexpensive and lighter than stock to lower unsprung mass. I am leaning toward black wheels in an 18 inch size (worried about road damage) since with all the miles I drive it is virtually impossible to keep the brake dust away. Right now I think something like the Enkei Raijin from tire rack since it comes with the lugs, rings, and I can get my tires mounted for free. Thoughts?

where are in NH are you? i'll be selling my VMR V803 in 19x9.5 (silver) in about a week. i know they're silver and 19's, i wouldn't be worried about driving on 19's around here. i have for the last 2 years (including winter) and my wheels are fine.

the wheels are flow forged so they're stronger and lighter. and they'll be cheap! ;)

PM me if interested

[bberg22]

I'm in Hooksett. But I drive into Mass for work and regularly to RI(worst roads in New England IMHO).

[indichito]

I have a set of hre ff01 and I can you I'm disappointed. I live in New England as well specifically Boston and today I find out 4 of my rims are bent after a month


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Woh, I'm thinking of getting a set of those. All 4 are bent?!?

[GTItoS4]

OP should really consider 19's... Pick up a set of lightly used peelers, maybe with tires. So much better looking and stronger than a cheap 18" wheel.

[Jv218]

Woh, I'm thinking of getting a set of those. All 4 are bent?!?

Kid you not. Just found out today, I'm trying to get in contact with warranty but not holding my breath on it

[HRE Wheels]

I have a set of hre ff01 and I can you I'm disappointed. I live in New England as well specifically Boston and today I find out 4 of my rims are bent after a month

I know that you're already in touch with our warranty department, but we'll be sure to update you and gather information from you so that we can make sure the claim is taken care of.

That sucks... Does HRE have any kind of warranty regarding bent wheels?

Did you get an oil change at Auto Engineering? Rick is a nice guy and I will definitely spend the extra money to have them mount/balance tires.

Yes, we have a lifetime structural warranty against defects.

Woh, I'm thinking of getting a set of those. All 4 are bent?!?

For all four wheels to be bent would take a considerable amount of dramatic force. Wheels that are made very well when put under extreme stress situations (for example hitting a very hard edge of a pothole at speed), will bend, while the cheaper wheels you see on the market will cause a catastrophic failure and cause either a crack on a barrel or spoke, or even worse completely destroy itself and you're left with your rotors scraping on the ground rather than tires. I know some might be saying, "Well your wheels bent so they must not be good," when that's not a simple answer to retort back to because there are a considerable amount of variables which determine how a wheel can bend. What we can control beyond a shadow of a doubt is the data that we have relating to the amount of force you have to put on this wheel in order to actually bend one.

Though it's extremely infrequent, we examine each warranty in a timely manner to eliminate any speculation for the reason a wheel or wheels were bent and come up with a determining factor as well as a resolution. We take wheels very seriously - HRE would not still be in business for nearly 40 years if that wasn't the case - so when it comes to protecting your investment we still advise that regardless of which wheels you have on your vehicle, OEM, HRE, FlowForm or otherwise, that no wheel is invincible to damage from massive potholes if hit at the right speed.

Kid you not. Just found out today, I'm trying to get in contact with warranty but not holding my breath on it

I know you talked with me this morning on chat, you spoke with Antonio on the phone AND you're speaking currently with Devin over email, so we've got literally every base of communication covered here, no need to hold your breath... Another email will be in your inbox again in a few minutes from Devin.

[Jv218]

I know that you're already in touch with our warranty department, but we'll be sure to update you and gather information from you so that we can make sure the claim is taken care of.



Yes, we have a lifetime structural warranty against defects.



For all four wheels to be bent would take a considerable amount of dramatic force. Wheels that are made very well when put under extreme stress situations (for example hitting a very hard edge of a pothole at speed), will bend, while the cheaper wheels you see on the market will cause a catastrophic failure and cause either a crack on a barrel or spoke, or even worse completely destroy itself and you're left with your rotors scraping on the ground rather than tires. I know some might be saying, "Well your wheels bent so they must not be good," when that's not a simple answer to retort back to because there are a considerable amount of variables which determine how a wheel can bend. What we can control beyond a shadow of a doubt is the data that we have relating to the amount of force you have to put on this wheel in order to actually bend one.

Though it's extremely infrequent, we examine each warranty in a timely manner to eliminate any speculation for the reason a wheel or wheels were bent and come up with a determining factor as well as a resolution. We take wheels very seriously - HRE would not still be in business for nearly 40 years if that wasn't the case - so when it comes to protecting your investment we still advise that regardless of which wheels you have on your vehicle, OEM, HRE, FlowForm or otherwise, that no wheel is invincible to damage from massive potholes if hit at the right speed.



I know you talked with me this morning on chat, you spoke with Antonio on the phone AND you're speaking currently with Devin over email, so we've got literally every base of communication covered here, no need to hold your breath... Another email will be in your inbox again in a few minutes from Devin.

I appreciate the timely responses look forward to proceeding forward

[Trent212]

I think I see a set of HRE's in my possession in the near future.

[Dasaudi mtl]

I know that you're already in touch with our warranty department, but we'll be sure to update you and gather information from you so that we can make sure the claim is taken care of.



Yes, we have a lifetime structural warranty against defects.



For all four wheels to be bent would take a considerable amount of dramatic force. Wheels that are made very well when put under extreme stress situations (for example hitting a very hard edge of a pothole at speed), will bend, while the cheaper wheels you see on the market will cause a catastrophic failure and cause either a crack on a barrel or spoke, or even worse completely destroy itself and you're left with your rotors scraping on the ground rather than tires. I know some might be saying, "Well your wheels bent so they must not be good," when that's not a simple answer to retort back to because there are a considerable amount of variables which determine how a wheel can bend. What we can control beyond a shadow of a doubt is the data that we have relating to the amount of force you have to put on this wheel in order to actually bend one.

Though it's extremely infrequent, we examine each warranty in a timely manner to eliminate any speculation for the reason a wheel or wheels were bent and come up with a determining factor as well as a resolution. We take wheels very seriously - HRE would not still be in business for nearly 40 years if that wasn't the case - so when it comes to protecting your investment we still advise that regardless of which wheels you have on your vehicle, OEM, HRE, FlowForm or otherwise, that no wheel is invincible to damage from massive potholes if hit at the right speed.



I know you talked with me this morning on chat, you spoke with Antonio on the phone AND you're speaking currently with Devin over email, so we've got literally every base of communication covered here, no need to hold your breath... Another email will be in your inbox again in a few minutes from Devin.

I am impressed this is the type of customer service we are expecting from a supplier!

[importraceram]

I would go 19s and lower it. Aftermarket wheels don't look right at stock ride height. I drove my previous S4, 19x9.5 and pretty low, exclusively in NH for the past couple years with no issues

[MrFunk]

I have black 18's for winter.
They are very light and have held up very well to 4 winter seasons in the mid-west. No blemishes at all actually. About as cheap a quality wheel will come.

Sparco Wheels http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...dClar=Prestige