Stance Rant

[Poon]

I don't really see what the issue with "fake" wheels. I have 15'' Rota RB's on my 2002 and they're fantastic. Quality made in Japan wheels , which are lightweight and strong. They're obviously knock offs of Panasports, but panasports which are big $$$ wheels are also knock off's of minilites. I think there is too much snobbery when it comes to wheels. I have over $20k invested in my '02 and I didn't "cheap out" when I bought my wheels, I bought an appropriate set of wheels that suited my car, and bought a set of Yokohama S.drives to match.

It would be interesting to see how many people fork out $1000 + for wheels, to go out and buy Nexen, Triangle or Ling Long tires. My car is a driver's car, and that's why I went with less expensive wheels that work well, and great tires.

I'd rather see somebody buy replica wheels, and replace every ball joint/bushing and suspension component in their car, than roll around on a $2000 wheel set up, on a clunky piece of shit.

"I always thought they made fun of us because they couldn't understand why we choose form over function? "
- This is the biggest reason why the BMW community hates "stance". BMW's are "the ultimate driving machine" and are engineered to be that. When they're lowered to the point of not being driveable, and the wheels are so big driving your car feels like a man running a marathon in steel toed boots, that's what the BMW community tends to disagree with.

That said, I still dig "Stance" as it shows progression in the BMW community. Rather than keeping it all stock, which tends to produce the same result after another, it's nice to see something different. The only issue I've seen develop over time is the snobbery that comes with people wanting to determine how others should spend their money. People need to respect that someone else's car is theirs, and let them put whatever wheels, roof rack, or stickers they want on their own car.

[Rally]

Fork out the money and buy them or don't go low.

The same could be said for people who just buy coilovers and spin them all the way down without addressing geometry problems such as travel and roll centers. Anyone with a spanner wrench can spin their coilovers all the way down, it becomes impressive when work is done to account for the new stance instead of just riding around on bumpstops all day.

Just my 2 cents

[wheelfetish]

Then maybe its me. Kids around my area just cut there springs and think they're all cool because they are low. Don't get me wrong because I would drive on cut springs for sure. I just think its a cheap way of going low.

[Oxer]

You also need to remember that StacneWorks goes beyond the "BMW" scene.

It may have started out that way but SW has progressed to just about every form of car ever made. Versatility and diversity of this forum is far greater then any other I have been on, and it is very rare that you find any serious confrontations or arguments on these boards.. That in itself is an accomplishment.

[wheelfetish]

The same could be said for people who just buy coilovers and spin them all the way down without addressing geometry problems such as travel and roll centers. Anyone with a spanner wrench can spin their coilovers all the way down, it becomes impressive when work is done to account for the new stance instead of just riding around on bumpstops all day.

Just my 2 cents

This is what I was trying to get at. Its impressive when people do it the right way and not half assed just to get the look.

[Moose]

I would have to completely agree with you Sean. The "cheap" wheel aspect does not bother me as much, if it looks good, it looks good. The "trendy" rust, sticker bombing, and bright wheels annoys me to no end. An even bigger aspect of what makes the scene look so bad is the way some of you present yourself on the other forums. Post your car, and let the negative comments roll off. If you built it to your own tastes it really shouldn't bother you. When you start shit with anyone who dislikes your car (usually for a decent reason) it makes the scene look bad. Stance is a joke at my local meets, and I can't say I 100% blame the people who dislike it. Build your car, build it clean, and represent it in a friendly manner and everyone will benefit.

EDIT: And roof racks with random shit on it, stop that.

[NerdCore]

My E34 has 6 rust holes in the body and the bottoms of the doors are shot. It would take more money than the car is worth to fix the rust. Hence, I am rusting the car. Here in Cleveland we don't have too many stance cars. It's all DSM's and shit like that so I am kind of alone. But I could see in California or something like that where fads are HUGE that it could get annoying.

[Rally]

I don't really see what the issue with "fake" wheels. I have 15'' Rota RB's on my 2002 and they're fantastic. Quality made in Japan wheels , which are lightweight and strong. They're obviously knock offs of Panasports, but panasports which are big $$$ wheels are also knock off's of minilites.

