Friends Dont Let Friends Roll On Replica Wheels
29 November 2009, 07:53 PM
#31
The main reason the replicas are cheaper and will fail more than the wheels they copy is because........most of the rims they copy are forged items.....
Last edited by ALi-B; 12 January 2010 at 02:10 PM. Reason: see footnote in OP
30 November 2009, 08:24 AM
#32
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Chichester, West Sussex
Posts: 1,178
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
like mentioned at the start, this was a tongue in cheek thread i posted on a different forum.
Just thought i would see what reaction it would get on here, as i know Rota's are popular.
It gave the results i thought.
As said, by me and others, hit any rim hard enough and it will fail.
Also as said.... my main issue with Rota is they are a rip off of other peoples designs.
But as already said (again!) you pay your money, you make your choice!
And finally... as already said...... i am just a JDM fan boy (and proud!!)
(like a stuck record in this post!! hahahahahah)
Just thought i would see what reaction it would get on here, as i know Rota's are popular.
It gave the results i thought.
As said, by me and others, hit any rim hard enough and it will fail.
Also as said.... my main issue with Rota is they are a rip off of other peoples designs.
But as already said (again!) you pay your money, you make your choice!
And finally... as already said...... i am just a JDM fan boy (and proud!!)
(like a stuck record in this post!! hahahahahah)
30 November 2009, 09:46 AM
#33
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Zed Ess Won Hay Tee
Posts: 21,611
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They have had a ****e name on this forum for years as loads were cracking yonks ago!
Quite funny this, as somebody from the local scooby club has just had his set fall apart, and when i mentioned that they had a ****e name, he got all bellendish and made out that i was a liar. Not my fault SN`s search is utter crap and i could not find the extensive old stuff regarding tramp wheels.
Ramper Rotas.
Quite funny this, as somebody from the local scooby club has just had his set fall apart, and when i mentioned that they had a ****e name, he got all bellendish and made out that i was a liar. Not my fault SN`s search is utter crap and i could not find the extensive old stuff regarding tramp wheels.
Ramper Rotas.
53WRX seems to know what he's talking about though
06 January 2010, 08:24 AM
#40
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: www.dsoc.co.nr
Posts: 979
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've got Rota Formula Mesh on my classic - no way I could afford BBS
11 January 2010, 12:30 PM
#41
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This thread is ridiculous
a)How many Rota's do you think I sell in the UK and Europe?
b)How many have I had back from 'falling apart'?
All Rota wheels undergo the same test procedures as any other wheel, I have the JWL and VIA test results for every Rota wheel made, Rota do not let a wheel go unless they significantly exceed the strength requirements for JWL.
I would go into the in's and outs of the wheels shown in the original post, but a rough overview.
a) the bent subzero had hit the brake caliper due in clearance issues, also note that the wheel has been powder coated, which is NOT advisable.
b) THREE of the wheels in the original post are not a Rotas
one is an HRE (how much are they ?? £3k plus) thats the one with the spokes snapped clean off..
Another of the wheels is a Konig, not a rota
People like to get their knickers in a twist, because Rota's look like the real thing.
This is the only reasonable complaint..
The answer to my original questions?
a) I sell 30,000 rota wheels per year, I have sold in the last 7 years a minimum of 180,000 wheels - thats 45,000 sets.
b) I have NEVER had a warranty claim from a wheel breaking, some claims from laquer peel, but thats bound to happen with the ammount of salt on our roads.
I take this as a personal insult to be honest, if I had ANY doubt over the quality of Rota wheels, there is no chance I would sell them.
The original poster should bare this in mind, as this post really seems to be up to disuade people from buying Rota wheels..
a)How many Rota's do you think I sell in the UK and Europe?
b)How many have I had back from 'falling apart'?
All Rota wheels undergo the same test procedures as any other wheel, I have the JWL and VIA test results for every Rota wheel made, Rota do not let a wheel go unless they significantly exceed the strength requirements for JWL.
I would go into the in's and outs of the wheels shown in the original post, but a rough overview.
a) the bent subzero had hit the brake caliper due in clearance issues, also note that the wheel has been powder coated, which is NOT advisable.
b) THREE of the wheels in the original post are not a Rotas
one is an HRE (how much are they ?? £3k plus) thats the one with the spokes snapped clean off..
Another of the wheels is a Konig, not a rota
People like to get their knickers in a twist, because Rota's look like the real thing.
