2008 Pontiac G8 GT: Wheels Done Right

Actually, it's the american public that sees chrome as an "upgrade" - the automakers are just happy to have an easy source of profit. Judging by the number of BMWs, Mercedes, Audis and Bentleys I see in L.A. with chrome wheels, I'd say this isn't limited to the American auto makers - the imports just sell these wheels as dealer installed acessories rather than factory installed options.

I do agree with you, though. Most chrome wheels look tacky on modern cars. I recently purchased a Buick Enclave for my wife and found that the standard 15 spoke aluminum finish wheels have a classy and understated look as compared to the "upgrade" 7 spoke chrome wheels that look like they came from Pep Boys.

I'm pretty sure the 545i had chrome wheels standard, but they ditched them when the 550 came out.

I hate chrome wheels more than anything, but I think the G8 wheels are too plain to say they are done right. Exhibit A: black plastic wart center cap and plastic nut covers. My rx8 has a similar 5 spoke design that looks a lot better.

Are those wheel bolt covers? If so I vote "fail."

But I also hate chrome wheels. I

Preach it! Chrome wheels FTL!

These look EXACTLY like the wheels on my 2008 530xi.

Kinda like this picture:
http://www.auto123.com/ArtImages/73089/2007-BMW-530xi-001.jpg

So much for BMW not getting wheels right anymore...

Uhh... WHAT?

Yeah I like any basic and simple looking 5-spoke wheel as much as the next guy but the G8 GT wheel looks really cheap from close up.

There are the clean looking 5-spoke wheels and there are the bland/lame looking 5-spoke wheels. Here's a good example of the former: http://lexusnet.com/forums/index.php/topic,663.msg6319.html#msg6319

The G8 GT is definitely the later IMO.

Not really an attractive design, but at least it is not chrome clad. I prefer polished aluminum for wheels but they are rare.

The standard traditional chrome finish is just ridiculous, tacky and outdated... and I agree GM seems to go overboard with chrome rims and chrome HUBCAPS!

On the other hand, there are different finishes of chrome. Satin chrome, brushed chrome and black chrome are ok depending on the color and trim on the car. Satin chrome offers most of the bling of the traditional chrome rim without all the glare. Audi's tends to execute that finish very well on some of their models with that option. The last generation Audi RS4 had gorgeous satin chrome trim (around the windows) and rims that had a restrained amount of bling while complimenting each other. Great execution.

Chrome is a "Detroit" thing. If you don't live in Metro Detroit you won't understand how much they love it here. Personally, I find it cheap and gaudy, but Detroiter's love their flash and bling.

All three US automakers do it for Detoit and expect the rest of the country to dig it too.

Wait, people still live in Metro Detroit?

Everybody and their mother is doing 5 spoke designs these days. Boring.

Let's not forget the blasphemy that is the optional chrome wheel on the ZR-1 Corvette.

+1 Mazdaspeed, the ZR1 has hideous wheels, way too many spokes and the chrome looks cheap.

I like those, but I prefer the 18" with the central portion of each spoke bored in about 1/4".

Where the hell are you people from? The first upgrade I see most people make to their cars are a set of rims with either a bright/polished or chrome finished.

Profit margins on chrome clad wheels are anywhere between 300% and 600%. That's why the old Big3 touted them so much. It costs less to manufacture a chrome clad steel wheel than a comparable chromed aluminum wheel. That's right its a steel wheel with essentailly a bonded on chrome hubcap. CLASSY!
IMO the 19s on the G8 are really nice. With the spokes widening as they move out to the endge and teminating on the lip make them look bigger than they really are. The black center cap is unfortunate but I do like them.

meh, these wheels look pretty boring to me. I don't like the black bits over the hub either.

Agreed on chrome wheels FTL. They were pretty popular in the mid to late 90's across the board but apparently GM didn't get the memo that they're not cool anymore, 10+ years later.

Perhaps it's just the poor quality of the picture, but those don't look machined to me. The optional 18" wheels on my GTI are machined with a clearcoat, and you can see the fine machine lines on the surface. Nothing wrong with these wheels, but it doesn't look like a machined finish based on that pic.

Gubmint Motors has always had a thing for chrome wheels, and offering them on a serious performance car like the ZR-1 is light years beyond tacky.

Yeah, Jriz/Bono(Head), people still live in Metro Detroit. Another lame-ass comment from a lame-ass editor/writer/or whatever you call yourself. Never miss an opportunity for a cheap shot, eh? Yeah, and NOBODY in SoCal has chrome wheels. You're all too cool for us poor benighted Midwesterners..
Guess you like the G8 wheels because they look so much like BMW wheels, eh? Because as we all know (because of your & bimmerjay's constant reminding), if BMW does it it must be the best!

