Carrera 997 aftermarket wheels

[lucian95]

I'm looking for an extra set of Porsche 911 (2005, C2) wheels to be mounted with winter tires. I came across various sites on the Internet, in particular the seller on E-Bay (wheelsandcaps) is selling a complete set for $479 plus $85 shipping. These are replicas and they have the same dimensions and offset as my original wheels (18x8/10). When I called them, they explained they are cast-alloys made in Italy. Does anyone have any experience with these particular "E-Bay" wheels. I came across a similar looking cast-alloy model on other web sites, however they are charging app. $500 per wheel. I was also explained by another wheel specialist that cast-alloy is softer material but easier to fix than the original wheels made from forged steel. However, it is not clear to me whether there are any safety risks with cast alloy material when driving Porsche at higher speed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated before I decide which way to go. Should I go instead to my local dealer and order the wheels from them? I attached the link and the pic of the wheel under question.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...;category=43958

[PAULSPEED]

The dealer should be your last choice.

Ask a local tire/wheel salesmen.

Paul

[beauar]

for the money they are probably not of the best quality but I would say go for it. See if they are any good. You intend on having them for winter anyways. I would have to assume that a wheel is a wheel and that if it trully was not safe and they didn't meet safety requirements than they probably would have a hard time selling them.

I'm looking for an extra set of Porsche 911 (2005, C2) wheels to be mounted with winter tires. I came across various sites on the Internet, in particular the seller on E-Bay (wheelsandcaps) is selling a complete set for $479 plus $85 shipping. These are replicas and they have the same dimensions and offset as my original wheels (18x8/10). When I called them, they explained they are cast-alloys made in Italy. Does anyone have any experience with these particular "E-Bay" wheels. I came across a similar looking cast-alloy model on other web sites, however they are charging app. $500 per wheel. I was also explained by another wheel specialist that cast-alloy is softer material but easier to fix than the original wheels made from forged steel. However, it is not clear to me whether there are any safety risks with cast alloy material when driving Porsche at higher speed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated before I decide which way to go. Should I go instead to my local dealer and order the wheels from them? I attached the link and the pic of the wheel under question.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...;category=43958

[my996]

A lot of wheels are cast, even OEM Porsche. The real question is the quality of the molten metal put into the mold and then the process of casting. If done incorrectly (ie in a rush, or with lower quality guideline) casting can create a more porous material. The surface can be made to appear great with some paint but I'd be concerned about the stuff you can't see. IMHO, either go with OEM, used OEM, BBS, or OZ. All these manufacturers use proven quality techniques and their products have been tested under race conditions. For me, the extra cost is worth the piece of mind.

[racerken]

I have 17" rims that were originally purchased for my 2000 Boxster and I used them on my 04 C2 and 1 year on my 08 C2. this year I'm going to get some 18" rims because the 17" rims made my C2 look like a toy. I might get these rims too. Let me know how your purchase goes. the rims were purchased from an ebay'er in LA but I can't remember the name. I'm in the automotive industry and I can say that if a rim states DOT, they have to be legit unless they are fraudulent then all bets are off. You should feel somewhat secure in that this ebay'er has about 17k feedback.

My opinions:

1: You will never drive 150 mph in the winter. I have an 08 C2 with a winter set and I sometimes I hit 130mph but only on a good day and only when I know there is no snow or ice. If you drive like hell and are concerned about the survivability of a rim in a crash, the rim is the least of your worries. I'd get a helmet if you drive this fast.

2: If you deform a rim, you won't care about the metallurgy. You will care about your car body or suspension. I've hit a curb in a parking lot at about 5mph due to ice. Nothing happened to my look-alike rims.

3: $500+ is a good deal for rims and if someone crouches down to inspect your rims in the dead of winter and then calls out the fake rims, then you should shoot that person with a look-alike pellet gun.

