Wheels: Genuine vs Aftermarket

[Xombie]

Hi guys,

Just curious what people's thoughts are on wheels for their Fords.

I have a 2012 FG MKII XR6T (demo), which came with some 19s already fitted, which is great. I like the look of them, but what I really want is the GT335 gloss black wheels!

I've been priced at roughly $2k for a set of four brand spankers (genuine).

Now on e_bay there are various aftermarket copies that are almost half price, including a new set of tyres.

Has anyone experienced the quality of these types of copies compared to genuine Ford parts?

Cheers for your thoughts!

[BlueOvalPrint]

I bought a set of silver 19" GT/F6 replicas from a respected seller of aftermarket wheels for my G6ET not long after I got it to replace the factory 18"s. They looked great (apart from the obvious FPV knockoff centre logos, which I replaced with genuine Ford badges) but after going over one semi-decent pothole at about 70km/h one of them was slightly bent on the inner edge, enough to be picked up as causing an uncorrectable imbalance when I took it for a recheck. A few months later, hit another decent pothole (covered by a puddle/pool of water, so no idea about it til I hit it - that BUCKLED both the front and rear rims on one side. Result - a trashed set of rims within 15 months :(

Yes all big rims with low profile tyres are more likely to be damaged by potholes etc than smaller ones, but I really lost confidence in Chinese replicas after that. Also noticed they had a strange, almost hollow tone when you laid them on the ground. Ended up cutting my losses and getting set of the genuine G6ET 19's (yes, which I should have ordered in the first place!) which have been faultless. Never again will I buy replicas, no matter how cheap!

As for wheel/tyre packages, the tyres are generally yum cha real bottom-feeder stuff that will throw you into the scenery the first time you hit a corner, especially in the wet. Either negotiate the price up to get a decent brand or just take the wheels only and get someone else to put on decent rubber.

[roberts]

genuine on a 1 year old model, anything else will smash your resale

[Sorted]

I have had 19" Copy Cobra/GT Wheels and low profile tyres for 5+ years - I smash pot holes all the time - my suspension is rock hard and with beefed up sway bars - not much give and I have only cracked one wheel in that time - I have 245/23/19 tyres

I put it down to the Cobra/GT Wheels have thicker spokes and better support

But maybe as the FG is heavier than an EF this is a major factor

[Wolfinsheepsclothing]

to help save your rims on a fg you can go to a higher profile e.g- 245/40-19 instead of 245/35-19

[madmelon]

Originally Posted by Wolfinsheepsclothing

to help save your rims on a fg you can go to a higher profile e.g- 245/40-19 instead of 245/35-19

NO, you can't. That would make the rolling circumference wrong and put your speedo out, plus increase the likelihood of rubbing tyres on bodywork.

[4VCLEVO]

Originally Posted by madmelon

NO, you can't. That would make the rolling circumference wrong and put your speedo out, plus increase the likelihood of rubbing tyres on bodywork.

It will change the speedo by 3.5km/h which isn't a big deal but the height could be an issue, as they will be 24mm higher.

[PepeLePew]

Hit and miss but yeah, resale will look more favorably upon genuine.

Replicas can often be from several sources shop carefully different quality and finishes vary.

[ratter]

I don't think I have seen any aftermarket wheels cop as much abuse as factory wheels and stay in 1 piece or stay round

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by ratter

I don't think I have seen any aftermarket wheels cop as much abuse as factory wheels and stay in 1 piece or stay round

If the WS/WT Fiesta factory alloys are anything to go by, one pothole strike and goodbye, busted wheel, a lot of the guys down in the small car section have replaced their Fiesta wheels with aftermarket.

[AndyXR6T]

I'm completely sick of aftermarket rip off wheels. I've had 3 different sets of "rip offs " on other cars and all 3 sets buckled due to Sydney's crap roads. This time round I coughed up for genuine and so far all is good. They cop a hiding and are still perfectly shaped. If you got quoted 2k for genuine fpv rims I would be jumping on that, it's a good price

[fte50]

Can people be so silly as to invest their money and life/ families life into a cheap Chinese knockoff wheel/tyre package - given its the only item between you and the road.

Then hit the hwy watching the speedo climb without ever considering the metallurgical properties or quality standards applied in the manufacture of the only item that keeps their car on the road.

[INJECTED_250]

Pretty sure the factory wheels are made in China any way. .I know the ones on my fg xr6 are. ..

[mash again]

ford dont make wheels! never did ROH used to make the steelies dont know who does the alloys but i suspect that INJECTED is right. you can get good quality aftermarket wheels and ***** ones, country of manufacture is no longer the only indicator of quality.

[EASYBOSS]

Originally Posted by mash again

ford dont make wheels! never did

Wrong, Ford had an Alloy Wheel manufacturing factory in Auckland, I did some work in it years ago, never recognised any of the alloys, they were for export.

[roberts]

good quality tyres should be the first priority, if your budget doesn't stretch to good quality tyres and quality rims then, cheap out on the rims not the other way around.

