Used QV Wheels vs. New Superformance Repros?

A set of good used original is alway better but finding a set is really tough.

 

I just picked up a set of 16" QV in Los Angeles. They are harder and harder to find now. A good set will set you back $4000 if you can find one.

 

4000+ USD or Euro. I don't like Superformance wheels, too heavy and different from the original.

Go for the OEM 16" rims or keep your 14".

Ciao

 

Eurospares in the UK are showing 5 used original TRX wheels for$441.80 each: https://www.eurospares.co.uk/Parts/117132/Ferrari/Used/13754

 

£275 Each!
I doubt you could sell all 5 as a set on eBay for that and here's why :
https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/michelin-classic-tyres/trx/220-55wr390-michelin-trx.html

There is lots wrong with the Superformance wheels but at least they are priced accordingly!

 

Can you elaborate a bit? I've been considering getting some of the Superformance wheels as I drive my car a lot and want to preserve the original wheels a bit... Houston roads are brutal...

 

The fronts are 7" wide and the rears are 8" wide which is fine
But they are identical patterns - i.e. the rear isn't 'deep dish' or whatever the expression is. The original rears were deeper than the fronts.
It doesn't bother me because my car came with TRX's when I bought it - all 4 rims are identical and interchangeable.

And as has been said they are heavier than the originals. Which may impact handling but that's not something I would really notice.

 

I had the same dilemma a few years back. I went with the Superformance rims. Original 16” rims are extremely difficult to find. And if you can find them, they’re very expensive. You can pick up a set of the Superformance rims plus new tires and probably pay less than what you’d pay for an original set of rims. 99.9% people will never be able to tell the difference. You really have to look closely and know what to look for in order to tell the difference. If you search the threads, I think someone posted pictures a while back of the Superformance rims next to the originals.

 

These wheels are like art
So i put them on the wall..
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Some owners want to run their car on a tighter budget than others.

Some owners want more modern tyres on their car than TRX's.

Some owners place more importance on originality than saving money.

I can pretty much guarantee that if anyone were to put 5 original 308 TRX wheels on ebay for £275, they would sell instantly.

 

I have all 3 sets for my car. TRX are just not for me, but are original to my car. I bought the superformance wheels after chasing the 16s back in 2001 when I got the car and missing out by a day on every pair I called on. Found a set of originals a few years ago, not perfect but I bought them anyway semi reasonable at $3K, plus $600 to refinish.

I had zero issues with the superformance and noticed no difference between them and the originals. Not sure what folks are talking regarding being inferior in some way, besides the actual appearance which has already been stated. The only person who will know are 308 guys and yourself and they are 100x better than the TRXs.

 

Look on BAT they sell for over 1000.00

 

I was being slightly flippant when I said that you'd struggle to sell 5 for £275

But here's 5 for £600 or best offer (i.e. US$ 750)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/114924368240?hash=item1ac206b170:g:mDsAAOSwZdJhDUKM

 

I love the Superformance wheels on my QV. Handles so much better with modern tires. I still have the originals for shows. But the Superformance for driving. 100% feel the difference.

 

I have friends who have the Superformance 16" wheels and they look pretty darned good to my eye.

I have factory 16" Cromadoras on the car and sometimes think about getting a set of Superformance wheels just because the factory wheels are so darned hard to replace.

 

I think worrying about the weight of the Superformance wheels is a bit pointless TBH.

308 QV's are hardly at the cutting edge of performance any more, and 99.9%* of owners are not going to notice the difference.

(*NOTE: Completely made up percentage)

As for the design of the Superformance wheels, again, for most owners wanting replacement/larger wheels, it's "near enough" to the original design - It's not as though they are 4 spoke instead of 5 spoke, and pretty much all non-308 owners (along with a good number of 308 owners), would not notice the difference between original wheels, and the superformance wheels.

As with any car, you are always going to get some owners who are more anal about originality than others, but in general, the Superformance wheels are perfectly acceptable.

 

Now, this is a very cool way to display vintage wheels. Very clever!

 

No big deal. I knew you were not making a "yeah that's all they are worth" declaration. I've seen them sell for close to 2K, which is insanity unless someone wants to pay me for mine.

