Latest wheel selections and personal reviews, which one is your favourite?

[johnnyt]

There have been several new wheel choices available for our Z cars over the past year, here are a few that I have taken notice of. If you know of any others please post them with your reviews, let's try to make this both fun and educational at the same time!

NOTE:
These reviews are based on my own opinions.
I have set aside all wheel bias and/or brand loyalty.
Some of you may say that I have not picked any wheels above a 15" diameter. IMHO an s30 looks best with a 14 and/or 15" diameter wheel.



Rota Shakotan (available in 15x7, 15x8 and 15x9! offsets will range between 0, +10 and +15)



Positive:

* For the money this is the wheel to beat, awesome sizes available and classic timeless design.
* This wheel is based on the "Hyashi Street" which was based on the Pantera Mangusta's wheels which is considered one of the most beautiful car designs of all time.
* Easy to replace and at a low cost.

Negative:

* Like the Rota RB there is the chance that too many people will be running these at the same time and this could deflate the uniqueness of your ride.
* Very limited color selection.
* Facing of the 15x7 and 15x9 look very different, so running these sizes at the same time would give an "odd" look.
* For some, quality may be suspect.

Rating: 4.50/5

Approximate Cost: Between $500 - $650 US for a set



Work Meister CR01 (available in 15x6 to 15x12, various offsets)



Positive:

* Beautiful 2-piece wheel based on a classic design.
* Due to cost, you could have a unique ride in your area.
* Color selection is awesome.
* Quality wheel manufacturer based on history and reviews.

Negative:

* I can see a set of these babies costing you one of your children, move up a few more sizes and possibly two of your children!!
* All the pictures I have seen online show it having a uni-lug design and if that is the case then drop a half point from my rating below. I simply can't stand seeing all those holes in the center of the wheel!

Rating: 4.75/5 (would have gotten a 5 but cost scares me)

Approximate Cost: Between $1250 - $3000 US for a set



Rota Grid V or Classic (I believe these are only available in 15x8 zero offset for our cars but I could be wrong)



Positive:

* To me, this wheel is a cross between classic and modern design. It has no extreme, most people will not love it or hate it. It manages to satisfy most peoples tastes.
* Low cost and easy replacement.

Negative:

* Would have been nice to see a greater selection of widths and offsets.
* Low cost could result in too many people using these on their cars.
* For some reason color selection is limited in USA/Canada.
* For some people, Rota quality is suspect.

Rating: 3.5/5

Approximate Cost: $600 - $650 US for a set



Retro 4 (available in 14x5.5 ET +22, 15x6 ET's +3 or +24 and 15x7 ET +12 and ET +0)



Positive:

* Nice retro design. However, these wheels have an extreme design. There are those who will say that it is a beautiful classic design and then there are those that will say that some designs are better left in the past.
* Fairly affordable for the average Joe.
* This is about as "wheel period correct" as you are going to get for a new wheel.
* From what I have read online, VTO seems to make a solid product.

Negative:

* Would be nice to see this wheel available in a 15x8.
* Design has a too much of a 'four leaf clover' look for my tastes.
* Could use more color selections but two available are nice.

Rating: 3.50/5

Approximate Cost: Between $700 - $1000 US for a set.



Enkei 92 (available in 15x7 +38 and 15x8 +25)



Positive:

* Timeless mesh design (period correct).
* Choice of 3 colors.
* Availability of a 15x8.
* Good quality wheel manufacturer.

Negative:

* Offsets are a little high for an S30, 15x7 only available in a +38 and the 15x8 is only available in a +25 so spacers will most likely be needed for stock springs.
* Could be pricey.

Rating: 3/5 (hi positive offsets kill it for me)

Cost: unknown


VTO Classic 8 (available in 14x5.5 ET's +22, 15x6, 15x7, 15x8 in various offsets. Coming soon will be a 16x7 and 16x8)



Positive:

* Fantastic size selection to meet anyone's needs.
* Classic timeless 8 spoke design based on the famous Panasports racing wheels.
* Affordable, more so than the Panasports and I have read they are lighter which is a bonus.
* VTO Performance has had good reviews online from current owners.
* Available in 16" which allows greater tire selection.

Negative:

* Only available in black and silver (for those who care).
* The 8 spoke design has been copied to death across various vehicles.

Rating: 3.75/5

Cost: Estimated between $500 - $1000 US for a set.



US Indy Mag (available in 15x5.0 ET -12, 15x7.0 ET -5 and 15x8.0 ET 1)



Positive:

* Period correct wheels, this style wheel was actually a dealer option for those who could afford them. If I remember correctly, widths were limited to 6".
* They are very affordable for the average Z owner.
* Above average quality.
* Good size selection for the s30.

Negative:

* Only seem available in polished finish (for those who care).
* I just can't get over thinking about these wheels when I look down at the drain in my kitchen sink, maybe this style was inspired by an ex plumber .
* Design has been copied on multiple vehicles.
* I have only seen these sold at one location.

Rating: 3.75/5

Cost: Approximately $650 US for a set. Available here:http://www.rimsntires.com/wheel.jsp?...Z&carYear=1969

[ktm]

The Rota Grid V or Classic is a take off of the Volk TE37V. The Volk does not have a polished lip but rather carries the color all the way to the edge.

http://www2.group5motorsport.com/blog/?p=286

I like the look of the Shakotan's and contemplated swapping out my Grid Offroads, but I love the look of the Offroads on my car.

[d240zx2]

Since I paid for 'em, I'm sorta partial to Konig Rewinds. They look damned good on my Z, too.

[ncolz]

Hey guys - how about posted some suggested prices for those of us who are thinking about wheels??

