Let my preference this by saying I have a set of aftermarket wheels from a "boutique" tuner. They are modular forged aluminum, hence the centers are bolted to the barrels. About 18 months ago I had to send all four back to the manufacturer because a number of the bolts had rusted (titanium bolts?). The manufacturer took two months rebuilding the rims. I put them back on the car about a year ago and drove around 10,000 miles before switching over to my winter set up. I put these wheels back on again the second week in April. I have probably driven 800 miles since then. The wheels in question have never been tracked. And I don't drive in the city. I don't drive over potholes.

Last night when pulling the car in the garage I get a flat tire warning. I pull out and see the pressure is 33 psi and I fill up the left rear to 37. Put the car away and have a sleepless night thinking that I have a nail or screw in my two week old Michelin PSS.

This morning I get up and check the pressure. 11 psi. I fill the tire again and I take the wheel off the car to look for the leak. Don't see anything obvious. I make up a soapy water solution and pour it over the tire looking for bubbles. Nothing obvious. I spill a little water inside the barrel and I see bubbles. Lots of bubbles. I look closer and I see that part of the flange on the barrel is missing. Air is leaking from there plus around a few other bolts that hold the wheel together. Needless to say I am mortified.

My question is, do I go back to the manufacturer and buy a new barrel? Do I go with BBS CH-Rs? If I go the BBS route what do I do with these wheels? They were $1,500 each.

Appreciate any thoughts.

Thanks

 

A pic

 

After sleeping on it, I have decided to go the BBS CH-R route.

Does anyone know if these wheels will work with spacers? Is the offset the same as OEM? The aftermarket wheels that I had were built to bring the rim right to the fender line. The OEM wheels are tucked in a bit and I am not thrilled with that look.

Again, thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

i would have gone back to the manufact. but anyway, for fitment, look on the interwebs for a wheel calc (tire rack has one i think). will tell you all you need to know.

 

i read crack er barrel.

 

I have CH-Rs that do not have factory offsets (I think 53 and 56?), they're pretty flush with the fender well. Pretty much as flush as you can get with zero rubbing. You could always add spacers if you want to push further.

 

Thanks for the feedback! I have a call into my dealer to get their opinion. Of course while I am on their website I see that they have a nice "S" for sale. This might get very expensive.

 

To add a couple of thoughts lacrosse:
Those multi piece wheels can leak. If the tire is dismounted, it's possible the wheel could be sealed and the leak solved.
Virtue of those multi piece "forged" wheels is usually that the centers are forged, but the barrels are cast. This applies to even the high end HRE wheels. Barrels bend like butter.

 

Thanks! That is a good suggestion.

I will check with the guys at Martino Auto Concepts (fairly local and a board sponsor). They have really helped in the past with other issues.

 

Thanks to Damon at Tire Rack I received my BBS CH-Rs on Friday. I had them mounted by Saturday afternoon.

I weighed the CH-Rs and the Vorsteiners. The CH-Rs are about 4 pounds a wheel lighter.

Love the look.

Thanks to all that chimed in and to Damon for his help!