Forged Wheels, Any Suggestions? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

placo1 · #1 04-30-2003, 01:12 AM

Well the Carlsson Forged wheels I was considering for my car unfortunately never made it to the US. Apparently they didn't pass DOT and are being redesigned..

So here I am searching for another set of wheels, however I've narrowed down my parameters.

1. They have to look good.

2. They have to be strong.
3. They have to be light.
4. Obviously lower cost would be nice however I think the first three prohibit this.

So far the HRE Model 546R is the only wheel I've found that meets 1, 2 and 3. (Thanks for the tip Norm

) Amazingly I haven't found many manufacturers that produce forged wheels. Do you guys/gals have any suggestions where to look?

Any direction and help would be appreciated

Heres a pic of the HRE Wheels:

manny · #2 04-30-2003, 08:11 AM

May want to try The Tire Rack.
They carry Integral SSR, which keep getting great reviews.

shanta · #3 04-30-2003, 09:46 AM

I am having that exact same wheel done for my E500 but I am going with Iforged instead of HRE.

I do not suggest going with Iforged unless you are prepared to wait and wait and wait. Seriously I ordered my wheels at the end of January and I still haven't got them.

If you have good patience go to www.iforged.com

They are pretty much the same as HRE's but cheaper. They also make some styles that HRE doesn't.

placo1 · #4 04-30-2003, 12:23 PM

Manny,

Thanks for the tip, I'll check out the Integrals.

Shanta,

You can't be serious that you've waited 3 months for your wheels!

I guess I could have the right amount of patience if the quality is equivalent to the HRE's. I had also noticed they offer nearly identical product for much less, but I had never read any reviews on them so I wasn't sure on quality. HRE's are pretty popular and have been proven, unfortanately they cost serious $$$$

.

What's your opinnion on quality? It looks like the same process is used to make the wheels. I would seriously consider them if they're equivalent. BTW do you know the approximate weight of your wheels. I'm looking at 18 x 8.5 with et 35mm and weight for the HRE is approx 18 to 19lbs. Thanks for the help.

shanta · #5 04-30-2003, 01:08 PM

Yes, I am still waiting on my wheels

Normally custom wheels takes 6-8 weeks.

From what I hear (because I haven't gotten mines yet) the quality is pretty good. Usually VW's & Audi's run Iforged wheels. I also heard that Iforged uses the same lip maufacturer as HRE but I am not sure how true this is.

I am getting 18x8.5 front and 18x10 rear, and I don't know the weight as of yet. I have asked them to email me this info, but haven't received a response yet. I am sure the Iforged weight the same as the HRE's.

Check out the following link (read the whole thing, there are some picture comparisions of Iforged & HRE)

http://www.bnzsport.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1493&highlight=iforged

BTW: My wheels are cheaper then the price posted on the website. My total including tax is $2600 (front's $580, rears $630). Maybe that is why it is taking so long.

placo1 · #6 04-30-2003, 01:40 PM

OMG THAT IS CHEAP!!! I was just about to email you about pricing and noticed your edit. I'm going to give Vince a call today and ask a few questions.

They look nearly identical (sligthly deeper center on the HRE's) and from the sounds of it are just as good.

Did your package include chrome lug nuts and the hidden valve stem? The best quote I have so far for the HRE is $4920 for the HRE Model 546R in high polish with clear coat, SO3's in 245/45/18 all the way around mounted and balanced including lug bolts and hidden valve stem.

You can email or post here, but I would love to know more.

shanta · #7 04-30-2003, 01:51 PM

check your email

Oh when you speak to Vince, ask him where the $%#%^$# are my rims???

