Flow formed or better, $1000 to $2500, high quality

[mike_ekim1024]

[EDITED] I’ve been thinking of wheels again, and I know this topic has been beaten to death. Here’s a list of quality “not crazy looking” wheels between $1000 and $2500 that have been popular. Any others to add? Some are classics and are timeless. Some are actually cast, so I’ll need to refine the list.

I’ll make a spreadsheet or site with images and more details later.

Enkei Racing (RPF1, RS05RR, PF07)
Gram Lights (57CR, 57DR, 57XR)
WORK Emotion (ZR10, T5R, T7R)
WedsSport (TC105X, RN-05M, SA-72R)
SSR (GTV01, GTV02, GTV03)
Advan (TC4, RG-D2, ???)
HRE (FF01, FF04, FF15)
Forgestar (CF5, CF10, F14)
O.Z. Racing (ALLEGGERITA HLT, ULTRALEGGERA)
Enkei Tuning (KOJIN, TS9, TSP6)
Superspeed (RF06RR)
FAST Wheels (FC04, FC08, FC09, FC12)
APEX (ARC-8, EC-7, SM-10)
TSW (Nurburgring, Imatra, Bathurst)

[___LUNK]

Where do you think apex wheels are made lmfao

[mike_ekim1024]

Originally Posted by ___LUNK

Where do you think apex wheels are made lmfao

Ok, you got me! I need to do a little more research, or change my specs I was giving them the benefit of the doubt without looking. Also made in China doesn’t necessarily indicate quality, but it does seem to be a bar.

[Clipdat]

Perfectly good quality wheels are being made in China and the Philippines. I wouldn't let country of origin dissuade you from a particular wheel, if you like the design/specifications.

That being said, I personally prefer to run a made in Japan wheel on my FR-S. But I have made in China wheels on my mr2 spyder and they've been just fine.

[dragoontwo]

Better not look where the second gen stock wheels are made......

[NoHaveMSG]

If only there were a thread already stickied at the top of this section with pictures of different wheels in different sizes and offsets. Maybe someday someone would do that ...............

[mike_ekim1024]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

If only there were a thread already stickied at the top of this section with pictures of different wheels in different sizes and offsets. Maybe someday someone would do that ...............

If only the thread was about anything but looks (and some have weight). There are only a handful of wheels that are not much heavier than stock, and relatively inexpensive (compared to forged, etc.). The thread is great if you’re just browsing for styles.

[mike_ekim1024]

Originally Posted by dragoontwo

Better not look where the second gen stock wheels are made......

Interesting. Ok, I’ll change my specs. It is true that it’s about the company and process, not generally the country.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by mike_ekim1024

If only the thread was about anything but looks (and some have weight). There are only a handful of wheels that are not much heavier than stock, and relatively inexpensive (compared to forged, etc.). The thread is great if you’re just browsing for styles.

You mean it has pictures as well as size and offset and that is not good enough? Most of the wheels you are talking about are in there, some have weights, if they don't you can easily look it up yourself.

If you would bother to google for 2 sec you would see that "rotary forged" is just marketing wank for flow formed. TSW, who uses "rotary forged" in their marketing even says so They are not really "forged" in the classic sense that you consider a real forged wheel forged. We call this in other industries a spun wheel.

https://www.tsw.com/explore-tsw-cust...ged-wheels.php

https://astforgetech.com/cast-vs-flo...among%20others.

Some of the wheels on your list aren't even rotary forged, looking at you 57DR which is straight up cast. I have a set they are heavy AF.

[RToyo86]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

Marketing wank.

Upvote for my new go to phrase.

[EAGLE5]

Many American and non-Chinese brands are produced in China. The brand may demand a scan for defects or perform an xray, making them a cut above ordering direct from China. Styles are widely copied.

[alphasaur]

Just got my superspeed rf06rr in 17x9, they're flow formed and light, I would guess 17ish lbs as the 18s are 18lbs.

Got them for about $225 a pop shipped from canada land.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by RToyo86

Upvote for my new go to phrase.

I got it from my favorite Canadian Youtuber

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by EAGLE5

Many American and non-Chinese brands are produced in China. The brand may demand a scan for defects or perform an xray, making them a cut above ordering direct from China. Styles are widely copied.

There are also wheel certifications like JWL and TRA. When dealing with a company overseas, which I deal with a lot of, things like ISO certifications go a long way. Things like ISO 9001 don't have anything to do with manufacturing standards, but QC and procedural standards. So if you are calling out a specification, you can trust that they can implement it and "show their work" if called upon.