A while back, the idea was tossed around about getting new wheels for our Z06. Though I'm certainly not opposed to replacing some Corvette's stockers (I never liked the wheels on the early C5s, for example), I never understood why some of my colleagues thought the Z06 could use different wheels. I think the O.E. jobs look great -- the thin, double-spoke design not only looks elegant but provides a proper sporting flavor by allowing the Corvette-branded, red brake calipers to be seen.
What say you? Would you be happy with these or would you have to go to the aftermarket?
John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 58,647 miles
tmill28 says:
02:23 PM, 04/14/11
I like the originals, I would for sure keep them. But I'm not a not huge fan of aftermarket rims, so I might be the wrong person to ask.
jeepsrt says:
02:28 PM, 04/14/11
I replaced my '92 Corvette wheels for the 5 spoke ZR-1 style, I would leave these on, they suit the car nicely.
t10 says:
02:55 PM, 04/14/11
I think those are the best stock wheels ever on a GM product. So much better than the ZR1 or various chrome wheels IMO. Keep them for sure.
While on the subject my favorite stock wheels in general are
18 inch e46 m3 and Mazda RX8 gunmetal forged ones (forget the name of that package, R3 or something).
maxedoutmax says:
03:27 PM, 04/14/11
The C5 Z06 with the gray wheels looks great. Anything chrome/polished on a vette has got to go.
csubowtie says:
04:00 PM, 04/14/11
I like the wheels, but I would make a modification. I would have them painted/powder coated black. But then, A yellow Corvette with black rims and a C5/C6-R style wing is my dream car.
gregnv says:
04:01 PM, 04/14/11
The only wheels that looked better as original equipment are new wheels on the centennial edition vette in the post at:
http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2011/04/2012-chevy-corvette-centennial-edition-celebrates-in-black.html
But the centennial edition wheels only work on a black car.
Oh, the forged gunmetal Mazda Speed RX8 wheels were excellent as well, but they may have been made by Rays for Mazda.
clarkma5 says:
04:33 PM, 04/14/11
Love the C5 Z06 stock rims, I've seen very few wheels on C5s that I like more.
02z06dave says:
04:39 PM, 04/14/11
i do like the stock z06 wheels and i still have mine but i wanted something a little bigger and deeper dish to go with my 2" flared quarters and ended up getting a 19/20 set of 360 forged carbon fiber straight fives. they look much better.
exnevadan says:
05:01 PM, 04/14/11
love those wheels, but typically prefer stock to most after market. pretty clean for 9-10 years old, no curb rash on that one.
just took my summer wheels (07 G35S sedan) out of storage and noticed a nasty curb job on one of them - bummer - don't remember doing it either.
kevm14 says:
05:35 PM, 04/14/11
This is not my car, but I like these "Cadillac accessory wheels" as far as factory GM wheels go.
http://kevinallenmoore.com/photo/d/88247-1/3080.jpg
http://kevinallenmoore.com/photo/d/88250-1/3081.jpg
The previous owner of my CTS-V had the factory single 7-spokes chromed, and it actually looks ok on the color (stealth gray). But the chrome is already becoming imperfect and I figure I'd consider these as a replacement set if I ever find $1500 burning a whole in my pocket. Not a lot of choice for 6-lugs, though, unlike a C5 where there is lots of choice.
parchisi64 says:
05:51 PM, 04/14/11
TSW Nurburgring wheels. Flat gunmetal. Those are the wheels this car needs....'nuff said.
sierrabravo says:
07:20 PM, 04/14/11
Keep 'em.
devnix says:
07:40 PM, 04/14/11
I like these wheels, they are a more angular looking version of mine (05 g35 sedan sport). I wish I had big red brakes, though :(
smrtypants44 says:
08:46 PM, 04/14/11
I like the shape of these wheels, but the lip is way too big...making the wheel look smaller than it really is.
zcalvert says:
09:04 PM, 04/14/11
i've always hated this design, to be honest; but if they're light (which i think they are), then I could live with them.
but, i hate most aftermarket designs more.
BBS CH is my all time favorite.
panerai250 says:
04:18 AM, 04/15/11
These wheels look fantastic on this car,not a big fan of after market. I do like the BBS,BMW type wheels.
stingray454 says:
06:22 AM, 04/15/11
I like them so much, I kept them on mine for the last 9 years :)
My only complaints about them is they look a little small in diameter these days, especially when some family sedans are rolling on 20's from the factory now. These are 17 front, 18 rear. Also, the plastic center caps and lug nut covers are a PITA when you have to take them off each time you take it to the autocross or track. Although the wheels look a little meaner and tougher without them on, perfect for the "all business" track look.
These are some of the lightest wheels you can get, short of going magnesium. They were made by SpeedLine in Italy.
coxwill says:
06:40 AM, 04/15/11
The stock Z06 wheels are some of my favorite wheels of all time...
indy_mistert says:
09:47 AM, 04/15/11
Wheels + Pfadt coilovers + intake/headers/tune = even more amazing.
Love the stock wheels, but, no matter how good the OEM wheel, I'm never opposed to mixing it up every now and then. I'd just say that you should be ready to spend out the a$$ - if it isn't a nice, forged wheel... then you're downgrading. BBS LM, OZ Superleggera III, something from HRE... maybe ADV (though I believe there's some checkered past there).
0.02
hybris says:
07:23 PM, 04/15/11
I don't mind the stock design and really the only reason that I would change wheels is to get a even lighter wheel.
inlinesix says:
01:37 PM, 04/16/11
These wheels have a decent spoke design but they're flat, no dimension at all. I like keeping stock wheels whenever possible but these would go ASAP if it were my car. For example: Work S2R
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcScTPcsa_v0E6682Bcf1RjfZmBSzz1hUacRCHnlSPcwg-ZSDmOa&t=1
bodyblue says:
09:55 AM, 04/17/11
I thought IL was going to sell the vette since they got the 911? I would have liked this car so much more if it would have been any other color. Such a fun and exciting car and such a horrible color.
bodyblue says:
09:55 AM, 04/17/11
I thought IL was going to sell the vette since they got the 911? I would have liked this car so much more if it would have been any other color. Such a fun and exciting car and such a horrible color.