$300 Rim vs $1300 Rim

[3Putt]

Been looking at 19"s and there is a huge price range to choose from.

What are the benefits of an expensive rim?

What do you get for the extra $4000 ($1000 per corner)?

So far I have been able to learn you get the following -

1. Same strength but lighter - performance, economic benefits.
2. Forged vs cast - Higher quality / lower tolerance build / stronger.
3. Overall quality - I'm told if they were side by side you could pick the $1300 one every time.

So far i'm thinking it's not worth the extra money - I've been able to learn that all wheels sold in Australia have to be of a particular build / balance / strength quality. Effectively, there is no such thing as a 'rubbish' wheel. A $300 dollar wheel will still be of acceptable quality. It will just weigh more, and may not look as good (if viewed next to a $1300 wheel).

Anyone disagree?

[fuzion]

i definitely disagree with you.

a lower quality wheel will have a worse finish and visually wont look as perfect and 'expensive' if you would say then a an expensive wheel like dpe, bbs, volk racing etc.

its down to your money, and what you accept is "good".. IMO definately buy a mid range wheel about $350-550 a wheel (minus tyre) as you will definately be a lot happier with the quality, detail and metal used.

you cant compare a tempe copy wheel, to a genuine bbs wheel. its just not the same thing.

the look of your euro car, can be broke down by nasty cheap wheels very easily.

just my 2 psi!

[KI11Z]

u gotta pay to play my friend and if you want to make an impression on people you need nice rims if anything else! having a set of wheels that everyone has or could get just doesnt seem to have the same effect as ball tingling set Just comes down as to how serious u are and how far ur wallet can stretch, if u dont wanna pay it, dont . . . these standards u talk of im not sure how good they are as there have been news articles about cheap wheels cracking! i wouldnt chance that on ma dub nor do i want the wheels finish to fade away . . .

[VW Convert]

All cars sold in Australia must meet certain standards but that does not mean they are all equal. What you have to seek is the best quality at the most reasonable price, it's usually a case of you get what you pay for.

You bought a premium car, why would you not buy premium wheels?

My 2 cents.

Cheers

George

[Mischa]

a 1300$ forged wheel is way stronger than a 300 crappily manufactured cast wheel. not to mention weight, looks etc.

why not just keep a look out on ebay? theres a set of BBS LM's ( THE best wheels money can buy, forged multi peice construction made from magnesium alloy ) on there right now that will fit to a passat with wobble bolts.

[OilBurna]

wobble bolts?

[Jarred]

wobble bolts?

Learn here:

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=19872&highlight=wobble+bolts

[Mischa]

wobble bolts?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adWfw2a-U6M

purchase from www.raderwerks.com
they're TUV approved. basically lets you fit 5x114.3 (or 5x 4 1/2") wheels to 5x112 cars.

[3Putt]

OK, thanks for the input guys - finally some activity on this forum - was beginning to think Lance B and me were the only Passat owners out there.

So a $1300 wheel is better than a $300 wheel. But is it $1000 better?

Time will tell, because I've ordered these...

http://www.wheeldemon.com.au/wheels?id=20&task=detail&wheel=crypt

Only $310 each, so they're on the cheap side. Would have loved to have gone a bit higher - $500 - but that would never have been passed thru the 'upper house', and i didn't come across anything in that price range anyway.

Also, would have loved to have had a scour on Ebay, but just didn't have time, because the car's being fixed at a smash repairer (don't ask) and they want it outta there.

Will post some pics / experiences.. fingers crossed... hope they don't crack!

[XXX-1.8T]

poor Passat

[Lance B]

[QUOTE=3Putt;207946]OK, thanks for the input guys - finally some activity on this forum - was beginning to think Lance B and me were the only Passat owners out there.

So a $1300 wheel is better than a $300 wheel. But is it $1000 better?[QUOTE]

Depends on how much money you have.

Time will tell, because I've ordered these...

http://www.wheeldemon.com.au/wheels?...il&wheel=crypt

They look nice.

Only $310 each, so they're on the cheap side. Would have loved to have gone a bit higher - $500 - but that would never have been passed thru the 'upper house',

You mean the finance department at home.

and i didn't come across anything in that price range anyway.

Also, would have loved to have had a scour on Ebay, but just didn't have time, because the car's being fixed at a smash repairer (don't ask) and they want it outta there.

Will post some pics / experiences.. fingers crossed... hope they don't crack!

I'm sure they'll be fine.

[Golf Houso]

They won't crack, I even have cheapo Sportmax rims Taiwanese made cast rims. I drove into a gutter at speed, filled them in with spot putty and resprayed them black. Got them rebalanced and they run fine with no wobbles at all. And even if you had a problem with them they too have a warranty period and sell tens of thousands around the world.

Are the $1300 wheels $1000 better than the $300? No most definately not, most of that cost is high labour costs and transport. And I am still as of yet to see someone on here who has bought a set of BBS/Volk etc new regardless, they've all been 2nd hand wheels which needed some work to fit.

Wasn't there some poor guy on here whose BBS rims off his Passat decides to separate from the center and split in two?

[VWEAPN]

the guys with the expensive wheels will always say expensive is better & the ones with the replicas/cheapo wheels will always say go cheapo.

i think you raised a very good point. ' are they $1000 better ' in my opinion 'no'

i have a friend that purchased a set of 20" chromies for $2000. from close-up they had a few minor imperctions. if he went out and purchased the 'better brand' which would be about $4000. im sure looking at the wheels from a distance you wouldnt notice the difference. are they $2000 better?

there is no right answer. if your on a budget id go for the cheaper wheel. if you have the money to throw away, then go for the original wheel.

personally id rather spend my money on something else than get the more expensive wheels

[fuzion]

poor Passat

i concur..

[3Putt]

So the panel is Divided!

Good to hear some positive things about the budget product.

Will have some photos up by the end of next week.

So how much firmer will the ride be going from 18"s to 19"s? Keep in mind that the car is lowered a bit (apparently), only 25mm though.

Anyone with 19"s care to comment on the ride quality?