I PURCHASED A 91' C2 COUPE 1YR 1/2 AGO SLATE GREY. IT CAME WITH THE ORIGINAL DESIGN 9O'S A LITTLE CURB RASH TO. I CHOOSED TO REPLACE THEM WITH CUP 1'S IN CHROME. I THINK IT SET THE CAR OFF IN CONTRAST WITH THE DARK GREY extierior.
I KNOW MOST PEOPLE DON'T USE CHROME WHEELS ON THEIR CARS. I JUST WANTED SOME FEED BACK ON WHY? MY CAR IS GARAGED IN THE WINTER AND IS USED MODERETLY IN THE SUMMER TIME. I'M STARTING TO THINK THAT PORSCHE'S AND CHROME ARE LIKE OIL & WATER.


DAVE

 

Chroming an alloy wheel weakens it. If you've ever seen chrome flaking away, it really pits the metal underneath. That's why I would never consider a chromed alloy wheel.

 

Me neither - Team Lotus in the 1960's used to chrome suspension parts of their Formula one cars until they experienced a number of failings and decided that strength was more important than looks.

 

I just depends on your preference, but I don't like chrome myself. This is a generalization, but I think most Porshce owners are not only fond of the car's performance, but also the relatively understated look (vs. ferraris and Lambos). If this is true then most personalities that buy Porsche's like to have them look great, but understated as well (no chrome or non-P spoilers, etc.). I may be off base here, because I do see chrome on porshces, just not many. The "average" person that buys a Ferrari or Lambo is more likely to buy to be seen and less concerned about the performance aspect. Car and Driver used to call these buyers, "the gold chain set", which I think was mentioned in the F-40 test. Something to do with they would not be able to handle that much power. I was clicking through the channels a few weeks ago and caught Tommy Hilfiger (sp.) buying a new Enzo. Again I may be wrong, but think he is much more likely to drive it up and down Park Ave., than quickly down mountain roads. So I see chrome as a "look at me" thing, that is not generally the goal of most Porsche owners. I love the look of Ferraris, but don't have the personality to drive a red 360 Spyder around town....or a car with chrome wheels.

With that being said if anyone has a 360 they want to let me borrow please PM me....unless it has chrome wheels.

Just my opinion, could be wrong......

 

Dr. Porsche weighs in with this statement about chrome and his alloy wheels:

 

a good polishing shop can get alloy looking like chrome , then a quick coat of laquer helps with maintenance .

 

Another vote for NON chromed wheels.

Take a look at my chromed hollow spoke turbo twist wheels: http://www.cuberootconsulting.com/gallery/album43

Needless to say, that was an accident waiting to happen. I actually drove around for another 10 miles with the huge chunk of metal in the tire to get home.

If you like the chromed look, go get your wheel painted. Its probably cheaper and safer.

 

JEFF 993TT NICE HOLLOW SPOKES..
I HOPE THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN TO ME ANY TIME SOON..

 

Chrome is just way too shiny and discoey.

 

Interesting that Porsche would recommend against chrome plating wheels, yet they do it themselves currently on the Turbo Twists.

I have had a set of 944 Turbo S forged club sports for 10 years, that the previous owner had chromed. I dont like them appearance-wise, and they do tend to oxidize a little where the chrome did not plate thick, like in the lug nut wells and on the inside of the wheel. But its not much worse than the standard anodized finish for this type of wheel (painted is the way to go for avoiding corrosion). And as long as you keep them cleaned (dont let the brake dust build up and dont drive in the winter salt), they are not going to pit to the point of weakening the wheel.


If you like the mirror finish, I agree that polished is better, but you will also have similar oxidation problems, since any finish on the aluminum has been buffed off.


Jeff, thats a really unusual failure. Do you think the wheel was damaged the last time a shop dismounted/mounted a tire?

 

I was thinking about my Design '90 wheels bringing in for chroming. I use those for winter.

In my visits to the USA, I see a lot of those wheels under 964.
I personally love chrome D '90 wheels.

I am still thinking about it, but I hasitate because of the bulletin on this topic.

Khadmus, a 954 Owner from California has some under his car, see his aviator.

 

That was from the acid getting inside the hollow spokes and eating the rim from the inside out. The choming shop could have avoided this by plugging up the valve stem. But they missed that minor detail.

I doublt that the tire shop did that becuase they are very consientious and very good. Also, you could see the beginnings of the same type of discoloration on the other wheels starting to form as well.