Strap In Purist.. Alibaba Wheels Long Term Review/Test

[ICantDriveStick]

They do look good, and I guess you were one of the final batches of RE-71RS in what I'm assuming was 265/35-18. I had a chance at grabbing literally the last 4 in the country in Tire Rack's inventory (275s were already gone) and almost did- but I like getting them heat cycled before delivery and since they were coming from different warehouses they told me it wasn't an option so I chose to wait for the RZ. (also 265 is a bit stretched on a 10" wheel)

I mean overall that's a really solid value, tough to deny that. Especially after the "balance test" seems to have been passed.

Did they have any other finishes available? I know what you have matches the Shining Light Metal and it looks like a good match, just curious what other finish options and the relative quality. Some of the glossy finishes on Rays/Volks are part of the reason I like them and ultimately justified the purchase.

Final batches indeed. By the time I was ready to order the tires, they were all sold out on Tirerack. These are actually 275-35. I ended up finding them on the America's Tires website. Took about 2 weeks to come in.

I was able to choose any finish I wanted since they are made to order. I agree on the glossy finishes. I have found some threads on various forums where glossy finishes were subpar at best. Can't confirm which supplier they used but could vary from supplier to supplier.

Sponsored

 

[Evox787]

VT Forged, right? I think mine probably came in same time as yours... have not taken photos, but they look great. No complaints with the experience so far (granted haven't mounted / balanced yet). Similar to yours, mine have no visible branding, etc., and I absolutely love that (wish I could forego branding on everything, lmao). Fake "branding" would bother me, but copying general styles doesn't -- everyone has been doing it forever.

Yep, the VT Forge is also on the same boat still on the boxes and on jack stands right now because I’m too lazy, and my wife doesn’t want to help me bleed the brakes and the clutch . I tried doing it with a compressor and all that, but I’m not sure I did it 100% right. So, I’ll do it the old-fashioned way to double-check.

That’s also why I’m hesitant about putting parts on my cars. I really hate branding. Not all of them are bad, but when a part has a huge, obvious logo, it’s just annoying. I remember growing up when fake brands started getting out of hand—I’d say around 2008 and up. Before that, you could get legit parts at reasonable prices. Sure, they were harder to find, because it wasn’t like now where you just pull out your phone and order something. But where I’m from, you always knew somebody who knew somebody, and that somebody either lived in or was stationed in Europe or Japan.

I vividly remember the first time I saw an R34 GTR—it was in 2010. I didn’t even know about the lame 25-year import rule until I was living in Hawaii and tried to get an R33 GTR. But where I’m from, we had a blue R34 with a license plate and everything, way before the 25-year rule. Mind you where I’m from we are part of the U.S. territories!

I honestly don’t know how things were in the US back then, but that’s how it was. It’s not like now. These days, even ordering a simple set of wheels requires leaving a deposit, which is fine. But when you ask when the wheels will arrive, you always get the same answer: “We don’t have a timeline. It could be 6 months to a year.”

If I change my mind and want a different set a week later, I’m told it will probably add another year to the wait. And you can’t even fall in love with a certain model, because it was probably only made from January to the second week of February—and now it’s “discontinued.” They might still have it in other colors, but not the one you want. Or maybe they’ll say, “Yes, we have it! But only three, not a full set.”

Meanwhile, the purists get mad if you say anything negative about the situation. I just don’t understand how that works in 2026. On top of that, they ask ridiculous prices for a part that’s installed on your car with self-tapping screws and double-sided tape. I’ve been told BMW and other brands do the same, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good thing or a practice that should be acceptable. Yet, because it’s a certain brand, everything seems to be forgiven. I’m sorry, I just can’t get on board with that.

 

[22Si]

Shut your Chinese iPhone using asses up . Acting like Tim Cook makes them for you in his home.

Thanks and keep us posted. As mentioned there's just a huge variance in quality. Some will provide photos along the way and of the manufacturing process/testing. Others are a complete gamble.

Look at your food, fish and "organics" next time you shop at wholefoods and other places.

 

[ABPDE5]

Yep, the VT Forge is also on the same boat still on the boxes and on jack stands right now because I’m too lazy, and my wife doesn’t want to help me bleed the brakes and the clutch . I tried doing it with a compressor and all that, but I’m not sure I did it 100% right. So, I’ll do it the old-fashioned way to double-check.

That’s also why I’m hesitant about putting parts on my cars. I really hate branding. Not all of them are bad, but when a part has a huge, obvious logo, it’s just annoying. I remember growing up when fake brands started getting out of hand—I’d say around 2008 and up. Before that, you could get legit parts at reasonable prices. Sure, they were harder to find, because it wasn’t like now where you just pull out your phone and order something. But where I’m from, you always knew somebody who knew somebody, and that somebody either lived in or was stationed in Europe or Japan.

I vividly remember the first time I saw an R34 GTR—it was in 2010. I didn’t even know about the lame 25-year import rule until I was living in Hawaii and tried to get an R33 GTR. But where I’m from, we had a blue R34 with a license plate and everything, way before the 25-year rule. Mind you where I’m from we are part of the U.S. territories!

I honestly don’t know how things were in the US back then, but that’s how it was. It’s not like now. These days, even ordering a simple set of wheels requires leaving a deposit, which is fine. But when you ask when the wheels will arrive, you always get the same answer: “We don’t have a timeline. It could be 6 months to a year.”

If I change my mind and want a different set a week later, I’m told it will probably add another year to the wait. And you can’t even fall in love with a certain model, because it was probably only made from January to the second week of February—and now it’s “discontinued.” They might still have it in other colors, but not the one you want. Or maybe they’ll say, “Yes, we have it! But only three, not a full set.”

Meanwhile, the purists get mad if you say anything negative about the situation. I just don’t understand how that works in 2026. On top of that, they ask ridiculous prices for a part that’s installed on your car with self-tapping screws and double-sided tape. I’ve been told BMW and other brands do the same, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good thing or a practice that should be acceptable. Yet, because it’s a certain brand, everything seems to be forgiven. I’m sorry, I just can’t get on board with that.

1000%. If I could like this post multiple times for each of your points, I would.

 

[Evox787]

Shut your Chinese iPhone using asses up . Acting like Tim Cook makes them for you in his home.

Thanks and keep us posted. As mentioned there's just a huge variance in quality. Some will provide photos along the way and of the manufacturing process/testing. Others are a complete gamble.

Look at your food, fish and "organics" next time you shop at wholefoods and other places.

Oscar the Grouch appreciate this message!

 

[ICantDriveStick]

Got the car aligned yesterday. 80 miles in so far. I feel like NorCal roads are getting worse and worse. Quick visual inspection revealed nothing to report on all 4 corners. Happy Friday

 

[ICantDriveStick]

Another update... or not much of. Up to only about 1300 miles. Did two spirited drives two weekends ago. Absolutely coated the wheels in brake dust. No issues that I can feel while driving. Visual inspection reveals no issues. Going to take her out again today after the F1 Miami Qualifying sesh