This is the only reasonable complaint..
The answer to my original questions?
a) I sell 30,000 rota wheels per year, I have sold in the last 7 years a minimum of 180,000 wheels - thats 45,000 sets.
b) I have NEVER had a warranty claim from a wheel breaking, some claims from laquer peel, but thats bound to happen with the ammount of salt on our roads.
I take this as a personal insult to be honest, if I had ANY doubt over the quality of Rota wheels, there is no chance I would sell them.
The original poster should bare this in mind, as this post really seems to be up to disuade people from buying Rota wheels..
Last edited by RareRims.co.uk; 11 January 2010 at 02:45 PM.
11 January 2010, 12:49 PM
#43
Scooby Senior
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Slowly rebuilding the kit of bits into a car...
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In my personal rim destroying experience the only difference is that a cast rim will break, whereas a forged rim will only bend....
dunx
dunx
11 January 2010, 12:50 PM
#44
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hit any wheel hard enough and you will break it.
With a forged wheel it is more likely to bend than to break, however if you hit a forged wheel hard enough to crack and break a cast wheel, the forged wheel will still, for want of a better word, be f**ked.
For those that think that Rota copy forged wheels so they are more likely to break:
The wheels are NOT copied, as in they dont take a mould off the original and then cast it, the wheel is engineered to look similar, whilst still being strong.
We have Rota's on R35 GTR's running full slicks and bouncing off kerbs, no problems whatsover.
Pretty much all of the UK's driftcars running our wheels, no problems.
I will let this go now, but if the original poster continues to slander a product I put my name on the line for then I wont take it lightly.
With a forged wheel it is more likely to bend than to break, however if you hit a forged wheel hard enough to crack and break a cast wheel, the forged wheel will still, for want of a better word, be f**ked.
For those that think that Rota copy forged wheels so they are more likely to break:
The wheels are NOT copied, as in they dont take a mould off the original and then cast it, the wheel is engineered to look similar, whilst still being strong.
We have Rota's on R35 GTR's running full slicks and bouncing off kerbs, no problems whatsover.
Pretty much all of the UK's driftcars running our wheels, no problems.
I will let this go now, but if the original poster continues to slander a product I put my name on the line for then I wont take it lightly.
11 January 2010, 12:51 PM
#45
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
11 January 2010, 12:57 PM
#46
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Quite funny this, as somebody from the local scooby club has just had his set fall apart, and when i mentioned that they had a ****e name, he got all bellendish and made out that i was a liar. Not my fault SN`s search is utter crap and i could not find the extensive old stuff regarding tramp wheels.
Ramper Rotas.
Ramper Rotas.
I cant really see why it fell apart? can you 'stickymicky'?
Last edited by RareRims.co.uk; 11 January 2010 at 12:58 PM.
11 January 2010, 01:06 PM
#47
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yet more food for thought for you all:
Glad you bought Work emotions over Rota Torques?!! - you did realise that Work Emotion CR's are not actually JDM? They are cast in taiwan
on that note - heres a work emotion
Glad you bought Work emotions over Rota Torques?!! - you did realise that Work Emotion CR's are not actually JDM? They are cast in taiwan
on that note - heres a work emotion
Last edited by RareRims.co.uk; 11 January 2010 at 01:10 PM.
11 January 2010, 01:27 PM
#48
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This guy was so annoyed with JDM fanboys slating Rota, he decided to take it into his own hands:
As you can see it's no lightweight low-load track toy, and the xray shows not only a total lack of defects, but everything to be in excellent order and entirely uniform. The track time was maximum attack, taking full advantage of the curbs.
"At the risk of having my head bitten off (again) thought i would post up the results, running these Rota rims and 2nd hand Porsche Cup slicks.
Previously at Oran Park i had run 18" Enkie GTC-01 with RE55's (SR). My time on the GP circuit was 1:16.7, which should translate to a flat 47 or thereabouts on the south circuit. However i had never run the Enkie/55 combo on the short circuit before. Anyhow, as some of you know i stumbled upon these Rota rims - they happen to fit the R35 (just). If you want to argue the merits of these being TE37 copies, please start another thread and/or send your abuse to me via PM. I just want you guys to know the results.
