Sad DAY FIKSE NO MORE!!!!!!!!
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12-06-09, 07:52 AM
#9
Original Gangster/Rotary!
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Because Rota is what 90% of people nowadays can afford. Sad but true.
I've never bent one, but be careful with them! Were they for a Mk 3 Supra? I saw a set for sale for retarded cheap out in Cali.
I've never bent one, but be careful with them! Were they for a Mk 3 Supra? I saw a set for sale for retarded cheap out in Cali.
12-06-09, 12:08 PM
#11
This is sad, however:
Fikse's were among the nicest wheels available, BUT that said, just like Kenesis, they were ridiculously expensive even for what they were. I think they just priced themselves out.
I also have to say that, for the price, the finishes weren't nearly durable enough, and Fikse in most cases didn't want to touch refinishing them or claimed they couldn't. They didn't even price the modular components reasonably. They wanted you to just buy new wheels.
That was the big ding for me in owning them...
...You pay the premium price, you expect them to be a "lifetime" purchase of sorts (especially since they are modular), and in the end they are virtually just as disposable as a $500 wheel.
Fikse's were among the nicest wheels available, BUT that said, just like Kenesis, they were ridiculously expensive even for what they were. I think they just priced themselves out.
I also have to say that, for the price, the finishes weren't nearly durable enough, and Fikse in most cases didn't want to touch refinishing them or claimed they couldn't. They didn't even price the modular components reasonably. They wanted you to just buy new wheels.
That was the big ding for me in owning them...
...You pay the premium price, you expect them to be a "lifetime" purchase of sorts (especially since they are modular), and in the end they are virtually just as disposable as a $500 wheel.
12-06-09, 01:35 PM
#12
Wangan Nasty
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HRE's are ridiculously priced, their finishes aren't that great. At least they have some quality, and heritage to them though.
It's all in the marketing and how the product was marketed. There are a lot more expensive wheels out there than Fikse. (Some of the Work / SSR wheels, and the HREs, and "forged" wheel companies). I don't think the price did them in, it's just they had a niche product and didn't have the diversity or marketing to survive in the modern wheel industry.
There are tons of overpriced "forged" wheels out there that are completely IMO Useless (Vossen, D2, ADV, 360 Forged,I-forged, J-Line blah blah blah). Almost anyone can come up with a stupid name and outsource the manufacturing and come up with their own wheel company.
But the marketing is there so they will still get customers. They put the time in photoshoots w/ fancy cars, fancy websites, etc. Who is the dumb one, the customer who doesn't do their homework or the wheel company? Who knows anymore.
Wheels are never a "lifetime" purchase. They are man made, colored finishes/poor anodizing will wear out, and depending on how hard you use them, heat cycling will take it's toll. A bankrupt company doesn't mean the product is bad, it's just bad money management, customer service or business decisions usually. SSR, BBS, Kinesis, and now Fikse all made/make great wheels. They all went bankrupt at one point too.
It's all in the marketing and how the product was marketed. There are a lot more expensive wheels out there than Fikse. (Some of the Work / SSR wheels, and the HREs, and "forged" wheel companies). I don't think the price did them in, it's just they had a niche product and didn't have the diversity or marketing to survive in the modern wheel industry.
There are tons of overpriced "forged" wheels out there that are completely IMO Useless (Vossen, D2, ADV, 360 Forged,I-forged, J-Line blah blah blah). Almost anyone can come up with a stupid name and outsource the manufacturing and come up with their own wheel company.
But the marketing is there so they will still get customers. They put the time in photoshoots w/ fancy cars, fancy websites, etc. Who is the dumb one, the customer who doesn't do their homework or the wheel company? Who knows anymore.
Wheels are never a "lifetime" purchase. They are man made, colored finishes/poor anodizing will wear out, and depending on how hard you use them, heat cycling will take it's toll. A bankrupt company doesn't mean the product is bad, it's just bad money management, customer service or business decisions usually. SSR, BBS, Kinesis, and now Fikse all made/make great wheels. They all went bankrupt at one point too.
12-06-09, 02:10 PM
#13
IMO, I think most of the companies are that way. Not that I believe their products are worthless, but I think they subscribe to the "sell 1 at $1 million dollars" rather than the "sell 1 million at $1 dollar" strategy; which just opens the door for copy cats. SSR have been one of the few over the years which have kept reasonable prices for their products.
12-06-09, 03:55 PM
#14
I agree that it's a shame these "Modular" wheels are rarely rebuildable with replacement parts.
Work = ONLY WORK MEISTER S1 3 piece
SSR = not sure if the option is available for multipiece
Volk = don't think any
I would assume the domestically made 3 piece wheels can offer replacement parts but if they don't it sure does seem like a waste.
