Hey does anyone have experience with these replica wheels? Pricing seems to good to be true?

I know the OEM wheels have a funnel curviture to enhance the Venturi effect for cooling the brakes. Not sure these have it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/19-Po...item2c4d948135

thanks!

 

They are replica's you are better off spending a little more and buying a set of take offs from either eBay or the classified section of this site.

 

skip the replicas and contact wheel enhancement (they're a sponsor of this site). great customer service and competitive prices. They'll also buy your old wheels off of you.

 

Just wanted to let you know I have for sale a set of Porsche OEM 19" Carrera Classic's w/Michelin PS2. Widebody fitment. Mint condition. pm for details or link to classified

 

Yes, I have these rims and I won't try to sell you on an alternative set at 5xs the cost ___ Hardly " a little more " and based on my experience, just as good.

I spent the better part of a week researching them. Spoke with 3 employees from the distributor and in the end bought them. I couldn't be happier.

They are true to form replicas for the OEM Carrera Sports in 8.5 and 11.5 config. ET55 and ET67 respectively. They weighed in at 25lbs in the front and 30lbs in the rear. ( The OEM XRRs are in at 24.2 and 29.4lbs )

They're pressure cast and balanced perfectly on my Bridgestone RE050As. The fit and finish are excellent. They are made in China and although there are many who will dismiss China's manufacturing credibility, one needs to recognize a majority of wheels made are now being supplied to US/European and Asian marques by Chinese builders.

http://www.reportlinker.com/p0135888...l?request=news

I've had these for over a year and put near 14,000 miles on them--- including 2 DEs with top speeds of 135mph at VIR. Not one issue.

Was at the dealer a few weeks back and parked next to a 997 with the OEM CSports. I asked a tech AND a sales rep to find any differences. Neither could find any. To a discerning eye...the rim width and offset stamps near the valve stem are a slightly different in size and font.

Best $700 spent on my 997 so far. For this price, I could bend/curb rash 5 sets before I'd reach the price of OEM.

Don't knock 'em till you try 'em and in the meantime, let the "so called experts" burn their opinions and $$$ elsewhere.

 

I agree with NorthVan. If you are not in a rush to look around for OEM. Replicas may look the same, but they are made by "casting". OEMs are "forged" and are way stronger. Plus I don't know if it may affect your handling having one different rim.

 

+1. Not all the OEM's are forged. Some are cast I have been told. Depends on which model you have. Meanwhile, I'm glad you're happy with your replicas, Hattrick, but the differences between good, mediocre and poor castings are not recognizable visually. A Mk I Eyeball is not the instrument you need.

Only serious trash is visibly different from a top quality piece. I don't feel like a lecture on metallurgy tonight, so I'll just endorse the others: buy Porsche or name brands certified to meet the Porsche spec's.

 

P.S. When it seems too good to be true, it is. Axiom 17 of negotiating.

 

yes, i bought my 19" carrera classics from this same company. I love them and have had no problems with them, or even the painting (i bought them in matte black). I put about 4k miles on the car since i bought them and not a paint chip or anything yet. They were very friendly and customer service was very prompt as well. Good luck if you decide to take them!

 

I don't know anything about your specific wheels but I do know that there are a lot of junk wheels made which look pretty . The way you find out is to learn about how rigorously they have been tested because in the worst case scenario the center can break .

The car itself comes with OEM wheels which cost nothing and are safe enough but if you are planning to spend money to upgrade then at least buy a product that's worthy of performance and safety confidence. There are GREAT aftermarket wheels out there too and many of them are on the cars driven by forum members .

Be selective and opt for quality --that's my opinion . Otherwise remain stock .

 

+1. Well said.

 

Has it occured to anyone that the OEM's and the so called "name brands" are WAY over priced? Nothing against the HRE's of the world, after all, I run a set of Champion wheels. The high-end wheels are very nice and have their differences. However, the quality gap between the replicas and "high-end" wheels that are used in practical applications have narrowed significantly in recent years. I just hate the fact that most of the things we buy for our beloved toys are levied a dumb tax, simply because of the badge on the hood.

 

Great arguement, however take a look at how some wheels are able to get the price down. They don't spend any money on R&D and design, the simply copy someone else's work. They are likely to use inferior materials, perhaps more filler components in the aluminum mix that will weaken the wheels. They will also use a lower paid work force (less train, less understanding of what needs to be done to maintain a quality job, then there is likely a limited or no after purchase support. I am surprised that anyone driving a Porsche would question paying for quality or even the perception of quality.

 

The concern about the 'pro-replica' wheel is the effect of risk. I strongly suspect that in normal use, the probability of failure is extremely low. But the effect of failure could be extremely high. Unlike replica parts for aero aids, interior mods, even some engine pieces, these are parts of the car that directly affect the safety margins of the car and driver. Tires, wheels and brakes are all parts that should remain the highest quality and conclusively conform to procedural and user testing.
You've purchased a car that is capable of performance dynamics far beyond most others. I would avert any significant risk of a weak link.

 

Everyone thanks for all the great advice and good luck and safe driving!