Wheels and Caps
 

Click the images for 2816 x 2112:

http://we350z.com/cpg/albums/userpic...l_IMGP0499.JPG

http://we350z.com/cpg/albums/userpic...l_IMGP0498.JPG

Steering wheel vibrates at certain speeds (60-75mph).

Please reference my original post.

Recently I was lucky enough to run over a screw with my brand new Toyo Proxes, fortunately Discount Tire plugs and patches for free ... unfortuantely the tech was able to EASILY scratch the clear coat and paint off of the rim (exposing bare aluminum) while removing it from the vehicle. This is not normal. Most rims are painted, but the paint SHOULD NOT just come right off. It looks like there is a VERY thin layer of clear coat on these rims. They managed to really goup on the paint though, I will post some more pics later of the overspray pooling. I may repaint them, I will probably apply 4 very thin layers. There are obvious quality contol issues with these rims.

I need to make sure the integrity of the rims are good. I should have done this up front, please do so if you decide to buy replicas. You should check the following:

Make sure you balance wheels PRIOR to mounting tires - that way if something is wrong you can return them (they do not accept returns on wheels that have been mounted - if you are really careful they probably wouldnt be able to tell)

- Check if you should need hub centric rings ('00-'06 is 72.56mm)
- Check centerbore is in spec on each wheel with digital caliper micrometer
- Check that rims are not bent (i had to send one back that was)
- Check that wheels are not out of round
- Check that centerbore and lug holes are centered on the rim

EUROTECH is one of the greatest aftermarket replicas. Sorry to hear u had a bad break with wheels and caps

I had no problem at all with my replica 87's. Worked fine, no damage, no blemishes. One of the keys to replicas, and has been mentioned on this board routinely, is to make sure there is a LIFETIME structural integrity warranty. Too many replicas are made of 'cheap' alloy and do not have the strength to handle day-to-day on a 5000lb vehicle. The chipping paint is sh_t and with the problems you have, I would send to POS's back. I never by Italian replica rims any more since I purchased a set years ago for a 300ZX. Nothing but nightmares (very similar to yours). Wheels arrived, two bent. Sent them back, new rims arrived, one was impossible to balance. Sent it back. Finally after months got 4 wheels that worked. I was lucky enough to have bought them from an advertiser in R&T magazine. When the wheels were so screwed up, I contacted R&T and told them they had piss poor advertisers. They then took the ball and made the company get the issue resolved at the companies cost.

That sucks that you have had such a bad experience. I bought my replica type 87's from AFS off of Ebay and could not be happier with them. (just as a point of reference on replica rims)

If you are thinking going to go through the expense of powder coating the rims you might as well buy some OEM type 87's and powder coat those? You could either try to return the replicas or sell them on Ebay.

AFS does look like a good rim, and they come powder coated. I have heard nothing but good things about them. Oh well, I wish I knew that before I bought these. The other thing was that I wanted Style 177 and they don't offer those.

I think I am just going to go to the shop and see what they say. If they can be balanced better or if rings can be used so there is no shaking then I might just wetsand and paint them graphite, gunmetal or black. I have a compressor paintcan. Not sure if they are worthy of powder coating and the expense of re-mounting and balancing several times.

FYI - Wheels and Caps fully refunded me. Nathan is a stand up guy and they have great customer service even with all the trouble I went through.

replicas are risky but they do look nice and are less expensive... (frickin dealers charge too much for the originals)

has anyone purchased from bluestar on ebay??? i'm looking at the style 214s but would like to hear personal experiences before spending $2500 for a new wheel/tire set..

sorry to hear you had a bad batch...