dmd2005
Active Member
pnlyee, post: 4087050, member: 12126
I have received the wheels shown above and my review follows.
Executive Summary: I'm a very happy with the wheels.
Details:
The ordering process was very simple. I contact Jamie with the specs. He quoted me a great price. The order was placed after I submitted a deposit. The wheels took about 3.5 weeks from ordering to shipping from Taiwan. Prior to shipping final payment was made. It took UPS 7 days to deliver them even though they were shipped second-day air. Apparently, it takes 2-3 days to clear customs in Louisville at the UPS hub.
View attachment 463255
The wheels were well packed in double walled cardboard boxes with foam inserts and dense fiber have squares for reinforcement. Each of the boxes were quadrupled strapped for additional protection.
View attachment 463253 View attachment 463254
The wheels themselves were very well machined and the finish was flawless. All surfaces were polished and coated except the contact surfaces where there were grooves to enhance friction. It should be noted the wheels are machined with EXTREMELY small clearances between the hub and center bore. In fact, if there is ANY corrosion on the hubs, the wheels will NOT fit. I had to polish my hubs to a mirror finish and rid them of all corrosion for the wheels to mount. Even then, the wheels had a very tight fit and had to be slid in perfectly square. If they are slid in perfectly square, they would fit and seat perfectly. It not, then it will appear as if the wheels were machined incorrectly. In fact, Jamie was kind enough to stop by when I complained the wheels did not fit. After he cleaned one hub and showed me how to set the wheel perfectly squarely, it worked like a high precision fit. You cannot treat these wheels as something you throw on a car with brute force—you have been warned! Jamie went well beyond what I had expected even from a brick and mortar store.
View attachment 463258
View attachment 463256
View attachment 463259
For the specs noted above (SV502 18x8.5 ET 35) the wheels weighed in at 17.5 lb. Each wheel was exactly 17.5 lb. indicating good uniformity. For comparison, the OEM 20-inch wheels are 28.75 lb.
Images of the wheels mounted on the car follow as well as close-ups showing caliper clearance are attached.
View attachment 463261
Also, since the wheels are tires are lighter than the 20-inch OEM set-up by about 12 lbs. per corner with same Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires (235/35R20 vs 235/45R18), efficiency has gone up slightly. With the OEM wheels over 10517 miles, I consumed 2480 kwh (= 236 Wh/mi). With the new wheels over 777 miles, I consumed 173 kWh (= 223 Wh/mi). This is not a scientific test since the driving conditions are not identical. It is just an observation.
View attachment 463262
Having other high-end (HRE) wheels my other Teslas, I am very happy I found the Signature SV502s.
Looks good with the brushed aluminum on the blue. When I do a wheel changeover, I clean the hubs and apply a bit of anti-seize compound to prevent corrosion and makes it easier to take off the wheels.
