To Chinese or not, that is the question.
 

My bubble has popped, I think.

I want to change my 17” wheels for 18” three piece style with a deep lip. This link is exactly what I’m looking for. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=015&sspagename=STRK%3AME WA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=250229080513&rd=1

I got excited about the price ($600 to $900 each) until I learned they were Chinese. Should I be worried about Chinese after market wheels?

I talked with the guys at GMG Racing. http://www.gmgracing.com/porsche_wheels.shtml
They were asking $1400 each for a custom wheel.

I can just hear my wife now. “What’s wrong with the wheels you have now? They work just fine, besides you promised me we would go back to Italy”

I’ve looked everywhere including our host’s site but no luck.
Yea I know, looks like a 4x4. I will lower it but got to get the wheels first.

As always your advice is greatly appreciated.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1207959216.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1207959283.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/wat.gif

as long as you realize you are NOT buying three piece wheels on the ebay add, Kevin

Whats up with the rear wheel? its not centered or are my eyes tricking me again, I am getting old..

I would stay away from the Chinese aftermarket stuff for about 10 years. Their quality, and perception of quality are not quite what you would expect. There are industries where it is all Chinese (PC, Laptops) and they are excellent. There are industries that are not there yet. Automotive supplies is one of those industries where they are not there yet.

Just beware of the lead paint. :D

I wouldn't touch 'em with an 11-foot pole.

+1

But it says "3 piece style"... :rolleyes: (And the seller is even giving buyers the courtesy of only charging $100 for local pick-up...) :rolleyes: squared

you get what you pay for...

GMG doesn't make wheels. CCW does: http://www.ccwheel.com/files/home.php

About $3600/set.

Would not buy a part this important to the safety of my car and my life from China for any price.

My biggest concern has been with the 'alloy' of metal they use. Ever wonder what happens with the tin/ metal that we drop into our recycling boxes? Look no further. Stick with hi grade metal.

This is why I won't touch 'em with an 11-foot pole:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeADBRw9xCo

That was because of the wheels?

I think the lug nuts specifically. I've read different versions. It speaks to the point of improper metallurgy though.

there was a thread talked about this. It wasn't because of the wheels. It was someone forgot to torque the lugs/nuts.

I don't really like the center pice style but I do like the lip size. There are many people I know use these ebay/cheap wheels and they are fine. In fact some guys run them for several years already. Yes, I know they are not what most of us expected but I have not heard anyone has problem with them on the street. Why didn't I get them sicne they are so cheap and many has nice looking style? Because they are heavier, and I have to run big spacers, on top of the weight) for my old 911. For yours, you might not.
Good luck with your choice.

I'd heard it was poor alloy control in the lug nuts, but I suppose it's possible that it was improper torque (or a combination of both). Here's one of the comments from the YouTube blog (take it for what it's worth):

- - - - -

xevious2501 (2 months ago)
wasnt the lugs being tightend it was the aftermarket lugs AND Studs that failed. (the metal shattered)the metal was seriously cheap, and being aftermarket probably came from china. you can see the wheels hold until alota force is applied in the turns. Also you snaped studs and nuts split in half. Yeah it sucks. but it happens.

- - - - -

If the wheels weren't torqued down properly I could see it POSSIBLY creating a failure even with full-strength steel studs & lugs (anything's possible I suppose), but in this case it sounds more plausible explanation that it was crappy metallurgy. Many years ago (in my teen years) I remember changing a tire on my car and subsequently drove it for two full days with the lugs only spun on hand tight (I was dumb and forgot to go back and tighten them down). Very stupid, but none of the lugs snapped (I did lose one lug nut somewhere along the way though). Granted I hadn't been auto-x-ing the car or anything (thank goodness) but it goes to my point that lugs are capable of taking a fair amount of abuse - or they're supposed to be, assuming the proper composition is present (and yes, I am very careful about proper torquing anytime I screw around with wheels nowadays - lesson learned).

Composition/alloy quality control is not an especially strong point of Chinese manufacturing. Lots of documented failures on bolts, rail wheels, etc. Google it. I don't trust their stuff for applications like this. Computer cases? Stuff like that? Okay fine. Wheels on my car that can fail and kill me and my family? Umm, no. I'll pass on that thanks.

I'm not saying a total bonehead mistake like forgetting to tighten the lugs on ALL FOUR wheels right before an auto-x run can't happen, but seems odd. If it was cheapy aftermarket wheels/lugs/nuts, I'd say that was a time bomb, especially when things get really loaded up like on an auto-x course.

In any event, I wouldn't put those wheels on my car. I've had a couple of tire failures. Those can be hair-raising enough. I imagine if it was the wheel itself (not just the tire) it could get mighty exciting in a hurry.

Like with all things you get what you pay for. However. I would not discount an after market part just because it is made in China. I have worked for many years in China, and have noticed a huge increase in the quality of some Chinese made goods. I think many would be surprised at who some of the Chinese companies are making parts for, and not just little accessories, but many engine, drive train, brake and suspension components are made in China. I don't disagree there are some issues with Chinese made goods in an effort to save money, but as consumers we need to take some of that responsibility, as we all want the lowest price possible. In many cases the average consumer is not willing to pay the higher price for a domestically made product. Sorry, I will get off my soap box now. Just wanted to share an opinion.

Simultaneous failure of all wheel studs and/or lug nuts would have to be due to the highest level of quality control (same exact metal fatigue life - down to the second). Assuming 4 studs/wheel, that would either be 16 studs and/or 16 lug nuts or the exact combination expiring at the same time. What are the odds?

I vote for some numb nut failing to tighten the lug nuts. He's probably Chinese though which explains it. :)

BTW, most products are manufactured to a specified set of engineering/design specs. If an international company creates the specs, then has a critical item manufactured in China or the US w/o oversight, I'd think the blame is at least shared. For many/most consumer products, the manufacturing company relies on the build specs provided by the client; AKA garbage in, garbage out.

Sherwood