A molds or AFS ?
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: lakeland fl
Re: A molds or AFS ? (Bigvmaxx)
"The wheel industry is not well regulated here in the US like it is in Europe"
Help me out- what are you referencing? What problems are you addressing? If the wheel industry is not as well regulated here- which is debatable in itself- it is because it isn't necessary.... Unless you can cite specific problems that warrant attention, leave additional regulations to Barbra Streisand....... AFS wheels are manufactured in Japan, and are sold in Europe, so additional US regulations would seem a bit pointless in that case; AFS sells a great product, and inciting concern with arcane references to European testing standards is silly. These are cast wheels, they're not as strong as forged, ergo testing standards designed for forged wheels would be pointless, Ted. I've beat my AFS wheels severely for 50,000 miles, from South Dakota potholes to 140 mph romps across Florida- I don't need Dateline creating phony problems in order to create more bureaucracy for my "safety", because I know that the ultimate solution to that problem is to castrate my ability to own and enjoy the cars we now drive; How is California coming along with that ban on internal combustion engines? :D
Help me out- what are you referencing? What problems are you addressing? If the wheel industry is not as well regulated here- which is debatable in itself- it is because it isn't necessary.... Unless you can cite specific problems that warrant attention, leave additional regulations to Barbra Streisand....... AFS wheels are manufactured in Japan, and are sold in Europe, so additional US regulations would seem a bit pointless in that case; AFS sells a great product, and inciting concern with arcane references to European testing standards is silly. These are cast wheels, they're not as strong as forged, ergo testing standards designed for forged wheels would be pointless, Ted. I've beat my AFS wheels severely for 50,000 miles, from South Dakota potholes to 140 mph romps across Florida- I don't need Dateline creating phony problems in order to create more bureaucracy for my "safety", because I know that the ultimate solution to that problem is to castrate my ability to own and enjoy the cars we now drive; How is California coming along with that ban on internal combustion engines? :D
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,384
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From: Boston, MA
My understanding is that a-molds are manufactured in Japan.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,691
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From: Framingham MA
Through Jeff Kopp, A-Molds are currenlty ~$365/each (atleast the GS 17x11 are)
I have a set of silver AFS (5 years now) and used pair of GS A-molds. My AFS have a few casting flaws in them groves in a few places, it something you have to look for. AFS is a great dela with the tires, but if I was just buying rim I would go for the GM A molds.
[Modified by dgoodhue, 4:44 PM 3/31/2003]
I have a set of silver AFS (5 years now) and used pair of GS A-molds. My AFS have a few casting flaws in them groves in a few places, it something you have to look for. AFS is a great dela with the tires, but if I was just buying rim I would go for the GM A molds.
[Modified by dgoodhue, 4:44 PM 3/31/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 16,317
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From: Sun city CA
Re: A molds or AFS ? (johncazin)
Well John
Perhaps the US has adopted the "let the Europeans check em 1st" atitude...
Lets just assume for a minute a situation like the one that happened to me one day about 3 years ago... I saw some ZR-1 look alike wheels at a major wheel vendors place of business... When I got a salesperson I asked him who made these wheels? He didn't know for sure but assured me it was a good wheel... I asked him what they weighed... he went to look it up, couldn't find it but offered to weigh it for me... The I asked him ( since I plan to use some lightweight wheels to go ORRing ) do you have any data on these wheels?
What do you mean he said? Lets say I just ran into a guy who must just getting started in sales...
However... you might be a 1 man wheel tester when hitting potholes at 140 mph... Hell, I don't know...
With all the 3rd world companies vying for the almighty dollar in the hot wheel market... it might not hurt to have a quality check on a structure that could determine your fate, and the fate of those around you if something goes wrong that never should have happened....
Do companies ever sub contract to lesser companies to save money ? Of course... how good is the quality control in those situations?
Just the liability factor ( lawyers ) adds enough to the price of products produced these days... A super low brand new price could be a company that has somehow found a way to reduce cost... Iam no expert... just my 2 cents... :D
Ted
"The wheel industry is not well regulated here in the US like it is in Europe"
Help me out- what are you referencing? What problems are you addressing? If the wheel industry is not as well regulated here- which is debatable in itself- it is because it isn't necessary.... Unless you can cite specific problems that warrant attention, leave additional regulations to Barbra Streisand....... AFS wheels are manufactured in Japan, and are sold in Europe, so additional US regulations would seem a bit pointless in that case; AFS sells a great product, and inciting concern with arcane references to European testing standards is silly. These are cast wheels, they're not as strong as forged, ergo testing standards designed for forged wheels would be pointless, Ted. I've beat my AFS wheels severely for 50,000 miles, from South Dakota potholes to 140 mph romps across Florida- I don't need Dateline creating phony problems in order to create more bureaucracy for my "safety", because I know that the ultimate solution to that problem is to castrate my ability to own and enjoy the cars we now drive; How is California coming along with that ban on internal combustion engines? :D
Help me out- what are you referencing? What problems are you addressing? If the wheel industry is not as well regulated here- which is debatable in itself- it is because it isn't necessary.... Unless you can cite specific problems that warrant attention, leave additional regulations to Barbra Streisand....... AFS wheels are manufactured in Japan, and are sold in Europe, so additional US regulations would seem a bit pointless in that case; AFS sells a great product, and inciting concern with arcane references to European testing standards is silly. These are cast wheels, they're not as strong as forged, ergo testing standards designed for forged wheels would be pointless, Ted. I've beat my AFS wheels severely for 50,000 miles, from South Dakota potholes to 140 mph romps across Florida- I don't need Dateline creating phony problems in order to create more bureaucracy for my "safety", because I know that the ultimate solution to that problem is to castrate my ability to own and enjoy the cars we now drive; How is California coming along with that ban on internal combustion engines? :D
Lets just assume for a minute a situation like the one that happened to me one day about 3 years ago... I saw some ZR-1 look alike wheels at a major wheel vendors place of business... When I got a salesperson I asked him who made these wheels? He didn't know for sure but assured me it was a good wheel... I asked him what they weighed... he went to look it up, couldn't find it but offered to weigh it for me... The I asked him ( since I plan to use some lightweight wheels to go ORRing ) do you have any data on these wheels?
