ccaarmerciill

Last year I ordered 17" turbo twist replicas for the 944 from tire rack. Since then I've only put about 5,000 miles on the car, and never hit any really bad potholes or anything of that nature.

About six months ago, I started to notice a vibration coming from the rear end of the car. It always started around 50-60mph, and got worse as speed increased, in gear or out. I assumed something was off on the back end of the car, and put off getting it fixed.

Before this winter it started to get really bad. Driving anywhere on the highway, made the car feel like it was falling apart from the back end. Extremly violent vibration was felt, and I barely drove the car.

Just last night I had the car up on jacks to tinker with a few things, since I wanted to drive the car a bit more with the warm weather finally showing up. Turns out the back wheels of the car were EXTREMLY bent. On the inner part of each back wheel, there were very large flat spots. Spinning the tire, you could easily see that was definatly the cause of the vibration. I know it is partially my fault for buying replica wheels, instead of spending the $ on the real things. But I never expected the quality to be THIS bad!

I just sent a very respectful email to tire rack, and then looked at their stock for 944's. I guess they no longer carry these wheels for the pre 86' offset. Their listed name for the wheels are "Sport Edition Cup 3 silver painted".

I guess this is just a warning for anyone who had purchased, and still uses the wheels sold by them.

Mark944na86

Be aware that not all replicas are of equal quality. I've got 17" twist replicas made by Mille Miglia, a well-known Italian manufacturer, and they have been problem free all the years I've owned the S2 -- apart from the fact they are quite heavy compared to the real thing!

chrisc

I bought a set of used factory D90's from a friend who's a fellow Rennlister. Appeared to be in good shape but all 4 were bent on the inside. Had them straightened.

Mark944na86

Well, of course just about _any_ rim, OEM or not, is going to be bent if going over a bad enough pot hole, or whatever...

chrisc

That was the point...the OE wheels from the outer side looked great, no apparent damage but on the machine you could find the flat spot on the insides of all 4 of the wheels. I doubt the PO hit bad enough pot holes to bend each of the 4 wheels. Our roads are pretty decent here in GA. Thought the orig poster was making quite a leap. Don't have any stock or interest in Tire Rack, don't even buy from them but think they would be interested in making this right if there was an inherent problem with the wheels. Many years ago I worked part time for a major importer of cast alloy after market wheels. Heard the same complaints then about our wheels.

Mark944na86

So what do you think caused them to bend?

The roads around where I live are not very good at all for a lowered S2 with stiffer than stock suspension, but my rims are still reasonably true. One of the front rims isn't perfect, but last time it was checked when new tyres went on, not out of round enough to justify fixing -- at least not yet. Certainly no noticable vibration, etc...

V2Rocket

i caught air one time in my 944 at about 60 mph going over a crest in the road, slammed down pretty hard but no wheel problems

Yabo

Wow, a wheel could bend from sitting? how could any wheel be that soft...

Mark944na86

What do you mean? Have you had them properly checked, or are you just not noticing anything?

V2Rocket

it was probably 2 years ago and im on my 3rd set of tires on the front and 2nd on the back (i eat tires like candy) but the rims have all been super straight...however mine are 15"s so they have alot more tire than you guys to protect them

Keithr726

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<-- I'm asking for it


These are oem but with only a 30 size tire.

Erzengal

Yeah, all those Replica's are unfortunatly known for being quite prone to bending and cracking, in addition to weighing as much as a boat anchor.

Might check Discount Tire, I believe they also sold that version of the Early Offset Twist.

Although, Wheel Prices are quiet low atm, I would check Craigslist for OE Wheels and Spacers.

ELLSSUU

I've got a set that are now in my attic. Had them on the car for several years. When I removed them to install new rims the guy mounting the tires said that my MM Twists were straight as an arrow. I doubt you bent them by having your car sit since mine sat on those same wheels without moving for about 8 months one time.

gcb951

Good to know. I was in the market for rims and considered the same ones. What about the replica Cup II's?

Mark944na86

The idea that these (or any other rims) are going to bend by sitting in one place for any length of time is just, er, silly. I'm surprised the list has been collectively so polite thus far, actually...

What _can_ happen is a car sitting for a long time can develop a flat spot on the _tires_, which will give you an out-of-round wheel, but has nothing to do with the shape of rims...

And I'd be leery about taking the advice of anyone about the relative manufacturing quality of rims if they didn't understand the difference between a flat spotted tire and a bent rim. Just sayin'...