Choosing wheels can be a daunting task, especially since we’re faced by such a huge variety of designs, finishes and manufacturers. To get a sense of the latest styles available, we threw 23 of the latest offerings in a van and headed to the local park.
The wheels vary in construction, using cast, forged and flow-forming technology. We also have a selection of one- and three-piece wheels in classic mesh, five spoke and multi-spoke styles.
So what are the added benefits to each manufacturing process? Many of us are aware of the traditional gravity casting process to create one-piece cast aluminum wheels. However, positive pressure can be added to the process in order to push the molten aluminum into the mold more quickly. This is claimed to add strength and reduce weight versus the gravity technique.
Further improvements can be found through a specialized procedure adding steps to the casting process. Known as flow-forming or spun-rim technology, the process developed by BBS and used for its Formula One wheels starts with a low-pressure cast wheel. A machine then spins and heats the outer rim before steel rollers form its width and contours. This creates a wheel said to be similar in strength to a forged wheel but with the affordability of a casting.
However, forged wheels remain the cream of the crop. Designed for maximum strength and lightweight characteristics, CNC machines-cut billet aluminum to form the wheel. This process is expensive but can be tailored to your specific application, like some of the wheels featured here.
Listed with each design are the available sizes, bolt patterns and finishes, along with its construction and starting price (per wheel). For individual wheel fitments, options or a complete line-up, visit the mentioned websites.
1. Name: Volk Racing C345 Ultralight
Sizes: 17, 18"
Bolt patterns: 5x100, 5x114.3, 5x112, 5x120
Finishes: black, mercury silver II and custom colors
Construction: mold-forged 1pc
Starting Price: $700
Website: rays-msc.com, mackinindustries.com
2. Name: BBS CH-R
Sizes: 18-20"
Bolt Patterns: 5x100 to 5x130
Finishes: matte black-brilliant, silver-titanium with stainless rim protector
Construction: one-piece counter-pressure with flow-formed rim
Starting Price: $660
Website: bbs-usa.com
3. Name: DPE S20
Sizes: 18-22" (19-21" step-lip)
Bolt Patterns: custom
Finishes: custom
Construction: 3pc
Starting Price: $1285
Website: dpe-wheels.com
4. Name: SSR Professor MS3
Sizes: 18-20"
Bolt Patterns: standard and custom PCD available
Finishes: titan silver, silver, flat black and custom colors
Construction: 3pc
Starting Price: $740
Website: ssrwheels.com
5. Name: HRE Vintage 501
Sizes Available: 18-20"
Bolt Patterns: four- and five-lug bolt patterns
Finishes: in-house powdercoat and brushed finishes
Construction: forged 6061-T6 aluminum 3pc
Starting Price: $1700
Website: hrewheels.com
6. Name: Neuspeed RSe12
Sizes: 18x7.5, 18x8, 18x8.5"
Bolt Patterns: 4x100, 5x100, 5x112
Finishes: silver, graphite, black
Construction: hybrid-forged hubcentric 1pc
Starting Price: $279.95
Website: neuspeed.com
7. Name: Drag DR-37
Size: 17x7.5, 18x8, 18x8.5, 19x8, 19x8.5, 19x9.5”
Bolt Patterns: 5x120
Finishes: flat black, chrome, flat black machined face, gloss black, gunmetal machined face, silver, hyper black or silver
Construction: low-pressure die-cast
Starting Price: $135
Website: dragwheels.com
8. Name: Tenzo RTZ.Seven
Sizes: 18x8, 19x8.5, 19x9.5, 20x8.5, 20x10”
Bolt Patterns: 5x100, 5x108, 5x110, 5x112, 5x114.3, 5x120
Finishes: matte black, machined, bronze, charcoal
