FS: Group Buy: 17" Rota Torque in Gunmetal, Similar to Work Emotion CR Kai and Enkei PF01 Options

[JamesE]

After countless hours of research I have decided that I would like to buy a set of Rota Torque wheels for my 6gc. The problem is the size/bolt-pattern/offset combo is rather rare and I can't find them in stock anywhere. Fortunately I have a good relationship with Wheeldude.com, one of the leading suppliers of Rotas. I spoke to the owner, Joe, and he told me that he could source the wheels if I could find 2-3 other buyers for the exact same wheel. Apparently the manufacturer has a minimum buy of 20 wheels.

Wheel Details

Rota Torque 17"x7.5", 5x100, +35
Weight: ~19 lbs.
Color: Gunmetal
Similar to: Work Emotion CR Kai and Enkei PF01
The offset will push the wheel further outboard to reduce the gap to the fenders by 0.3" versus the stock wheels.
On lowered vehicles the gap between the wheel and fender will be as little as 0.1" and will most likely require a fender roll.
Price: $749* + Shipping ($50 - $60)

*This is the retail price for the wheels. This is a group buy in the sense that we need a small group to make the purchase, but we are not necessarily receiving a discount. Shop around, you might find these wheels for the same price or even less on other websites. Trust me... I've been down that road. They will take your money and then tell you they are on backorder. Case in point, PasswordJDM.

Photos of the Rota Torque on the most common 6gc colors...
These screenshots from FM3 show the Work Emotion CR Kai which is very similar to the Rota Torque.






^^^ Okay that last one isn't so common but it is the color of my GT (Fiesta Blue)

18" Work Emotion CR Kai on Paul's GT-Four (Similar to Rota Torque)


>>>> MORE PHOTOS and Large version of photos here. <<<<

The only thing I have to gain from this group buy is that I will be allowed to purchase a set of wheels for my personal car ('97 Fiesta Blue GT). I'll pay the same price as everyone else. All payments will be taken by Wheeldude.com. I am only trying to organize the group buy. A deposit of $200 will be required to Wheeldude after we collect enough buyers. Lead time is 4-8 weeks.

If you are interested please send me a PM with your email address. Any questions feel free to ask here.

6GC Users Signed Up
> JamesE
>
>
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Thanks! James

This Group Buy was approved by presure2

This post has been edited by JamesE: May 27, 2011 - 9:15 AM

[SupraKid]

Just to be clear it looks like the orange gt4 has spacers on it so that the wheels become flush.. Still a great price and awesome wheels!

[JamesE]

Just to be clear it looks like the orange gt4 has spacers on it so that the wheels become flush.. Still a great price and awesome wheels!

I don't know the offset of the Work wheels, but I have done all the math on these Rota Torque's. Part of the reason these wheels are a tough find is the +35 offset, which will push them outboard ~0.3" versus the stock GT wheels. The Rota Torque wheels are much more common in a +48, which is a Subaru offset, and would set inboard ~0.5" versus the +35. Talk about Sunken Battleship! To achieve the flush look with the +35 wheels you will need to lower the car, or use spacers. From what I have observed on these forums, lowering the car reduces the fender gap by ~0.5"... but of course YMMV depending on how far you drop.

My personal plan is to use these +35 wheels, and lower the car using Tanabe D210 springs. This should get me pretty close to flush. If necessary I can add spacers up to 5mm.

[chacha]

has this GB topic been op approved? no reputation....just looking about

This post has been edited by chacha: May 26, 2011 - 11:11 PM

[JamesE]

has this GB topic been op approved? no reputation....just looking about

Yes it was approved by presure2. I put a small note at the end of the OP. And I do have a rep of 1 for what it is worth. My full name is James Elterman. Some people active in the import tuning and racing community might recognize the name.

[Mr_Tee]

Are these Flat Face or Concave Pattern design?

[block]

most likely flat face. the offset isn't low enough and it isn't wide enough.

[Culpable04]

you need to ask for 17x8 ET35,

17x7 ET35 is not even close to ideal for a celica, I'm not a fan of rotas, but if

1- they were 17x8 ET35
2- we get some kind of deal

I would go for a set, but at that price I can get brand new forged wheels on a design that I like.


good look with this, Rotas are popular and not bad on the price, you should get enough people to meet at least the MQO

[azn87]

i would love to get these rims but i would like to get the offset a little lower maybe a +25

i know that i can run spacers but im not a big fan of running them

[trdproven]

spec of wheels are not ideal

[PL-41-ER]

Hi James, sorry I dont mean to hijack this thread but I thought this may help you and any other people looking for the Work emotion CR look.

Theres also another wheel which looks very similar and it also has a center cap. The wheels are "Drag DR-31". They come in Bronze, Black w\red strip, Gold, and Matte Black.

