Kosei K1 vs LTW M3 wheel

[mace]

Hello guys, right now I'm in a situation where I can't decide which rim to get. If I go for Kosei K1, I'm gonna have it powdercoated in a different color. If I go for LTW rims, I'm getting them either brand new or refinished from www.aaarims.com for about the same price as the Kosei K1s after powdercoat. I understand that the Kosei K1 is cast, while the LTW rims are forged. My plans for tire size is 235/40/17 in the front and 255/40/17 in the rears w/fender rolled. My car is about 90% daily driver and 10% track/autox use. What would you guys pick? Thanks for any opinions or suggestions.

[BJO]

the K1's only come in 17x8.5 and I would not use different tire sizes since you will get more understeer. What widths will the LTW rims be? For daily use I would recommend the LTW rims since the Kosei's are really meant to be a track wheel that sees little to no potholes

[mace]

It'll be staggered, 17x7.5 and 17x8.5. BJO, do u have any experiences with aaarims.com or particularly refinished wheels? Although they have limited lifetime warranty, I'm worried that the integrity of the wheel will be fatigued.

[BJO]

i have no experience with AAA rims. what kind of warranty do they provide?

[mace]

At http://www.aaarims.com/warranty.shtml , they basically say their rims carry a limited lifetime warranty. However, the following are not covered:

Any wheel which has been subjected to misuse, negligence, racing, improper installation, collision, driving over a pothole or curb, or damage from the use of clip-on balance weights.

Damage to the surface finish of the wheel as a result of stone chips or similar road hazards.

Damage to the surface finish of the wheel as a result of the use of polishing or rubbing compounds, cleaners, or the use of abrasive materials.

Any wheel which is installed on a vehicle other than that for which the wheel was designed.

Any wheel that has been repaired or altered by a party other than AAA Rims.

Corrosion as a result of surface damage, adverse weather conditions, oxidation, contact of balance weight, or abrasion from hubcap.

AAA Rims has a 30 day money back return policy on our workmanship. Any defective wheel can be returned for a refund within those 30 days. However, this guarantee is voided once the wheels are mounted with tires. Once wheels have been driven on, they have been accepted by the customer, and any problems fall under warranty, not the 30 day return.

Cancelled orders due to other than product defect are subject to a 20% restocking fee. The original shipping charge will also be withheld from the refund.

Custom orders are non-returnable.

Center Caps and Hubcaps.

What do you think?

[BJO]

i would prefer to buy new ones unless you know the seller, but it's your call on the wheels. their warranty looks good, but they exclude alot. if you buy them, have the tire mounter spin them on the balancing machine without any tires to see if they are out of round. for the amount of $$ you will spend you can almost get some new SSR comps that are gunmetal.

[stpracer]

I've been runnning Kosei K-1 on my street Honda for over a year. And that's with Pennsylvania potholes. No problems.

[Low Level]

A lot of people drive K-1s on the street. They're Tuff Enuff.

[dave is cool]

Get the LTW wheels. The Kosei's don't look too great, plus the LTW's are forged.

[e30sd]

style 24's weight about 20 lbs a piece. i say go for k1's, for the price, you can afford to buy a 5th one. if you are still looking, talk to rob from mpact.

[m3lieb]

Get the Kosei K1s. 8.5 all around to reduce understeer and allow rotation. PLUS they are around 5lbs lighter than the “lightweights” ( 1 lb on the rotating mass of the wheel = 10lbs in the car)

As far as tires, I’d go with the newly released size 245/40/17 in the Kumho V700, or try the new A3SO4/3s. I went with the 255/40/17 Kumho Victoracers ( on K1s) and think I made the wrong choice. The Victos are 5lbs heavier than the V700s and required significant fender rolling in the rear to fit.

If you are not planning to use the wheels for R compound tires, I pretty much like both wheels, aesthetically, about the same. It all depends on the overall look you’re going for :dunno

I have both the LTWs and K1s so I thought I’d give you my .02
:dunno

http://members.cox.net/malieb/98M3Pics/100_0446.jpg
http://members.cox.net/malieb/98M3Pics/liebbig2.jpg

[mace]

Thanks m3lieb. Do you think the Koseis will be able to withstand minor potholes here in SoCal daily? I'm mostly worried about this.

[m3lieb]

Originally posted by mace
Thanks m3lieb. Do you think the Koseis will be able to withstand minor potholes here in SoCal daily? I'm mostly worried about this.

The Kosei K1s should hold up fine. A buddy of mine uses them on his civic daily driver and PLOWS through our horrible Oklahoma city streets daily without damage. These same streets caused, count them, four bent contours on my old M3 :mad:


I haven't bent at LTW yet but I've only had the car for 6 months

[pianoman90]

M3lieb - do you have any more pics of the koseis on your car? Thanks

*edit* - wow, I have the same licence plate as you

[SG_M3]

I'd get ltw's for street use, k1's are more function over form. I have both also.
http://www.dtmpower.net/ppost2/data/500/63dscn1574.jpg
http://www.dtmpower.net/ppost2/data/500/63dscn1772.jpg

[m3lieb]

M3lieb - do you have any more pics of the koseis on your car? Thanks

*edit* - wow, I have the same licence plate as you

http://members.cox.net/malieb/98M3Pics/P3149960Smaller.jpg
http://members.cox.net/malieb/98M3Pics/P3149981Smaller.jpg