Ok, I just answered my own question about clear coating on HRE's site. D'oh!

What are the primary differences between the 440R and 540R series of wheels (other than price and looks of course)? I really do like the look of the 545R but I'm not sure if the extra money is worth it if it's just a cosmetic difference.

Paul: could I get a rough quote from you via PM or email for the 445R's and 545R's in polished/clear coat (in the same sizes as the demo car)?

I know I know, don't slam me for polished. I just think it -can- look better on a black car (which I have).

Thanks!

 

These questions you are asking are exactly what I asked the guys at HRE because I was debating between the two. Truth be it known, I wanted the 545's when i walked in the door and walked out liking the 445's better.

1. The 445 is their newer design. It is lighter by about two lbs. Actully, when I picked each wheel up at the same time, that is when I jumpted ship. They designed the 545 for a bigger car like a viper and they designed the 445 series for more modern cars like a Z. Look on the descrition and you can see it by how they describe the wheels. Never the less, both are great wheels.

2. The reason they normally but clear coat only on the center and leave the lip bare is the lip is where you usually get damage thus it is easy/cheaper to fix it without a clear coat. You can get the clear coat since HRE will give you whatever you want. Remember, they repair all their wheels so they see where damage normally occurs. I checked out their damge wheels myself.

the polished wheels will look stunning in your Z, good luck, Jeff

 

Jeff call me in the office

 

Send me an e-mailwith the exact specs you want. We will send a forma lquote back to you.

After tomorrow night the GB is over and we convert to 2003 list prices as the starting point - our normal discount.

Get ahold of me soon so we can get you your data in time to make this deal.

Regards

 

Paul, zland, thanks for the replies.

I have a board meeting in about 15 minutes so I can't call you right now, Paul.

I will shoot you a quick email however while I'm finishing my notes for this meeting.

I don't know the exact specs (offsets and whatnot), but I'd basicly like a quote for the set on the SEMA car (my email message will reflect this as well).

If I miss out on the GB, that's ok. I'm sure you guys have a generous standard discount.

Thanks again for all the replies!

 

Your quote will to you shortly.

As for offsets - that is not an iisue as the wheels are configured fo rthe car. The center bore dimension is critical.

In effect you could have an offset less than factory but be able to support a A/P 6 piston kit with no problem. HRE configures the wheels to have the greatest lip and proper fitment.

Regards

 

The 445's in the SEMA car were brushed. Actually, they took those wheels back apart after the show (for what reason I do not know?) and the pics you see that are close up of the polish finish are the actual innner spoke on the SEMA car.

The brushed are slightly duller (slightly) than the polished. The word duller is not accurate. The polished look like chrome, end of story. The brushed look like they have fine machining marks with a clear coat giving it a deeper depth to the finish than the polish which is like a mirror. The light hits the finish and has a rich luster. So, depth with not as much high reflectiveness vs a mirror finish. Of course, I cannot decide personal taste and I hope my explanation helps everyone.

My suggestion is to not get a clear coat on the lip since damage tends to be there and repair without a clear coat is much less expensive. The guys at HRE say it is easy to polish the lip and has to be done about every 8 months. You can clean all of these wheels with soap and water.



Jeff

 

Jeff,

Any chance we can get higher res copies of your pics? (Particularly the full car shots like "350z 445r ft web.jpg" and "350z hre 445 19 rear web.jpg")

Those pics are making me glad I finally settled on the 445R's!

Thanks

 

We only need two more confirmations and we are at the reduced rate.


Confirmed:

Cotter -300ZX
Herrmann - 300ZX
Launer - 350Z
Lind - 350Z
Blanton - 350Z
Roodvoets- 350Z


Regards

 

Jeff,
Just wanted to say thanks for posting all the pics and providing you personal input as to the quality of the wheels & the company. I am confident that I have made a good choice in purchasing these fine wheels. The brushed finish is stunning & will look great on my Z.

Paul,
Thank you for all your great advice in the purchase. I appreciate the time you spent, discussing all the different aspects of these wheels. Perhaps I'll make it out to Nashua in October for the Z event. looks like a fun time.

 

Well...

I have decided to get the 445R's in the SEMA show car specs, but I also have decided not to do it right now.

I'm in the middle of building a house and I don't think accruing $6000+ in debt for a set of wheels before the house is completed and my loan is closed is prudent.

I know I won't get the same discount, but it just wouldn't be smart for me right now. And I'm a patient man. I'll just get them in a few months when my house is done.

Also, I'm sure Paul will hook me up with a good deal, albeit not as good as the GB, which I fully understand.

One last question to the HRE guy (Bob?): can the 445R's in the SEMA show car spec be done with a brushed face and polished lip (fully clear coated)?

I think that would be the best of both worlds for me and look great on a black Z.

 

Brushed/clear coated center with polished/clear coated outer? No problem...

I just bought a house three years ago, went through hell to get it (new construction), but it was worth all the pain and consternation. Smart man!

 

I have most of it, I'd just need maybe $2k more for tires and a portion of the wheels.

Like I said, I'm patient man. I'd rather wait and get exactly what I want.

BTW - Bob, which Eibach springs (part#?) did you guys put on that Z?

Thanks!

 

I don't know: we dropped the car off and they lowered it!

At that time, the production springs were stuck in a container off the Port of Long Beach (Longshoreman's strike), so I believe they used a prototype spring... but the car rode great!

... HRE's are worth the wait.

 

We will have the Eibach Pro kits in stock in a few days. Most of the Z's suspensions are are doing is JIC coilovers.

Regards

 

Paul, I called you at Avalon but got the answering machine. I am ready to place the order. Look at the PM I sent you for my phone number, thanks, Jeff

 

Jeff - I will call you tonight

 

After much debate, I followed Bob's advise and went for the HRE show car specs but in 18" wheels, not 19". So, I got 9.5" wheels in front, 10.5 rears, in a brushed finish on 445R HRE wheels. I am planning on putting 275 on the fronts and 295 on rears. Thanks everyone for doing the group deal, we reached our 9 buyers (I guess i was the 9th guy buying at the last hour) so we saved an additional 200+ each. As with others, I will post pics when i get them. The last 2 days have been exciting. I picked up my car on Tuesday and purchsed the wheels today. Not bad for owning the car 2 days right?

Bob/HRE staff, see, I was listening to you after all and thanks for your expertise as well as making a wheel that is a piece of art. Paul, thanks for the group rate.

Jeff