It's not really snobbery as much as it's morality.

Lets consider Volk, one of the most copied companies. They spend ridiculous amounts of money to R&D their wheel designs. They pay engineers and artists to design them, they test them for quality and durability. They put money into developing new manufacturing techniques. They do everything they can to produce a QUALITY wheel with interesting designs. Because of all these costs, the cost of their wheels are a bit higher. For your money you get a quality wheel though.

Now look at Rota. They spend very little money in the design phase as they simply STEAL the designs of other companies. They do little to no testing and cut corners left and right in the manufacturing process. Because they've stolen and produced lower quality products they can sell their wheels for cheaper and more people can buy them.

Because of this, the name of the original company is somewhat tarnished. Their wheel design is now related to the cheap wheels being produced and they lose their exclusivity. Buyers are tempted away by the cheaper products. This hurts the sales and income of the big name companies and only damages the work being done to improve the wheel industry.

Does a car on fake wheels still look alright? Sure. Will the wheels stand up to simple daily driving? Yah probably. Is it right to support a company that steals from others? No, not in my opinion. It's only the legit wheel companies that are doing anything to move the wheel industry forward and I'd support them any day over companies that thrive by stealing and cutting corners. I'd much rather wait a few extra months to afford real wheels and support the legit companies.

[Kielan]

@Poon (great username I love it hahah)

But see that's where the whole idea of reps is worse, because you have just spent SO much money on making your car perfect, and then you go out and by replica wheels, when you could easily just save a little longer and get the real deal. If you are going to go all out, go all out and do it right, saying spending big money on wheels makes little sense, makes little sense with what you just said, if you can spend all this money on your car, why not do everything right, and not just decide to cheap out on wheels, with 20k+, in your car there is no excuse to not get real wheels, sure it may take a little while longer in savings, but it would be well worth it, and make the car that much better, because everything on there is 100% genuine. You also can have the ability to say "Yeah, I have Panasports," which in most cases people will be amazed.

[Stephen]

I think you guys are overthinking this. Trying to quantify a qualitative thing.


Make it look good, not tacky, and put in some effort.

effort does not = money all the time either

/opinion

[RedE46Bimmer]

^Amen

[vdubkid]

I kinda agree, but still don't. I mean, sure in the early days it just so happened that the big players had multiple sets of $4000 rims but stance is about the STANCE. Fitment, turning heads, the smell of tires rubbing against the fender, and seeing sparks. Not about how expensive your wheels are.

People **** on the movement because we make cars undrivable, not because we have fake wheels. Rusty could be on RS reps and still look fucking sweet.

[NerdCore]

I agree with that. Stance is about the look. Sure having expensive parts is cool. Have $5,000 wheels on a E28 you paid $700 for is super baller status. But to say that because you're wheels aren't this or that makes your car less appealing?


To me, I am more interested in how people are innovating and being different than bitching about cost. Hell, on E34's t-stars come stock on the M5 but I would still rock t-stars on my E34. Style 5's too. Cause they look good. Sure having the exact same car as someone else blows. That's where the innovation comes in.

[Oxer]

I agree with that. Stance is about the look. Sure having expensive parts is cool. Have $5,000 wheels on a E28 you paid $700 for is super baller status. But to say that because you're wheels aren't this or that makes your car less appealing?


To me, I am more interested in how people are innovating and being different than bitching about cost. Hell, on E34's t-stars come stock on the M5 but I would still rock t-stars on my E34. Style 5's too. Cause they look good. Sure having the exact same car as someone else blows. That's where the innovation comes in.

I completely agree... I think what Sean was originally getting at was innovation isnt in the from of cut springs, rusty hoods and assloads of stickers.

Which I also agree with lol...


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Its funny, Ive heard misconceptions from people on forums down here who seem to think all this site is about is Expensive wheels and bmw's..

It never ceases to amaze me at how narrow minded some people are and how they can miss the big picture at hand.

[Withers]

I'm just going to throw this out here; one of the things that we're praised for is our acceptance of everything automotive related. I agree that innovation and originality should ultimately be the goal, but let's not get overly elitist here.