[Oiluj]

Retro 4 and Panasports get my vote

[johnnyt]

Since I paid for 'em, I'm sorta partial to Konig Rewinds. They look damned good on my Z, too.

Yes, I agree. The rewinds are a nice looking wheel on the Z, they have been out longer than a year that is why i did not include them in my initial post. I would like to have seen them available in a 15x8 zero offset.

Maybe I should keep my initial post going and include wheels from the past as well....um.

[Rich1]

Does anyone have a picture of the newly released Enkei 92 reproductions?

[johnnyt]

Hey guys - how about posted some suggested prices for those of us who are thinking about wheels??

I was going to add pricing, what I opted for instead was to make statements such as 'affordable' or 'low cost'. Cost varies from various dealers and sometimes they will not give you a price on their site (you need to email them for a quote). Maybe I will go back to my original post and add a price range.

[ChrisZ]

Retro 4 and Panasports get my vote

Same here

[johnnyt]

Does anyone have a picture of the newly released Enkei 92 reproductions?

That's weird, you must have posted this when I was adding these wheels to my list .

[surfer.tech]

The Rota Grid V or Classic is a take off of the Volk TE37V. The Volk does not have a polished lip but rather carries the color all the way to the edge.

http://www2.group5motorsport.com/blog/?p=286

I like the look of the Shakotan's and contemplated swapping out my Grid Offroads, but I love the look of the Offroads on my car.

The TE37V's do come with a polished lip on the gunmetal color.

Does anyone have a picture of the newly released Enkei 92 reproductions?

I do. Dont know how to post them. I think they are on speedhunters. Its a White S30 with black on one side and gold on the other.

[johnnyt]

The TE37V's do come with a polished lip on the gunmetal color.



I do. Dont know how to post them. I think they are on speedhunters. Its a White S30 with black on one side and gold on the other.

Hi surfer.tech, I have posted and reviewed the Enkei 92's in my initial post. If everyone is enjoying my thread I can keep it going just say the word. Thanks

[surfer.tech]

^ I have pics of them on the actual car.

Other wheels I love Work Meister S1 and the SSR Professor SP1R

[johnnyt]

^ I have pics of them on the actual car.

Sorry, misread the post. Is this the one?

[surfer.tech]

^yes sir.

[johnnyt]

^yes sir.

It looks like they used the 15x8, do you know if they are using spacers on that car?

[IdahoKidd]

I'd have to think there is little chance enough of the Shokatan's becoming so popular they are mundane. For one, they are over the top ugly!

Workmeisters look nice, too expensive for me however.

The Rota Grid V looks like it belongs on a pickup.

There is a Z here in town with the original Retro 4 style wheels. YUK!

Enki's look good most of the time, but never in black. Can't think of a single wheel that looks good in black.

The classic 8 look, the panasports, the rewinds, these look like they belong on the Z's!

And of course the slotted mags, but I don't recall seeing a set of 15's? anyone?

Just my opininon with 8 years in the retail tire market (although in the early-mid 80's)

[steve91tt]

And of course the slotted mags, but I don't recall seeing a set of 15's? anyone?

I've got a set of 15" American Racing 5 slots on my car.

http://www.americanracingwheelsinfo....t_Slot_Mag.htm

[johnnyt]

I'd have to think there is little chance enough of the Shokatan's becoming so popular they are mundane. For one, they are over the top ugly

There is a Z here in town with the original Retro 4 style wheels. YUK!

The classic 8 look, the panasports, the rewinds, these look like they belong on the Z's!

And of course the slotted mags, but I don't recall seeing a set of 15's? anyone?

Hello IdahoKidd, I have added the set of slotted mags that are still available for the S30.

The Retro 4 is based on the original Libre Wheels.

For what it is worth I have been reading that the Shakotan looks incredible in real life and that the online pictures do not do them justice. I gave this wheel such a high rating because it is so unique looking and the fact this style was used on a Mangusta (they were often painted full silver, I included a picture below) gives them a certain charm, the available 15x9 alone is rare for our car.

The Panasport and Classic 8 do look good on a Z but you must admit that they are a mundane style on this car. Over the past 25 years I have met very few people outside of Z owners who like this eight spoke style wheel. This has most likely set a more negative image of the wheel in my mind, who knows.

[johnnyt]

I've got a set of 15" American Racing 5 slots on my car.

http://www.americanracingwheelsinfo....t_Slot_Mag.htm

Thank you steve91tt, I thought American Racing stopped making the Ansen. I do not see the 15x8 available any longer, to bad if that is the case .

By the way, your Z is very sharp looking.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

I sure do wish somebody would post a pick of a 240Z with retro 4's on it!!!

[surfer.tech]

It looks like they used the 15x8, do you know if they are using spacers on that car?

I just got an email from enkei about the 92's. they did confirm that they did use spacers to make the wheels fit.

[MX500]

One thing to add:

Regarding the US Indy mag, I bought my 1970 Series 1 240Z from the original owner. I don't know if he had these wheels installed from the dealer or shortly after, but they have been on the car since the early 70's... They are definately 14x7.

Ansen Sprint wheels are still made by American (chinese) Racing Equipment. I've personally inspected a 17x8 ansen sprint and it was EXTREMELY light for a wheel of that size.

[johnnyt]

I just got an email from enkei about the 92's. they did confirm that they did use spacers to make the wheels fit.

That is not good in my books, they claim to be for s30's but need spacers!? They should have made them closer to a zero offset IMO. A good set of spacers can run the wheels price up by as much as $250 more for the set.

[motorman7]

I've got a set of 15" American Racing 5 slots on my car.

http://www.americanracingwheelsinfo....t_Slot_Mag.htm

Wow, just noticed your Silver 73 Z looks a lot like mine except I have the 14" rims.