Another wheel help thread

[tgrandahl]

Im looking for some wheel advice and after looking through the archives i understand why these 18" deep dish knock offs might not be the best idea.

EBAY
(http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/18-ADR-WHEELS-RIMS-BMW-525-528-530-540-740-745-750-M5_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43958QQihZ007QQitemZ 170134140496QQtcZphoto)
But i have come along another set that seem like a middle ground, does such a thing exist in the wheel world? They claim Rondell and it seems like the truth for the slightly higher price. Although the offset of 13mm is a little out of range, opinions on rubbing? will this huge 2mm gap be necessary for a wider wheel?

MORE EBAY (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280137281651&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=018)

A few others got my attention as well, so basically my question is how much of a difference is there between a knock off / OE replica and what im looking at. I would love a set of Hamanns but right now this cars long term future is clouded. I intend it to be purely a summer car and although i live in the north east i think i can deal with the 18" responsibilities. I already have a H&R sport drop and knoi adjustable on it so perhaps they can help counter some of the affects. Its going to be driven daily but mostly just highway and a little city, i know the roads already and think it will be worth it.

So i am looking for advice from past wheel purchases and hoping not to end up with this (claimed to be ADR) (http://www.geocities.com/lily717186/rimpics.html?1000182149950).

~Tyler

[Paul in NZ]

the main difference between the real thing and knock offs is the weight.15mm offset may be allright.My17x 81/2 rims have a 15 mm offset and i have no rubbing with 235/45 tyres

[Macv]

(claimed to be ADR)

Ouch!

[Ferret]

Ouch!

Holy Crap Batman!

[tgrandahl]

the main difference between the real thing and knock offs is the weight.15mm offset may be allright.My17x 81/2 rims have a 15 mm offset and i have no rubbing with 235/45 tyres

Is that it? I would think there HAS to be some big differences in build quality control. I mean it takes more than just B-Stock to knock 50% off something. How have peoples experiences been with the finishes on Roundell and ADR wheels and the likes?

Right now i feel like i am sitting on the 18"RONDELL#81 2PC wheels but in the description it says "FINISH: Sparkle silver with functional rivets" first of all thats not much description for the layers of finish, and i feel the rivets holding my wheels together should not be considered part of the finish. What type of material are the rivets most likely? they certainly don't look stainless so will they rust with time and wear?

Also forgive me if this is a bit of a newb question. But they state the construction is cast, when i look at the picture it looks like rim was forged and the seconds piece was cast. It would appear that it would be impossible to totally forge a wheel like this, so because of the two piece construction would it be considered both?

http://www.thewheelexchange.com/auctions/rondell/images/18_81_bmw_drama.jpg

[Macv]

How have peoples experiences been with the finishes on Roundell and ADR wheels and the likes?


The finish on my Rondell 58's was gorgeous out of the box. They felt like they were waxed, and the dirt just falls off. I've had them on for close to a year now and they could use a refinish, though. HOWEVER, the only scratches they have are from my BMW logo'd valve stem caps. Apparently when driving they fly around and scratch the crap out of the lip.

Overall.... LOVE my Rondells. Wouldn't change.

[tgrandahl]

The finish on my Rondell 58's was gorgeous out of the box. They felt like they were waxed, and the dirt just falls off. I've had them on for close to a year now and they could use a refinish, though. HOWEVER, the only scratches they have are from my BMW logo'd valve stem caps. Apparently when driving they fly around and scratch the crap out of the lip.

Overall.... LOVE my Rondells. Wouldn't change.

Interesting, have you looked into how much it would cost to get them refinished? I would think it could get expensive when you have to take apart the wheel im assuming and then pay for all the powder coating. I know no finish will last forever, the coating on my BBS baskets is starting to wear through, but that took 15 years... What do you mean it needs a refinish, does it not shine like new anymore or is the finish damaged?

[Macv]

Oh no no .... it doesn't need refinished at all. Thats just me being anal about a couple scratches. The finish (after a wash) is as clear and beautiful as the day I pulled them from the box.

As for how much to refinish them? I wouldn't know. I'd probably make it a project and do it myself. But again... they don't need it. I'm guessing they'll probably outlast the life of my car. :D

Sorry to mislead you in my previous post.

[tgrandahl]

hmm style #58 is really what i originally set out looking for. You sig picture looks like the rear have a serious lip, what size are they and where did you get them? I feel like $900 is a little cheep for a two piece, perhaps if they weren't rivets.

[Macv]

Rondell 58's are single piece wheels without rivets. I have 17x8.5 fronts and 17x10 rears. The fronts have about 2 inches of lip and the rears with around 3 inches. You can now get them in 18" - 8.5 front 10 rear.

http://www.thewheelexchange.com/products/wheels/brand/new_rondell/images/rondell_58_17x10_01.gif

You can get them from eBay or thewheelexchange.com I got mine for around 850 from thewheelexchange.com.

[repenttokyo]

does anyone have the exact weight difference betweeen bmw m parallels and copies?

[scott540]

Tgrandal, here's a pic of the same wheels Macv is talking about. I have the same sizes. The first pic shows the huge lip on the 10" rears

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/scott540/136-3683_IMG.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v25/scott540/136-3619_IMG.jpg