Enkei vs. TSW Reputation

[Klinn]

So what’s the forum’s collective opinion of Enkei wheels versus TSW?

Specifically, I am considering:
- Enkei PF01 (http://www.enkei.com/pf01.shtml#)
- TSW Nurburgring (http://www.tsw.com/alloy_wheels_Nurburgring.php)

They are close in weight, price, and there seem to be suitable fitments for the FR-S. How’s the quality / durability? They would see both street and Solo2 use.

Edit: What is your opinion of each company's reputation? A good buy or will I regret picking one rather than the other?

[Gardus@Supersprint]

The TSW look bigger because of the spokes reaching the rim. I think they'll look better.
I never understood if TSW is owned but the Italian company MAK or not.

If you go on the MAK italian website you see the TSW wheels:
http://www.makwheels.it/IMP0000000117.asp

If you switch to english they disappear.

Through our company I can get a very good discount on Mak wheels, what's the price in the US or Canada?

[ttknf]

Enkei

...or some Work CR Kai

[ICantAffordAnLFA]

Matt bronze TSWs on wr blue mica BRZ

Already got a new Ring sticker in bronze; just need the BRZ now.

[Kevin@RAD]

Personally, I like the look of the Enkei PF01 compared to the TSWs.

The TSWs look a little too busy for me.

[Klinn]

Thanks for the posts guys.

Rather than style, I'm more interested in your opinions of the companies' reputation, eg. "Any Enkei is better than TSW" or "Enkei is junk" (although preferably with a little more detailed explanation than that ).

If I choose one of those brands over the other, will I regret it in the next few years?

[vividracingcom]

I've never heard a bad thing about Enkei wheels, ever. I've personally had 2 sets of Enkeis and loved both.

A few years back, I bought a car that had some Rota Slipstreams on it. The tires and wheels were bought about a month before I bought the car if I remember right. Seller had receipt for wheels/tires as well as tons of other stuff. Shortly after buying the car, I started losing air in one of the rear tires. Turns out the barrel had a crack. I bought 1 new Rota, had the tire swapped, and then traded my Rotas for a set of older Enkeis.

A few days after putting the Enkeis on the car, I was driving through a construction area and the truck in front of me clipped a pylon and kicked the sandbag out into the only lane. I had no choice but to hit the sandbag. It actually damaged my front bumper a little and caused the front of my Civic to go air-born! I thought for sure that I'd seriously damaged something, and I figured my wheel would have been it. Nope! The Enkeis were solid. No visible cracks, no loss of air pressure for the next 6 months I owned the wheels, no balance issues... This was on 35 series tires, too.

With that said, I've also never heard anything bad about TSW wheels. I've got no 1st hand experience with them, though.

[MikeNSX]

I much prefer Enkei wheels to TSW wheels. I have them on my NSX (PF01's) and on my Supra (RP03's). When I bought my M3 Convertible, it had TSW Snetterton's on it, and I replaced them.

[madfast]

/thread

[JRitt]

I have no experience with TSW, but I wouldn't have any reservations with Enkei. They make outstanding wheels. I've had them on three of my track cars over the years and never had any problems. They are very high quality. As pictured above, they've supplied wheels at the top level of motorsports, most notably McLaren F1. They also seem to hold their value pretty well. When I've sold mine, I've always gotten a nice chunk of change back out of them. In my opinion, they seem to be in a very sweet spot for the average enthusiast with regards to value for the price. They are wildly popular on many platforms for track and autoX use, ranging from Miata, to Evo, STI, S2000, 350Z...I even had a set on my C5 Z06.

ps I work in the aftermarket industry, but have no affiliation with Enkei.

[ultra]

I think I've had about 3 sets of Enkei RPF1s on different cars (plus lots of Rotas, some BBSs, one set of OZs) and the Enkeis are still my favorite rims bar none. Lighter and stronger than anything out there in the same price range, and as good as (if not better than) anything at almost any price.

Given that the PF01s are part of Enkei's 'Racing' series and are M.A.T formed like the RPF1s are, I would not hesitate to recommend them!

[Dimman]

As Madfast noted, Enkei is one of only a few wheel companies to compete at the highest level of motorsports. Them and Rays (with Williams) are the only Japanese companies that have produced F1 wheels, off the top of my head.

[Sasquachulator]

I approve of Enkeis.

They're great.

[2pt5RS]

I'm more than likely about to order a set of the Enkei Raijin. When I showed my roommate, his reply goes: ewww, enkei. be careful, they're really soft.

I wanted to do this: because he's clueless when it comes to wheels. He has no idea the wheels on his car right now are Enkei's. And they're solid as can be.

Personally, I think TSW has fallen off the grid, big time. They are more like Blackberry and Enkei is android or ios.

in summary: get the enkei's.