I don't mean this question in an insulting way. I'm doing research for what wheels I want to save up for for my new RX-8. I love Advan wheels (I'm leaning toward 18x9" bronze Model T5 wheels). I tried to find a website for Advan wheels to learn more about them, but found nothing. They're apparently not forged, so what makes them worth $700 each? For that much money, I could get at least SSR and some Volk wheels, both of which are forged.

 

Well 1. They are very lightweight. and 2. Just look at how sexy they are.

 

they do look really nice

 

are these the gravity cast formed wheels???

or were those rays???

either way, there are many different methods to forging, and forging wheels at that. i don't see one method over another as superior... the more expensive method is just that.

think those are expensive? try CNC t6061 aluminum wheels... those cost a pretty penny=)

 

there's also the brand. you're paying for the brand. they are nice tho

 

Very light weight
Japanese made
look SEXY as hell. (ask me how I know)

 

Well...Buy a cheap set of knock off's and then buy advans...

It'll be like driving around on cheap all weather tires on the track versus having something like Azenis, r888's or Nevo's (sp)

Difference is in not only in looks and brand - but slightly becuase of performance. Advans weight in 10" wide isn't like Rota 10" wide.

 

There are very high safety standards that have to be met for any wheel sold in Japan, including aftermarket wheels (the little JWL stamped into OEM wheels and some aftermarkets denotes this). So add that extra R&D cost to what others have said about superior lightweight construction (forged or not), premium finishes and stylish designs that most cheap wheels copy and you start to understand the cost difference.

 

Advans are made by Enkei... nothing really all that exciting about their construction. All you pay for is the "JDM" premium

 

its because of the "ballernesss"

 

None of those answers really get to the point. They are not forged, which is the normal reason for high cost wheels. You can get other wheels that look sexy, are well made, very light, and cast. 5Zigen and Enkei come to mind, both of which can be had for much less money than Advan wheels. It sounds like there's nothing special about their manufacturing that makes them special or stronger than normal cast wheels. Enkei RPF1s are supposed to be stronger than "typical" cast wheels, but I bent two of those on my Mazda3 before giving up on them and selling them. Maybe I should go for forged, or look for a cast wheel that's a bit less expensive. I wouldn't be very happy about bending a $700 wheel on the shitty roads in mid-Michigan.

 

Do some research. Not all forged is the same nor is cast.

 

I don't mean to answer in an insulting way, but all the people dumb enough to be willing to pay the price.

Ok, maybe I did mean it in an insulting way ...

 

Most Advans are heavy, overpriced, and not that great looking. I have no idea what those who said they are light are talking about. The only decent looking ones that don't weigh too much are the TC II'S and the RG2.

 

agreed... IMO

but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I personally don't think they look all that good and they obviously arent all that light weight. You're paying for the brand recognition and exclusivity.

 

Could be that most of the fastest Japanese Time attack cars rock them..

 

They are expensive now because Jedi bought them, just like stock prices. He's pretty much the Warren Buffet of the wheel world

 

Like I said before, they are expensive cause they are baller.

 

That's kind of what I'm trying to do here. I'm trying to find out if there's something about their casting process that makes them worth as much as forged wheels. It's sound like maybe not so much.

 

again, they are made by Enkei -so they will not have any more/less quality then Enkei rims which are about half the price. However, Enkei has nothing that looks as dead sexy as the RZ or model T5 rims...

 

I'm just going to say it...this thread is worthless. (aside from dills' comment )

This same question could be asked of ANYTHING.
Nike shoes
Armani Suits
Omega Watches

You pay for style, quality, and brand.
If it's worth the price to YOU, then buy it. If not, look elsewhere.

 

wait armani suits are expensive and dont offer you any super powers?

 

They offer you some "chick magnet" power.

 

I need to get another set of Wheels.

Advans or SSR.

 

Ny: My opinion is a little biased... (see my new thread? )