Maybe I'm more of an old poot than I thought. But for the life of me I don't understand the love affair that so many car owners are having with after market wheels. It is very common in Atlanta to see cars that have wheels that are worth more than the car. To me the ZO6 wheels look great. Why would anyone spend thousands of dollars for something that doesn't really improve the overall appearence and has virtually no impact on performance on a ZO6. I mean no disrespect to anyone, but I really don't understand how the multi billion dollar market for after market wheels came to be.
__________________
2002 Z06 Black/Mod Red
"Politicians never accuse you of 'greed' for wanting other people's money --- only for wanting to keep your own money." (Joseph Sobran)
People want to be different, they dont want to look like every Z06 going down the road. thats the only reason I would change wheels. I have chrome wheels cause I just love the way chrome looks on cars on a nice sunny day.
O ya and kids today, have to have wheels on there cars. euro, american and trucks.
Originally posted by dfunde01 for something that doesn't really improve the overall appearence
Aside from a different color paintjob I cant think of a more noticeable appearance mod.The wheels make the car in my opinion, with stock wheels on my car to most people it would be "just another z06" (which is not bad by any means). food for thought....
Well I guess that your post is directed right at me. I have owned three different sets of HRE wheels for my Z06 within the last year. Each set drastically changed the look and personality of the car and made it unique. I wish I knew how to post pictures, but I really think you will understand by looking at the pictures alex posted. Wheels change the personality of the Z, and make it different from the others on the road. I just got some HRE 540's in 19" rear and 18" front with brushed aluminum spokes. I love them !!!! I guess to each his own opinion though.
__________________
2002 Z06 - Quicksilver with mod red interior. World Challenge body kit consisting of front fascia, front spoiler, side skirts with Z06 brake ducts, rear fascia with built in spoiler and cunards, and 3/4" flared rear fenders. HRE 540 wheels with brushed aluminum centers sizes 19"x12.5" rear and 18"x10" front, Michelin Pilots 345/19 rear and 285/18 front, Ken King carbon fiber look leather with red stitching sport package, MGW satin silver shift knob, e-brake handle, and A/C knobs. Brey Krause harness bar with red G-Force belts, three inch exhaust all the way back, no cats, LS1 edit tuning, carbon fiber high rise hood with vent, matching factory style gad and dead pedals, Lloyd's black floor mats with red border, aluminum gauge cluster bezels, Hurricane carbon fiber intake system, carbon fiber air bridge, carbon fiber door sills, carbon fiber radiator covers, Autometer carbon fiber series transmission temperature and air/fuel ratio gauges with dual gauge pod, 160 degree thermostat, lowered 1.5" front and rear, Halltech carbon fiber fuel rail cover with red "CORVETTE" lettering, carbon fiber fender covers, COMP cams camshaft package, Hotchkis front and rear sway bars, underdrive pulleys, LG Motorsports long tube stainless steel headers, Eclipse CD player with in-dash six disc changer, JL Audio amplifier, and (2) 10" JL Audio subwoofers.
The apperance aspect is quite subjective, so I won't get into it. But after-market wheels can and does improve the performance of a car - even that of the Z06. A few of the reasons that come to mind are:
1) If you want really wide rubber in order to improve cornering ability, say 345mm in the rear, you will have to get wheels that are wider than our stock 10.5" ones.
2) One way to get better handling (specially for folks who are into road-racing) is to reduce the side-wall height of the tire. If you want to do this without reducing the outer tire diameter, you will have to go for wheels with a larger diameter.
3) For better all out acceleration (directed at drag racers) a smaller wheel diameter is preferable because it means that the tire+wheel mass is more concentrated at the center of the wheel hub. Secondly, a larger tire-wall height in this case aids in getting better traction for fast off-the line launches.
4) High quality after-market wheels are lighter than stock and so even if you are sticking with the stock diameter and width, they will end up reducing the total rotational mass, thereby providing better acceleration and braking.
So yes, there are performace reasons for going with after-market wheels.
-Anil
Quote:
Originally posted by dfunde01 Maybe I'm more of an old poot than I thought. But for the life of me I don't understand the love affair that so many car owners are having with after market wheels. It is very common in Atlanta to see cars that have wheels that are worth more than the car. To me the ZO6 wheels look great. Why would anyone spend thousands of dollars for something that doesn't really improve the overall appearence and has virtually no impact on performance on a ZO6. I mean no disrespect to anyone, but I really don't understand how the multi billion dollar market for after market wheels came to be.
Well I'm 33, far to young to be an old poot. I personally think the Z06's stock rims are still the best looking rims on the car, but if racing is your thing, you probably would want wider wheels so unless you had the rims custom made or modified somehow, aftermarker is your only option.
I also feel this is allll up ot the owner. You know what opinions are like and we all have them!
__________________
Waiting... it's GREAT when its OVER!!
I like the stock Z06 rims on the car and will stay with them because I'm not dropping thousands of dollars to 'reinvent the wheel"
I admire those that do change the rims. I look with awe and envy as I see these new 19 inch CCWs
They are absolutely stunning.
I'm just too cheap an SOB to drop the cash on it.
I'm not sure the car handles better or accelerates better with aftermarket rims.
Quite often the 19's and 20's can have a detrimental effect on a cars performance.
Not a fact..just something I believe can often occur.
As the C6 Z06 hits with its larger 20 inch rims I may infact roll into a set of CCW's because I believe they are among the best performing, lightest and best looking ones out there and might be necessary if we are to retrofit C6 brake rotor technology.
Its all predicated on whether the C6 Z06 goes CCM rotors and if its retrofittable..(if thats even a word)
All that said. I like the look of the Z06 as is it and don't want to alter it. Some people like to change the look and more power to them.
As they say..Variety is the spice of life. Same holds true for ZZZZZZZZZZZ's.
AutoForums.com is the premier network of enthusiast-owned
enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
We operate more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share
experiences and opinions as a community.
Aside from a different color paintjob I cant think of a more noticeable appearance mod.The wheels make the car in my opinion, with stock wheels on my car to most people it would be "just another z06" (which is not bad by any means). food for thought....
Linear Mode