In all fairness, Ford and American Fiat also make chrome wheels available on their performance cars. There's no accounting for taste- or lack thereof...

I like the G8 rims.

I am also a huge hater of bling on cars, especially on stock rims. Glad to see the G8 GT has a better option.

If we are going to criticize shouldnt we get the facts straight?

Malibu does not offer chrome wheels. Even so, they are OPTIONAL. Complaining about OPTIONAL features is stupid. If you don't like it don't get it. On the Equinox only the 19s are available in chrome. Most GM models with shiny wheels have a MACHINED or polished aluminum surface, not chrome. Learn the difference.

"Yeah, and NOBODY in SoCal has chrome wheels. "

In case you hadnt noticed, not only are SoCal based IL employees derisive towards the rest of the country, they don't even have enough exposure to understand what trends may or may not exist in the rest of the country. Chrome wheels are popular all over, especially on large trucks/SUVs. At least get some exposure to the "lesser" parts of the country before making lame assumptions. And yes, I'm sure there are people with chrome rims in California. Just watch one or two episodes of Cribs and you will agree.

"Gubmint Motors has always had a thing for chrome wheels, and offering them on a serious performance car like the ZR-1 is light years beyond tacky."

Dont buy the chrome wheels. Problem solve. Childish complaining and repeated use of some iteration of "Government Motors" is tacky. Complaining about chrome wheels is like complaining about the cheese on a cheeseburger- stupid.

I guess all the people I see driving around with chromed rims are out of touch. Or perhaps some people on this forum don't know they hell they are talking about (as usual). Hmmm...

That was weak jriz..

Your reminding me of Billy Joel's lyrics: "Whats the matter with the car Im driving? Cant you tell that its out of style? Should I get a set of white wall tires? Are you gonna cruise the miracle mile?" Who cares what wheels are or aren't supposedly in style, buy what you like and don't force style choices on others. Like Billy says, it's still rock & roll to me.

Look just like the wheels on my '07 Civic EX!

"Dont[sic] buy the chrome wheels. Problem solve[sic]. Childish complaining and repeated use of some iteration of "Government Motors" is tacky."

No, it's just truthful.

"Complaining about chrome wheels is like complaining about the cheese on a cheeseburger- stupid."

Another skewed analogy. At least you are consistent. Actually, chrome wheels aren't all that bad; when combined with a fake convertible top, chain link grill, and gold trim they look quite tasteful and elegant. As a matter of fact, my local Caddy dealer has a new CTS equipped in exactly that fashion:

http://samswopecadillac.com/images/InventoryPhotos/1G6D/F577/590/1G6DF577590142716/1G6DF577590142716_1(1).jpg

Snazzy!

They're the right size and design (5 spoke) but the spokes are much too thick to make the wheel look sporty. They make it look chunky and heavy and the black centre cap and nut covers make the wheel look very cheap. If I bought a G8, the aftermarket wheel store would be my next destination before taking that bad boy home.

I agree chrome wheels are tacky and I don't get why people like 'em. It doesn't project wealth, just tackiness.

However, I will have to disagree that the G8's rims are "done right". The spokes are too fat and its generally an uninteresting design. If you're going to go 5 spokes, I'd recommend you look at an A4 a previous generation TL or even '06-'08 Sonata SE to see 5-spoke alloys "done right".

http://www.martzauto.com/images/image_252.jpg

Oh yeah, thos plastic nut covers have got to go.

"Another skewed analogy. At least you are consistent. Actually, chrome wheels aren't all that bad; when combined with a fake convertible top, chain link grill, and gold trim they look quite tasteful and elegant. As a matter of fact, my local Caddy dealer has a new CTS equipped in exactly that fashion:"

What about chrome wheels on Lexus or Infiniti models? Naturally you have no comment on those. Again, if you don't like chrome wheels you dont have to pay for them. Its not rocket science, not even for you. If you're anyting like the author of this lame complain you probably can't even tell the difference between chrome and a polished finish.

"What about chrome wheels on Lexus or Infiniti models? Naturally you have no comment on those."

They are equally tacky.

"Again, if you don't like chrome wheels you dont[sic] have to pay for them. Its not rocket science, not even for you. If you're anyting[sic] like the author of this lame complain[sic] you probably can't even tell the difference between chrome and a polished finish."

While I find polished finishes to be a tad gaudy, they are nowhere near as tacky as chrome. That said, I''ll give the Big 1.75 credit, they certainly know the taste of their core customers- and they give them what they want.