Replica Fuchs, advantages & disadvantages? Options

[2mAn]

Coming from the BMW world (and 4x100 ) where there are a ton of made in china replica wheels of the original quality, I always stay away from anything thats not authentic. I feel the same is the thought with these, but I was hoping to hear some actual experience with these... you never know?

Im mostly concerned with 2 things.
#1 Quality? The BBS reps were crap and could be easily spotted
#2 Weight? They are notoriously heavy wheels and besides the look of the Fuchs wheels they are also pretty light from what Ive seen.

Thanks

-Simon

[2mAn]

There are now some VERY good replica wheels available, looking very close to the real thing, weighing less, and available to buy brand new... with a 3 year warranty.

I would put the Braid reps at the top of that list, at least in terms of reps that are easy to get hold of: Braid's US website

which ones actually weigh LESS? I thought most, if not all weight MORE???

you dont even own a 914 to put them on?

me? I know, but I try to be as knowledgeable as possible and I am definitely getting a 914 next. If/ when I sell my E30 I will have the cash to buy the car and I usually move quickly. Main thing Im trying to decide is whether or not I want to convert to 5 lug, and this is a big part of the decision.

[Mueller]

There are now some VERY good replica wheels available, looking very close to the real thing, weighing less, and available to buy brand new... with a 3 year warranty.

I would put the Braid reps at the top of that list, at least in terms of reps that are easy to get hold of: Braid's US website

which ones actually weigh LESS? I thought most, if not all weight MORE???

you dont even own a 914 to put them on?

me? I know, but I try to be as knowledgeable as possible and I am definitely getting a 914 next. If/ when I sell my E30 I will have the cash to buy the car and I usually move quickly. Main thing Im trying to decide is whether or not I want to convert to 5 lug, and this is a big part of the decision.

Is a pound or two heavier really going to make or break your vehicle setup?

[2mAn]

Is a pound or two heavier really going to make or break your vehicle setup?

Hi Mueller, a pound or two, no. However, I look at the car as a whole and evaluate everything individually, but look at the overall goal.

For example, on my E30, I bought the lightest model that was brought to the US which had manual windows, locks, no check panel, etc combined with an aluminum 24v block (only brought to the US in the 97-98 Z3), added 11# SSR wheels in 16x7 and now my car as a whole weighs ~300# less than a comparable 24v swapped car and can beat the M3 powered 3.2L cars with only 2.8L and returns better mpg. Its a fun car thats not a stripped out track car, but is a full interior, big stereo, carpeted car.

The plan is very similar with the 914, though I plan to stay with a 4cyl motor, so if I plan to stay on the -6 guys tail, I need to look at everything I do especially since there is less of a variance between the 914 models than there was with the E30s

like I said earlier, I do my research in advance and try to keep it generalized, but since people keep questioning me, this is my full disclosure response

[Mueller]

Is a pound or two heavier really going to make or break your vehicle setup?

Hi Mueller, a pound or two, no. However, I look at the car as a whole and evaluate everything individually, but look at the overall goal.

For example, on my E30, I bought the lightest model that was brought to the US which had manual windows, locks, no check panel, etc combined with an aluminum 24v block (only brought to the US in the 97-98 Z3), added 11# SSR wheels in 16x7 and now my car as a whole weighs ~300# less than a comparable 24v swapped car and can beat the M3 powered 3.2L cars with only 2.8L and returns better mpg. Its a fun car thats not a stripped out track car, but is a full interior, big stereo, carpeted car.

The plan is very similar with the 914, though I plan to stay with a 4cyl motor, so if I plan to stay on the -6 guys tail, I need to look at everything I do especially since there is less of a variance between the 914 models than there was with the E30s

like I said earlier, I do my research in advance and try to keep it generalized, but since people keep questioning me, this is my full disclosure response

If that is the case I wouldn't be looking at 5 lug at all, nor would I keep the stock 4 lug, I'd redrill for 4x100mm and run one of the numerous good quality rims available for Miatas in 15x7 which will also allow a near perfect offset.

http://www.good-win-racing.com/mazda/miata/process.html

Only "bad" rim I've heard about are the Rotas which I don't think anyone sells anymore.

[2mAn]

If that is the case I wouldn't be looking at 5 lug at all, nor would I keep the stock 4 lug, I'd redrill for 4x100mm and run one of the numerous good quality rims available for Miatas in 15x7 which will also allow a near perfect offset.

http://www.good-win-racing.com/mazda/miata/process.html

Only "bad" rim I've heard about are the Rotas which I don't think anyone sells anymore.

haha trust me Ive looked into going 4x100 because the SSR wheels I have are near and dear to my heart, but it doesnt seem like a good idea because of the centerbore and spacing. I actually think the other very common jap wheel pattern of 4x114 (or something) would be better as the offsets are common to the 30s and 40s with a selection nearly equal to the 4x100.

now were really getting OT (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

I had asked asked someone selling some western/ dan gurney wheels what their weight was and the reply was that they were less than 9# !!

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...=282194&hl=

not sure how true that was but the fact that he was basically giving them away and then threw them away made me quite sad. Im always looking for a good deal and even though I dont have a 914, I would definitely have stored these wheels until the right one came around.

certainly a better deal than replica Fuchs (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)