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[mapleridge]

Hi All,

Given that my wheels were recently curbed by my sister and I want lighter wheels for my 2.5l n52. I have been looking over affordable rotary forged wheels. I am going to make a list and I ask that you add your experiences to this thread. For arguments sake, I will compare 18"x8.5 ET35 varieties. If there is nothing in that size then I will use something else.

Beyern Bavaria

Finish:? Weight:22lbs Load Rating: ?Durability:? Warranty: ? Hubcentric: Yes Price Range: $1100

Enkei Raijin

Finish: Painted (Poorly - Click Here) Weight: 21.5lbs Load Rating: 700kg Durability: ? Warranty: Limited Hubcentric: Yes Price Range: $900 (Sonic Tuning Has The Best Price)

Sportline CS.16

Finish: Powder Coated Weight: 19.8lbs Load Rating: 725kg Durability: ? Warranty: ? Hubcentric: Yes Price Range: $900

Apex EC7

Finish: Painted Weight: 20.10lbs Load Rating: 690kg or greater (certified) Durability: See Dave's post Warranty: 2 year Structure 1 year finish Hubcentric: Yes Price: $1200

Apex Arc8

Finish: Painted Weight: 18.45lbs Load Rating: 690kg or greater (certified) Durability: see david's post Warranty: 2 year structure 1 year finish Hubcentric: Yes Price: $1150

Forgestar F14
[IMG]http://www.**********s.com/zoom_img/_1236698036.jpg[/IMG]
Finish: ? Weight: 17.7lbs Load Rating: 680kg Durability: Load Testing - Click Here Warranty: Limited Hubcentric: No Price: $1460


D-force EmPower Mesh

Finish: ? Weight: 19.3lbs Load Rating: ? Durability: ? Warranty: ? Hubcentric: ? Price: $1280

[trimtab81]

WHAT?...you let your sister drive your car?!?!...jk...I think the Enkei Rajin wheels look pretty dope and I am considering a set for my 335...what finish you choose will make the biggest difference in the way the car looks...just need to find something that looks good with the paint...some 19's and a coil over kit would be sick

[mapleridge]

I have set my sights on Apex Arc8's in anthracite. They are so beautiful and lightweight. Plus can't beat the price.

Raijin's are nice. If you want a smoking deal contact Pat @ Sonictuning. If you are seriously considering those wheels his price will make you buy.

[Hooy]

Get APEX's for 17" or 18", and Forgestar for 19". They are forum vendors so they have to maintain a minimum level of reliability that the others don't have to abide by.

Plus the others are ugly as fuck.

[Expert@ApexWheels]

All APEX wheels come with a painted finish. The load rating on APEX wheels are at least 690kg since all of our wheels exceed JWL requirements, and some of our wider wheels we specifically went with a higher load rating to ensure it's strength. Most importantly, we have VIA certificates for all of our wheels. The same cannot be said for some of the other wheels listed above.

As for durability, I'll just let the following photos speak for themselves:









Race proven, street approved!

[mapleridge]

Originally Posted by David@ApexRaceParts

All APEX wheels come with a painted finish. The load rating on APEX wheels are at least 690kg since all of our wheels exceed JWL requirements, and some of our wider wheels we specifically went with a higher load rating to ensure it's strength. Most importantly, we have VIA certificates for all of our wheels. The same cannot be said for some of the other wheels listed above.

As for durability, I'll just let the following photos speak for themselves:



Race proven, street approved!

Thanks for helping me fill in the blanks. From my research these are the best wheels all around. it's a matter of time before I have my set.

If anyone has other wheels I can list or info where I could fill in the question marks, please help me out.

[mapleridge]

I have filled in a little more info based on some help and a little research. I added a review of the Enkei finish that shows it chipping very easily and Enkei refusing to correct the problem. I linked the thread. I also, linked the load testing certificate on the forgestars.

I was going to settle for the Enkei's due to the price. Now that I read about the poor finish I am leaning towards saving for the acr8's again. Please give me more options of affordable rotary forged wheels.

