Does anyone here have the Superformance 16" wheels?

T-Rutlands is the US Distributor for the 16" Superformance wheels.

I've had nothing but good luck with Superformance and so have many others.

 

Yes! Just ask for them when ordering. They can't hurt and there's no reason not to put them on.

It may be cheaper but I'm not sure they'll sell directly to the US anymore. I bought mine direct but since have heard others were sent to Trutlands as the US distributor. Worth a try though.

 

Mine came through Canada

The hubs on a QV, which the 16" wheels are designed for, are a larger diameter than the older 308's hence the recommendation for hubcentric rings for the front wheels. These center the wheels properly offsetting the chance of vibration. Get them and put them on, they aren't that expensive.

Ironically, when I installed mine I did not know of the need for the rings and I still run without them. I am assuming that through the proper torquing procedures the wheels are centered as I have absolutely NO vibration or balance problems with these wheels up to 130 MPH.

I believe those that have had vibration problems might have had a bad set of wheels but more likely shot suspension and/or alignment was the problem but chose to blame the wheels instead. Everyone else that I know that run these wheels haven't had any complaints.

Good luck and post pictures.
DJ

 

I just put a set of these wheels on my 77 & now notice a slight steering wheel shimmy at certain speeds, it may have been there b4 so I'm not pointing fingers at the wheels. The hub centric rings cure vibration not shimmy correct?
thanks
Bill

 

I have the wheels and bought them from Rutlands. They had a fair price for them when I bought them, but I would still cross compare with England. Not sure Rutlands is even still the U.S. Distributor.

You need the hubcentric rings. I must disagree with Spasso. I have nothing wrong with my alignment, balancing or steering geometry. The 14" wheels ran true, I put on the 16" wheels with brand new tires and properly balanced and I had a vibration. I added the rings and it went away completely. I think the actual problem is that the small manufacturing differences in the bolt holes are enough to allow some wheels to not center perfectly without the rings to center them.

The wheels are not an exact clone of the QV wheels, but very close, and they look OEM. They allow you to add good modern tires which vastly improves handling and looks. You can't beat the price. They are a tad heavier than the magnesium QV wheels, but ironically on an older car, they are about the same weight with tires as the 14" magnesium wheels with those big heavy XWX tires, so the unsprung weight is the same.

Birdman

 

Did you tell Superformance that the gasket was torn? I only ask because they sent me the wrong hub seal for my 308. I emailed them with the problem and they sent the correct seal free, and I kept the wrong one on their request. I don't think you gave them a chance to fix the problem.

Also- why do you think Rutlands is a rip-off? I think the key to buying ferrari parts is to shop around. I've found that Rutlands is cheaper on some items, not on others.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-Set-of-Reproduction-16-QV-Wheels-For-Ferrari-308_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43956QQihZ019QQitemZ8077078257QQtcZphoto


Good luck with the wheels.

 

I must have lucked out. When I pull the wheels off next time I'll pop some rings in there for good measure. Nothing wrong with covering all of the bases.

Agree with all said here. I weighed my 14" with the balloon tires versus the 16" with lower profile Yokohamas and the differences were 3 to 5 lbs each depending on whether it was a front or rear wheel. The balloon 14" tires weigh ALOT!!!

 

i may be totally off base, but i thought i read on this site a few months ago that superformance has a new mold of the QV repro wheels that don't require the hubcentric rings....am i living in fantasyland or is it true?

john

 

That would be nice.
Now, if they would use the proper mold for the "face" of the rear set, the wheels would be perfect except for the slight weight penalty.

 

I agree with Aaron here. Most every time I have cross-shopped Dennis McCann and Rutlands, McCann beats Rutlands on price. In addition, Dennis is very polite, friendly and helpful to me. I buy most of my parts from Ferrari UK or McCann. The only time I have ended up going with Rutlands is when they are the only place that has something, such as a used part from one of their parts cars. I'm not saying Rutlands is bad or anything, they just are not usually the best price when I shop around.

Birdman

 

I usually check with Grand Touring car parts in Phoenix, AZ first. They are great guys and provide high quality products. Over the past 15 years or so, I have purchased gaskets and hard parts from them for Ferrari's, Dino's, and Lamborghini.

Bill and Dave run it.

Grand Touring Car Parts Inc
Address: 516 W Lone Cactus Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85027
Phone: (623) 780-2200

 

Hmmm- that's not my experience, but I guess it depends on the items purchased. All I'm saying is for you not to write Rutlands off as "a complete rip-off". I've order most of my parts from Rutlands and have never gotten them in a yellow box They also are more than willing to offer technical advice which has helped me out in the past. All big gaskets I've received from Rutlands came packaged on carbboard and shrink wrapped. Even the one's I had to order twice!

I've also ordered parts from Superformance, and had no problems. Obviously, Rutlands and McCann would ship faster and cheaper.

So, I just spent a few minutes looking through McCann's price listings for 308 parts (my only real experience). They looked very similar to my prices from Rutlands- some higher, some lower. I.e.- the fuel filter, belt tensioner bearings, are cheaper than Rutlands. The timing drive ring nuts, A/C belt, drop gear ring nut cost more at McCann. Cam belts are very close in price.

This is just my opinion, (and not slamming Dennis McCann at all!) but the bottom line is not just price. I want a little service at the same time. And yes- $300 is a lot of money.

Either way, the 16' Superformance wheels are awesome. I know two people with them on their 308's and both seem to like them. They can't be beat for the price- that's for sure.

good luck.

jwise

 

Good news on the wheels- enjoy them.

Good to know Superformance will in fact ship wheels to an individual in the US.

jwise

 

Aaron,
Mind sharing the final figure for a set of wheels?
Tom

 

Shipping for 4 wheels to MA was ~$200 6 months ago. Go to www.superformance.co.uk for the current price of wheels & look up the current exchange rate on the web. 6 months ago it worked out to about $1200.