What do you mean he said? Lets say I just ran into a guy who must just getting started in sales...
However... you might be a 1 man wheel tester when hitting potholes at 140 mph... Hell, I don't know...
With all the 3rd world companies vying for the almighty dollar in the hot wheel market... it might not hurt to have a quality check on a structure that could determine your fate, and the fate of those around you if something goes wrong that never should have happened....
Do companies ever sub contract to lesser companies to save money ? Of course... how good is the quality control in those situations?
Just the liability factor ( lawyers ) adds enough to the price of products produced these days... A super low brand new price could be a company that has somehow found a way to reduce cost... Iam no expert... just my 2 cents... :D
Ted
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Manchester MA
Re: A molds or AFS ? (Bigvmaxx)
Just wondering about the DOT approval AFS wheel advertises. Is this a rubber stamp type thing if its round its ok, or does the DOT actually perform test? I see other wheel companies that dont seem to claim their wheels meet this spec. Also about the "you get what you pay for" idea, wasn't there a really expensive brand of wheels on here a couple of days ago where the spokes were cracking.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: lakeland fl
Re: A molds or AFS ? (Bigvmaxx)
Well Ted-
You're still creating a problem in your mind that doesn't exist; In fact, there are comprehensive standards in this country relating to the manufacture of aftermarket wheels, and I'm not sure that your experiences with a sales clerk would compel me to demand additional layers of government, but that's just me- I don't live in California.
As an individual, I accept the responsibility of investigating a product myself- if I have a question, I can look on the box, contact the manufacturer, contact the DOT and SEMA; the LAST person I put any faith in is the pleeb pushing the product onto me.
Speculating about collapsed wheels is great sport; however, document one single case with a DOT-approved wheel.
You can't.
Maybe you had Firestones on that Explorer........... :D
You're still creating a problem in your mind that doesn't exist; In fact, there are comprehensive standards in this country relating to the manufacture of aftermarket wheels, and I'm not sure that your experiences with a sales clerk would compel me to demand additional layers of government, but that's just me- I don't live in California.
As an individual, I accept the responsibility of investigating a product myself- if I have a question, I can look on the box, contact the manufacturer, contact the DOT and SEMA; the LAST person I put any faith in is the pleeb pushing the product onto me.
Speculating about collapsed wheels is great sport; however, document one single case with a DOT-approved wheel.
You can't.
Maybe you had Firestones on that Explorer........... :D
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,230
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From: VA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: A molds or AFS ? (hz900)
If I remember right.
A Molds are lighter and more $
AFS are heavier and less $
If A molds are lighter and more $
Isn't the second statement understood? :jester
j/k it just struck me as funny
A Molds are lighter and more $
AFS are heavier and less $
If A molds are lighter and more $
Isn't the second statement understood? :jester
j/k it just struck me as funny
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,230
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From: VA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: A molds or AFS ? (ConeKLR)
I think they compare close enough not to worry about it especially with the price difference. I see all this talk about the weight difference. Does it matter that much for 95% of us vette drivers? Think not unless you compete in autocross or road race type events. Sure I know all about how a lighter wheel affects the suspension. But you can take the money you save by getting the AFS wheels and apply it to an Autocross school or High performance driving school if your concern is the how the vette would handling with the heavier wheel. In other words, the lighter wheel is not going to make you a Mario Andretti, so why make such a big deal about. :lol:
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
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From: Collegeville PA
Re: (DanielW)
I know the set of AFS will run around 1100, how much are the original GM wheels, and where can u get them??? a dealer.
:flag :flag :flag :flag :flag
[Modified by Triple Black 88, 7:39 PM 4/2/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,710
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From: Green Bay WI
Re: A molds or AFS ? (Ron 93 Vette)
I have the A-Molds and you wouldn't believe how light they are! :eek: I paid $1500.00 for a set of four ($375.00/each). If anyone is interested in getting these original ZR-1 five spoke A-Molds, I can put you in touch with my source (via email of course). :)