Fitment: Front caliper to wheel clearance is extremely close. Probably too close. I ended up running a 3mm spacer to extend the clearance +1mm or so. Running at Oran Park (where the back pit area is like driving through a frigging gravel trap) i was getting a few rocks stuck between the caliper and the wheel. Lots of scratches on the inside wheel and caliper. Not good. Probably a non issue at a clean track though. So fitment, whilst it works, it is not ideal in this regard. Sizes: The rims are 18x9.5x30 (fronts) and 18x10x15 (rears). Tyres were 2nd hand Porsche Cup slicks (270/68/18). IMO these tyres are da bomb. They fit absolutely perfectly, see pic below. You can run the same tyre front and back. Weight of this combination is about 10kg per corner less vs stocker wheels with bridgestones, or 3kg lighter vs the enkei + 55 setup. Insane.
Performance: Absolutely sensational, stunning. Now, i was running a new Willall tune which i know helped, but the car felt much lighter and nimble. It was like a difference car in that sense. It took a while longer for the slicks to come on (probably 1.5 laps vs 1.0 laps) and they are more slippery when cold. When they came on there was definitely more grip. I would hazard a guess these tyres have 10% to 15% more grip than the 55's - this is just a seat of the pants guesstimate. Perhaps a new set of the slicks would be better again.
Results: Ended up running a 46.3 on the day. So by my estimates this combination is about 0.7s faster on the short track, which should extrapolate to about 1.0 ** 1.2 seconds faster on the GP circuit. Now, as mentioned i was running the Willall tune too, which was a key component to the overall performance on the day, however the short track is rather one dimensional. I think the improvement due to the tune would be greater on the long circuit. Can't wait to try!
Rota Robustness: A have a video showing lots of curb hopping on the day, i smashed these rims like all the others We've since had the rims x-rayed and ultrasonically tested. The rims are faultless. I will post the x-rays as soon as we get them converted.
Conclusion: Tyres show lots of promise, i would love to run a new set. The rim/caliper clearance is questionable. It does work, but not ideal. I would really like to compare the caliper clearance to say a TE37. If the TE37's have the same clearance, i would not be happy to pay $5000 for a set. So, i am contemplating wht to do. Martin, have you info on the TE37 caliper clearance yet? Really keen to see how you go.
Previously at Oran Park i had run 18" Enkie GTC-01 with RE55's (SR). My time on the GP circuit was 1:16.7, which should translate to a flat 47 or thereabouts on the south circuit. However i had never run the Enkie/55 combo on the short circuit before. Anyhow, as some of you know i stumbled upon these Rota rims - they happen to fit the R35 (just). If you want to argue the merits of these being TE37 copies, please start another thread and/or send your abuse to me via PM. I just want you guys to know the results.
Fitment: Front caliper to wheel clearance is extremely close. Probably too close. I ended up running a 3mm spacer to extend the clearance +1mm or so. Running at Oran Park (where the back pit area is like driving through a frigging gravel trap) i was getting a few rocks stuck between the caliper and the wheel. Lots of scratches on the inside wheel and caliper. Not good. Probably a non issue at a clean track though. So fitment, whilst it works, it is not ideal in this regard. Sizes: The rims are 18x9.5x30 (fronts) and 18x10x15 (rears). Tyres were 2nd hand Porsche Cup slicks (270/68/18). IMO these tyres are da bomb. They fit absolutely perfectly, see pic below. You can run the same tyre front and back. Weight of this combination is about 10kg per corner less vs stocker wheels with bridgestones, or 3kg lighter vs the enkei + 55 setup. Insane.
Performance: Absolutely sensational, stunning. Now, i was running a new Willall tune which i know helped, but the car felt much lighter and nimble. It was like a difference car in that sense. It took a while longer for the slicks to come on (probably 1.5 laps vs 1.0 laps) and they are more slippery when cold. When they came on there was definitely more grip. I would hazard a guess these tyres have 10% to 15% more grip than the 55's - this is just a seat of the pants guesstimate. Perhaps a new set of the slicks would be better again.
Results: Ended up running a 46.3 on the day. So by my estimates this combination is about 0.7s faster on the short track, which should extrapolate to about 1.0 ** 1.2 seconds faster on the GP circuit. Now, as mentioned i was running the Willall tune too, which was a key component to the overall performance on the day, however the short track is rather one dimensional. I think the improvement due to the tune would be greater on the long circuit. Can't wait to try!
Rota Robustness: A have a video showing lots of curb hopping on the day, i smashed these rims like all the others We've since had the rims x-rayed and ultrasonically tested. The rims are faultless. I will post the x-rays as soon as we get them converted.
