Alloy wheels help to solve several problems of car owners at the same time. They can be bought for a seasonal set of rubber, so as not to waste time and money on tire fitting, and quickly "re-bump" the car yourself. Others acquire them with the aim of tuning the appearance of the vehicle, which instantly transforms the car. Well they replace also "native" disks which have come into disrepair. Casting costs cheaper than forged items on wheels, but made more qualitatively than stamping. How not to get lost in the huge assortment of manufacturers of cast discs? Below is an overview of the most popular companies that deserve the most positive reviews from car owners. This will help to choose the right direction in a certain price segment and make a successful purchase for your "iron horse".
Contents:
- The best European producers of alloy wheels
- The best Asian manufacturers of cast discs
- The best Russian manufacturers of cast discs
The best European manufacturers of cast discs
Several famous companies specializing in casting disks are concentrated in Europe. They are distinguished by high quality materials, interesting design and worthy price. Industry leaders are in Germany and Italy.
Moto - impeccable quality
This brand exists since 1964.Among its assortment is a large number of alloy wheels made of light alloy materials. Their characteristics combine high strength and low weight to reduce the load on the suspension. Great importance is attached to the design of products. The company produces more than 800 different modifications.
All products are certified by the German institute that controls safety and quality( PAL).Engineers are constantly developing new models for the design and diversity of departures.
Pros:
- hard quality control;
- huge selection of design;
- extensive production experience;
- wide range of diameters and reach;
- there are versions for a rare drilling for fastening to the hub;
- durable materials and thoughtful design;
- are elegant.
Cons:
- looks bad on tires with a thick protector;
- in combination with a soft rubber car a little "floats";
- high cost.
MAK - Italian design
This company was the result of the merger of two enterprises in 1990.The Italian car tire company has teamed up with the casting plant, which operated since the 1930s. This allowed to combine a rich experience in metallurgy with business acumen in the automotive world.
The MAK brand quickly gained popularity in Europe thanks to the ability of Italian engineers to combine design innovations with classical forms. This gave a huge assortment of discs in a sporty, futuristic and classic style. The company has a reputation as a manufacturer, whose creations go beyond what is generally accepted.
Pros:
- large selection of rim sizes from 15 to 22 inches;
- quality alloys tested in European laboratories;
- model range includes the number of cast spokes from 5 to 20 units;
- a range of fastenings to a nave on 5 and 6 apertures;
- availability of sports and classic series;
- good aerodynamic properties;
- high strength;
- long service life.
Cons:
- with strong direct shocks may form cracks;
- it is difficult to wash models with a lot of spokes( inconveniently stall);
- when chipped to a pit at high speed chipped.
The best Asian manufacturers of alloy wheels
There are companies that have a wide range of products, various prices, but a controversial quality. Car owners advise only a few manufacturers of this category, whose discs have already been checked by time. The leader of this region is the Japanese. But there are also worthy Chinese counterparts. This is a good opportunity to update the appearance of the machine at an affordable cost.
NZ - monitors quality at various stages of
This Asian brand appeared on the Russian market in 2006.The products are produced in factories in China and Taiwan. Most operations are computerized, which allows you to reduce the cost of the final product and reduce the marriage. Alloy wheels have compliance with GOST-P50511-93, and have also passed ISO certification.
The model range includes rim sizes from 15 to 20 inches. The enterprise is distinguished by multistage quality control, as well as by tests for beating and dynamic balancing. Before entering the market, all the discs are x-rayed for cracks in the structure.
Pros:
- compliance with recognized standards in Russia and Europe;
- quality control at all stages of production;
- is quite a large assortment of sizes;
- alloy is adapted for Russian winter;
- high corrosion resistance;
- affordable price;
- high-quality painting, not erased from contact with the balloon wrench;
- interesting geometry;
- minimum balancing.
Cons:
- no products under R22;
- nameplates on stubby covers can be peeled off;
- if you buy a model with a large overhang, then the wheel bearings are broken.
Yamato - Japanese at the height of
The Japanese brand immediately declares itself on all products a beautiful logo with red and black flowers. Disks of this company differ smooth lines and ease. This became possible due to its own technology Flow Forming, which allowed to reduce the mass by 20%, but at the same time to increase the strength by 40%.
Products are produced in computerized factories, which gives high accuracy of geometry and thickness of lines, reducing the need for subsequent balancing. High-quality varnishes and paints are good for protecting the alloy from moisture and chemistry, which is treated by roads in the winter. The shape of the discs with numerous spokes increases the manageability.
Pros:
- own technology with lightweight and heavy-duty disks;
- products improve the maneuverability of the car;
- quality coatings;
- minimum balancing;
- good handling;
- low load on the braking system;
- thermoregulation due to a well thought out structure of the mold;
- interesting design of many models.
Cons:
- is scratched by the machine while mounting the tire;
- not suitable for all cars;
- some positions are quite expensive.
The best Russian manufacturers of cast discs
This part of the market is represented by companies whose factories are located on the territory of Russia, but quality control and technology they have European. The products are distinguished by a moderate price and a lineup of up to 60 kinds of disks. But by weight they are much heavier than imported analogues. But among them there are proven manufacturers, whose products have already been tested and recommended. Here are the best of them according to the users.
K & K - co-production
Since 1991, the Russian-German enterprise began to operate. It is located at the Krasnoyarsk Metallurgical Plant with an area of more than 20,000 square meters. Marketers of the company constantly monitor fashion trends and develop new technical tasks for the design office. The manufacturer has both classic models of cast discs, and bold solutions for lovers of innovative design. The casting technology takes place under high pressure, and for each project several options are developed for evaluation. Manufacturing passes first a virtual stage with the definition of geometry, and only then programs for computerized machines are written and the physical creation process is started.
Pros:
- alloys from liquid aluminum and silicon, providing high strength;
- molding on German machines GIMA;
- automatic production processes;
- obligatory X-ray examinations;
- machining on Japanese machine tools Okuma;
- use in painting "smart molecules", deeply penetrating into the structure;
- affordable cost;
- wide assortment;
- the possibility of visual fitting on a particular brand of cars on the site.
Cons:
- few models on certain Japanese machines;
- slight discolouration of paint from reagents on the road is possible.
SKAD - the most affordable
This Russian manufacturer differs modest model range of mostly classical form. The philosophy of the company says: "A good thing should be inconspicuous."But the products of this company received an ISO certificate and was tested by an independent examination of TUV SUD.This made it possible to sell alloy wheels not only in Russia, but also in Europe and the USA.At the initial stage of the development of a new variant, a pilot batch is always made for testing by all sorts of tests. Robotic complexes produce a subsequent mechanical treatment. The Q1 certificate allowed the company to become a priority supplier for Ford.
Pros:
- certificates from world expert centers;
- high impact strength;
- conformity to factory parameters and easy replacement of "native" disks;
- interesting colors in the range;
- produces more than 2 million disks a year;
- long serve;
- availability of sizes from 13 to 20 inches;
- cheap.
Cons:
- is a small model range mainly with classic forms;
- is heavier than its counterparts;
- not suitable for all models of auto fasteners.