360 Challenge Wheels - anyone had any problems?

Do a search. Several owners here have installed them with no issues however, BBS does state that the 18" Challenge wheel is not recommended for road use. An option would be the 19" Challenge style wheel as equipped on the CS and optional on the F430.

 

what type of material is the wheels?

magnesium is the only type of material that would crack even on a track

 

I've been running BBS challenge wheels with no issues. I have never heard that BBS doesn't recommend them for street use... What's up with that?

 

They are light alloy race wheels that are prone to bend when used as street wheels. T. Rutlands, ([email protected] or 1 800 638-1444) is a well know Ferrari parts supplier. Read the description/disclaimer in their ebay auctions which states, "Not for street use"....http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-B...QQcmdZViewItem

 

How about when using the curbs on a track? Curbs are meant to be used, and the wheels are meant for the track.

 

As far as I know its all about being a legal issue. Not a construction one. There are 2 stories Ive heard (both from FNA friends). 1 is that the wheels have not been certified as road worthy through the rigor of DOT crash tests. As the wheels were never submitted as part of the 360 when the DOT work was done. The other story is that the wheels resembled the up and coming Challenge Stradale (heard these stories back in 2001-3 or so) and that they didnt want the wheels on the market to compete against the sales of the new car. These are just things ive heard and may or may not be the reason why these wheels carry that warning.

 

A dedicated track/race wheel has a different composition then an a approved road wheel. If you need conformation on this I suggest that you contact BBS or another reputable wheel manufacturer. I'm only the messenger and not interested in debating the manufactures disclaimer.

 

i think it would be ok, and you might have an issue of cracking or bending but lets think here, if they stated for road use, you know how many more sets they would sell, and Im sure they want to sell as many as they can.


I hear some wheels like this where they have a road and race version is thinner material in some areas, where a street wheel would need more of a reinforced area in those places


why take the chance, all it would take is one pot hole to mess them up.

 

Here's my input, I went through 9 wheels over 6 years on an MB SL500 and 4 wheels on my Maserati coupe and all of those wheels were rated for street use. The point being, if you hit a curb or pot hole badly any wheel will bend. Of course I live in Boston where the roads are horrible so maybe its a geographic problem!

 

I spoke with an engineer at BBS when I was considering putting the challenge rims on my 360 (a while back). I asked about the strength of the rim for road use and he said there were no issues. The rims are produced using a process called Flow forming, which produces a very strong rim. They are aluminum alloy, just like most other rims on the road. Flow forming actually produces a stronger rim in the end. Attached is a PDF that BBS sent me.

There should be zero issues regarding using the rims on the street, at least insofar as strength concerns go.

Ray
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+1. Looks the dogs' 'nads on a nero 348...

 

I have them on my Spider - no problems so far (knock on wood).
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Drew painted his satin Silversone - and mine are being done as we speak...

S

 

Looks great!

 

Just bought a new-to-me 2005 430 with CS wheels. On the second day of driving, I was on the road 45MPH and hit a 3/4" tall steel rectangular manhole cover they use when they're working on the road sometimes - those big brown steel ones that cover 1/2 a lane. I hit it square on with the front passenger tire and the rim got dented. I'm getting it straightened out today - takes 6 hrs (something about multiple repainting steps) and they are charging me $300 for a rush job (24hrs) - normally $150. I didn't know CS wheels were different material - does it matter whether its CS for a 430 vs 360? I think mine are 18" front and 19" back.

 

As Stuart mentioned, 19" Challenge style wheel in Silverstone....
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The OP was inquiring into the 18" Challenge wheel as originally equipped on the 360 Challenge race series cars. Your wheels are 19" Challenge style as originally equipped on the CS and optional on the F430.

 

Crappy pic but the best I have with me. Challenge wheels in silverstone.
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