Conclusion: Tyres show lots of promise, i would love to run a new set. The rim/caliper clearance is questionable. It does work, but not ideal. I would really like to compare the caliper clearance to say a TE37. If the TE37's have the same clearance, i would not be happy to pay $5000 for a set. So, i am contemplating wht to do. Martin, have you info on the TE37 caliper clearance yet? Really keen to see how you go.
An old racer i spoke to says he used to xray every wheel he raced on, and reckons about 50% of the wheels he tested had some flaws. Anyway the ultimate test was smashing it around Oran Park bouncing off the curbs in an R35 pulling way more than 1.5g's
As you can see it's no lightweight low-load track toy, and the xray shows not only a total lack of defects, but everything to be in excellent order and entirely uniform. The track time was maximum attack, taking full advantage of the curbs.
Last edited by RareRims.co.uk; 11 January 2010 at 02:08 PM.
11 January 2010, 03:45 PM
#49
Scooby Senior
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Slowly rebuilding the kit of bits into a car...
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My OZ looked like it had melted 
Similarly, I know two people who have had powder coated alloys fail across all their spokes, I did my standard STI alloys as they are past caring about.
dunx
P.S. Glad you caught my drift, bent/broken = binned.
Similarly, I know two people who have had powder coated alloys fail across all their spokes, I did my standard STI alloys as they are past caring about.
dunx
P.S. Glad you caught my drift, bent/broken = binned.
12 January 2010, 07:37 AM
#50
Rarerims.co.uk
would you care to explain why powder coating is not adviseable? i've never heard about this before, but would like to refurb my current rims via powdercoating...
if it really is "bad", i'm going to have to consider having them painted normally.
would you care to explain why powder coating is not adviseable? i've never heard about this before, but would like to refurb my current rims via powdercoating...
if it really is "bad", i'm going to have to consider having them painted normally.
12 January 2010, 09:45 AM
#51
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's bad because a part of the strength in a lightweight wheel is the very exact heat treatments that they get in the final part of manufacture, prior to paint.
When powdercoating some places us excessive heat, and it causes a significant weakening of the wheels, and is a common reason for failures on wheels, mainly OEM wheels that people want to tart up, and generally OEM wheels are not that light...
Painting is the way forwards in terms of safety, unless you can be sure the powdercoaters wont overheat the wheels.
When powdercoating some places us excessive heat, and it causes a significant weakening of the wheels, and is a common reason for failures on wheels, mainly OEM wheels that people want to tart up, and generally OEM wheels are not that light...
Painting is the way forwards in terms of safety, unless you can be sure the powdercoaters wont overheat the wheels.
12 January 2010, 09:55 AM
#52
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Plenty of wheels that are not known to have issues have had issues straight after powdercoating.
It depends entirely on the heat applied, and the length of time it is is applied for, and the exact heat treatment/ make up of the alloy.
As you cant really tell the exact makeup of a particular alloy wheel, it is a bit of a gamble.
I have seen plenty of wheels not known to crack, crack after powdercoating (the S2k wheels above for example) I recently have seen a set of EVO 6 wheels cracking, the week after powdercoating, something that never happens with a standard EVO 6 wheel.
The Subzero's on the original post, were used on a 500bhp civic, for 3 years, without incident (originally gold, there are plenty of videos on youtube of the civic with the gold subzeros)
He had them powdercoated black, the first time out on them, the wheels flexed, caught the caliper and the pictures are the result.
There is a big story on the internet, where someone powdercoated a diving tank
it exploded whilst being filled, and killed someone. I definatly wouldnt recommend it, nor would any of the other wheel manufactors that I know of, in fact most if not all state that warranty is invalid if powdercoated.
12 January 2010, 10:08 AM
#53
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Back to the original post
The original poster has gone very quiet
I wonder what wheels he/she has on their car, as they seemed to be very bold when it came to slating Rota..
I hope its some super forged JDM wheel, and not some taiwanese cast wheel with JDM Tax added.
The original poster has gone very quiet
I wonder what wheels he/she has on their car, as they seemed to be very bold when it came to slating Rota..
I hope its some super forged JDM wheel, and not some taiwanese cast wheel with JDM Tax added.
12 January 2010, 10:52 AM
#54
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: The valleys butt :)
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Owned!
