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- 1989 MAZDA RX-7 GXL
the Stance Thread v2.0
- Thread starter Antoine
- Start date
Lets be real here... "Fake" wheels do not "poison the industry" or ruin businesses.
I don't see Work or BBS suffering because someone makes a copy of their wheels. I see it being a marketable asset to acquire for those that can afford or desire the separation between a XXR and WORKs.
Please let me know when WORK has a sale because they're not moving enough of their wheels.
If anything, the wheel industry creates MORE options for small to midsized business models because people need a source for exotic wheels and the work required to customize used sets of wheels for new purchasers. Example - VR, wheelflip, pandagarage, memoryfab...
Or else we would all be rocking 16x7 +50 BBS' because there would be no size options for barrels and lips.
You guys should be thanking the ROTAs of the world, they made it so you can rebuild your wheels.
I don't see Work or BBS suffering because someone makes a copy of their wheels. I see it being a marketable asset to acquire for those that can afford or desire the separation between a XXR and WORKs.
Please let me know when WORK has a sale because they're not moving enough of their wheels.
If anything, the wheel industry creates MORE options for small to midsized business models because people need a source for exotic wheels and the work required to customize used sets of wheels for new purchasers. Example - VR, wheelflip, pandagarage, memoryfab...
Or else we would all be rocking 16x7 +50 BBS' because there would be no size options for barrels and lips.
You guys should be thanking the ROTAs of the world, they made it so you can rebuild your wheels.
SSR has a sale every year...
I work very closely with MemoryFab and know that refinishing/customizing wheels does not make much profit. That is why they are starting their own line of wheels and there is already a Rota COPY of the MTechnica Turbo. This pisses me off to no end. Sure, work and volk are huge companies that are not really hurt by Rota and XXR copying their wheels, but MemoryFab is literally a 1-man show and it's definitely going to cut into his profits.
Other Japanese brands have been negatively affected by replica parts: ARC went out of business and I believe is slowly coming back. The Greddy/TRUST giant filed for bankruptcy a couple years back and and to reorganize to stay alive and most of the parts copied from them were BOV's.
Because these companies make replicas that look very close to the original wheels, there is not much visual separation in the general publics eye, especially when the end users then go and slap on replica decals to fake the funk like they actually have volks. It will get to a point like Bride seats where even if you get legit ones, people assume they're fake because the replicas are just SO common, and then Bride loses business because there is no differentiation to the end user.
There is nothing to thank Rota for. Quality multi-piece wheels have always been rebuildable with wider lips and barrels
I work very closely with MemoryFab and know that refinishing/customizing wheels does not make much profit. That is why they are starting their own line of wheels and there is already a Rota COPY of the MTechnica Turbo. This pisses me off to no end. Sure, work and volk are huge companies that are not really hurt by Rota and XXR copying their wheels, but MemoryFab is literally a 1-man show and it's definitely going to cut into his profits.
Other Japanese brands have been negatively affected by replica parts: ARC went out of business and I believe is slowly coming back. The Greddy/TRUST giant filed for bankruptcy a couple years back and and to reorganize to stay alive and most of the parts copied from them were BOV's.
Because these companies make replicas that look very close to the original wheels, there is not much visual separation in the general publics eye, especially when the end users then go and slap on replica decals to fake the funk like they actually have volks. It will get to a point like Bride seats where even if you get legit ones, people assume they're fake because the replicas are just SO common, and then Bride loses business because there is no differentiation to the end user.
There is nothing to thank Rota for. Quality multi-piece wheels have always been rebuildable with wider lips and barrels
All that tells me is that you do not understand how an economy works.
That's like saying that people buying $300 Dell computers is somehow a detriment to Apple as a computer manufacturer. Or that Samsung will be hurt by other cheaper Android based phone manufacturers.
Price points are the price points. Not everyone is meant to have a $2799 Macbook Pro w/ Retina display... some can do just fine on a $699 Alienware machine. Does that make one less of a computer because they use similar processors and processes to build? No.
It means that there is a differentiation between quality manufacturing (and technique) and someone throwing parts on a board and slotting it in the tray as quick as possible. They both have their ups and downs.
And they both drive innovation. When someone builds an Android phone thats bigger/better than something someone else made... it makes the original company head back to the drawing board to innovate. Much in the same way that CCW doesn't sit on the same design/manufacturing processes/finishes because ROTA made a wheel that looks similar to one of theirs.
