Suspension, Brakes, Drivetrain discuss the wondrous effects of boost and your miata...
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Tire Rack just frakked up.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-19-2009, 06:06 AM
  #1  
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
iTrader: (31)
 
Savington's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 15,442
Total Cats: 2,099
Default Tire Rack just frakked up.

New wheel coming in Feb that you guys might like. - MX-5 Miata Forum

Originally Posted by Rudy@tirerack
We have a new TR Motorsports C3 wheel coming. Its recommended for a track fitment.

Its a 15x9 ET36 4-100 fitment for the miata. Modifications such as fender lip roll, pull ect maybe needed depending on the tire size you run.

I do not have the weight yet but because its a Motorsport wheel expect it to be reasonably light weight.

No pictures available at this time but as soon as it comes in I will post one. I just like to give you guys as much info as I can as soon as I can. These should interest some of you for true motorsports use.
Can't imagine how they came up with that particular fitment. I'll never spend another dime with them.
Savington is offline  
Old 12-19-2009, 06:44 AM
  #2  
Elite Member
iTrader: (24)
 
kotomile's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Monterey, CA
Posts: 7,537
Total Cats: 42
Default

That's pretty shitty.
kotomile is offline  
Old 12-19-2009, 06:49 AM
  #3  
Junior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
GrahamC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Fife, Scotland
Posts: 317
Total Cats: 10
Default

I don't get it?? Looks like the same fitment as the 6UL's?

//Edit - just read the thread and you're unhappy because you'll have more choice when choosing a trackday wheel? You're kidding right?
GrahamC is offline  
Old 12-19-2009, 07:38 AM
  #4  
Elite Member
iTrader: (24)
 
kotomile's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Monterey, CA
Posts: 7,537
Total Cats: 42
Default

No, he's unhappy because tire rack just ganked all of Emilio's work with the fitment. 949 from what I can tell depends on 6UL sales and tire rack is piggybacking. Such is business, but so is Sav's expression of disappointment.
kotomile is offline  
Old 12-19-2009, 08:36 AM
  #5  
Elite Member
iTrader: (9)
 
TurboTim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chesterfield, NJ
Posts: 6,892
Total Cats: 399
Default

I doubt tirerack can produce a wheel with the quality of the 6ul. I will assume the majority of 15x9 6ul customers care more about quality (strong & lightweight) than about the price difference.

I can definitely appreciate everyone's, especially Emilio's disgust in this. I hope he makes his 17" wheel in 5x100 for my subaru
TurboTim is offline  
Old 12-19-2009, 08:45 AM
  #6  
:(
iTrader: (7)
 
magnamx-5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: nowhere
Posts: 8,255
Total Cats: 4
Default

yeah that is gay, but if and this is a big if they fail and there **** is heavy/weak. It will be a win for emelio becouse he will have the only proven marketed and tested solution. Time will tell but i hope that TR falls on there face with this one. And has to come beging emelio for the rights to sell his **** if they want a real wheel.
magnamx-5 is offline  
Old 12-19-2009, 08:59 AM
  #7  
Ben
Supporting Vendor
iTrader: (33)
 
Ben's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: atlanta-ish
Posts: 12,659
Total Cats: 134
Default

This never clicked with me until now... Does "TR" in TR Motorsports stand for "Tire Rack"? IE, is TR Motorsports a private label "store brand" manufacturer for Tire Rack?
__________________
Chief of Floor Sweeping, DIYAutoTune.com & AMP EFI
Crew Chief, Car Owner & Least Valuable Driver, HongNorrthRacing

91 Turbo | 10AE Turbo | 01 Track Rat | #323 Mazda Champcar

Originally Posted by concealer404
Buy an MSPNP Pro, you'll feel better.
Ben is offline  
Old 12-19-2009, 09:07 AM
  #8  
Tour de Franzia
iTrader: (6)
 
hustler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Republic of Dallas
Posts: 29,085
Total Cats: 375
Default

