Why do most Ferrari owners...

IMO, these statements sum up the vast majority of reasons.

 

There are 2 main reasons to swap wheels.

One is to gain performance. As mentioned above, the original wheels are really good to start with and it would take $$$$ to make a real difference.

The second reason is simply for looks. I would think most Ferrari owners are fairly satisfied with the looks of the car and don't have to try to improve the way a Z-car or MB owner might.

 

My own reasoning for why I kept the stock wheels is I see no reason to put a mustache on the Mona Lisa. Pininfarina seems to be good enough for me!

 

The FCA has just come out with a new program that encourges newer ferraris be kept as close to original and unrestored as possible. "Futuro Classico". To document the as delivered condition of these newer cars for future reference. To develope a database for future use in concourse competitions. Initially 430's,599's and 612's will each compete in its own class. Aftermarket exhausts, radios etc. will be a disqualifer. Cars must be less then 5 years old and have the original dealer sticker and all accompanying paper work to qualify. In theory I think it is a good idea. It should bring a lot of new blood into the concourse and certification programs. More importantly it will make it much easier to track the history of the cars and possibly improve sale price. Which is why most people including myself will never change anything that didn't come on the invoice from the dealer when they first ordered it.

 

For me, it's about keeping the car in original condition.

 

A Ferrari is a ride you don't pimp.

I've added a few goodies to the 308: Tubi, billet shift knob, slickshift gate with fitted lock, dash cover, billet gascap.

Engine compartment is next, with a good detailing. Wheels are stock and will stay. I haven't seen anything that improves on them.

 

Stocko Ferrari wheels usually does it for me!

 

+100

 

just leave the car as is. why mess with perfection? whenever i see a Ferrari that's been "tricked out" -- it's like an oxy moron. those words just don't go together in the same sentence. and noticeable aftermarket changes will look like s*** on a Ferrari. they design these cars a certain way for different reasons. changing aspects of the design breaks the flow up and it just doesn't look right.

imho.

 

i just see this and it looks "off" to me, so on my end, i also ask "why?"

on the first car especially the stock wheels would just look better. if you like the darker wheel look, get the Ferrari ones. every picture i have seen of a Ferrari that i liked the general look of with after market wheels i would always say "change the wheels".

it's one thing to swap out the stock wheels from another Ferrari to put on a different Ferrari, but a completely different thing to put after market wheels on it.

 

There is quite a bit of 'wheel swapping' that goes on. My car for example (1974 308GT4) wears 1987 328 wheels. Its an updated look that appears OEM. Most people have no idea when I tell them. Same with the many Mondials/308's that are wearing 360 wheels, in terms of an updated look. The models that seem to wear the most aftermarket wheels (judging by my less than amateur opinion) are 355's, TR's and 360's. Speedline made a couple sets of wheels that on a 355 are to die for.
It is an interesting observation about the general lack of aftermarket wheels on Ferraris. Its apparent that the wheels are as much a part of the design as anything with these cars!

JIM

 

Because very, very few wheels actually look good on an F-car.

That said, even though I like the design of the 550 maranello wheels (just using an example), they have incredibly weak offset (the wheels are literally tucked inside the arches) which isn't a good look. Some wider wheels would do the trick but unfortunately most aftermarket wheels don't look very good on it. The novitec wheels look good but are pretty heavy at nearly 35 pounds each (!).

 

I guess I'm in a different mind set...

I see nothing wrong with changing the wheels on a Ferrari. Its just a car.
Granted, if you're planning on winning shows and concourse events, by all means, stay as original as possible.
Otherwise, why not? Its an individual thing, and to each their own.

With that being said...
I have seen some absolutely HORRENDOUS rims on some Ferraris and been as appauled as the rest of you..

But I honestly love my wheels...
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I agree with Petey. These are still only cars. Lots of them are antiqued cars by todays standards. Most of the early designs are simply ugly and not functional. and was one reason early cars never handled well according to the editors. I will say if you change at do it with taste.

oddly enough, IMO most factory wheels looks better on other models i.e. 348wheels on Mondial 355 on348 or 328 etc.

Matt you are in the group with me. You are trying personalize yours also.

Factory wasnt good enough for you either

 

Couldn't agree more with you and absolutely love how those wheels look on your car Petey!

 

I'm seriously considering buying these same wheels. They look awesome! Now, do I want black or silver centers on my yellow car?

 

Not really, I love my stock rims and if I don't like the challenge rims, the stock ones are going back on...(the challege rims are going to stay white just like they came from the factory too!)

 

If you have A challenge Grill, then I would go with the black center and chrome lip...
Otherwise, you can never go wrong with silver...its timeless.

 

I don't argue that aftermarket wheels CAN make a Ferrari look good or in the rarest case, better, but to say "most of the early designs are simply ugly and not functional ... etc." really sounds whacky. For what its worth, there was this guy Enzo Ferrari; and one day he decided to build his own cars... (you can google the rest)

 

I agree with you, but there were some OEM rims that actually had issues.
I believe the earlier 348s had high speed stability issues due to the offest of the OEM rear wheels. Many owners solved this
by putting spacers in the back... OR... Wider Rims and Tires with the correct offset.

Just because a wheel or part is OEM Ferrari does not necessarily make it the "be all end all" of Design and Engineering. Just look at the Manifolds on a 355 / 360...

 

The number of OEM wheel designs that had issues is overall, minute in comparison to the number of those that performed as designed and complimented the design of the car. There may be a lot of different aftermarket designs but the OEM wheels are actually the best compromise of performance, looks, and durability. A lot of the aftermarket wheels offered today are very light - lighter than the OEMs. But when driven on the road or the track, they deliver great performance until they get bent - which happens easily. They may look nice and perform well under controlled conditions but they are less of the ideal compromise that the OEM wheels tend to be.

But my post had nothing to do with changing wheels and all to do with the ignorant comment about older designs looking ugly and being non-functional.

 

these car were criticized for their handling .As guys changed to a slightly wider, taller wheel that improved on handling.TRX tires never were a good for handling. Looks is matter of opinion.I see nothing good looking with the 3x8 or 348 wheels . MIne 348 wheels will grow hair before I put them on.

If the older designs were so nice, they would be more sought after. Instead most people wants the 355 or 360 wheel.

 

One of the reasons why older wheels are not sought after is their size, which by todays standards are small. Why would someone with a modern Ferrari that has stock 18s or 19s swap them out for a set of vintage 14s or 16s? It would not make any sense since the suspensions on modern cars are designed for larger wheels. I can see owners of older Ferraris buying modern Ferrari wheels as it gives them a greater choice of tires since the selection for 16s and 17s are a bit limited these days.

I will admit PeteyP's wheels really do work very nicely with his car, and I am generallynot a fan of aftermarket wheels. As far as aftermarket wheel designs go his is rather restrained in design. Many of the aftermarket wheels I've seen on high end cars just look so flashy that they detract from the overall appearance of the car.

In the end if it makes someone happy to pimp their ride, so be it. But I'll stick with a stock set up.

Best regards,
Dino

 

My pimped ride...



any one want to buy a set of OEM with new tires?


Ah..I don't think so
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I went on an FCA drive last weekend. Three 550's showed up...all with aftermarket wheels. The radical improvement in technology over the past 20 years has caused owners who want better performance or more tire choices to go with larger diameter wheels. Also, cars that came equipped with metric sizes in the 80's are changing out for standard. Lots of changing out 348 for 355 or 360 as well. Keeps the same general look, but updated.