Repro wheels
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,350
Likes: 273
From: Hoschton Georgia
My own experience with after market wheels has been great. I have purchased a number of sets over the years and have never had a problem with the finish or the roundness. They have worked out fine for me.
I'm sure there are probably some horror stories but I have had no problems with them.
I'm sure there are probably some horror stories but I have had no problems with them.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
issues have surfaced here on CF to include: chrome peeling, out of round wheels, excessive weights required to balance, non-clearance for big brake package, surface deterioration (either due to clear coat issues or polished-only surface), etc. one of the repeated issues is non-returnability of either wheels or money when wheel doesn't balance, but that's an individual, vendor-specific issue.
and some owners are concerned about the weight of the wheels compared to ultra lite wheels.
and some owners are concerned about the weight of the wheels compared to ultra lite wheels.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 0
From: MN
There is two schools of thought here. "Aftermarket wheels" can mean two separate things - cheap and REALLY expensive. Most non-OEM wheels for the Vette are in the cheap variety - a few hundred a wheel. They are okay, but they are usually heavier and weaker than stock rims. They're really only good for casual street driving and car shows, and the styles available are quite limited (some play on stock and Z06 looks usually). The expensive wheels are somewhere about a grand each and are high performance wheels that can look as great as you're bank account allows. For example, I happen to like the BBS diamond black rims for the Vette. Even at tire rack, however, a set of 4 rims is going to run about $4,500.00 delivered. Ouch. You can do a lot of performance mods for that kind of money.
Personally, I happen to like the stock rims. To get me to change them, I would have to see a great performing/looking wheel for a lot less money than what the others cost. I'd rather upgrade brakes, etc. with the money.
Personally, I happen to like the stock rims. To get me to change them, I would have to see a great performing/looking wheel for a lot less money than what the others cost. I'd rather upgrade brakes, etc. with the money.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
There is two schools of thought here. "Aftermarket wheels" can mean two separate things - cheap and REALLY expensive. Most non-OEM wheels for the Vette are in the cheap variety - a few hundred a wheel. They are okay, but they are usually heavier and weaker than stock rims. They're really only good for casual street driving and car shows, and the styles available are quite limited (some play on stock and Z06 looks usually). The expensive wheels are somewhere about a grand each and are high performance wheels that can look as great as you're bank account allows. For example, I happen to like the BBS diamond black rims for the Vette. Even at tire rack, however, a set of 4 rims is going to run about $4,500.00 delivered. Ouch. You can do a lot of performance mods for that kind of money.
Personally, I happen to like the stock rims. To get me to change them, I would have to see a great performing/looking wheel for a lot less money than what the others cost. I'd rather upgrade brakes, etc. with the money.
Personally, I happen to like the stock rims. To get me to change them, I would have to see a great performing/looking wheel for a lot less money than what the others cost. I'd rather upgrade brakes, etc. with the money.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
The Chinese may do a good Olympics but they make terrible car wheels. Try to avoid inexpensive cast wheels(you get what you pay for). Excellant quality American made forged wheels can be had for less than $4500. I have a set of CCW wheels that I had delivered for about $3200. Do a search on CCW, you will see only people satisfied with the quality and service, then do a search on cheap repro wheels and take note of the many unhappy customers. Do your homework before rushing into it.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,500
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
While I agree that there are some (or even many) wheels from China that are of low quality, the brush to paint all wheels from China as inferior isn't correct. In fact, the largest wheel seller on that internet auction place regularly uses wheels from China.
Like anything, including those items made in America, it all depends on the specs. If you spec a certain quantity and quality of materials in a wheel, that's what you will be receiving as a wholesaler/jobber. This major wheel distributor does their own specs. For instance, while Kenmore is great, it isn't the same thing as a Whirlpool.
I've had their wheels on prior generation Corvettes. Not only were they not heavier than original, they were well made and could stand up to scrutiny.
Like anything, including those items made in America, it all depends on the specs. If you spec a certain quantity and quality of materials in a wheel, that's what you will be receiving as a wholesaler/jobber. This major wheel distributor does their own specs. For instance, while Kenmore is great, it isn't the same thing as a Whirlpool.
I've had their wheels on prior generation Corvettes. Not only were they not heavier than original, they were well made and could stand up to scrutiny.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,791
Likes: 44
From: Loudon/Lake Mary Tennessee/Florida
There is two schools of thought here. "Aftermarket wheels" can mean two separate things - cheap and REALLY expensive. Most non-OEM wheels for the Vette are in the cheap variety - a few hundred a wheel. They are okay, but they are usually heavier and weaker than stock rims. They're really only good for casual street driving and car shows, and the styles available are quite limited (some play on stock and Z06 looks usually). The expensive wheels are somewhere about a grand each and are high performance wheels that can look as great as you're bank account allows. For example, I happen to like the BBS diamond black rims for the Vette. Even at tire rack, however, a set of 4 rims is going to run about $4,500.00 delivered. Ouch. You can do a lot of performance mods for that kind of money.
Personally, I happen to like the stock rims. To get me to change them, I would have to see a great performing/looking wheel for a lot less money than what the others cost. I'd rather upgrade brakes, etc. with the money.
Personally, I happen to like the stock rims. To get me to change them, I would have to see a great performing/looking wheel for a lot less money than what the others cost. I'd rather upgrade brakes, etc. with the money.
"Personally, I happen to like the stock rims. To get me to change them, I would have to see a great performing/looking wheel for a lot less money than what the others cost. I'd rather upgrade brakes, etc. with the money."
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,017
Likes: 2
I had a set of repro wheels on my C5. They had sever chrome peel starting from the inner barrel of the wheel to the outside lip. Every manufacturer makes mistakes, but in this case, the Manufacturer and vendor (forum vendor) would not stand behind their product. Buyer beware!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,459
Likes: 18
From: Oviedo,FL. Las Vegas
I had a set of repro wheels on my C5. They had sever chrome peel starting from the inner barrel of the wheel to the outside lip. Every manufacturer makes mistakes, but in this case, the Manufacturer and vendor (forum vendor) would not stand behind their product. Buyer beware!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,933
Likes: 13
From: The Beautiful Inland Empire WA.
There is two schools of thought here. "Aftermarket wheels" can mean two separate things - cheap and REALLY expensive. Most non-OEM wheels for the Vette are in the cheap variety - a few hundred a wheel. They are okay, but they are usually heavier and weaker than stock rims. They're really only good for casual street driving and car shows, and the styles available are quite limited (some play on stock and Z06 looks usually). The expensive wheels are somewhere about a grand each and are high performance wheels that can look as great as you're bank account allows. For example, I happen to like the BBS diamond black rims for the Vette. Even at tire rack, however, a set of 4 rims is going to run about $4,500.00 delivered. Ouch. You can do a lot of performance mods for that kind of money.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 0
From: MN
For most of the wheels out there, you are correct, but I think that there are wheels that fall between the extremes in price that you mention. The CRAY Mantas and Scorpions come to mind, and you have your choice of black, silver or chrome in both styles. For me, they are a great mid price alternative, and mine spun up on the tire balancer very, very well --- even the tire guy complemented them as to how few weights they took and how true they ran.........
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
I had a set of repro wheels on my C5. They had sever chrome peel starting from the inner barrel of the wheel to the outside lip. Every manufacturer makes mistakes, but in this case, the Manufacturer and vendor (forum vendor) would not stand behind their product. Buyer beware!