I wouldn't hesistate to use Rota wheels. I have a set of racing hart CP-035 on my car and if I was to break one I'd be fooked as they are discontinued and cost a small fortune anyway.
The rota sub zero is very near the same style wheel, so I'd get a full set for less than what one cp-035 would have cost.
Racing hart
Rota
I wouldn't hesistate to use Rota wheels. I have a set of racing hart CP-035 on my car and if I was to break one I'd be fooked as they are discontinued and cost a small fortune anyway.
The rota sub zero is very near the same style wheel, so I'd get a full set for less than what one cp-035 would have cost.
Racing hart
Rota
12 January 2010, 12:06 PM
#55
Totally agree. I've run 3 sets of Rotas and apart from being very lightweight and brilliant value, they've all performed flawlessly. I live in rural Cumbria and have regularly hit potholes, lumps and bumps at speeds at serious mph in my 400+bhp Newage without ill effects. People who spend £3K on a set of wheels when an equally light and good-looking set of Rotas can be had for £600 quite frankly need their heads examining
I would also add that the service I've had in the past from Rare Rims has been nothing short of superb - if only all tuners and aftermarket sales companies were this good.
Cheers, Andrew
PS - if I were the OP, I'd be seriously worried about getting a summons for libel through the post. A more blatant case of libellous accusations I have yet to see on SN
I would also add that the service I've had in the past from Rare Rims has been nothing short of superb - if only all tuners and aftermarket sales companies were this good.
Cheers, Andrew
PS - if I were the OP, I'd be seriously worried about getting a summons for libel through the post. A more blatant case of libellous accusations I have yet to see on SN
12 January 2010, 12:33 PM
#56
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So thats 2 sets easily proved that loss of earnings will apply to.
I wouldnt hesitate to sue, but the original poster has spent so much on his 'JDM TiTe' wheels that I doubt it would be worth it
12 January 2010, 12:55 PM
#57
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I bought re30's to replace a set of Rotas and there is a night and day difference in weight,looks and quality.And i did'nt have to pay 3k for them either.
I am not knocking rotas, but to say they are equal to a fully forged rim is simply not true.
12 January 2010, 12:57 PM
#58
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: in a house
Posts: 2,078
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i love this thread.
and it dont matter what the wheel is. as said before it will break or bend if hit. what difference does it make? both will be binned afterwards.
and it dont matter what the wheel is. as said before it will break or bend if hit. what difference does it make? both will be binned afterwards.
12 January 2010, 01:05 PM
#59
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rota rims are certainly NOT as light as a forged rim.
I bought re30's to replace a set of Rotas and there is a night and day difference in weight,looks and quality.And i did'nt have to pay 3k for them either.
I am not knocking rotas, but to say they are equal to a fully forged rim is simply not true.
I bought re30's to replace a set of Rotas and there is a night and day difference in weight,looks and quality.And i did'nt have to pay 3k for them either.
I am not knocking rotas, but to say they are equal to a fully forged rim is simply not true.
Rota's are not as light as an RE30 no, however they are not in the same price bracket either.
Compared to other wheels in their class, then they are certainly comparable.
(17x7.5 Work emotion compared to Rota torque, the torque is around .2kg lighter)
12 January 2010, 01:10 PM
#60
Rota rims are certainly NOT as light as a forged rim.
I bought re30's to replace a set of Rotas and there is a night and day difference in weight,looks and quality.And i did'nt have to pay 3k for them either.
I am not knocking rotas, but to say they are equal to a fully forged rim is simply not true.
I bought re30's to replace a set of Rotas and there is a night and day difference in weight,looks and quality.And i did'nt have to pay 3k for them either.
I am not knocking rotas, but to say they are equal to a fully forged rim is simply not true.
Night and day in terms of weight? My Rota Torques weigh around 7kgs per corner. Yes, I could shave 600-700 grams off by spending £1000s, but that's the economics of the madhouse
Night and day in terms of looks? The finish on a Rota rim is as good as anything else I've seen. And even if you do get a very slightly better finish by paying £1000s extra, as soon as you take it out on the road and get the rims covered in crap, it counts for nothing (or does your car live in the garage?).
I have no connection with Rota whatsoever (other than being a satisfied customer). My point is that for 99.99% of people who care about performance (low weight and durability) and value for money rather than brand snobbery, Rotas are hard to beat.
Last edited by lunar tick; 12 January 2010 at 01:13 PM.