I am in the market for some wheels. I am planning on getting the 17X9.5 and 17X11 chrome ZR-1 wheels. The issue is that my local shop can give me a better deal on the Performance Wheel outlet wheels and Dunlop tires than AFS offers. What should I do? :confused:

 

I had the wheels from AFS shipped to my local tire shop - I like the shop and I was able to get road hazard insurance for the tires.

 

I personally visited both the Performance Wheel Outlet shop and the AFS shop. PWO is a huge warehouse with zillions of wheels being boxed and shipped. As the salesman was walking me though the place, I saw a stack of a dozen used wheels, I asked what they were from, and the salesman told me they were returns - mostly out of round. He admitted they did not check eccentricity or balance before shipping, but they had no problem replacing wheels that weren't right. Even though I am local, I didn't like the idea of going back and forth.
Then I drove to AFS. Much smaller place. Not only did they tell me they check runout of every wheel, they showed me the computerized machine that checks it. It was very cool - checks both runout and eccentricity (left/right and off-center). I watched them mount, check, and balance the Dunlops on the chrome GS wheels I bought. After I got home, I found a very minor flaw in the plating down in the lug nut holes of one of the 17x11s. I went back and they let me go through about 20 wheels before I found the absolute trickest one, then remounted the tire for me. No hassle, no charge. Very cool guys. After the wheels got grunged up from the road I realized it was a waste of time to be so ****, but they didn't try to argue with me, they just tried to make me happy.
AFS sells their blems on ebay. They detail each blem with closeup photos - mostly extremely minor stuff. This should give you an idea of how clean their "good" wheels are.
I think the extra money is worth it. I don't remember the exact difference, but I seem to think it was about $200 more for me to go with AFS for the whole set. This was two years ago.
Gee, AFS oughtta give me a free set of tires for this endorsement!

 

I run the AFS.......excellent wheel, had them for 3 years with no problems. I have autocrossed and roadraced with them.. :chevy

 

well ........ i have PW a- molds. they arrived in great shape, both cosmetically, and mechanically -- unlike some cragars i got from summit racing ! - the tire shop that mounted them really liked the wheels ..... i've had good luck w/ the chrome, and now i see the price has come down $ 200 or so ( i bought these 3 years ago ) ............... so, now whatcha gonna do ?? i'd buy PW again, $ 200 will buy you some new mufflers .................

 

What is PWO's website address?

 

909 - 825 - 5242 .......i didn't find a web address ............

 

I had the AFS ZR1 style wheels on my 90. 17x9.5 front 17x11 rear. Perfect fit and finish. No problems or complaints.