Tell him I sent you also

Chiragp · #8 04-30-2003, 11:02 PM

I'm not sure wether the Multi-Piece is forged or these, but Titanium enriched alloy. My 17x8s are only 17.1 lbs and 18x9s are 18x9 lbs. That pretty light? These are on the M3. OZ even offers a Road Hazard that basically says they will cover half the cost of a damaged wheel if you bend it in any form. Thats how confident they are about it strength. And I am running 245/40/17 up front, and 255/35/18 in the back. Next step is to see if I can get 285/30/18s

Hopefully rolling the fenders all the way (//M only does it about half way) and once the car is raised a tad in the back...I can clear them (Custom spring rates on Ground Control Coil Overs)

The joy of tuning

Glen · #9 05-01-2003, 11:35 AM

Afshin,
You may also want to check with Fikse (http://www.fikse.com/) and Kinesis (http://www.kinesismotorsport.com/)...neither of which is cheap but both are very high quality. I particularly like the Fikse wheels because there are no exposed bolts on the outside of their mult-piece wheels, personal preference not shared by most.

Kinesis, like HRE, is right here in SoCal...Vista to be exact so it's right in our back yard!

placo1 · #10 05-01-2003, 12:11 PM

Chirag,

The OZ's are very nice but just not what I'm looking for. Can't wait to see pics of your setup though when your done. Quick question.......instead of rolling the fenders to fit the wheels didn't you really mean tubbing the rear!!!

Glen,

Glen I agree that the boltless desing looks better, cleaner IMO but I didn't really like any of the Fikse Wheels.

I Checkd out Kinesis and they had a nice set soo I called and asked for pricing and well.....I pretty much fell silent after that one. $1250/Wheel

. I'd probably go for the HRE at $1120/Wheel.

I really like the six spoke design since they kind of match the EVO in appearance. I'm still waiting for I-Forged to get back to me with pricing. I can definitely wait a couple of months if the pricing is right. I did recieve confirmation from a a good source yesterday with regards to the build quality of the I-Forged, they are nearly identical to HRE's and the main issue is delivery.

It seems that forged wheels all cost pretty much the same so it's a matter of preference.

RickM · #11 05-06-2003, 01:12 PM

If it takes months to receive wheels what happens if you need parts? Since they're component (modular) wheels there may come a time that you need a new rim, center, rebuild etc. What will you do? Wait months before you get your wheels back online or ffind out that they're no longer available?

You may want to hang onto your existing set as a back-up.

Just something to consider.

Chiragp · #12 05-06-2003, 01:59 PM

Well my next set of wheels looks like its going to be a set of BBS CHs.

I had a freind who has 2 sets of BBS CHs. 17s and staggered 18s.

I took the opportunity to do some testing. (It helps when ebay members sell single tires for extremely cheap!

)

Anyways...The M is deff going to need the Meats since I got a bit of FI work planned for it.

But I was able to use the 18x10s and mount the 285s on them. I got the fenders rolled, and they barely rubbed after rolling (I'm going to go back and try rolling it just a tad more, as it has some room left, i'll just super heat the sheet metal to close to liquid

) Anyhow, I placed the BMW 10mm pad and was fine just sitting. Then I took her for a spin (well one side had OZs the other side had BBS

) but the car barely rubbed. Masking tape was placed to see exactly where. Found out, its the fenders.

Placed another 5mm pad (I had to cut the lip, and then place them...so in essense I had a 15m pad) and it was fine. So now that I'm done experimenting. It looks like I have my data.

So the GCs have been ordered with this in mind.

Final notes:
17x8.5 BBS CH in the front with 255/40/17s.
18x10 BBS CH in the back with 285/30/18s.

Trust me, once I've got the funds (The GCs cost $1200, UUC Sways are $350, The Strong Strut is $400, The BMW E30 M3 Aluminum Control Arms are another $360)
All I need is the Brembo or StopTech Calipers and the Euro E46 M3 Floating Rotors which are 325mm. and that will save me some more unsprung weight compared to my stock ///M calipers.

But enough Bimmer talk...Its a Benz forum...and like I said. I've seen the polished Superleggeras on a CLK...just lovely.

MikeM · #13 05-22-2003, 10:20 AM

I got a set of RC's polished (4 Sale even) and they are very strong, light, and my opinion, easy to clean and are good looking.

Good Luck

Mike Mullins
02-Boxster S

shanta · #14 05-22-2003, 10:44 AM

Here is my suggestion

shanta · #15 05-22-2003, 10:45 AM

just another pic (with the flash on)