I hope that every feaux 6UL fails. I don't see why anyone would remotely consider buying a wheel aside from the glorious 6UL.
hustler is offline  
Old 12-19-2009, 09:16 AM
  #9  
I'm a terrible person
iTrader: (19)
 
FRT_Fun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 7,174
Total Cats: 180
Default

If I ever need that size/offset emilio will for sure get my money. It's only fair for how he has helped the community.
FRT_Fun is offline  
Old 12-19-2009, 09:17 AM
  #10  
Elite Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Mach929's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: lansdale PA
Posts: 2,494
Total Cats: 0
Default

why does everyone care, it's like being mad about chinese turbos
Mach929 is offline  
Old 12-19-2009, 09:18 AM
  #11  
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
thymer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: VA
Posts: 822
Total Cats: -2
Default

Originally Posted by Mach929
why does everyone care, it's like being mad about chinese turbos
Capitalism is great until someone is on the bad side of it.
thymer is offline  
Old 12-19-2009, 09:22 AM
  #12  
I'm a terrible person
iTrader: (19)
 
FRT_Fun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 7,174
Total Cats: 180
Default

Originally Posted by Mach929
why does everyone care, it's like being mad about chinese turbos
I don't care that tire rack is playing business, but I think it's good to let emilio know we stand behind his product.
FRT_Fun is offline  
Old 12-19-2009, 09:48 AM
  #13  
Ben
Supporting Vendor
iTrader: (33)
 
Ben's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: atlanta-ish
Posts: 12,659
Total Cats: 134
Default

Originally Posted by Ben
This never clicked with me until now... Does "TR" in TR Motorsports stand for "Tire Rack"? IE, is TR Motorsports a private label "store brand" manufacturer for Tire Rack?
Google says "YES", and shows that this is their modus operandi. They find a successful fitment, draw it up, and have it built by the manufacturer or foundry that gives teh best bid.

TR MOTORSPORTS
Goods and Services IC 012. US 019 021 023 031 035 044.
G & S: automotive wheels.
Serial Number 75215255
Filing Date December 18, 1996
Registration Number 2216681
Registration Date January 5, 1999
Owner (REGISTRANT) TIRE RACK, INC., THE CORPORATION INDIANA 7101 VORDEN PARKWAY SOUTH BEND INDIANA 466288422
Attorney of Record D. MICHAEL ANDERSON
__________________
Chief of Floor Sweeping, DIYAutoTune.com & AMP EFI
Crew Chief, Car Owner & Least Valuable Driver, HongNorrthRacing

91 Turbo | 10AE Turbo | 01 Track Rat | #323 Mazda Champcar

Originally Posted by concealer404
Buy an MSPNP Pro, you'll feel better.
Ben is offline  
Old 12-19-2009, 09:48 AM
  #14  
Ben
Supporting Vendor
iTrader: (33)
 
Ben's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: atlanta-ish
Posts: 12,659
Total Cats: 134
Default

Originally Posted by Ben
Google says "YES", and shows that this is their modus operandi.
Thanks for clearing that up for me.
__________________
Chief of Floor Sweeping, DIYAutoTune.com & AMP EFI
Crew Chief, Car Owner & Least Valuable Driver, HongNorrthRacing

91 Turbo | 10AE Turbo | 01 Track Rat | #323 Mazda Champcar

Originally Posted by concealer404
Buy an MSPNP Pro, you'll feel better.
Ben is offline  
Old 12-19-2009, 10:16 AM
  #15  
y8s
2 Props,3 Dildos,& 1 Cat
iTrader: (8)
 
y8s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Fake Virginia
Posts: 19,338
Total Cats: 573
Default

this thread smells of club roadster.

many of us will keep buying 6ULs. some of us will buy the TR product. but now we have more choices, which is usually pretty good for the community.

one thing will never change though: I already bought the wheels from emilio.

