Rewinds vs RBs

[Threehz]

Nothing beats the look of some Panasports on a Z! However my wallet strongly disagrees...

So I've narrowed my wheel search down to two wheels. Konig Rewinds, and Rota RB wheels. Money is an issue however I've found these wheels coming to the exact same price, so that is not going to effect my decision. Looks wise they are nearly identical, except the RB's spokes are a little more protruding and I think the RB's have a little bit more aggressive look, which I like.

Since price is not an issue comparing these wheels, and I like the looks of both, performance is my real concern.

I'm sure this has been discussed before but I had trouble finding any threads that actually had performance reviews/specs, just a lot of which looks better.

I don't know a lot about how wheels/tires work, but I read that Z's have a stock offset of +15mm, so does that mean that you really wouldn't want anything with a positive offset of more then 15? I heard spacers are not good and I don't want to use them. So correct me if I'm wrong on this but when I list available offsets for the wheels I'm not listing the offsets above 15mm.

Anyhow I'm interested in 15x7 whichever wheel I end up getting. I know a little bit about each wheel but couldn't find too much which is why this thread is here. So:

Rota RB 15x7 4x114.3

Weight: 14.3 lbs

Available Offsets: +4, +12

Konig Rewind 15x7 4x114.3

Weight: 14.5 lbs

Available Offsets: 0 (all I could find)

That's what I found searching online, so RB's weigh 3.2 ounces less then the rewinds which is a little under a pound less for all four; not a big difference but a small plus none the less.

Ok so that's all I know, I'd love to hear how either wheel have performed on your car or if you've tried both out which you like better or anything else anyone knows!

Again sorry if this has been discussed before I couldn't find it anywhere, thanks guys!

[Arne]

No, I don't recall any opinions other than looks. I doubt there's anyone here who has used both on a Z. For normal driving, I doubt you could tell one from the other by feel or performance.

Edited August 6, 2011 by Arne

[Threehz]

Yeah it seems that might just be how it is because there doesn't seem to be all that much difference between the two, but then again I don't know a lot about wheels or tires.

[Arne]

Both brands are what I would call "commodity" wheels. Mass-produced in China, gravity-cast, built primarily for style, not strength or weight. They are relatively light more by accident of design, not by intent. They are adequate for normal street use, but I don't think I'd be comfortable using a gravity-cast wheel on the track.

[fandsw]

I'm looking at these also for my soon to be arriving 280Z. I've read the possible center cap problems of the Konigs, along with the fix. It also looks like the Konig can use more of a normal lugnut versus the tuner-type lugnut required for the Rota. What about the offset difference +4 on the Rotas, 0 on the Konigs? How will that compare to the stock metal 14x5 wheels on my Z with a stock height suspension? Will both work without issues using 205/60/15s??

Thanks!!

Frank

[Threehz]

Well I don't plan on taking my Z to the track anytime soon so that shouldn't be a problem. Good questions fandsw! I also didn't know about the lugnuts or centercap issues I'll have to check that out, thanks!

[d240zx2]

Unless I am totally off-base here, the S30 must use Zero offset unless you employ spacers. At least that's what I've read and seen elsewhere... Somebody tell me if I'm wrong on this.

[Arne]

Zero offset is a good target, but the +4 of the Rotas should work as well. After all, +4 is about 1/6". Not a big deal.

[Walter Moore]

Unless I am totally off-base here, the S30 must use Zero offset unless you employ spacers. At least that's what I've read and seen elsewhere... Somebody tell me if I'm wrong on this.

That depends on what you mean by zero offset. If you mean less than +20mm as opposed to most modern cars that use a +30mm to +50mm offset then you are correct. If you mean actually exactly 0mm you misunderstand the situation.

The first and second generation Z cars can only accommodate about 5 inches (127mm) of backspacing on the tire/wheel assembly.

For example: The four spoke 280ZX Turbo wheels (the so called swastika wheels) are 15x6 with a +10mm offset, and they will fit on any first or second generation car just fine, provided that you keep the tires in the 195 - 215 width range.

Depending upon the overall width of the tire, as mounted on the wheel you might be able to live with up to +20 to even +25mm offset, or you might need a negative offset. If you do a web search on the terms "wheel offset" and "wheel backspacing" you will get a clearer picture.

[Threehz]

So you're saying a 15x6 with a +10mm offset would be fine, but a 15x9 with a 10mm offset may very well not work because the offset is from the center of the wheel's alignment?

[Arne]

So you're saying a 15x6 with a +10mm offset would be fine, but a 15x9 with a 10mm offset may very well not work because the offset is from the center of the wheel's alignment?

Correct.

[conedodger]

Both brands are what I would call "commodity" wheels. Mass-produced in China, gravity-cast, built primarily for style, not strength or weight. They are relatively light more by accident of design, not by intent. They are adequate for normal street use, but I don't think I'd be comfortable using a gravity-cast wheel on the track.

I have a slight correction to this post Arne. Rota's are made in Manila, Philippines. They have their own distributorship in SoCal called Cosmic or Cosmik I believe.