HRE Wheels, Volk equivalents?
 

I have been entertaining the idea of getting new wheels, but I would like to get some forged concave wheels that are equivalent to the stock NISMO Rays in quality, strength and price (if not a slight upgrade). The problem is that there are SOOOO many wheels out there that I would like to narrow down my options, so any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

While surfing I am gravitated towards HRE wheels which seem to be in about the same price range as Volks (they have them on Lamborghinis!!!). Does anyone have any experience with or opinions of this manufacturer?

HRE's are gonna run you more then a set of volks. If you got the coin go for it.

:yum:

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5456/6...efe495aa_b.jpg

:iagree::iagree:

Thanks for the responses...they certainly are great looking wheels. There are a dozen styles that I like, which is unusual since I have had only luke-warm aesthetic impressions from any other manufacturer so far (including Volks).

Now I have gathered that they beautiful and expensive, but what about performance? I don't track my car, but if I were to pay more for a better looking tire, I would be devestated if it degraded the "feel" I get with the stock NISMO Rays.

It seems that HRE are highly regarded, but I just want to make sure it is not hype.

The 303M's are looking good to me right now:

Classic Series - 303M | HRE Performance Wheels

From what I gather they go for about $1500 a piece without any custom finish. Does that sound right? Are there any dealers you can recommend that will give me a good price and treat me right?

Getyourhweels is the only way to go. They are a sponsor here.

http://www.the370z.com/members/getyourwheels.html

Work wheels have a good variety, go to workwheelUSA. They are high quality and around the same price of volks, if thats your budget. $3500-5000 without tires

HRE's are really nice but their designs don't flow too well with our z's imo.

You won't regret getting Volks. I've had advan, work, and Volk but the only one I ended up keeping are the Volk wheels :p.

I agree, you won't regret getting a set of Volks. I love mine

If you choose a JDM wheel, RavSpec is a good forum sponsor to contact
Nissan 370Z Forum - View Profile: RavSpec

If you are set on HRE, they are great too. You'll probably end up paying $1500-$3000 more on your set of wheels.

I have both the Volks and Work. They are both very nice wheels.

if the hre's are lighter weight in that stying and you have the money for it, id do that for a sports car. for dress up, id get work wheels. in fact i have gnosis on my other ride. i like them.

Many Forged Monoblock wheels from brands like Strasse Forged and HRE will weigh less than the work or volk wheels in 2 piece configuration. However, what most people will not tell you is that they are not lighter than a properly configured 3 piece wheel with a performance weight reduction and the correctly chosen design. Monoblock forged wheels like the HRE you posted above is cut from a single piece of forged billet.

Step lipped wheels are traditionally the lightest option in a 3 piece configuration versus a flat lip. Also a 5 spoke design is typically the lightest design as well...

If your going for straight weight reduction I would start there. I hope this is helpful.

I definitely know that Volks are awesome wheels because I have absolutely the best looking set on my car now. So my first place I went to freshen up the look of my Z was Rays/Volk Racing for sure.

To be honest the look of the TE37 doesn't do it for me and I would consider it a downgrade in the aesthetics. Plus I think every Z with aftermarket wheels has them.

That leaves me to the G12 or the VR.G2. Again, nice wheels, but after seeing them on Zs, not good enough IMO.

So after all the good recommendations and comments from this thread, surfing the web and from looking at wheels until my eyes have started bleeding I think I will indeed go with HRE!

Now the decision to be made is should I go with the:

Classic Series - 303M | HRE Performance Wheels

or the

Classic Series - 309M | HRE Performance Wheels

If those are the only two choices then 303.

303

Look into Volk ZE40 and new Advan RZII. Both have multispoke concave look you are talking about.

Oh yes, a set of 19" Volk Racing ZE40s would be perfect.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3720/...b161f75c_c.jpg[/url]

agree.. personally, i'd prefer multi-piece wheels with fat lips.

I think what does it for me with the Classic series HREs is the un-tapered, stark spokes that don't curve back into the lip at the end. It is a very strong look that might compliment the Z very well.

I agree that the 303s would look pretty awesome for sure, and the 309s might look friggin' weird. But, who knows...it might be worth it to take the risk on the 309s.