[andrew_b]

Originally Posted by mapleridge

I have filled in a little more info based on some help and a little research. I added a review of the Enkei finish that shows it chipping very easily and Enkei refusing to correct the problem. I linked the thread. I also, linked the load testing certificate on the forgestars.

I was going to settle for the Enkei's due to the price. Now that I read about the poor finish I am leaning towards saving for the acr8's again. Please give me more options of affordable rotary forged wheels.

I've been watching wheels for a while, too....

Just curious, since you specifically mention budget, why not go with the CS.16? They look like a pretty good choice, unless you just don't like the way they look.

I'm leaning towards Apex right now as well....

[mapleridge]

Originally Posted by andrew_b

I've been watching wheels for a while, too....

Just curious, since you specifically mention budget, why not go with the CS.16? They look like a pretty good choice, unless you just don't like the way they look.

I'm leaning towards Apex right now as well....

A few reasons.

1. I am from Canada and **********s won't take my credit card
2. I don't sense strong manufacturer support behind the wheel
3. Apex are lighter
4. I want anthracite wheels

[manolooo]

Originally Posted by David@ApexRaceParts

All APEX wheels come with a painted finish. The load rating on APEX wheels are at least 690kg since all of our wheels exceed JWL requirements, and some of our wider wheels we specifically went with a higher load rating to ensure it's strength. Most importantly, we have VIA certificates for all of our wheels. The same cannot be said for some of the other wheels listed above.

As for durability, I'll just let the following photos speak for themselves:

Race proven, street approved!

Are the APEX wheels available in gloss black?

[mapleridge]

Originally Posted by manolooo

Are the APEX wheels available in gloss black?

satin black.

[andrew_b]

Originally Posted by manolooo

Are the APEX wheels available in gloss black?

They also have hyper black in the 18x8.5 Arc-8. Not sure what that looks like in person.



I think I'm leaning towards this one in hyper silver....

[mlifxs]

No experience with this one, but thought they looked interesting, kind of LMish

http://www.bavauto.com/fland.asp?par...e=EMP188540AML

google pics

https://www.google.com/search?q=empo...w=1017&bih=632

[mapleridge]

Originally Posted by mlifxs

No experience with this one, but thought they looked interesting, kind of LMish

http://www.bavauto.com/fland.asp?par...e=EMP188540AML

google pics

https://www.google.com/search?q=empo...w=1017&bih=632

The more the merrier. Thanks for the link.

[mapleridge]

fyi. I bought apex wheels.

[Expert@ApexWheels]

Originally Posted by mapleridge

fyi. I bought apex wheels.

Great choice! Let's see some photos!

[Rollo`]

Originally Posted by mapleridge

fyi. I bought apex wheels.

which ones? post pics....

[BobS]

Are u sure about the forge star weights? I don't think they are that light. I would o with apex arc8 if I were you

[mapleridge]

Originally Posted by Rollo`

which ones? post pics....

Originally Posted by David@ApexRaceParts

Great choice! Let's see some photos!

I will post them when I can properly clean my car and I ordered an apex stud kit. It gets dark at 430 now in Vancouver. No daylight for these things.

Originally Posted by BobS

Are u sure about the forge star weights? I don't think they are that light. I would o with apex arc8 if I were you

Forgestar weight I pulled from their site. I don't see why they wouldn't be as light as they say. Apex is a great company though so I did as you said and went with the arc8.

[mashimarho]

Forgestar F14 now comes in DEEP concave and will be a big hit. I'd jump on it soon.

[mapleridge]

pics are up here dudes.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...6#post12976476

I will still keep this thread going if anyone has anymore options on affordable light weight wheels.

[joegeeZe]

Originally Posted by mapleridge

pics are up here dudes.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...6#post12976476

I will still keep this thread going if anyone has anymore options on affordable light weight wheels.

I'm def in the market for lightweight wheels. I'm looking for a wheel that resembles style 284 as much as possible. I've seen a few, but nothing I'm am really sold on.

Plus I want them in 18s, which makes the search more difficult.