21" Aftermarket Turbine Wheels. Any good?

[Medpilot]

I currently have OEM silver turbines and would like to go grey.

I did a search, but couldn't find any posts regarding the after market turbines I see on eBay and other discount wheel websites. example wheels New 21" Replacement Wheels Rims Tesla Model S 2012-2013 Staggered Set Turbine | eBay

I've read that they are made by the same manufacture as the OEM's but can't confirm that.

Anyone know the quality compared to OEM?

Thanks.

 

[blake6551]

Another option, find an alloy wheel repair shop and have them paint your silver turbines. I just did that, $600 and they used the actual Tesla Sonic Carbon gray paint. Took three days in my case. Got the center caps from the SC for $5/ea. Perfect match.

 

[Medpilot]

I was considering that. Figured it would be somewhere in the $500-700 range. Good to know on the caps...I thought they'd be more expensive than that.

 

[blake6551]

Here's a pic...

 

[shrink]

I currently have OEM silver turbines and would like to go grey.

I did a search, but couldn't find any posts regarding the after market turbines I see on eBay and other discount wheel websites. example wheels New 21" Replacement Wheels Rims Tesla Model S 2012-2013 Staggered Set Turbine | eBay

I've read that they are made by the same manufacture as the OEM's but can't confirm that.

Anyone know the quality compared to OEM?

Thanks.

I just had my silver turbines powder coated to glossy black at great shop in Tempe. I thought about grey, but black matches the tint, nose cone, spoiler, and roof better. There's nothing else gray on the car.

Wheel Specialists, Inc.

It's $250/wheel. They completely strip the wheels and powdercoat them. It take about 1-1/2 to 2 days. They have loaner wheels for the Model S. The local SC's here in the metro Phoenix area send wheels directly to this shop for refinishing. They know what they're doing and have been in business for years.

The can do Tesla OEM silver, gray, or whatever color you want.

I wouldn't trust those eBay wheels.

 

[shrink]

One more photo:

 

[Medpilot]

I like the black. It does go well with the tint. I'm sure they do awesome work, but $250 is a bit more than I was budgeting for the color change.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Plasti Dip. $6/wheel.

 

[Don TLR]

Looks great @shrink and thanks for the link. I'm waiting on a red CPO P85 and really like the blacked out look. Not sure on gloss black or the gray but yours looks awesome!!

 

[shrink]

Looks great @shrink and thanks for the link. I'm waiting on a red CPO P85 and really like the blacked out look. Not sure on gloss black or the gray but yours looks awesome!!

Thanks. I actually prefer the blacked out look, too. I'm considering a chrome delete, but it's not in my budget right now. Perhaps in a few months once I replenish funds. I'm just reluctant to cover up my Signature badging on side markers and rear appliqué. I'll figure it out. I was thinking maybe carbon fiber for a chrome delete to match the spoiler.

I actually typically prefer matte black on the wheels, but my friend did glossy black and I think it looks great on the Model S. OEM turbine greys are glossy, too.

For reference, below are a solid black Model S with glossy black turbines; Signature Red with OEM grey turbines; and my Signature Red with glossy black turbines:

 

[Don TLR]

Great comparison, thanks again,, Gloss black looks much better IMHO..

 

[welcomewagon]

Tesla sells those rims for ~$3k. There is a reason the ebay rims are $900. I would definitely not put my trust in cheap off brand knockoff rims considering how important of a component rims are.

 

[Uncle Paul]

As a side note, in the government crash testing, I noticed that the wheels themselves were part of the crush characteristics.
The wheels collapsed at a measured rate, that reduced the impact to occupants.

While not a major consideration to everyone, it should be taken into consideration by anyone choosing to change out such a significant component.

Lots of testing goes into the wheels. Some want the best looks, lowest price and lightest weight, but the safety aspects, for many, are the most important.

For changing out just the color, the removable plasti-dip can give remarkable DIY results for little costs. The power coating is more expensive, but done well, looks factory.

 

[bkp_duke]

Tesla sells those rims for ~$3k. There is a reason the ebay rims are $900. I would definitely not put my trust in cheap off brand knockoff rims considering how important of a component rims are.

If you have ever had a Tesla rim bend, you understand that what Tesla sells isn't actually that great. It's not like they are forged rims. They are softer than a lot of people would like, and therefore overpriced.