Personally I don't care in the least if people want to hate on replica's, mostly it is just personal preference mixed in with a bit of misinformation. I think it is a bit unfair to try to make the statement put out by Rota into one that is quite a far leap from what they were actually saying.

 

Yes, you are proof


The are equal to or better than any other cast wheel on the market, just one notch under Enkei. More Rota's are used across the country on racetracks every weekend than the precious Volk and Works stuff, and they don't seem to cause crashes.

 

Wait a minute, are you saying all those memes and people that feel the need to justify their very expensive purchase of "real" wheels to complete strangers and put out all kinds of misinformation, are LYING to me?

 

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Rota wheels are no different from XXR, Axis, or any other company that don't make forged wheels. Sure, their quality sucks compared to BBS, Volk Racing, etc., but at least they don't blatantly copy a wheel design like Varrstoen. Their replica wheels still look a bit different than the original. Don't get me wrong, they totally deserve this. Karma's a b!tch, isn't it Rota (Replicas Of True Authentics)?

 

Great article about real vs. fake wheels. This doesn't really apply to me since I like to stay with the stock wheels or wheels the manufacturer of my car is using (I would kill to get a set GTR wheels from an R34 or R35 for my Z) but this is a good read for anyone who is interested.

http://squarespokes.com/05/the-never...s-fake-wheels/

 

Just to clarify, those people that feel the need to go with an authentic wheel, good on you, you certainly did purchase an original and better made product and no one can dispute that. But thousands of people have replicas and get on just fine, they are used for daily driving on shitty roads, and on tracks and function just fine. The rare case of a wheel cracking is typically caused by an extreme impact which would likely break other suspension components as well. I've seen in person, a Miata hit a jersey barrier and break 2 oem BBS wheels into pieces. If a wheel can hold up to that impact then great, but in day to day use wheels don't just crack, I don't care how poorly they're made. But with a replica, replacing that wheel isn't a serious financial decision. In the end people will go with what makes sense for them and be just fine, someone else's decision on whether they go with an authentic or replica wheel has no effect on you, if anything it forces the authentic companies to price more competitively, or develop some sort or technical edge which are both beneficial for everyone except for the man.

 

That would actually be the equivelant of Rota vs a counterfeit wheel. Depending on the wheel tested (i don't know if its forged or not) a Rota would hold up as well as the Weds. If the Weds is forged, well , Rota could not touch it.

 

I don't really understand the tests they use, I mean I could only guess that would maybe simulating drifting into a curb or something similar. If that happened I think you would be in trouble whether authentic or knock-off. Both would have some suspension damage/at least require things to be checked out and realignment, authentic would require at very least cosmetic repair which is pretty pricey, knock-off a replacement - which may very well cost the same as the cosmetic repair. In neither case would I be planning on continuing to drive the car after an impact like that...

 

People that buy rotas are the same that buy knock off "Larry-Vitton" purses and merchandise.

 

Are you talking about stock 350z and gtr wheels?

 

Nope, the weds vid that was linked.

 

Not forged... You can be the devil's advocate but that's not the point.

Weds aren't forged and flow molded like Enkei's MAT.

 

Oh, OK. So the Weds would hold up a little better. So Weds, Enkei and TSW or Axis) maybe both do this so far, i wouldn't doubt it if Rota gets it going next.

 

Weds, Enkei, and BBS all have wheels that are flow molded which is a better process than standard casting. They pressure form liquid metal in a cast which allows the metal to fill a space with more dense material and keep the weight off. Rota doesn't use that technology hence their shittyness.

 

Rota is still a quality wheel for what it is, there are plenty of cast wheels on the market that are good, most OEM aluminum wheels are cast. Its not like they are XXR and fall apart because they very driven next to a pothole.

 

Agreed but the models mostly used for racing aren't the strongest due to the fact the original wheels are constructed from another material. The strength isn't there.

 

I think I agree with X.et's comments in this thread. The top-level purpose of ROTA's press release, notwithstanding the various motives that can be read into it, is to exonerate themselves from any liability associated with issues potentially arising from the Competitor's wheels. Sure, PAWI might very well have total clown-shoe material selection and quality control, but whatever it is it's under their control. If they are selling a box full of ****, at least they know what they ate to produce that ****. They don't want to be held accountable for someone else's box of ****.

 

^^ yes, PAWI are also worrying if someone got those Rota Knockoffs and had an accident because of them, they will be accountable for it. which will affect their reputation...

Rota wheels might be heavy and not balanced well, but am Sure Rota make sure to build their wheels to reach some safe quality level..

 

There reputation is actually pretty good, the vast majority of people that I've seen who have actually run the wheels, both on the track and on the street, have had nothing but positive reviews for them. Most people who hate on them are the wheel snobs who complain about their quality when they have never driven their cars hard on the track or in any type of situation where the difference of their high quality wheels would be of any effect compared to the rotas.