Are Borbet wheels popular in the US
12-26-2015, 06:12 PM
#1
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Are Borbet wheels popular in the US
Hi all.
Just had a set of 16" Borbet A Wheels come into stock and was wondering if they are popular in the US? They have a small following in the UK but not sure if it would be better to sell in the US?
Thanks.
Just had a set of 16" Borbet A Wheels come into stock and was wondering if they are popular in the US? They have a small following in the UK but not sure if it would be better to sell in the US?
Thanks.
12-26-2015, 06:30 PM
#2
Three Wheelin'
There are a few of them around in the U.S. but I do think there are far more popular styles that are favored by 944/968 owners.
Personally, they are not my favorite wheel but then not many aftermarket wheels are......
just my perspective
Personally, they are not my favorite wheel but then not many aftermarket wheels are......
just my perspective
12-26-2015, 08:42 PM
#3
Rennlist Member
I had a set on an '87 BMW L6 (635i).
They were a 5-spoke wheel and were installed by a previous owner and I liked the look they gave to that car.
I had to replace one after I bought the car because I found it was bent, and Tire Rack was the only place I could find it in the States.
Like mrgreenjeans, I too generally dislike aftermarket wheels. Perhaps it is because they look so "radical" trying to gain attention of the buyer and onlookers alike.
That's part of the reason I liked the simple Borbet wheels on that 635. They were a simple, elegant smooth 5-spoke with very little flash and sharp edges.
They were a 5-spoke wheel and were installed by a previous owner and I liked the look they gave to that car.
I had to replace one after I bought the car because I found it was bent, and Tire Rack was the only place I could find it in the States.
Like mrgreenjeans, I too generally dislike aftermarket wheels. Perhaps it is because they look so "radical" trying to gain attention of the buyer and onlookers alike.
That's part of the reason I liked the simple Borbet wheels on that 635. They were a simple, elegant smooth 5-spoke with very little flash and sharp edges.
12-26-2015, 09:23 PM
#4
Hates Family Guy
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Nobody wants 16" anymore. 17 or larger.
I had a set of 16" Borbets for my Audi, took forever to get rid of them, finally just about gave them away to a guy who was going to use them for snow tires.
I had a set of 16" Borbets for my Audi, took forever to get rid of them, finally just about gave them away to a guy who was going to use them for snow tires.
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12-28-2015, 10:46 AM
#11
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12-28-2015, 02:33 PM
#12
Crazy...
They tried 18" diameter rims on Formula One cars, what a disaster they were massively slower, poor traction and didn't handle / corner as good etc..as the current 13" diameter.
R
12-28-2015, 04:51 PM
#13
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It's Fashion over function ! the "Big is best" philosophy and for example the latest 911 (991) come with 20" wheels as standard now I think!
Crazy...
They tried 18" diameter rims on Formula One cars, what a disaster they were massively slower, poor traction and didn't handle / corner as good etc..as the current 13" diameter.
R
Crazy...
They tried 18" diameter rims on Formula One cars, what a disaster they were massively slower, poor traction and didn't handle / corner as good etc..as the current 13" diameter.
R
You are perfectly correct. In addition to being lighter, their smaller diameter contributes to them having lower rotational inertia.
But that doesnt apply to street cars, where tire selection in anything below 17" is a joke at best and rim width is limited in sizes below 17". If you're making any kind of power, there is no other option except 18s. They simply don't make many 10+" wide 17" rims and they don't make sticky street tires in 285+ section width 17" size.
12-29-2015, 01:36 PM
#14
You are perfectly correct. In addition to being lighter, their smaller diameter contributes to them having lower rotational inertia.
But that doesnt apply to street cars, where tire selection in anything below 17" is a joke at best and rim width is limited in sizes below 17". If you're making any kind of power, there is no other option except 18s. They simply don't make many 10+" wide 17" rims and they don't make sticky street tires in 285+ section width 17" size.
But that doesnt apply to street cars, where tire selection in anything below 17" is a joke at best and rim width is limited in sizes below 17". If you're making any kind of power, there is no other option except 18s. They simply don't make many 10+" wide 17" rims and they don't make sticky street tires in 285+ section width 17" size.
These 16" wheels and their sizes will work very well on any stock 944 chassis for the street,
My fashion over function comment extends to as you suggest the "Market" which has not and does not produce wider rims or tyres in 15-16" diameter wheels but has only gone wider with every increase in diameter...so we now have front wheel drive hatchbacks with 200+bhp and 19" rims....this combo may look racey stood still but is poor for traction....
I'll start a new thread...
R