Aftermarket wheel availability for 19s

[optronix]

Anybody else notice the hilarious lack of inventory for virtually any wheel in the size that fits our cars? When I say "fit" I am implying the typical aftermarket offset of ~+45. I considered doing a more aggressive fitment because there are a few available in +22 to +34, but decided that's not what I want.

Some of you may recall that I just posted roughly 10 days ago that I bought a set of Apex VS-5RS... but as things sit right now, that's looking like more of a deposit. ETA for delivery was stated as late April, here we are on the 1st and I can't get a response unless I call, just to be told that the ETA on the website is accurate.

So I actually placed that order with the expectation that where it said "3 available" that meant 3 sets, but I did get confirmation over the phone that they have 3 WHEELS. Which doesn't help me much at all- especially considering the recent thread on here about how these wheels don't like the OEM Michelins, which is what I was planning on using until they were burnt up.

Anyway, TL;DR. I thought I bought a set of wheels but apparently only bought 3, the other one still needs to be made. So I started looking around for other options and found a whole lot of nothing at all.

There's literally nothing out there. All these sites advertise all these different wheels, but they actually don't have any of them in inventory, and when you ask for ETA they ALL have to be special ordered, and the time can vary from 3-7 months with absolutely no confirmation that those dates are remotely accurate.

Also I should point out I've been burned before. I ordered a set of beautiful CE28Ns in formula silver for my 2015 STI back in 2015, dropped a large deposit and was given a 3 month ETA that quickly turned into 5, 6, 7, 8 months and then I traded the car. I'm not going to deal with that again.

Is anyone else going through this?

I will also readily point out that if you're good with 18s your choices are limitless.

edit: I just got an invoice and a tracking number. Says "label created" but I have to expect the VS-5RS will be here soon. So I'm set! But ETA for anyone wanting new ones is now August though so... point remains!

Sponsored

 

[rui]

The optional forged FL5 wheels should be available. With the added benefit of not messing up the scrub radius.

 

[optronix]

The optional forged FL5 wheels should be available.

Good point. I've decided I don't want them (call me superficial but the embossed Type R does it for me) but that is indeed a very worthy option.

edit- just saw your ninja edit regarding the scrub radius. I may end up feeling differently once I've experience the wheels actually on the car, but I've kind of dismissed that as an issue. Too many folks are getting aftermarket wheels in this offset and/or downsizing to 18s and not complaining about any negative impacts. I've decided it's an overcooked discussion point until proven otherwise... which is also why I'm not content to "settle" for the FL5 forged wheels.

Also note I'm aware I'm being picky, but FFS if you're spending $4k+ on wheels you're allowed to be IMO. Even for us baller former Porsche owners.

 

[ND2SloActiv]

Street class legal 18" options for autocross are also non-existent. Hoping by the fall there will be an option or two more.

 

[akoza]

I was considering the Apex EC-7 or the BBS XR for my snow setup but had the same issue and didn't want to wait.

I ended up getting a set of 18x8.5 Enkei TS-V with +38 offset for winter. Scrub radius difference is significant but I haven't noticed a downgrade in handling, at least in winter driving. I'll occasionally take a fast turn here and there but I'm obviously not doing any sort of track/autocross driving on them. Not sure how much of a difference it will make for performance driving.

 

[optronix]

I was considering the Apex EC-7 or the BBS XR for my snow setup but had the same issue and didn't want to wait.

I ended up getting a set of 18x8.5 Enkei TS-V with +38 offset for winter. Scrub radius difference is significant but I haven't noticed a downgrade in handling, at least in winter driving. I'll occasionally take a fast turn here and there but I'm obviously not doing any sort of track/autocross driving on them. Not sure how much of a difference it will make for performance driving.

Yeah and I swapped Continental all-seasons onto my OEM wheels and noticed a significant downgrade too, so most of what you're experiencing is probably attributed to tires anyway.

 

[StingertimeNC]

I too looked for wheels for months before just getting the Apex wheels. Just couldn't find much of anything better than Apex or Titan7 so here we are. Good news is they are awesome wheels. I can't understand why they can't produce them faster though. if they have all this business, just make more! I think the scrub radius thing may exist, but 15 MM's is not enough for me to notice. Car looks cool and still handles like a champ.

 

[optronix]

I edited the original post, Apex notified me they shipped yesterday. It would have been nice to get just a bit more communication from them but I can forgive a one day slip on the estimated ETA. They'll be here next week.

But there still are so ridiculously few options! And now honestly I've kind of gotten a taste for some other wheels I'd like to try so I may end up placing an order and waiting for however many months, as long as they arrive by next spring that would be fine. I'll have the Apex and can either keep them or sell them... just the half-year turnaround for just about any wheel you'd want is kind of crazy.

Maybe that's the calculus. This is the first time I've bought a set of expensive forged wheels; I guess that's the behavior of the demographic is to threat them like "sneakerheads" treat shoes? It's a much less aggravating waiting period if you do already have wheels on the car... I felt my blood pressure drop significantly once I got the email that they shipped.

 

[Nivek2slick]

There wheels that are called stance I've bought in past and very good could look into them

 

[egxflash]

I edited the original post, Apex notified me they shipped yesterday. It would have been nice to get just a bit more communication from them but I can forgive a one day slip on the estimated ETA. They'll be here next week.

But there still are so ridiculously few options! And now honestly I've kind of gotten a taste for some other wheels I'd like to try so I may end up placing an order and waiting for however many months, as long as they arrive by next spring that would be fine. I'll have the Apex and can either keep them or sell them... just the half-year turnaround for just about any wheel you'd want is kind of crazy.

Maybe that's the calculus. This is the first time I've bought a set of expensive forged wheels; I guess that's the behavior of the demographic is to threat them like "sneakerheads" treat shoes? It's a much less aggravating waiting period if you do already have wheels on the car... I felt my blood pressure drop significantly once I got the email that they shipped.

Any updates on your wheels? Figure you would've received them by now.

 

[optronix]

Any updates on your wheels? Figure you would've received them by now.

Oh yeah I got them like 2 weeks ago. Logistics on my end was just a mess. I was just waiting on lug nuts and TPMS sensors and the like, and now just busy with work travel.

I hope to have them on the car next week.

 

[ITSandMR2]

I have not looked for wheels for my ITS yet but I ended up putting BC Forged wheels on my MR2 and absolutely love them. They can make custom size wheels for whatever you are looking to run. I sent them my offset's, wheel size and color choice I wanted as well as the sizing of my Wilwood big brake kit to make sure they would fit over the brakes and everything turned out perfect. They could be another option for those looking for something different than what can be found out there at a glance.

 

[egxflash]

I have not looked for wheels for my ITS yet but I ended up putting BC Forged wheels on my MR2 and absolutely love them. They can make custom size wheels for whatever you are looking to run. I sent them my offset's, wheel size and color choice I wanted as well as the sizing of my Wilwood big brake kit to make sure they would fit over the brakes and everything turned out perfect. They could be another option for those looking for something different than what can be found out there at a glance.

I looked at this and the pricing isn't too bad and comparable to other forged wheels.

Which one did you get?

 

[ITSandMR2]

They actually do not make my wheel anymore unfortunatley, it was the FJ34. Here is a pic I have on my computer at work here

.

 

[Turbo Tater]

I've got a lightly used set of Rays 57 FXZ Overseas in 19x9.5 +36 I'm casually selling on marketplace. Thinking about throwing the stock tires and sensors in them and running 19s again. Then getting my current Advan TC4s in 18x9.5 +38 powdercoated.

Sponsored