Another Fuchs topic...

Dtchy · 12-14-2005, 11:02 PM

Hi all,

I just can't decide what to do with my wheels. I have an 86 944na with 15" PD wheels. I want a different look, but do not want spacers.
I saw this ad on fleabay with a company advertising for replica Fuchs wheels for my car. 16x7 and 8 wheels, which looks awesome I think with the deep dish of the 8's. BUT...it's replica rims and I'd rather have the real thing. However they're unaffordable in that size...at least for me.
I could also polish my PD's and paint the inside black to get that Fuchs look, that's the cheapest way. I love the look of the 16"'s though.

What would you guys recommend? In order of price...

1. Paint the PD's and polish the rim
2. Buy replica Fuchs 16x7 and 16x8
3. Buy Porsche 16" Fuchs in 6 & 7's

I hate to start another wheels topic, but I have a hard time deciding...

rudidelange · 12-14-2005, 11:21 PM

If money dictates buy the replicas, never paint the PD's

Eldorado · 12-15-2005, 12:20 AM

i agree.. replicas...
the average person on the street cant tell... and they're not bad looking....

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Replicas suck. Stay stock.

Dantilla · 12-15-2005, 09:02 AM

If you do not plan on taking your car to the track, #2. Just know that most replica Fuchs do not stand up to track duty well.

mitsumark · 12-15-2005, 09:33 AM

This subject seems to pop up every couple of months..Everytime someone happens to ask about Fuch replicas,someone always says"oh,they dont hold up well,or they bust out that one and only pic of the shattered Fuch replica floating around the net.Incase some of you never heard of factory rims breaking,it happens all the time..I hit a pothole in my wifes 03 Maxima last year and busted the 17" rim in half..Also broke a 16" factory Pontiac rim on my GTP..As far as the replicas on a track,I cant say as I do the 1/4 mile thing with my Conquest and GTP..When I do drive my 944 on the street,I tend to drive it hard around corners and such being it handles so well.Done a little parking lot cone racing,ect..Ive never had a problem..Why do I say this??Because my Fuchs are REPLICAS!!! Ok the cat is outta the bag..Ive had em on for almost 2 years now without incident and have all the confidence in the world driving on them..To be honest,in certain areas the casting seems to look much stronger than the originals.Only downside is they are a tad heavier.If the price is right,go for the replicas..Leave the overpriced originals to the rich 911 folks..

pokey · 12-15-2005, 10:11 AM

The original Fuchs are forged, the replicas cast. Therefore the real ones will be considerably stronger and lighter. I say run what you like/can afford.

Dtchy · 12-15-2005, 10:13 AM

Thanks guys!!!

OK, replica's it will be! I won't do many track days anyways.
Maybe if I win the lottery in 2006 I'll buy myself some nice 16" REAL Fuchs wheel...

@ Mitsumark: Great rims!!!

mitsumark · 11:25 AM

You shouldnt have any worries,even if the car is tracked on a daily basis..Any wheel being sold to go on passenger vehicle has to go through a mandatory procedure called a crush test..This is where they put the rim into a machine and apply massive amounts of pressure on it until it crushes.That is how they determine the strength of the rim.I worked in a warehouse a few years back that made wheels for GM and have first hand experience on it..When rims fail,99% of the time its because the rim has what is called "perocity"in it.That means there are tiny microscopic air pockets inside the rim that came from the manufacturer who made it.It weakens the rim substantially.All rims factory and replica have "perocity in them..Problem is only the prototype is tested,not every single rim so some have more than others.The ones with more will be the ones that fail..Point Im trying to make is if you abuse something enough it can fail at any time.The chances of breaking one of these replicas on a road course or autocross is slim to none.A failure is more prone to happen from hitting something very hard..Same goes for a genuine Porsche rim.Sorry about the rant

VINMAN · 12-15-2005, 11:38 AM

Mark, I know i've said it before but everytime I see a pic of your car I gotta say it.
You have the nicest 944 I've ever seen.

mitsumark · 12-15-2005, 11:53 AM

Thanks Vin..Truth be told though..Its just another 944 other than the wheels,scoop,and valance..Ive seen nicer than mine(like Tifo's)..Thanks though

By the way,if there are ever any meets going on around here in NJ,hit me up..Id love to meet some of the fellas..

Eldorado · 12-15-2005, 12:51 PM

I've got authentics on my car... and i can vouch for them being extremely light.. i had no idea until i took the wheel off one day... insane..

Dantilla · 12-16-2005, 08:25 AM

My local PCA region will not allow replica Fuchs on the track.

As was stated, the originals were forged, the replicas are cast. Forged wheels will bend, while cast wheels tend to crack.

The replicas look great. No question there. And I race on Cookie Cutters, which are cast wheels, and hold up to racing duty. It must be that it is difficult to add enough cast material and keep the look of the original Fuchs correct.

Dantilla · 12-16-2005, 08:29 AM

Also- A couple of years ago I was able to tour the Fikse factory (they make nothing but forged wheels). The Fikse brothers said that the factory Fuchs were some of the strongest, yet lightest wheels ever made.

bulachip · 12-16-2005, 09:50 AM

mitsumark where did you get your replicas and how much were they?

mitsumark · 11:24 AM

I bought them off a guy in Cali..They came off a 930..The rear rim is actually 9"if you put a ruler across it,but it is stamped 16x8..I paid $400 for them plus shipping.I consider that an excellent price considering they are fully polished.

(quote)My local PCA region will not allow replica Fuchs on the track

That seems ridiculous to me as 95% of the wheels that are factory produced are cast not forged..Would it be any different if I showed up with American Racing wheels?Or better yet,would they allow me to run a set of authentic Fuchs that were cut in half and welded together like the ones that Lindsey sells?If they would,Id be alot more afraid of tracking wheels that were welded together than replicas.I know their not your rules,but they sound stupid and hypocritical to me. How do they determine weather the rim is an authentic Fuch at your PCA anyway?

Dtchy · 12-16-2005, 11:59 AM

Yes, sounds ridiculous IMHO...!!!

Well, if anybody has replica Fuchs for sale...LET ME KNOW!!!

mitsumark · 12-16-2005, 12:16 PM

They are on Ebay all the time..Type in Porsche 944 as a key word on Ebay motors..There are two different companies that make them.

VINMAN · 12-16-2005, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dantilla
My local PCA region will not allow replica Fuchs on the track.

Thats the most rediculous thing I've ever heard.

Dantilla · 12-17-2005, 10:33 AM

Please read the whole post! I race on cast wheels! With R-compound tires!

When I attended the "ground school" before my first DE we were told that replica Fuchs were not track worthy. I'm sure many have sneaked through, and survived just fine. What I remember is that forged Fuchs are strong enough to use very thin metal in places, that are just not adequate when a cast proccess is used to make the "same" wheel. Our reagion had some wheel failures. Probably wheels with extensive track time only.

If you would like, I can check with our current track tech staff and see if the policy remains in effect, or if replicas are officially okay.