In any case, when I get these I think I might be the only guy on the forum that will have this style, so we will have another example.

Thanks for all the info and comments!

If you want to show your brakes off then 303 if not the 309...

I am running a style like the 309s and you don't even notice my massive bbk...
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...psvnhp00q4.jpg

Thanks for bringing this up, as it is something to consider. Thanks for sharing a "more spokes" example.

Are those Vossens?

Yes.

Not a fan of concave. Personally I'd go with a +15 offset work or TE37TTA with a 4 inch lip. Just my opinion.

Good Luck in your findings.

I want me some ZE40s!

HRE's are more for Euro cars....like Porsche....just like Volks are geared more towards Import cars.

So are you are saying that if I put them on my Z that it would be like a hot Russian chick?

If you want something similar to the Nismo wheels you can get the new Volk Te37 ULTRA. Its the same beautiful design but smaller lip and more concaved vs the old te37 which was less concaved (and depending on the offset more lip too.)

Can't go wrong with that look.

I am about to order the 303M's in black, but I realized there are three different flavors: Satin, Textured and Gloss. Since I am keeping the car the same stock black, my feeling is that the Gloss black is the way to go. Is there any reason why I should consider the other two?

I'd go with satin + CF center cap

Classic Series - 305 | HRE Performance Wheels

http://cdn.hrewheels.com.s3.amazonaw...92a1455705.png

SSR CV01 are very similar to the HRE. I like the way the spokes are on this wheel more than the HRE.

https://lifewithjson.files.wordpress.../03/image3.jpg

But SSR wheels are no where near the quality and strength as HRE. Ive seen race cars run them and been to their open houses. Comparing SSR to HRE is like comparing Honda with a ZONDA. Even volk wheels are not up to the level of quality as HRE, close but not quite there.

I think the guy from the tire shop is going to have an orgasm when they arrive. BTW, I finally made the decision to go with the 19" Satin Black 303M. I am going with stock size so I can swap wheels with my OEM Rays if I eventually start tracking my Z.

http://www.honda.co.jp/SuperGT/race2...images/r03.jpg

Not that I'm saying HREs aren't any good but SSRs are also run on race cars.. Sooooo they are probably just as strong..

The approach I took when trying to decide on wheels was first to find "the look" I liked and then wanted to make sure that they would perform (feel) as well as my stock rims. Since my stock rims are Rays, it was a higher bar than usual.

I wasn't opposed to any other brand and think that all that were recommended in this thread are of high quality.

Thanks for the recommendations and opinions!

I am glad that we all have a little bit different tastes for sure, which makes for a variety of cool Zs to look at.

Ordered Satin Black 303Ms in the stock NISMO size with the carbon fiber HRE center caps. It is a 4 week wait since they are truly custom. They will have a fresh set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports when I put them on for the summer.

I am very excited...stay tuned for pics :tup:

There are a bunch of differences when it comes to wheels and generally I would say most people the look really is the only thing that matters.

However, if your one of those people that are really into performance some things make the small differences.

First, Volk/Rays has one of the most impressive build processes I have ever seen for a wheel. Unlike a HRE/Forgeline they forged the wheel center into its desired shape. This has a few advantages as it allows for an extremely strong spoke design. This is because you never have to cut across the crystalline structure of the aluminum. However, they are limited on designs so weight/strength really isn't improved in this process. They seem reluctant to do any additional machining beyond the original forging.

The Second thing about forging the center of the wheel and then attaching the inner and outer rim shells is that you end up with no spoke support on the outer lip. You will also find a lot of designs they use like the TE-37 have a nice 45 before it attaches to the rim-shell making it much more likely to flex. There is very little difference between most of the volk monoblock designs and a 3pc wheel when it comes to stiffness as a result.

I don't know alot about the SSR process but its seems like it wouldn't have the same strength as a high pressure forged billet. I really do not know much beyond the fact they don't use a traditional forging process.

When you look at an HRE or Forgline 1pc design almost all of them bring the spoke flush to the outter edge of the wheel. Which some people don't find as attractive but if your looking for outside lip you can always run a 3pc design. The real advantage to the 1pc is that you get this extra stiffness.