Aftermarket Alloy Wheels

[Lucas_R]

Anyone heard of or used Inforged wheels? I really like the design of their IFG39 wheel in silver IFG39 | alloy wheels,car wheels,rims,car rims,mag wheels,custom wheels .

The Mk7 GTI PP I recently purchased has 3x badly rashed wheels (which formed part of the negotiation process), and I was going to get them refurbished - but the price I got for the refurb range between $300-350 per rim. At that price, I may as well buy new rims which have a better offset and are a design I actually like.

So with a price of around $400-500 per rim, in a 19x8.5 size and a clean and simple spoke design - what can be recommended? I do not like black wheels, and want to stay away from machined wheels - so painted silver or grey wheels please.

Other styles I like:
Rotiform KPS ROTIFORM KPS 19X8.5 5X112 SILVER - WHEEL - East Coast Tyre & Auto
Koya SF11 SF11 19″ 20″ Semi Forged (Custom-Fit) - Koya Wheels
Niche Targa NICHE TARGA 19X8.5 5X112 MATTE GUN METAL - WHEEL - East Coast Tyre & Auto

[Trentm]

I went Rotiform SPF, 1lb lighter than KPS.

[Golf R 2020]

OEM is fine unless you're looking to drop some weight for a performance application (although very few look any good these days.. but I appreciate that is subjective)...

I totally agree that most of the VW OEM wheels are not the best looking. The only ones I like at all are maybe the Pretorias, so I'm thinking of changing to those. (Currently have the Spielbergs which look a bit silly to me. I'm hoping they'll grow on me, but so far they haven't)

I contacted VW a while ago and was quoted about $400 a wheel for the 18" Pretorias, and $2000+ per wheel for the 19".

Has anyone switched to the 18" Pretorias? How do they look? I can't find any photos anywhere. Only 19".

I'd like to stick to OEM wheels.

I dislike the Spielbergs so much, I might be crazy enough to fork out for the 19", but only as a last resort at that price. Anyone know if I could get these locally, or the best way to get them?

[Dutch77]

Anyone heard of or used Inforged wheels? I really like the design of their IFG39 wheel in silver IFG39 | alloy wheels,car wheels,rims,car rims,mag wheels,custom wheels .

The Mk7 GTI PP I recently purchased has 3x badly rashed wheels (which formed part of the negotiation process), and I was going to get them refurbished - but the price I got for the refurb range between $300-350 per rim. At that price, I may as well buy new rims which have a better offset and are a design I actually like.

So with a price of around $400-500 per rim, in a 19x8.5 size and a clean and simple spoke design - what can be recommended? I do not like black wheels, and want to stay away from machined wheels - so painted silver or grey wheels please.

Other styles I like:
Rotiform KPS ROTIFORM KPS 19X8.5 5X112 SILVER - WHEEL - East Coast Tyre & Auto
Koya SF11 SF11 19″ 20″ Semi Forged (Custom-Fit) - Koya Wheels
Niche Targa NICHE TARGA 19X8.5 5X112 MATTE GUN METAL - WHEEL - East Coast Tyre & Auto

Haven't seen the InForged - but they're sitting on the oxwheels site which I always saw as trying to make a weak attempt at playing on the OZ logo.

I know the Rotiforms aren't light but definitely have got a good rep for strength and finish, Koya seems to pop up a bit more these days. I always thought Enkei were a great price/quality point, but not sure what they do in 19 and whether it still comes in on budget.

I'd say Neuspeed but unfortunately between freight, the exchange rate and local distribution they've ended up being quite an overpriced wheel locally.

[Dutch77]

I totally agree that most of the VW OEM wheels are not the best looking. The only ones I like at all are maybe the Pretorias, so I'm thinking of changing to those. (Currently have the Spielbergs which look a bit silly to me. I'm hoping they'll grow on me, but so far they haven't)

I contacted VW a while ago and was quoted about $400 a wheel for the 18" Pretorias, and $2000+ per wheel for the 19".

Has anyone switched to the 18" Pretorias? How do they look? I can't find any photos anywhere. Only 19".

I'd like to stick to OEM wheels.

I dislike the Spielbergs so much, I might be crazy enough to fork out for the 19", but only as a last resort at that price. Anyone know if I could get these locally, or the best way to get them?

You're only partly crazy.

The 18" are only cast, but if you want the design/keep OEM/happy to drop to 18" which itself is not a bad thing then it might still be an option. They're a common option (and dodgy non-OEM copy for winter wheels) overseas so there will be examples in the Mk7 wheel thread or overseas forums/google.

The 19" are forged but stupidly priced whether from the dealer or the second hand market (do not pay $3k for a second hand set). ECS Tuning does a set for probably $5-5.5k new (AUD) - that's some serious coin that is better spent on a much better set of high end wheels whatever takes your fancy.

[Golf R 2020]

Ok, thanks. The 18" Pretorias with a good set of tyres might be an option. The ride might even be preferable. I just don't want to spoil the look of course.

