Why do people have hate towards ROTA Wheels ?

Updated: 29 Mar 2021

I recently been looking around for new wheels for my honda s2000, and I have come to have love for Ray te37s, but being the downside that come with the cost of upwards to $3,000 AUD for a set of just rims, nearly half the cost of my car. Looking for wheel in those same style I have come across ROTA wheels who make the P45R, which have amazing colour options and are in the same style, but more importantly only cost $250 AUD per rim.

However doing research on the interwebs, There seems to be quite a lot of hate towards cars that have ROTA wheels on them, for example Speedhuters covered a 180SX but in 2011, http://www.speedhunters.com/2011/09/car_feature_gt_gt_jpp_180sx/, and the comments where filled with people hating towards the ROTA wheels, and also on car forms too.

So why all the hate for ROTA wheels, sure them seem to be “inspired” by other rim designs but so are every other wheel making company, Am sure Ray’s where the first company to come up with the 5-spoke design, They might not be forged but whats the point of have forged wheels if your not at the Nurburgring pushing for that under 6 minute time.

Many people say that ROTA Wheels are “Replica Wheels”. I tend to disagree otherever. Check any dictionary and you’ll see that “Replica” is defined as an exact or accurate reproduction of an object. Like replicas of Louis Vuitton bags and other fashion items. People who buy these items most likely want to pose as owners of the originals. But like I said, ROTA Wheels are not replica wheels. Their products do not say “Volk Racing” or anything like that. They are built as ROTA Wheels, and are sold as ROTA Wheels. If people put stickers of other brands on it, it is beyond the control of the factory.

I just would like to know from where all the hate started from, Do people on Carthrottle have hate towards ROTA wheels?

So please leave you advice, so I can have a better understanding before I outlay $1k of new shoes for the girl.

This content was originally posted by a Car Throttle user on our Community platform and was not commissioned or created by the CT editorial team.

Comments

I love it

They are rep wheels. They copy wheel designs from many companies and sell knock of versions of their own. They got a bad reputation because they were a knock off company and as with most had a quality issue, some wheels would break. Also they don’t always hold a candle to the real wheels like rota slipstreams are 15lbs and spoon sw388 are 8.5lbs. These days rota has stepped up their quality and I’d say they’re a bit better then most knock off companies. I don’t blame anyone for buying them because $2500 for 15 4x100 is a bit ridiculous. However you got to keep in mine when it comes to show ready cars it’s really all about the name brand, “defend authenticity “ and “genuine parts” you kinda gotta understand thats part of the culture as it is now just proving u have a big wallet. So just build your car for you and screw the haters. Enjoy

Yeah I knew that they are rep wheels but you touched on an amazing point that shows cars and more about what brand your wheels are then what you wheels look like, sadly thats part of the culture we can’t change