Construction: 1pc cast
Starting Price: $199
Website: tenzoracingsports.com
9. Name: Privat Weiden
Sizes: 19x8 & 9, 20x9 & 10.5"
Bolt Patterns: 5x112, 5x114.3, 5x120
Finishes: silver with mirror-machined face
Construction: 1pc
Starting Price: N/A
Website: privatwheels.com
10. Name: Rotiform SNA
Sizes: 18-24”
Bolt Patterns: any
Construction: forged 3pc 6061-T6 aluminum
Finishes: custom
Starting Price: $1250
Website:
rotiform.com
11. Name: Advan RZ-DF
Sizes: 19, 20”
Bolt Patterns: 5x114.3, 5x112, 5x120, 5x130
Finishes: matte black, hyper black with machined lip, hyper silver (Porsche only), Racing Red (Porsche only)
Construction: mold forged one-piece
Starting Price: $800
Website: mackinindustries.com
12. Name: Beyern Bavaria
Sizes: 17-20”
Bolt Patterns: 5x120
Construction: rotary forged
Finishes: hyper silver, matte black
Starting Price: $280
Website: beyernwheels.com
13. Name: ADV.1 10.1SL
Sizes: 18-22”
Bolt Patterns: any bolt pattern
Finishes: any
Construction: one-piece forged monoblock
Starting Price: $1800
Website: adv1wheels.com
14. Name: CCW LM5
Sizes: 15-18” (any width)
Bolt Patterns: four-lug up to 4x100, five-lug up to 5x130
Finishes: polished, white, silver, gunmetal, pewter, hyper silver & black, satin & gloss black, teal, etc
Construction: forged 3pc
Starting Price: $425
Website: ccwheel.com
15. Name: fifteen52 Tarmac
Sizes: 17x8, 17x9, 18x8.5, 18x9.5, 18x10.5"
Bolt Patterns: any
Finishes: white, silver
Construction: low-pressure cast
Starting Price: $279
Website: fifteen52.us
16. Name: Vossen CV3
Sizes: 19x8.5, 19x10, 20x8.5, 20x9, 20x10, 20x10.5, 20x11, 22x9, 22x10.5"
Bolt Patterns: 5x108, 5x112, 5x114.3, 5x115, 5x120, 5x130
Finishes: matte graphite, matte silver or black with machined face
Construction: low-pressure cast
Starting Price: $499
Website: vossenwheels.com
17. Name: Fuchs FP1
Sizes: 19x8.5, 19x10, 19x11, 19x12"
Bolt Patterns: 5x130 (Porsche only)
Finishes: custom
Construction: drop-forged monoblock
Starting Price: $1300
Website: fuchsperformance.com
18. Name: Vörsteiner VS-110
Sizes: 19-22"
Bolt Patterns: custom options
Finishes: powdercoat, brushed, satin
Construction: forged 6061-T6 aluminum
Starting Price: $1495
Website: vorsteiner.com
19. Name: TechArt Formula III
Sizes: 19-22"
Bolt Patterns: 5x130 (Porsche only)
Finishes: silver or custom coatings
Construction: 1pc forged
Starting Price: $1795
Website: techart.de
20. Name: Brabus Monoblock R
Sizes: 18-20, 22"
Bolt Patterns: 5x112 (Mercedes-Benz only)
Finishes: liquid-titanium with dark clearcoat
Construction: 1pc cast
Starting Price: $895
Website: brabus.de
21. Name: CEC c882 Forged
Sizes: 19-22” (widths from 8.5-13”)
Bolt Patterns: 5x108 to 5x130
Finishes: matte black/ machined, anthracite/machined and custom options
Construction: forged monoblock
Starting Price: $1599
Website: cecwheels.com
22. Name: Startech Monostar R
Sizes: 20, 22”
Bolt Patterns: 5x108, 5x114.3, 5x120
Finishes: silver, black
Construction: 1pc, 2pc cast
Starting Price: $690
Website: startech.de
23. Name: Móduláre Forged B18
Sizes: 19-22”
Bolt Patterns: 5x100-5x135
Finishes: custom
Construction: forged T6-6061 aluminum monoblock
Starting Price: $1800
Website: modularewheels.com
Forgeline’s GA1R wheel didn’t make it in time for our photo shoot in the park with 23 wheels and one dog. Rather than kicking to the curb, we decided to include here anyway...
24. Name of Wheel: Forgeline GA1R
Sizes Available: 18-20”
Bolt Patterns: five-lug and center-lock
Finishes: custom
Construction: Forged 6061-T6 aluminum monoblock
Starting Price: POA
Website: forgeline.com