Forged 3 Piece, ‘Bling’ over Performance

[s4tokyo]

I’ve had forged Monoblock in the past. Happy at the time, but obviously there’s lesser selection than 2/3piece. Am not a big fan of current BBS or Rays ‘designs’. Some HRE’s, Vossens, Vorsteiner etc, yes, but they are just way over budget to purchase from where I’m located.

For Winter wheels therefore I’m looking at going forged 3 piece, and to a smaller Wheel Maker (design, machining and assembly) as ; http://www.hyperforgedwheels.com/products/img/c7/50.jpg http://www.hyperforgedwheels.com/products/img/c7/15.jpg
[Hyper Forged, whose reputation in Japan is very good. use forged blanks - if I can call that - by TSW. BBS, TSW & Rays being the only 3 JP companies that forge their own wheels].

‘3 piece’ would be first time, hence I don’t have the experience of disadvantages of same other than what I’ve researched. Summarizing the key downside factors as I understand are ; Strength is weaker than comparable forged Moniblock, Weight is a little heavier, Leaking is (sometimes) possible. Although Rim repair is easier, Rim replace cost is in any case high.

SO, assuming I know and accept the above, are any obvious ‘other disadvantages’ that I am overlooking. Why should I steer clear of forged 3 piece?

To each their own I guess, BUT I value any critique on forged 3 piece …

TIA

[bam_bam]

It's all a question of quality, I've seen 3-piece wheels that cream monoblocs for weight and quality but, it's rare. If these would be a custom fitment at a decent price then I say go for it. If you have to dick about with spacers and pulled arches then pick another manufacturer, but ultimately, there's not a lot wrong with a decent 3-piece and they're certainly a lot cheaper. Monoblocs have gone through the roof, my HRE P43s are £1300 a wheel now... EX VAT!

[BMW2RS4]

I'm confused by the consensus that three piece forged wheels are a lot cheaper than monoblocks. Having gone down the route of ordering a three piece ADV.1 wheel set this certainly wasn't the case; further, as a quick comparison from a USA website; the HRE P101 (forged monoblock) is $2200 per wheel whilst the equivalent recently released HRE S101 forged three piece is also $2200 per wheel. Am I missing something here?

[bam_bam]

3-piece should be cheaper but that'll depend on who you're buying from, the HRE S1 wheels are the newest they've got...

[Graeme4130]

3-piece should be cheaper but that'll depend on who you're buying from, the HRE S1 wheels are the newest they've got...

That's largely correct. Single piece forged wheels have the front face forged into pattern and then the rim flow formed. Flow forming can mean a thinner rim (typically sub 4mm) thatnnormal casting, which means less weight
Flow forming ain't cheap though as it's a longish process, relatively
Takes a lot of porosity out the materiel too

3 peice wheels will always look cool in my eyes though as I grew up with the lambo and brabus etc poster cars with wheels wider than the earth and loads of cool chrome bolts in the wheels

[tee-bee]

http://www.imagewheels.co.uk/pages/wheels_billet.html

Anyone tried 'em? Made in the UK too

[s4tokyo]

Well thx (to all) for comments.
Took the plunge and - though perhaps not conventional for Avant & not a recognized brand in UK - went with attached Maker, design and color combo ;
https://www.facebook.com/25144191499211 ... =3&theater
Ready and fitting planned end Nov. Will post a few pics then.

It's all a question of quality, I've seen 3-piece wheels that cream monoblocs for weight and quality but, it's rare. If these would be a custom fitment at a decent price then I say go for it. If you have to dick about with spacers and pulled arches then pick another manufacturer, but ultimately, there's not a lot wrong with a decent 3-piece and they're certainly a lot cheaper. Monoblocs have gone through the roof, my HRE P43s are £1300 a wheel now... EX VAT!

[s4tokyo]

Understand not everyones taste & there’ll be polarizing opinions - I’m happy with outcome though.
[3 Piece Hyperforged C7’s _ Matt Black Rim _ Gunmetal Disk. Not super light, but 800grm lighter than OEM’s ...(when weighed w/tires)].

gallery/image_page.php?album_id=297&image_id=1717
gallery/image_page.php?album_id=297&image_id=1718
gallery/image_page.php?album_id=297&image_id=1719

[chunky79]

Shame the fronts couldn't match the concave of the rears.

[s4tokyo]

Yes, although the OEM’s are same concavity, the Wheel Maker I chose has a Std Concave and a Deep Concave disk standard(s). Given the offset used, the same width rims, the Deep Concave for said wheel would have been too close to front callipers. [Wheel shop I used tried make the wheel offset a little tighter...and so sum of all small changes led to front being as it is].
It’s a subjective view of course, but in real presence the ‘difference’ in concavity works in such a way as to compliment that of the rears - if that makes sense.