3 piece wheel cost - is it worth it for a street car??

[scherp69]

I keep looking at the all the 3 piece wheels, especially when Frank keeps posting that he has a sale on Forgelines. The thing I'm trying to debate though is if the cost of 3 piece wheels would be worth it for a car that will be 99% of the time driven on the streets. I'm leaning towards getting a set of Billet Specialties (likely the Fast Lane) as they have a 17x11 for under $400. I can get tires and wheels for under $2200. I've also looked at the DriverzInc's new Splitter wheel and for a package they are about $500 more for the tires I want. I want to build this car right this time, but am wondering if the extra cost would be worth it. I know the wheels are lighter and easier to change backspacing down the road, but once I have them right, I can't see myself changing them. What do you guys think. Is it worth the extra cost and why?? Thanks in advance.

[Steve1968LS2]

In a word.. yes. At least to me.

Over the years I've made several changes to my car. The 3-piece wheels gave me the option to change my offsets and get everything "just right"

It sure beat buying new wheels. Also, if an outer is damaged it can be replaced.

That's not to say you HAVE TO have a three piece wheel, but they are nice if you can afford them. That's a choice you'll have to make based on your budget.

As far as having fun goes.. you can do that on a set of slot mags. Don't feel you are obliged to spend extra just to be "cool".

[Vegas69]

I change my mind and taste with every sunrise. I also like having the option to change finishes, widths, backspacing, etc Today you plan to drive it 99% street. What if that changes? It did for me. You just can't enjoy the full potential of these cars on the street. Not safely and without a fist full of tickets. That being said, do what makes your wallet happy.

[street3285]

You are able to change finish, backspace and repair damaged outers on a 2-piece wheel also. It is done by basically separating the 2 pieces, and re-assembling them, much like you would do on a 3-piece wheel.

[ProdigyCustoms]

We sell quite a bit of Billet Specialties and they are a very nice wheel and a real bargain. You cannot really compare the very popular, heavily used much cheaper Billet Specialties to a much more expensive, less known, more exclusive Forgeline, Fikse, Boze 3 piece. Both are round and hold tires and do what they are supposed to do. Because they are so popular and such a good deal, with the Billet Specialties, you are very likely to pull up beside another car with your EXACT wheel at the local cruise or show. But unless you come to RTTHS, you most like WILL NOT pull up beside a another car with trick 3 piece wheels.

Cost wise? We sell the Billet Specialties for less then 1/2 the cost of our very best smokin deal on the Forgelines, so wallet heft is a big factor.

[DriverzInc]

I've said it before, but I have an ongoing personal argument with 3piece wheels vs. 2pc wheels.

All made from the same material, 6061-t6. 3 piece is repairable for anywhere from 300-400 dollars a wheel. 2 piece is repairable for anywhere from 300-400 dollars a wheel. Both can be re-shelled, or re-rimmed for about the same.

The benefit to the 3 piece is if you need "exotic" sizing that can't be achieved easily in 2 piece, like an 8.5, 9.5, 11.5, etc. If your looking at running, or can run just as easily a 2 piece wheel, that you love, don't get talked out of it because 3 piece is "better". "Better" is yet to be really proven in EVERY situation.

Lighter? in some cases three piece wheels are because some companies take the time to lighten out the spokes, and lighten out the pad. HOWEVER, Shott wheels for example does the same thing to all their designs, lightening out the spokes, the pad, and in some cases in other areas with added machine time. So, there is a two piece wheel, lightened out and in some cases, as in the Schott I-Force and G5 may even be lighter than some 3 piece wheels.

So take what you may from this information, but if anything, don't just believe something is better because someone tells you it is better. There are MANY contributing factors that go into each and every wheel that might make it "better" than the other, and the criteria that makes any wheel "better" is dependent on the end users definition of "better".