I'll look into the 19" too though. You say the money would be "... better spent on a much better set of high end wheels" but I don't know enough about wheels to know what's high end and good quality and what's a cheap copy. That's why I feel safer with OEM.

And to be honest, I find it hard to even find many non-OEM wheels that suit the Golf R. I guess I'm too fussy, I don't know. I don't want it to look too boy-racer or busy - just a more classy set of sporty wheels. (BMW seem to do that stuff much better than Audi or VW... wheels I mean). The pretorias seem like the only ones that come close for me - either OEM or non-OEM. But of course, it's all subjective.

Any issues to consider with ordering from ECS Tuning? How long does their shipping take usually?

[bor1203]

Ok, thanks. The 18" Pretorias with a good set of tyres might be an option. The ride might even be preferable. I just don't want to spoil the look of course.

I'll look into the 19" too though. You say the money would be "... better spent on a much better set of high end wheels" but I don't know enough about wheels to know what's high end and good quality and what's a cheap copy. That's why I feel safer with OEM.

And to be honest, I find it hard to even find many non-OEM wheels that suit the Golf R. I guess I'm too fussy, I don't know. I don't want it to look too boy-racer or busy - just a more classy set of sporty wheels. (BMW seem to do that stuff much better than Audi or VW... wheels I mean). The pretorias seem like the only ones that come close for me - either OEM or non-OEM. But of course, it's all subjective.

Any issues to consider with ordering from ECS Tuning? How long does their shipping take usually?

I haven’t bought from ECS myself, but I did buy something bulky from the US recently. You should look into using Planet Express, a freight forwarding company for much cheaper shipping. They quoted $US230 for a set of wheels with Fedex 4-7 days

Still trying to decide which Neuspeed wheels I like best


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[tigger73]

I haven’t bought from ECS myself, but I did buy something bulky from the US recently. You should look into using Planet Express, a freight forwarding company for much cheaper shipping. They quoted $US230 for a set of wheels with Fedex 4-7 days

Just factor in that you'll likely be up for 10% GST on the import as well...

[bor1203]

Aftermarket Alloy Wheels

Just factor in that you'll likely be up for 10% GST on the import as well...

Yep for sure.

However even still, by my calculations there is a $1100 gap to cover GST and import duties with the price from the sole Australian Neuspeed distributor

$1,900 for the wheels including shipping (US$1,382) vs $3,025


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[Dutch77]

Ok, thanks. The 18" Pretorias with a good set of tyres might be an option. The ride might even be preferable. I just don't want to spoil the look of course.

I'll look into the 19" too though. You say the money would be "... better spent on a much better set of high end wheels" but I don't know enough about wheels to know what's high end and good quality and what's a cheap copy. That's why I feel safer with OEM.

And to be honest, I find it hard to even find many non-OEM wheels that suit the Golf R. I guess I'm too fussy, I don't know. I don't want it to look too boy-racer or busy - just a more classy set of sporty wheels. (BMW seem to do that stuff much better than Audi or VW... wheels I mean). The pretorias seem like the only ones that come close for me - either OEM or non-OEM. But of course, it's all subjective.

Any issues to consider with ordering from ECS Tuning? How long does their shipping take usually?

If you want something strong and classy then the BBS CH-R is a classic that really suits the Golf IMO - but yes, looks are subjective.

I'm biased but I'd also say OZ Leggera HLT is neat - silver/grey or gloss black depending on car colour and your own preference.

Neuspeeds are very popular Stateside as they have a great rep these days, light but strong, and are mostly designed to even take the VW cap to complete an OEM look. As bor1203 says though - look at the best way to buy them as there seems to be a real disconnect between buying from the USA vs. locally.

I will say one advantage going local when you consider the pricing is 'close' is the benefit of having a local contact/warranty for any issues on delivery like a chip etc. It is a painful exercise if that occurs with an overseas order. However what I consider as 'close' may be different to others.

[Golf R 2020]

Ok thanks, some of those don't look too bad. I probably still slightly prefer the Pretorias, but the price for the 19" is insane.

Regarding import prices from the USA, is there just a 10% GST charge only? Or is there also an import duty on top of that?

e.g if ECS Tuning are quoting say $3,000 (I assume USD), what would be the total cost including all taxes and import costs?

[Dutch77]

Don't quote me but you'd also have customs duty of ~5% plus some miscellaneous charges.

Back when I was looking to do it a rough rule of thumb was to add another 16% on top to estimate those costs - as duty is usually assessed against the goods value, while GST is normally assessed against goods plus duty plus freight/insurance.

The knockout back then was often the exorbitant freight but that has become cheaper over time through freight forwarders etc.

[brad]

I'm worried about the aftermarket alloys being heavier and/or brittle.

You won't get much heavier than OEM unless it is a really rubbish aftermarket wheel.

[kakao]

You won't get much heavier than OEM unless it is a really rubbish aftermarket wheel.

Any views on Tempe Tyres wheels at all, quality vise ... some of the Lenso designs are quite nice.