"Real" VS "Fake" Wheels

Arguably one of the biggest topics when comes to the current car scene, “real” wheels versus “fake” wheel. Which is better? what makes differentiates them? And which should you buy? With so many aftermarket wheel manufacturers out there, for many different applications, how can a company differentiate themselves?

So, what makes a wheel, “real”? Honestly, there isn’t a very clear-cut answer, but there are many characteristics behind the wheel and brand that classify it as being “real”. One of them being the research and manufacturing process along with the materials behind them. This typically means structurally they are higher quality and can withstand harsher driving, it can also mean that they are lightweight, yet very durable. The research and development that goes behind the wheels typically mean that the company goes out of their way to ensure that not only are they meeting OEM standards but exceeding them. And probably the most significant characteristic is design. This is one of the most common determining factors when it comes to classifying a brand as “fake”. The design of the wheel can be one of the most difficult things for a company to come up with and if it’s an original design it is most likely “real”, although there are a handful of companies that have some very similar looking wheels, they are unique in slight ways.

There are so many “real” or authentic wheel companies that have created wheels that people in the car scene gravitate towards and respect for the originality and craftsmanship. Some notable brands and a few of my favorites are; Work, Volk, BBS, and Rotiform. Work is a Japanese wheel manufacturer known for making some of the highest quality three-piece wheels when it comes to design and originality, they’ve created some timeless designs that look great on so many different cars. Volk is also a Japan-based wheel manufacturer known for creating performance-oriented wheels that are forged, great for the track or just to run because they have simple designs that look great on nearly every car. BBS is known for their racing heritage and classic designs for most European cars. And lastly, one of my personal favorites, Rotiform, which is known for their innovative and unique designs along with the finishes and configurations available for any vehicle since everything is done in-house.

So, what makes a wheel or brand, “fake” or a replica. Typically, it is a copy of an original design. The real question is, why these companies copy designs? I’m sure there are quite a few reasons, but it mostly has to do with a lack of resources and cutting many steps in the process of developing the wheels, reverse-engineering, whether if that is in testing or materials. And this leads to low production cost and low price for the consumer, but it’s also a sub-par product with issues of cracking, bending, and overall fit and finish. Despite this, there are a few companies that are trying to change the stigma of “rep” wheels by venturing into making unique three-piece wheels at an affordable price, but it is hard to be known as a “rep” company and then making something unique because at that point the originality and foundation isn’t there.

Lastly, I want to give my opinion as to which you should buy. If someone would have asked me whether or not they should buy authentic or replica wheels or brands, I would have told them either of them are fine. Now, I would only recommend authentic wheels because over the years I’ve learned a lot about wheels, and the reality is that if you are looking to buy wheels it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. For example, there are many companies that offer quality and good-looking wheels for a very affordable price, such as; Enkei, Konig, Rotiform’s cast line, and Kansei, which is new to the game. Another option is to buy used authentic wheels because it is a great way to get authentic wheels for a decent price if you can find a set you like. At the end of the day, I would choose authentic wheels over replicas because wheels are one of the main things connecting you to the road, and it shouldn’t be a thing that you have to worry about when it comes to whether or not they can take an impact from the roads. Also, if you’re a car enthusiast or just getting into modifying, nothing feels better than knowing you’ve got some nice wheels that you aren’t going to regret buying because they are real and will overall make a build that much better and isn’t that what we all want!