I think that's what was meant by lifetime purchase: replacement parts like barrels, fasteners, etc....
Rishie
Work = ONLY WORK MEISTER S1 3 piece
SSR = not sure if the option is available for multipiece
Volk = don't think any
I would assume the domestically made 3 piece wheels can offer replacement parts but if they don't it sure does seem like a waste.
I think that's what was meant by lifetime purchase: replacement parts like barrels, fasteners, etc....
Rishie
12-06-09, 06:02 PM
#15
Wangan Nasty
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I agree that it's a shame these "Modular" wheels are rarely rebuildable with replacement parts.
Work = ONLY WORK MEISTER S1 3 piece
SSR = not sure if the option is available for multipiece
Volk = don't think any
I would assume the domestically made 3 piece wheels can offer replacement parts but if they don't it sure does seem like a waste.
I think that's what was meant by lifetime purchase: replacement parts like barrels, fasteners, etc....
Rishie
Work = ONLY WORK MEISTER S1 3 piece
SSR = not sure if the option is available for multipiece
Volk = don't think any
I would assume the domestically made 3 piece wheels can offer replacement parts but if they don't it sure does seem like a waste.
I think that's what was meant by lifetime purchase: replacement parts like barrels, fasteners, etc....
Rishie
However, a company like say Kodiak Racing can make replacement barrels. ARP can supply the studs as they do for HRE and CCW.
Just send them the specifications, and they can make you a barrel.
The idea of the the multipiece wheels from Work, SSR, etc is so you can order the right wheels the first time so there is no need to replace anything.
CCW is one of the only US made brands that i know will pretty much give the customer free reign.
12-06-09, 07:30 PM
#18
Warranty aside Work Japan will sell us replacement parts for the S1 3 piece wheels. We have the torque specs and tools to rebuild them per factory specs. Assembly is included in the price, the pieces will not be sold without assembly.
For my purposes having replacement parts is great if you need to Replace Damaged/Bent Barrels. Changing width is an awesome side benefit.
I didn't know I could get replacement Work S1 3 piece parts until earlier this year. If I had I would have ordered 3 piece wheels rather than the S1 2 piece I have currently for the FC.
The S1 3 Piece is not welded, whereas their other 3 piece wheels are.
I do love the quality of finishes on Japanese wheels in comparison to US made wheels.
Rishie
For my purposes having replacement parts is great if you need to Replace Damaged/Bent Barrels. Changing width is an awesome side benefit.
I didn't know I could get replacement Work S1 3 piece parts until earlier this year. If I had I would have ordered 3 piece wheels rather than the S1 2 piece I have currently for the FC.
The S1 3 Piece is not welded, whereas their other 3 piece wheels are.
I do love the quality of finishes on Japanese wheels in comparison to US made wheels.
Rishie
12-06-09, 10:03 PM
#19
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Anything in the SSR Vienna line in the 19s or 20s is close to or over that price. The Werfen GT03s are more expensive as well in certain sizes.
12-16-09, 04:07 AM
#20
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Its sad to see another decent company go due to our bad economy. Do people even think about things other than the appeal of wheels, like what goes into producing the wheels. For example rotas are from phillipines i don't think phillipines is really known for quality. I think my volk 08 LE center caps cost more than a set of rotas. I hate seeing people buy rotas and put a volk, enkei, or whatever sticker on their knockoff wheels. Because of this companies with original designs and innovative technologies, have to struggle to make ends meet. It wasn't easy trying to save to buy my set of volks (re30 formula limited 08, LE center caps, and formula valve stems), but it definitly was worth the cup o noddle diet.
12-22-09, 12:19 PM
#21
Canadiana... Eh?
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Hey guys, just a quick tidbit of inside info I'm not really supposed to share.
Fikse is back. Under some new management, but it will be the same good ol' Fikse you know and love.
Fikse is back. Under some new management, but it will be the same good ol' Fikse you know and love.
12-22-09, 11:13 PM
#22
That's good to know. Now if they can just be more affordable i'd be able to sell them. lol. We used to get special pricing for the FD3S way back in the day. After that special racer pricing disappeared the prices went through the roof.
FM10 ftw, one of my ALL TIME OG FAVS.
Rishie
FM10 ftw, one of my ALL TIME OG FAVS.
Rishie
12-23-09, 12:47 AM
#24
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Wheel companies are never exactly the same under new management.
I never thought pricing was a weak point of fikse, I think the styling and options were not up to par for the modern wheel market.
I never thought pricing was a weak point of fikse, I think the styling and options were not up to par for the modern wheel market.
12-23-09, 12:56 AM
#25
You should have seen the special pricing program they made for the FD's about 7+ years ago. OMG so cheap. It was even cheaper than dealer pricing. They truly recognized the importance of doing track wheel fitments for the FD when the cars were newer.