4: My secretary once drove my car to get it washed and scratched the rims (oem) whilst pulling out of the parking lot. I paid some guy $130 to re-paint the rims and he grinded the aluminum, applied bondo, painted and it looked new. 50k miles later, it was still good. Honestly, you'll never know the difference between cast, machined or otherwise. (if you are a daily driver)

Now if you race or drive everyday at 150mph, then don't buy these cheap rims: like my996 said, get OZ's.

BTW, what kind of tires and where are you getting them? did they provide you with any good offers?

Ken

[rob545]

Baring the fact that you may be dealing with an unscrupulous vendor (use credit card), you are probably going to be just fine. We manufacture wheels (forged and multi piece, not what you want to abuse for winter applications), and what you are seeing there appears like a typical aftermarket replica wheel. These are quite common and are generally perfecly safe, especially if made in/for European markets and subject to TUV standards (applicable in both Italy and Germany). Most of these cheaper wheels tend to give you compromise in terms of finish quality/durability, but they are generally round, hold air, and safe to drive on. Some real low quality stuff has had issues with runout, hubcentricity and finishing, but more nuissance than safety issues. That being said, there is no "DOT" requirment on passenger car wheels (yes on trucks), so the caveat emptor doctrine does apply when purchasing aftermarket wheels.

[racerken]

I just ordered these rims with my credit card so I'll let you know in a few days if they are legit.

I'm going to order my tmps sensors from belle tire at $79/piece.

[racerken]

They arrived today so that's 4 days ground delivery. I almost performed a backflip.

BTW, there is no center cap like the picture.

The packaging is professional.

Here is the problem:

------------------- email to matt@wheelsandcaps.com --------------------------

Hi Matt,

I received my rims today.

4 perfect boxes, undamaged during shipment.

3 rims are perfect.

1 rim, 18 x 10, has small 2 blemishes. A very small nick ‘after paint’ sharp impact from something hard, about the same diameter as a thin pencil and a very small nick ‘prior to paint’ which was probably caused by a blunt impact from something cylindrical. These two blemishes are quality defects in that they should have been flagged either post manufacturing or during the pick and pack process.

I think I should be offered a replacement with shipping fees included for delivery of the replacement and the return of the defective unit.

I can take pictures of the unit tomorrow.

Thanks,

Ken

--------------------------------------------------- end of email www.wheelsandcaps.com feedback ------------------------------

I must say, they are pretty clean rims which were cast, then nc'd at all critical surfaces with good paint and clear coat. There are some pricks in the clear coat but perhaps 1 per rim, not that you'd see them unless you were looking for them. (just being super critical so I did not mention it in my email) The backside clearly states, 'not original equipment' and upon speaking to the distributor, they are not blem's, they are new replicas.

Here are pictures of one of the blemishes. (second thought, blem #1 is so minor that I can't take a picture without special lighting...)

Am I too unreasonable to detect this amount of a blemish?

Ken

Edited October 1, 2009 by racerken

[racerken]

It took 2 phone calls but I was able to reach a support person, James, who is email savy, in that he quickly viewed my pictures that I emailed him and agreed that this was a blemish. He is now making arrangements to swap the wheel out at zero cost. So far so good.

Edited October 1, 2009 by racerken

[racerken]

Update: My replacement rim arrived on Wednesday and it is perfect. They also included a UPS return label. Once they receive my blemished rim, they are to refund the replacement rim cost, i.e., I had to purchase 1 rim and once they receive my blemished rim, they credit my credit car. Hopefully I'll hear from the next week.

Thus far, this company does stand behind their products and their service ranks high (so far). Again, I just need my refund for the 1 rim.

BTW, the service group has very good email processing in that they respond in minutes or even while they are on the call with you.

Ken

My next task is to get TPMS' for the rims. I'm thinking of Belle Tires at $79/ea.

[racerken]

All,

This company is legit (good customer service) as they properly credited my account for the blemished rim and shipping.

[khuramkhan]

I am looking to buy a set of winter rims from wheels and caps. So far so go?

Edited November 3, 2010 by khuramkhan