S3 Magazine Real vs Fake Wheel article

[rice_classic]

Oh crap... I used they're instead of their...

GRRRRRRR

[n2oinferno]

Originally Posted by RAYSSPL

Why else do you think Apple has patent lawsuits against Samsung and Google?

Because they'll sue for the most trivial shit ever that shouldn't be allowed patents anyway. But that's a different topic.

[ASSALBERT]

lol ^ thats pretty funny

heres a vid i found on oem honda wheels vs imitation wheels... http://collision.honda.com/wheel-video#.UGSYBI1mTCv

[Touge Factory]

The way we see it...
many of the cars pictured are "sponsored" by ROTA or other replica wheel company.
Financially when running a race team/car - you'll take what you can get for free. We've been there and know how it is.
The amount of miles a race car puts on during a race is nowhere the same as where someone would drive to and from work every day with pot holes / rail road tracks etc... You can argue the stress level on a race car is more - true....
Take into consideration how many years Enkei / Volk / Advan / Work wheels have been on the market, and how many claimed wheel failures have been reported.
Rota is no where near the amount of wheels sold by these manufacturers...and yet how many reported failures.
As the manufacturers have stated... it's the consumer who chooses what they will purchase, ultimately coming down to their budget. Nothing wrong with that.

Simply put - "you never know what you're gonna get"
We do not sell replicas for one reason.... we wouldn't run them on our personal cars.

Yes, we ran 12 Volk TE37's, and 8 Enkei RPF1's as back up for our race car. Even with a hub failure at Autobahn race track at 129mph, which allowed one wheel to get loose, the wheel experienced no damage.

[TRD_86]

Great read article. if some expert out there can compile a thead or a list of all original good brand wheels and fake wheels that would be good for this 86 forum community.

Thanks all !

[ASSALBERT]

heres a link to another video regarding authentic vs imitation wheels...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJeFB6SRslk"]Dangerous imitation wheel !! - YouTube[/ame]

[diirk]

IDK, those WEDS look like a copy of a BBS.

[Touge Factory]

Originally Posted by diirk

IDK, those WEDS look like a copy of a BBS.

LOL.

[seven]

Originally Posted by ASSALBERT

lol, refusing to purchase a good product based on the viewpoints of a companies employee doesnt make you look too mature either. I just reread the article and didnt see anything that came off as crude or unprofessional. I totally agree with alot of things he said, its a known fact that the only wheels that these "copy cat" companies can sell are replica designs of other established wheel manufacturers. AND lets not forget the fact that these companies are STILL copying new wheels being put out by those established manufacturers. Although one thing I will agree with you on is that atleast one of these "copy" wheel companies should have been approached to voice their opinion on the topic, although I dont think they would have had much to say either way...

Originally Posted by jadewbj

The only things that he said that could be considered as unprofessional would be where he calls out the fake wheel makers for stealing designs.

I know lots of people say that is only so many ways to make a 5-spoke wheel but the issue is that they don't even try to make it different. If they put a little twist on it or something to change the look that would be one thing.

I for one don't want to trust what keeps my car on the road to be build by someone trying to build it as cheap as possible.

If you were to go bungie jumping would you want the fastener that holds the cord to the bridge to be made by a company with strict regulations and standards or by someone who makes it look like the other companies part but with cheaper and with lower standards and regulations?

Ok then you must have skimmed thru it lightly... I'll quote the completely obvious example. Others are a little more subtle

Originally Posted by Ed Lee

I’ve worked at countless trade shows where owners of knock off companies come up to our show booths and take pics of our wheels (yes I’ve kicked out plenty and you know who you are #@$@#%) and run off, ready to go back and make a fakie.

You're gonna say that in an interview, LET ALONE not ask it to be edited or redacted before going to press? Not one person I know would do that where I work (Microsoft), let alone a general manager.


In contrast, I will say Alex kept his point and kept on message without coming off negatively.

Lastly... Please don't assume that you folks have knowledge of me, or over me, as I wouldn't do the same of you. I've been into cars since before many people on this forum had a license at all.
I've been an INSTRUCTOR for HPDE for 2+ years and have been doing track days for 6+. I've raced on Rotas, CCWs, BBS, TSWs, and a handful of knockoffs, etc. I've seen the good bad, and ugly. Of my experience I will say this... I think wheels that are 600+ per wheel ARE overpriced. Especially when TSW can make a rotary forged wheel that's light, durable, looks good, original, and fit all the requirements and then some of any engineering standard ... but cost $200-300 a wheel. TO BE CLEAR. I'm not saying Mackin or Enkei doesn't make quality wheels. I'm saying I believe a lot of Volk, gram light, etc is overpriced. Enkei actually is pretty reasonable.

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by seven

I've been an INSTRUCTOR for HPDE for 2+ years and have been doing track days for 6+.

Who do you instruct with and can we expect to see you at the IRDC race weekend at Pacific Raceways?

[seven]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

Who do you instruct with and can we expect to see you at the IRDC race weekend at Pacific Raceways?

Considering I moved to the Seattle area 4 weeks ago. No one here.
I instructed with PDA and NASA and did many track days with IMRA as well in the northeast (Originally from Philadelphia area).

I'm not sure if I'll make it to any events this season as I'd like to put some track-worthy tires, pads, and swap my lines and fluid. I do plan on being out there early next season at worst tho.

[jadewbj]

Originally Posted by seven

Ok then you must have skimmed thru it lightly... I'll quote the completely obvious example. Others are a little more subtle



You're gonna say that in an interview, LET ALONE not ask it to be edited or redacted before going to press? Not one person I know would do that where I work (Microsoft), let alone a general manager.


In contrast, I will say Alex kept his point and kept on message without coming off negatively.

Lastly... Please don't assume that you folks have knowledge of me, or over me, as I wouldn't do the same of you. I've been into cars since before many people on this forum had a license at all.
I've been an INSTRUCTOR for HPDE for 2+ years and have been doing track days for 6+. I've raced on Rotas, CCWs, BBS, TSWs, and a handful of knockoffs, etc. I've seen the good bad, and ugly. Of my experience I will say this... I think wheels that are 600+ per wheel ARE overpriced. Especially when TSW can make a rotary forged wheel that's light, durable, looks good, original, and fit all the requirements and then some of any engineering standard ... but cost $200-300 a wheel. TO BE CLEAR. I'm not saying Mackin or Enkei doesn't make quality wheels. I'm saying I believe a lot of Volk, gram light, etc is overpriced. Enkei actually is pretty reasonable.

Two different markets for Microsoft and a wheel maker aimed at the youth market. He spoke in a way that his core market understands and speaks.

This was in a tuner magazine, not fortune.

[seven]

Originally Posted by jadewbj

Two different markets for Microsoft and a wheel maker aimed at the youth market. He spoke in a way that his core market understands and speaks.

This was in a tuner magazine, not fortune.

Simply put, the people with money for $2000+ a set wheels might be a little more discerning, I know I am.

[jadewbj]

Originally Posted by seven

Simply put, the people with money for $2000+ a set wheels might be a little more discerning, I know I am.

I know a ton of people who have run there wheels now and in the past, me being one of them, and none of them would have been offended.

To be fair most of them are younger and made a choice to save to get them as opposed to being "wealthy enough to afford them".