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wheels, why the big price difference

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Old Sep 23, 2005 | 09:13 PM
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Default wheels, why the big price difference

I was going to post this in the wheel section, but theres more traffic here. I'm lookking to buy a set of rims for my 92. I see a huge difference in prices for the same wheels. Chrome ZR1's range from $549.00 to over $1100.00. Is there that much of a difference, better chrome, construction, etc. I want to do this once, don't want chrome flaking off in a year.
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Old Sep 23, 2005 | 09:18 PM
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I'm sure there is a difference and thus the price spread. However, this is a forum where one "vents", and so far, I've not seen any wheel "vents". So maybe the spread isn't that large re quality. That could be a follow on question to your question.
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Old Sep 23, 2005 | 10:04 PM
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Originally Posted by mfi
I was going to post this in the wheel section, but theres more traffic here. I'm lookking to buy a set of rims for my 92. I see a huge difference in prices for the same wheels. Chrome ZR1's range from $549.00 to over $1100.00. Is there that much of a difference, better chrome, construction, etc. I want to do this once, don't want chrome flaking off in a year.
I think that plating on alum. is not the greatest idea to begin with, they all carry warranties, the 600. 1 year, the 1100-1400 have 3 years on the chrome and only seem to be AFS wheels and ''A" molds.
I think real zr-1 style ones in chrome would sell for more (11-1400), but I still think that they are all made in the same place in Taiwan. I have the 600. ones garage kept etc. and off the car for winter storage
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Old Sep 23, 2005 | 11:10 PM
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Theres my prob, no garage. The car will be under a cover, but driven all year. NY roads are brutal, salt, salt, salt. I wonder if any wheel will hold up to that. I could alway keep the crappy ones on in the winter and change over to the good ones in spring. OE wheels has a good deal for $549.00 with lugs and stems, and locks. Cheapest I've seen yet.
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Old Sep 23, 2005 | 11:22 PM
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Originally Posted by mfi
Theres my prob, no garage. The car will be under a cover, but driven all year. NY roads are brutal, salt, salt, salt. I wonder if any wheel will hold up to that. I could alway keep the crappy ones on in the winter and change over to the good ones in spring. OE wheels has a good deal for $549.00 with lugs and stems, and locks. Cheapest I've seen yet.
No I don't think any chrome would'nt take a dump soon after being exposed to salt, etc. (pol. alum. would be worse)
O.E.s are what I have (see my pics) I kept my originals so in winter they go on the others come inside 549 is a good price
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Old Sep 24, 2005 | 12:05 AM
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I think the key to any of these wheels is to keep them waxed. I would take them off in the winter if your going to drive it and wax them before you put them away. I have one or two more runs on my $600 set and I'll pull them and wax them before I put the car away for the winter.

I have a very expensive set of chrome over aluminum wheels on my old hot rod truck. I drive it about 400 miles per year and keep it in the garage, it started peeling after the second year. I did not pull and wax after the season. Hard way to learn not to be lazy.

Vinnie
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Old Sep 24, 2005 | 02:00 AM
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Originally Posted by mfi
I was going to post this in the wheel section, but theres more traffic here. I'm lookking to buy a set of rims for my 92. I see a huge difference in prices for the same wheels. Chrome ZR1's range from $549.00 to over $1100.00. Is there that much of a difference, better chrome, construction, etc. I want to do this once, don't want chrome flaking off in a year.
I am still selling my polished 17x11 ZR1 wheels. My reasoning is that my wheels are better than what you can get from the manufacturer. Guy who polished them did an awesome job, I thought he chromed them! I wont make a profit off them and I am betting patients will pay off. I hope you find what you are looking for!
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Old Sep 24, 2005 | 09:01 AM
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oh yeah, road salt would be a huge factor in peeling chrome. it would also be a huge pain to keep changing wheels and tires twice a year. i mean, unless you're $$$$$.
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Old Sep 24, 2005 | 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted by bdvdvh7
oh yeah, road salt would be a huge factor in peeling chrome. it would also be a huge pain to keep changing wheels and tires twice a year. i mean, unless you're $$$$$.
Loaded I ain't. What is the average to mount and balance. The two set approach looks like the way to go.
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Old Sep 24, 2005 | 03:09 PM
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Might help to know this. I do have a "winter beater" car that came with factory chromes. I use it all winter and wash the heck out of it during the summer and even a bit in the winter when I can. One way I take care of the wheels is I keep a little spray bottle of tap water nearby and about once or twice a week, I spray the wheels down and use a cloth to remove dirt, brake dust, etc. I do it as much because the brake dust looks lousy as I do to take off the salt. Now that I changed brake pads, the dust is a little less. Doesn't get me to the back of the wheels, but it does the job, and so far, a five year old chrome job is holding up well. I do wax the wheels just before the winter and just after, so that's some help (maybe). My friends have the same "beater" and has a second set of wheels. He's got more money.
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Old Sep 25, 2005 | 08:47 PM
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Originally Posted by mfi
Loaded I ain't. What is the average to mount and balance. The two set approach looks like the way to go.
Don't need to be either, it's a one time hit, unless your putting alot of miles on it.
As to being $$$$ (other reply to your post) NO, all you need is a floor jack, some regular tools and a little time, besides you should be able to do some stuff, or you will need to be $$$.
Don't know a price but I would call discount, or belle as they probably have the best prices (10-20 ea.??) m7
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Old Sep 25, 2005 | 10:38 PM
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I have the OE polished aluminun zr1 style, paid around $500. No clearcoat (a good thing imo), but about 3 lbs heavier than stock. Made in china = lower price.
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