[Shonky.]

The problem isn't made in China, it's to what standards and for what price.

I only ever had one set of copies, never, ever again.

My favourite is when guys pull off a decent set of factory wheels and replace them with cheesy, cheap awful chrome wheels or the like, and then sell the factory wheels for less than the rubbish they replaced them with, so dumb

[GQ_Smooth]

You can alway powder coat the factory rims to give it a "different" look without sacrificing anything. Usually cost between $75-$120 per rim.

[strik9]

i put decent rims on my fpv. i,m replacing atleast one a year through a buckle.
its not just cheap rims.
act the better quality you go the lighter they are, so i figure the easier they buckle.
i act put of going for a wheel alignment knowing my tyre guy prob going to add another rim to his collection. sad fact is i act have a front and rear spare in the garage for stock.

[GT450]

$2K for a set of genuine wheels is cheap and I wouldn't go near copies .
GT450

[mcnews]

After crossing Australia in my first BF F6 ute,, taking it forest rally driving, down in paddocks to get wood, then my FG F6 ute, and now my GT-E sedan, all with standard rims I have never put a dent in them.

[SumoDog68]

Main problem is that looks are more important than performance and reliability . 20 inch wheel with 30 section tyre is always going to be vulnerable on our potholed roads. My car rides on 235/60/16 and difference in comfort is amazing - naturally there is more sidewall movement while cornering but that is not a problem . Falcon probably does not need more than 17 inch wheel with 45 section tyre .

[XR6TCraig]

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

Main problem is that looks are more important than performance and reliability . 20 inch wheel with 30 section tyre is always going to be vulnerable on our potholed roads. My car rides on 235/60/16 and difference in comfort is amazing - naturally there is more sidewall movement while cornering but that is not a problem . Falcon probably does not need more than 17 inch wheel with 45 section tyre .

I am happy to live with my standard 17 rims.
Having 17s means that really good tyres are a lot cheaper, so I fit quality rubber for a fraction of the price that a set of 19/20 inch tyres would cost. At the moment I am running Goodyear Asymetric 2s on each corner. Wonder what they would cost in 19s or 20s?
A bonus of course is that they are less likely to give me grief on the rough roads too due to a taller profile. I don't care about the look. The 17s look fine, compared to the 14s that my old mans XE had fitted as a kid! LOL

[mik]

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

Main problem is that looks are more important than performance and reliability . 20 inch wheel with 30 section tyre is always going to be vulnerable on our potholed roads. My car rides on 235/60/16 and difference in comfort is amazing - naturally there is more sidewall movement while cornering but that is not a problem . Falcon probably does not need more than 17 inch wheel with 45 section tyre .

I think the same , there is a wheel /tyre size I wont go beyond, low profiles on big delicate rims are a recipe for trouble , I have 18"s which were put on my limo on my birthday without me knowing/permission , 18s are the limit for me on our dodgey roads, but I much preferred the 16s .... rode better and easier on the suspension, as for aftermarket wheels , there are good brands/types out there, myself I woud stick with the known brands with runs on the board or stay with factory.

[75GHIA]

I got 19" Replica Twists for my AU Fairmont, I've given them a fair testing through potholes, rough roads, dirt roads, towing. No dramas what so ever, and they were a hell of a lot cheaper than Genuine.

[max_torq]

I put 19" FG multispoke G6ET rims on my BA falcon wagon. After a year with quite a lot of pacific highway travel I am on my third set of front tyres. One will hit a bump, get a bubble and then the pair will need to be replaced to even the wear or because the patterns don't match. Might go back to the 16'" I think. However, the wheels themselves are okay, haven't taken any damage.

[Mr Brooksy]

As has already been said. If you can get Genuine for only 2k then go for it IMHO.

But on the flip side, I have had many tire places say that they have seen lots of Ford/FPV genuine rims bent, buckled, and damaged more than other manufacturers since the AU preset was introduced (assume this is mainly dues to the increase in diameter not manufacturing materials). I even had one place bail me up telling me to stop driving like an idiot and damaging my rims... for me to reply, I bought this car second hand last week...

I have had copies and they have been just as good as the genuines, and even in some cases better finished. My FPV twists are unbelievably lacking in paint on the inner side of the rims! This makes cleaning them up for shows, REALLY flipping hard!

[GTP534]

Originally Posted by Mr Brooksy

My FPV twists are unbelievably lacking in paint on the inner side of the rims! This makes cleaning them up for shows, REALLY flipping hard!

Totally agree with this. My R-Spec wheels are pretty average on the inner side and the finish is not as "reddy" or as glossy as the spokes.

The Forgestars cost me $2,400 delivered to my door and the gloss black finish is fantastic all over. They are scheduled to go on Friday week. Once the originals are off they're going to have the inside of the rims re-done.

[creative]

my stock 17's have a dent in them (frint drivers side) its what I suspect is the cause of my vibration and I noticed it last time I was under the car.

I cant say I remember hitting anything though!