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An automobile should be an ongoing process. You're never going to be "done" with your car, because it's always going to require new work, new refreshes, and new accessories or parts, depending on what you're doing with it. If you really care about your ride, chances are you've been tempted to dress it up a bit. One of the most obvious, and easiest, ways to do this is by purchasing a nice set of wheels.
Like buying anything else, this can be an overwhelming experience, whether you're going to your local Discount Tire or are just browsing online. There are hundreds of options and hundreds of brands to choose from, many of which are pure garbage. It's important to find out the process used in forming the wheels, the material from which the wheels are made, and the testing that the wheels were put through. Or you could just ask us, and we'll help you out. If you're looking for a trusty company from which to purchase a new set of wheels, use a brand from our 10 Best Aftermarket Wheel Manufacturers Right Now.
10. Vossen
Website: vossenwheels.com
There's something about the look of Vossen, particularly the VVSCV4s, that we're obsessed with. It's like there's this extremely sporty essence beneath a blanket of dapper attire (maybe we've just been spending too much time in the Facebook gallery, which beautifully shows off the wheels). Vossen has been around for more than 25 years and offers a five-year workmanship warranty and a lifetime structural warranty. How's that for confidence?
9. Gram Lights
Website: rays-msc.com
Ray's is an umbrella brand that features a few different types of wheel lines, including Gram Lights and Volks (which you'll see later). They're a bit pricey, but if you can afford them, the high quality of the lightweight cast wheels won't disappoint.
8. Konig
Website: konigwheels.com
There's a crown in the center of the logo for a reason. They think they're KINGS of the wheel world, and they're not too far off. Konig’s are used both in professional race settings as well as the casual public tuning scene. Of the companies on this list, Konig easily has one of the biggest selections for assorted styles and finishes.
7. Work
Website: workwheelsusa.com
Works are custom-made-to-order wheels that feature a variety of setups and finishes. Featured in the likes of the JGTC, Super Taikyu, and the N1 endurance racing series, this is one of Japan's top manufacturers. On top of that, the customer service is one of the best in the game, as they are extremely responsive throughout the entire process of ordering your wheels.
6. Volk
Website: rays-msc.com
Ray's part does come in the form of the Volk wheels we mentioned before. Volks is part of the racing wheels division, featuring forged one- and two-piece magnesium. These will be some of the lightest wheels you can find without sacrificing strength.
5. O.Z.
Website: ozracing.com
O.Z. knows that the best way to provide the best product isn't to seclude yourself but to ask others for input and help. They have formed partnerships with Italian Swiss designer Franco Sbarro, the European Institute of Design, and the Tokyo Communication Arts in Japan. The company has a huge list (seriously, it'd bore you if we listed all of them) of quality control tests, including "Fatigue test wheel subjected to the same mechanical stress of a car driving along a bend," "Chemical analysis on raw materials and castings," and "Impact test (crash test) simulation of stresses that the wheel might suffer on the road."
4. American Racing
Website: americanracing.com
American Racing is much different from the rest of these brands in the fact that you won't be seeing these wheels on a new Scion FR-S. Instead, you'll probably be seeing them on a hot rod or a low-rider truck, or a classic Camaro. America is in the name for a reason, after all. The quality of the wheels matches their tough looks and are usually made of pressure-forged aluminum alloys.
3. Enkei
Website: enkei.com
Many first-time buyers actually have it pretty easy. When they're looking for rims, Konig and Enkei are going to be everywhere they look. There will be less expensive options that will tempt kids who just want a set of 17s on their Honda Civic, but they'd be making a mistake if they didn't go for what was right in front of them. Enkei is everywhere because they're a highly respected brand out of Japan. They make racing, tuning, luxury, truck, and classic wheels. The company created its own testing process called Spec-E, which takes it one step further than the regulation standards.
2. Ronal
Website: ronalwheels.co.uk
Yes, Ronal is the brand that made the teddy bear rims that we've previously gawked at. Try to set that aside and realize that this company still makes some great wheels. Aside from those chubby little guys, there isn't much flash to the lineup, and that's okay. Ronal isn't a brand that you go to for rims that are going to shut down the club when you pull up to the valet. They look like solid, classy rims because they're built solidly. They use digital Failure-Mode-Effects Analysis (FMEA), Finite-Element-Analysis (FEA), and a casting simulation to ensure that any stress points do as little damage as possible to the alloys. Many car manufacturer wheels are actually Ronals, they just don't have the Ronal branding.
1. BBS
Website: bbs-usa.com
Of all the discussions about who has the best-looking and most durable rims, there is always one company that floats right at the time of the crowd: BBS. Although this is a list of aftermarket rims, BBS isn't actually all that aftermarket. Many of the rims that Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche use as their stock wheels are BBS. The company has perfected the forging process and has created flow-forming, which uses three hydraulic rollers and a huge amount of pressure to form the width of a rim. If it's good enough for OEM, it's exactly what we want.