 

Just for price information there are currently 3 complete sets of QV 16” chromadora wheels for sale on ebay right now ranging from $3989, $4800, and $6800. You decide what’s the best option for you, Superformance or original. Superformance all the way for the $$$

 

Hi

The correct 14" tyres 205/70VR14 Michelin XWX are not difficult to get. we have them on here

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/classic-car-tyres/ferrari/308.html

very fresh production direct from Michelin, shipped all over the world, mostly free of shipping charges.

changing from 14" to 16" will quite dramatically change the character of your car in looks and handling. I'm not saying don't do it, but i am saying don't do it lightly. consider all the issues.

• it will look very different.
• the ride will be more harsh.
• the steering will be heavier, slower and a little less precise.
• the handling will be a little less progressive.
• less wheel spin
• better straight line stopping distances.
• the Pirelli P7 https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/classic-car-tyres/ferrari/308/205-55yr16-pirelli-cinturato-p7-n4.html is a bit cheaper than the 14" XWX.
• There arent really many suitable 16" tyres for the 308. only the Pirelli P7

I think going from 14" to 16" is quite a big leap.

if you are going racing, it might be worth spending a load of money buying wheels to fit fatter low profile tyres to only drive flat out on perfectly smooth race tracks.

i bet when Ferrari changed from 14" to TRX to 16" they made some subtle adjustments to chassis set up, stiffer springs? ride height? caster? camber? dampers? etc.

 

308 works very well with all of them: I did a comparison on my car. What I don't understand is why anyone could throw away four original Ferrari rims to put on bad copies without any lettering and much heavier than the original: to save money? But which money? You save money only if you replace original tyres (TRX) with no more original tyres (like Toyo, Michelin, and so on): if you install on your repro 16" rims the correct original tyres (Pirelli P7 Classic line) the cost is the same as TRX (of course...).

Ciao

 

Dougal and Albert - I have the utmost respect for your opinions. But...

I have had my car for 25 years.
It's a good car. But it is not a concours entrant. For instance, I have lowered the car because I like it lower, using locally sourced Gaz shocks & springs. I tend to use non-Ferrari parts (and parts sourced from non-Ferrari outlets) because I can get identical parts which don't have the prancing horse but also don't have the mark up!

The Superformance wheels are visually identical to the TRX wheels (i.e. no offset) - I'm sure a Concours judge would point out the difference but that's not a concern of mine.
I don't take the car on track days, I am not a presenter on Top Gear drifting the car round a circuit shouting 'Power' - I take the car on trips and blasts around the local roads. I don't think tyre performance (i.e. between TRX wheels and tyres versus Superformance and a modern 16" tyre) in terms of handling would impact me. If my car gets a puncture or is damaged, it's no different cost wise (at least 1/4 price of TRX's) or in availability to getting a puncture in my day to day modern car.

All of the above allows me to drive my car with the minimum of bother. As for switching wheels to suit the occassion (i.e. TRX for shows etc. Modern wheels for day to day use)... best I don't answer that.

I am not wanting to argue with either of you because your specialist knowledge is first class and you both add huge value to this forum. I simply wanted to put a slightly different perspective out there.

 

You keep emphasizing that the Superformance wheels are: "too heavy/much heavier", so what is the actual weight difference between the superformance wheels and original TRX wheels? (I'm assuming as you have weighed both wheels to be able to make your weight statement?) , and in the real world of driving a Ferrari 308 today, where they rarely get pushed to the limits of adhesion and high performance, what difference does the extra weight make to the car?

And why should you spend more money than you really need to, just to have tyres on your car that look "original"?

The 205/55R16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 from Longstone are priced at £273.60 ($337) each.

You can buy Michelin Pilot Sport 4's in the exact same size/speed rating, for £98 ($120) each ( https://www.protyre.co.uk/search#/car/205/55/16/any/Y/all ), and the Pilot Sport 4's aren't rubbish tyres.

Unless your car's a concours event car, or originality means THAT much to you, paying almost 3 times as much per tyre, just to keep your 308 looking more "original", makes little sense to me, especially when the cheaper tyres are as good, if not better, than the "original" looking Pirelli tyres.