Oldtee

Performance Products aka Automation.com advertises 911 5 spoke alloy replica wheels for $250 (8X16).

Are these wheels safe?
Are they as strong as real Porsche gold standard forged wheels?
Has anyone used one or more of these wheels at a DE with any problems?
Racing?

Would love to hear from someone with first hand racing experience.

Have there been any independent strength tests on these wheels?

Would you use them? Why? Why not?

earlyapex

No one would use these wheels for racing. They are probably safe for regular street use. I don't think they are TUV certified.

DARISC

Heavy. Weak. I heard they're made in China by some boat building co. (junk manufacturer).

Bill Gregory

If those are the Fuchs replicas, the issue with them is that they have been cast to the same dimensions as the forged Fuchs, which makes for not as strong a wheel. They wouldn't be allowed on the track as they are not as strong as the original forged wheel. For street usage to drive to the grocery store and back, they're probably ok.

I think Bruce Anderson talks about this in his book, and has a picture of broken spokes off a cast Fuch replica (or else it's in the Up-Fixin' series).

BHMSC

If only it said "TUV approved".

I wish I could convince myself that they are good enough for street use.

quattrorunner

For that price, you could find some used fuchs on ebay.

Peter Zimmermann

I personally have seen two cars, fitted with them, that ended up on their roof at least partially because of them. In each case the car was being driven on the street, and in each case the car was slid into a curb sideways. In each case the wheel/wheels broke at the outer circumference of the paddle section. In each case the broken remains of the wheel dug in, which immediately stopped the bottom of the car from moving, unfortunately the top of the car was still moving! Result, scratched roof paint! I've seen many 911s fitted with Fuchs wheels that were in similar accidents, in each case the wheel would bend, not break, and help to keep the pretty parts pretty by allowing the car to bounce against/over the curb.

Keep the shiny side up!
Pete

84_Carrera

In my case Pete, I have to drop the top to let my bald head cover that saying!

Oldtee

Thanks.

Thought so.

Pass.

Dan Cobb

All of this makes great sense, but what options are there for factory looking aftermarket wheels?
I didn't find much aftermarket stuff that I would considerto be affordable, as long as they keep making decent 15" tires anyway.
I don't want a piece of crap wheel to jeopardize my safety, but considering I will never track the car and the commute to work is only 15 minutes or so on city streets, I cannot justify the $3500+ it would cost to upgrade to a larger wheel size. I certainly don't care all that much about the weight or TUV rating, etc. I will upgrade once they stop making cheap 15" SO3s
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