Dependable wheels?

[siopaolover]

Hey guys, I need your help.

I'm sick of bending and cracking these RH monoblocks I have on right now, and I could probably buy a new set of wheels with the money I'd spend repairing these. I avoid potholes, but I just can't stop bending these. I swear, you look at them wrong and they bend

What are a few good wheel companies with solid, dependable wheels that won't have me living off of ramen for the next few months? I have a budget of about $1k (on the low end, I know), but I just want wheels that I won't bend once a month.

I'm considering a set of VMR v705s or a set of TSWs (since they're rotary forged, which are apparently better and lighter than cast, and they're like $600 for a set on ebay lol). But I'm open to any suggestions for good quality wheels!

[Oh Damn, it's Sam]

Are you willing to go used? I picked up my MAEs used for about $1600 with brand new Neo-Gens, which puts them around $1k or by themselves. I had to look for a long time to find that deal, but those kinds of bargains are out there.

Also, if you want a similar look to what you've got, you can often find just regular old AMGs for reasonable prices.

[siopaolover]

Are you willing to go used? I picked up my MAEs used for about $1600 with brand new Neo-Gens, which puts them around $1k or by themselves. I had to look for a long time to find that deal, but those kinds of bargains are out there.

Also, if you want a similar look to what you've got, you can often find just regular old AMGs for reasonable prices.

That's a steal on those! And I've actually ONLY owned used wheels my whole life, and I want to try owning new wheels for once. lol

[zoo]

I often see rotary forged used as marketing term/fancy name for flow formed.
I'd stay away from either of the two brands, both make replica wheels.

What are you after? Benz-specific-tuner(Carlsson/Lorinser/AMG) wheels?

[Oh Damn, it's Sam]

I often see rotary forged used as marketing term/fancy name for flow formed.

This exactly. Flow forming is fine and all, but it is far from the same process as forging. It's been a long time since I've had anything approaching a metallurgy class, but I guaran-damn-tee you that the grain structure is not the same between proper forged aluminum and this flow-formed business. Remember, a "rotary forged" or flow-formed wheel is a cast wheel, it's just been fucked with to make it a bit stronger around the rim.

[zoo]

Hold on there, there are legit rotary forging machines. I do agree, it is not the same as forging. Especially if compared to a die forged wheel.



More here:

http://www.globalmetalspinning.com/machinery_wheel_forming_rotary_forging.htm

[Oh Damn, it's Sam]

So, I get that a forged blank can be used in those machines, but does anyone? At least aside from maybe some race wheels? Because even HRE's flow-formed stuff is cast, at least according to their marketing materials.

[itsjustkevin]

There are plently of deals out there for "legit wheels" I just bought a set of eurolines for under $1000 (and I'm actually selling them already too)

but I think you also need to take into account your tire size. Stretching tires especially with a low sidewall, obviously is less room between the road and wheel. Having good fitment usually sacrifices ride quality to a certain extent.

[siopaolover]

I often see rotary forged used as marketing term/fancy name for flow formed.
I'd stay away from either of the two brands, both make replica wheels.

What are you after? Benz-specific-tuner(Carlsson/Lorinser/AMG) wheels?

This exactly. Flow forming is fine and all, but it is far from the same process as forging. It's been a long time since I've had anything approaching a metallurgy class, but I guaran-damn-tee you that the grain structure is not the same between proper forged aluminum and this flow-formed business. Remember, a "rotary forged" or flow-formed wheel is a cast wheel, it's just been fucked with to make it a bit stronger around the rim.

Oh ok. So flow formed is stronger than cast, but nowhere near as strong as an actual forged wheel?

There are plently of deals out there for "legit wheels" I just bought a set of eurolines for under $1000 (and I'm actually selling them already too)

but I think you also need to take into account your tire size. Stretching tires especially with a low sidewall, obviously is less room between the road and wheel. Having good fitment usually sacrifices ride quality to a certain extent.

Yea I'd love to find some eurolines for a deal online, but it's been hard to lately what are the specs on your eurolines?? lol

That's true about tire size. But I thought I'd be safe with 225/40/18 on an 8.5, and I still ended up bending them

[Oh Damn, it's Sam]

Oh ok. So flow formed is stronger than cast, but nowhere near as strong as an actual forged wheel?

I don't know if I'd say "nowhere near," since there are serious race wheels being made with the flow-form technique. But, the additional strength that the flow-forming process imparts is localized to the rim of the wheel, whereas a forged wheel will have that structure throughout. Blanks for flow-forming are often (though not always) produced with a low-pressure casting method, which is also superior to the gravity casting method as it produces a wheel with greater material density, less porosity, and fewer impurities.

[siopaolover]

I don't know if I'd say "nowhere near," since there are serious race wheels being made with the flow-form technique. But, the additional strength that the flow-forming process imparts is localized to the rim of the wheel, whereas a forged wheel will have that structure throughout. Blanks for flow-forming are often (though not always) produced with a low-pressure casting method, which is also superior to the gravity casting method as it produces a wheel with greater material density, less porosity, and fewer impurities.

Alright, thanks Sam. I'll look into different companies that offer flow-formed wheels and see what wheels fit my price range and also won't look like shit. lol

[P78]

you could look for those monoblocks from INTRA

much better quality

or buy in germany

http://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/mae-monoblock-8,5x-18-zoll-et32-oz-racing-nr-58002001-5x112/341067468-223-1388

[siopaolover]

you could look for those monoblocks from INTRA

much better quality

or buy in germany

http://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-a...67468-223-1388

That would be great if I could buy wheels from Germany! I have a cousin stationed out there. Maybe she could help out

[P78]

stationed as in armed forces?

so you could even get away with free shipping haha

i'd say doo eet

http://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-a...3747-223-19878

[OrangeBlue]

Pascal is right, plenty of nice 18" wheels out here in germany...

I'll shamelessly say, i have a set 18" Borbet Type A i want to get rid of...