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[E90Newbie]

Go with the Hartge Classics or the Ace Alloys?

I guess the savings aren't *that* much, but if your budget is really tight... would you just get the Aces, or wait and save up and get the real deal?

[voltron1011]

What casting method does Ace use? If you are unsure, I'd save up for the real deal. A lot of those knockoff companies use cheap methodes to make there wheels that end up bending.

[illmatic]

dude what is seattle roads like ? out here in the east coast we got alot of potholes and cracks and just weird shit on the road when you dont expect it. I learned the hard way never to use replica wheels, the shit is soft and it bends breaks and all that so easy. you ever see those civics with 3 shiny rims and 1 donut ? I see that arrangement all the time out here. they drive like that cause they bent their cheap replica rim, usually for the 10th time.

[Daveop]

Originally Posted by illmatic

dude what is seattle roads like ? out here in the east coast we got alot of potholes and cracks and just weird shit on the road when you dont expect it. I learned the hard way never to use replica wheels, the shit is soft and it bends breaks and all that so easy. you ever see those civics with 3 shiny rims and 1 donut ? I see that arrangement all the time out here. they drive like that cause they bent their cheap replica rim, usually for the 10th time.

You know what, my friend had the same exact wheel on his nissan and he messed it up within 6 months of owning the wheel, i'm pretty sure its that same ace hartge classic replica. ANyways, the wheel was so cheap he end up buying a replacement wheel instead of repairing it, and bent that one too! I dont think those ACE wheels are good quality.

[E90Newbie]

Thanks for all the advice guys... I'll just get the hartge's... they're pretty affordable compared to some of the other higher-end wheels (HRE, BBS, etc.).

[brewer]

Originally Posted by E90Newbie

Thanks for all the advice guys... I'll just get the hartge's... they're pretty affordable compared to some of the other higher-end wheels (HRE, BBS, etc.).

That's awesome, we want pics!! Are you lowering your car too?

[E90Newbie]

Originally Posted by brewer

That's awesome, we want pics!! Are you lowering your car too?

I'll eventually get the Hartges (or maybe Breyton Spirits; i'm really having a hard time picking between the two)... then some coilovers as well... i'll definitely post pics once i get my car (and then updated pics as i start modding it)

[Kao BMW]

they are both awesome

[Bimmer325]

saw a pic with those hartge 19 wheels but with bmw badge on, where do we get them? are they stock badge from BMW?

[LWL]

Originally Posted by E90Newbie

I'll eventually get the Hartges (or maybe Breyton Spirits; i'm really having a hard time picking between the two)... then some coilovers as well... i'll definitely post pics once i get my car (and then updated pics as i start modding it)

I am debating btw Hartge and Breyton, too. They both looked good.

[shragon]

ace's have one less spoke.

Originally Posted by carlitosz

$379 is overprice for a Replica wheel in 19".

agree.

[obLu]

I highly doubt the "Hartge" wheels are anything but rebranded wheels which are actually cast by a larger manufacturer ... probably the same manufacturer ACE uses. There are only one or two main companies and everybody else just rebrands. Cast is cast, if you want them to hold up to potholes they're going to be boat anchor heavy which really drags down performance. Save your pennies and get forged wheels if your roads suck.

Point is: I would be really surprised if Hartge really made these in-house.

Keep in mind, Germans love to over-engineer, but the reality is German roads are perfect compared to ours. Just because it's got TUV approval doesn't mean it's going to stand up to our wagon tracks we call roads.

[shragon]

i doubt the hartges are made in house too.

hamanns are made by oz racing.

acs' are made by ronal and oz racing.

my guess is hartge would also be made by a known wheel manufacturer, while the ace's are probably made by a no name in italy, taiwan, china, korea, or philippines.

ace actually had their sales office in my home city at one point in the 90's. i contacted them once, and they were chinese.

does that make ace bad? not at all. actually i don't think i've ever heard anything negative about them.

just because it's a replica, doesn't mean it's bad. not all replicas are created alike.