Here's my question. I need rims for my maxima. I am in LOVE with the Racing Hart C5's. I know they're kinda played out but I don't care, I love them. The problem is I just payed my tuition bill for next semester and I have about 35 cents to my name. C5's are really expensive. My question is... what's the deal with the fakes, like the Katana Concept 5. I know they're a lot cheaper, A LOT (like $180 a rim). Of course, like everything else you get what you pay for. So what's the deal with them? Why are they so cheap and how do they compare with the real deal.

Thanks for the help.

Chris

 

Try here: http://www.binno.com That's what i had on my 90SE before it was totaled...17x8" but they only maxe the x7.5" and x9" ones now I believe...these wheels are nice for the money.

 

Mine are the Binno B-970-CB's between $169-$449/ea
go here: http://www.binno.com/show_room/nissan_maxima.htm
you can see a pict of them on a 2000+ maxima..

[Edited by FAST4EN on 01-01-2001 at 07:07 PM]

 

Ohyeah...they have FREE SHIPPING on all of their wheels too!!!

 

check with bl513...he got his dirt cheap...they are just about exact replicas of the C5's...you can barely tell from far away...i have seen his and real c5's in person...ive seen the concepts...as cheap as 140 per rim...

 

they might be one piece and / or heavier

 

chris: how do they look up close... i mean, honestly i don't care if people say, "oh those aren't real c5's" i couldn't care just as long as the fit and quality is okay ya know?

jw82: what's the difference between 1 and 3 piece rims?

Thanks for the info guys!

Chris

 

Few things are different between the real ones and the copycats.

1. Racing Hart C5 are two piece while the copycat ones just look like two piece. I'm talking about the real racing hart and not the Racing Hart Evolution C5. They are made by two different companies. Advantage of two piece. If you bent the rim, you can just replace the rim and still use the face part.

2. The paint is flawless on the real Racing Hart C5. The color is deep, bright and shiny. There will be more coats of paint, thicker and more consistant. The copycat ones could have very thin coats, runs, drips, inconsistant color. Put them next to each other and you can easily see the difference in paint quality. In the long run, while the real C5 looks brand new after 5 years. The copycats will have chips and cracks.

3. Material. Better quality rims are forged aluminum while the cheaper ones are cast. Forged is stronger and lighter.

I've been through two sets of rim so far. You pretty much get what you pay for.

There are some great quality bargin wheels. Konig, TSW, and Borbet all make quality wheels for the price.

[Edited by 1MAX2NV on 01-01-2001 at 08:26 PM]

 

they are practically brand new still...they look pretty damn good up close...there is a definite quality difference between the real and the concepts but they look good...i'd buy em if i had the loot...

 

i have the copycats..the katana c5s because i am 17 with no money..they are actually pretty good looking..i got the 17x7s for 135 a peice..go to dynamicwheels.com or call them up for a quote..i bought them because i absolutely love the style...the real ones have a much deeper lip to them tho and have a mirror finish..the copycats are just a lip and it's polished but not to a mirrorshine..oh well, i am happy with them..the only thing is that the tires i got a little wide and they don't look low profile..a little too chunky for my taste..i got the nitto nt 555 235/45/17s..so get 225's

 

interesting replies. thanks! bl513 do you have any close pics of your rims?

thanks.

chris