And as far as 'slapping stickers on to fake the funk?' So, you're blaming a company for something an individual did? Well, s***. I didn't realize we were letting our desires to be an elitist rub off on someones trip down 'sticker row alley.'
If you can't tell the difference between a set of ROTA slipstreams and Regamaster EVO's, then who cares? IS it your car? Did you spend the money on one set or the other? Nope. So, worry about your own motivations and get down off the high horse when it comes to what everyone else is doing. It's wasted effort. There will ALWAYS be knockoffs. Wheels, parts, clothing, logos, brands... etc etc.
If memoryfab fails because someone made a quick copy of their wheel design, then it was a mismanaged company from the beginning. In the automotive industry, fads come and go. One wheel won't make or break a company. What makes a company, is successfully marketing themselves, great customer service and diversifying their assets. Meaning, doing something ROTA can't do...
Like what Enkei did with the MAT forged RPF1. Are there copies? Sure. A whole hell of a lot of them. Do any of them compare in weight/finish/sizing to the RPF1? No. And due to that, Enkei sells a whole hell of a lot of the RPF1's.
Fact is, it's here to stay... might as well learn to not be butthurt about it.
Dell is not making a blatant copy of an Apple product and calling it a Pear. There is a difference between competition, lower price-point goods, and copies. Unfortunately most aftermarket parts/wheel companies do not have the money to copyright their designs like the phone companies and spend millions in lawsuits over rounded edges (I wish they could so they could kill rota/XXR).
XXR/Varrstoen have affected CCW negatively with their copies, so much so to a point where CCW has started producing 2-piece welded versions of some of their wheels at a lower price point to try to combat the replicas, although they will never get to the $400/set price of the replicas.
Anyways, we can agree to disagree. No need to clutter this thread with arguments that won't go anywhere. Back to stanced mazdas...
XXR/Varrstoen have affected CCW negatively with their copies, so much so to a point where CCW has started producing 2-piece welded versions of some of their wheels at a lower price point to try to combat the replicas, although they will never get to the $400/set price of the replicas.
Anyways, we can agree to disagree. No need to clutter this thread with arguments that won't go anywhere. Back to stanced mazdas...
ilovewheels
Member
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- msp
all I have access to at the moment is this iphone pic to show my progress
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/71999981@N03/9704469955/" title="painted flares phone pic by korbancorbett, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/9704469955_b9306078f2_z.jpg" width="640" height="467" alt="painted flares phone pic"></a>
hopefully I will have some legit pics later this week and hopefully I can get my lip and side splitters done too but we will see
Looks great! Man I've been mocking up some side splitters as well, interested to see what you've come up with.
I'm not a fan of bolt on fender flares. But when someone actually radius' and pie cuts fenders to rework them, and it maintains a stock-ish look, I'm a fan.
http://www.stancenation.com/2010/06/19/radiused-fenders/
http://www.stancenation.com/2010/06/19/radiused-fenders/
ilovewheels
Member
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- msp
looking good, always loved this color on your ride. Did you go wider wheels, is that why you are running that camber in the rear?
^ am i the only one who think this looks full blown retardo? O
As for my ride, Well the look I'm going for is not for everyone, I understand its your opinion and if you don't like it, its all good, your intitled to your opinion. I didn't mod my car to please anyone else but me and that's all that matters
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/71999981@N03/9708127355/" title="niteshoot by korbancorbett, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/9708127355_e56bc8f44a_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="niteshoot"></a>(popcorn)
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same wheels. i'm going to run my kdws in the rear for a time trial event coming up, so i didn't leave it cambered that much. it sits like this now:
protege3690
Member
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- 2003.5 MSP #290
preach lol. and i actually like your wheel/flare set up. if i could i wouldve run flares as well but gonna be getting cf fenders so i cant
15mm bolt on spacer in the first pics. i maxed out the ksports and added a camber bolt.
IDK if anyone is interested but I was on craigslist and saw this. http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/4051633617.html
First off, you worded that perfectly!
Secondly, in regards to the car;
It's looking good so far, but could use some tweaking. I'm sure you will perfect these over time, but the two issues i'm seeing are:
1. Flare fitment. Search for longer flares that form well and transition into your body lines. (may have to be custom)
2. Fender paint. Your Blazin' Yellow MSP is an amazing color with beautiful depth. Because of your triple painted color, the standard yellow flares get lost in the pearl, metallic yellow. (this may all be the photo not doing it justice)
Keep on keepin' on. can't wait to see your new custom lip