Originally Posted by Ben
Thanks for clearing that up for me.
split personality?
y8s is offline  
Old 12-19-2009, 10:17 AM
  #16  
Elite Member
iTrader: (7)
 
mgeoffriau's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Jackson, MS
Posts: 7,388
Total Cats: 474
Default

I don't know, I feel conflicted on this. On the one hand, clearly Emilio is taking a much bigger risk staking his business on track guys, whereas for Tire Rack it's just a small sideline to their business. It sucks that he works hard and does cool stuff just to have someone take the shortcut based on his research, time, and money that he's already invested.

On the other hand, it's not even a particular design -- it's just a fitment. Was the expectation that nobody else would ever try to make a 15x9 ET36 wheel for track use just out of respect? That's unrealistic at best. Would people feel better if the TR wheel was ET35 or ET37? (I know, I know, but just for the sake of argument.)

If I'm missing something here, please explain it to me. I completely understand that it sucks when someone else takes advantage of the hard work of the pioneer, but I don't see how you stop that -- this isn't a patented design or process, or trademarked logo, etc. From a quick Google search I just did, it looks like there's also a BBS RS wheel available in 15x9 ET36 4x100. If the fitment is the problem, then why wasn't the BBS wheel an issue before? If you answer because it's uncommon and expensive, then doesn't that change the complaint? Is the issue that Tire Rack is using the same fitment, or that they are using it to produce a cheaper and probably more easily available wheel (albeit significantly heavier and not as high quality)?
mgeoffriau is offline  
Old 12-19-2009, 10:37 AM
  #17  
Elite Member
iTrader: (46)
 
Stein's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 4,729
Total Cats: 166
Default

I don't think that people have a problem paying for Emilio's wheels, it's the availablity. When people decide they want something, they want to buy it now, not get on a list, pay in advance, wait a couple of months and then get them. That said, I did buy from Emilio and will do again.
Stein is offline  
Old 12-19-2009, 10:53 AM
  #18  
Junior Member
 
TimR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Lancaster, PA
Posts: 239
Total Cats: -2
Default

The wheels I own currently on my miata were sold to me on it... how ever if I ever build a track miata. Emilio will get my money I believe in supporting the smaller guy who has contributed something to the community... As should many other people on here.
TimR is offline  
Old 12-19-2009, 11:23 AM
  #19  
Elite Member
 
jacob300zx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 3,199
Total Cats: 145
Default

Something like Rharris's flares don't bug me in the slightest way, but it's just something about this that rubs me the wrong way. Now let me be perfectly honest, I'm not saying I won't order a set in the future. $480 a set is cheap. What does suck is that they are going to take sales from the one company thats really evolving the track miata. So lets just say next year Emilio sells 50 less sets of 6Ul's and lets say his profit was $90 a wheel not counting time/labor/etc. Thats about $18K less he can spend on product development next year. So lets say Emilio had planned to test out a bbk, under tray, diffuser, splitter, data aq, whatever, etc. Now he has to make that money up doing something else or aka less time making us trick parts for the track. I just find it odd that they are going after the 15x9, hell they won't even show the 15x8 under a miata you have to choose a bmw to get it to pull up.
jacob300zx is offline  
Old 12-19-2009, 11:38 AM
  #20  
Elite Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Doppelgänger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 6,850
Total Cats: 71
Default

Either way.. I can't run any 15x9 unless I put my stock brakes back on....which makes me sometimes wonder if I should....... dammit.

TireRack's "fitmet" options have always been ******* retarded. I mean, you can look at wheels on a Miata, and then go look at wheels for a Civic and get wheels that didn't show up before...oh wait, because offset is 2mm different. They need to get their **** straight on that. I'll go look through Civic, BMW, MINI, Elise and Cobalt wheels to see different offerings...and it sucks. Rudy from TireRack is also Asshat...I've PM'ed him several times with questions and openly asked stuff in the W/T forum and he never has replied.
Doppelgänger is offline  


Quick Reply: Tire Rack just frakked up.



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:07 PM.