Replica Fuchs, advantages & disadvantages? Options

[colingreene]

you dont even own a 914 to put them on?

[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.

[Cevan]

I put 17" Euromeister's on my 911 and love them. They were 20lbs for 17x9 and 17 lbs for 17x7. No issues after 5000 miles. Not sure if they make a 914 variant.

The original Fuchs were long gone when I bought my car and I just didn't want to take a chance on 30+ yr old rims.

[colingreene]

[/quote]

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.
[/quote]

I have a E30 and a 914. do both

[2mAn]

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.

I have a E30 and a 914. do both

The problem with doing both is that the E30 would absolutely never get driven if I have a 914 also. Its one or the other and I know which one I would rather have right now.

back on topic...

how many different manufacturers is there in the replica Fuchs market? Empi? Euromeister? Braid? anyone else???

[campbellcj]

Late to the thread but I am using two sets of 15x9 Braid replicas on the rear of mine because (a) they fit and (b) they are new. Cost was not the factor for me and these replicas are $700-900+ ea -- my factory 9's would not fit my car's bodywork so I sold them.

I have been happy with Braid in appearance, strength and weight but not a lot of miles/events on them yet. They seem to be on the nicer side of the aftermarket wheel options for our cars though.

My key caution with Braid is to watch out for international shipping and customs fees. Mine were built to order and drop-shipped from Europe -- I used the same well-known SoCal reseller a couple times and they botched import and shipping costing me extra and possibly inducing delays.

On the front I use NOS factory 15x8 Fuchs. Lucky score of a few pair a few years ago.

[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.

[campbellcj]

One thing going for you with a -4 cyl is you probably won't need 9-12" widths in back which gives you more wheel/tire options and saves weight and cost. I say probably as certainly there are some insane high-powered -4 widebody cars out there that do run wide slicks. With my -6 build I literally had no choice, as once I added power the car became nearly undrivable even with a LSD. So I went from a square setup with 205 (~8") DOT-R on all 7" Fuchs to 10" full radial slicks on the new 8/9" rims.

[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)

[Mueller]

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-2-1110562576.jpg)

16x7 Konig wheels, 4x100 offset (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Better choices in wheels than when I did this 8 years ago.

[2mAn]

If somehow I sell the E30 and still have the wheels, I will have to seriously consider going 4x100. Mine currently have an et35 setup, but I have a friend with the same wheels in et42 I think. Im going to PM you about the whole 4x100 thing. Im trying to keep this on topic

[carr914]

Advantage - Real Fuchs look uber Cool!

[Dave_Darling]

The plan is very similar with the 914, though I plan to stay with a 4cyl motor ...

Street or race? If you want light weight, the four-bolt hubs AND BRAKES are the way to go. For the track, air ducting will be required. I've seen some very serious guys who had ducts to the rotor and to the caliper--the duct covered all of the exposed rotor so you couldn't even see it!

Custom wheels will be the way to go if you want light and wider than the stock four-bolt 5.5" width.

I sincerely doubt that the Gurney wheels were less than 9 lbs, but it is possible.

If you're going to run on the track, I would find new wheels rather than trusting 40-year-old ones.

--DD

[Unobtanium-inc]

Don't do it, not if you drive hard.

[colingreene]

Its crazy to me to be asking these kinds of questions for a car you dont own.
Granted a good discussion has come out of it but
if you would rather own your e30 then stick to that?

[2mAn]

Its crazy to me to be asking these kinds of questions for a car you dont own.
Granted a good discussion has come out of it but
if you would rather own your e30 then stick to that?

Im not sure what your problem is. I tried to search for my answer. I couldnt find it, so I posed a question, not specific to myself, more for an informative thread and I keep trying to keep it that way.

The E30 will be going to auction once its BAR legal in California. As soon as it is sold I plan to buy a 914.

at this point, Ive gotten my answer but I will keep reading any other posts. I suggest being helpful or quiet.

-Simon

[Justinp71]

Don't do it, not if you drive hard.

Wow! I have heard of that happening. Would the euromeister wheels be OK for a street set of wheels? I haven't heard anything bad on those.

The Rota Fox's also seem like a good choice if you like 17's.

[mepstein]

Don't do it, not if you drive hard.

Wow! I have heard of that happening. Would the euromeister wheels be OK for a street set of wheels? I haven't heard anything bad on those.

The Rota Fox's also seem like a good choice if you like 17's.

Anything can happen to old parts but if we are going to give up on older Fuchs, we migh as well give up on old engines, transmissions, ect. Forget about 356's. Just drive priuses.