You can get them in 17x8 +35 for the fronts and 17x9 +(17 or 28 or 38 offset).
The staggered set is optional. They come indifferent sizes too.

Here is a like of the wheels http://www.elementwheels.com/proddetail.as...1178gmdr31179gm

I dont think this store has them in stock but im sure you can find them if you shop around.

[vincent_doggy]

In my opinion, if have funds~
Go Japanese Brand, Forged, or some hi-tech casting light weight wheels~

[JamesE]

Oops! I made a small mis-type in the OP. Wheel size is 17"x7.5". (I originally posted 17"x7"). With that in mind, do those of you that felt the wheel size wasn't ideal feel any differently? Personally I think 17"x8" is okay for a GT but probably more width than the car needs. For a GT-Four sure.. 17"x8" all day. Don't worry about hijacking the thread. I like the discussion.

[JamesE]

Hi James, sorry I dont mean to hijack this thread but I thought this may help you and any other people looking for the Work emotion CR look.

Theres also another wheel which looks very similar and it also has a center cap. The wheels are "Drag DR-31". They come in Bronze, Black w\red strip, Gold, and Matte Black.

You can get them in 17x8 +35 for the fronts and 17x9 +(17 or 28 or 38 offset).
The staggered set is optional. They come indifferent sizes too.

Here is a like of the wheels http://www.elementwheels.com/proddetail.as...1178gmdr31179gm

I dont think this store has them in stock but im sure you can find them if you shop around.

Thanks for the input. I have looked at the Drag DR-31 but they do not come in Gunmetal. I'm a bit stuck on Gunmetal. For a long while I thought I wanted Matte Black, and I have even had Matte Black on previous cars, but it isn't the look I'm going for on my GT.

Were you suggesting 17x9 for the rear? Seems a bit wide for a GT.

[PL-41-ER]

[quote name='JamesE' date='May 27, 2011 - 10:27 AM' post='9181
Thanks for the input. I have looked at the Drag DR-31 but they do not come in Gunmetal. I'm a bit stuck on Gunmetal. For a long while I thought I wanted Matte Black, and I have even had Matte Black on previous cars, but it isn't the look I'm going for on my GT.

Were you suggesting 17x9 for the rear? Seems a bit wide for a GT.
[/quote]

Sorry I meant matte Gunmetal, if you look at that link ul see the color.
Im not sure if its the same as the rota's gunmetal color.

I suggested 17x9 for the rears as it would eliminate the need for a spacer. I personally really dislike the sucked in look. Im currently running 17x7 +40 on the rears and it looks shocking. Iv ordered new wheels which should arrive in just over a week. I had to pay $570 just for the shipping Thats what you get for living in Australia lol

[JamesE]

Sorry I meant matte Gunmetal, if you look at that link ul see the color.
Im not sure if its the same as the rota's gunmetal color.

I suggested 17x9 for the rears as it would eliminate the need for a spacer. I personally really dislike the sucked in look. Im currently running 17x7 +40 on the rears and it looks shocking. Iv ordered new wheels which should arrive in just over a week. I had to pay $570 just for the shipping Thats what you get for living in Australia lol

And when you say shocking you mean sunken battleship!. I agree. I can't stand it. It is my motivation for purchasing new wheels in the first place. What new wheels did you order?

Thanks for pointing out that the Drags are available in Gunmetal. I'll check on the availability.

[PL-41-ER]

No probs

I wanted to get the drag dr31, they are in stock but only ship within the US.
If you have a look on ebay they have them in stock

The wheels I ordered are Avant Garde M310 Machined face with gunmetal inlay.
Im going for a totally different look since I cudnt get the work emotion cr look.

[JamesE]

The wheels I ordered are Avant Garde M310 Machined face with gunmetal inlay.
Im going for a totally different look since I cudnt get the work emotion cr look.

Amazing. That is another look I was strongly considering, but I would rather not go up to an 18" wheel. I would love to see photos of your car with the new wheels on it. Enjoy!

[PL-41-ER]

Will do, and good luck with finding the right wheels. The searching is such a head ache but worth it once its all done
Let us know how you go.

[mak5603]

i know that i can run spacers but im not a big fan of running them

Why? Lets hear it. I want to know your personal experience from having them that makes you not a fan...

[JamesE]

Thanks to PL-41-ER I discovered the Drag DR-31. I had previously thought this wheel was not available in Gunmetal. I found in-stock and ready to shop at Discount Tie Direct...
Drag DR-31 17x8 Gunmetal at Discount Tire Direct
I called them to verify. They are in-stock. Ship weight is 20 lbs. which means it is ~19 lb. wheel.

I still prefer the 7.5" width of the Rota, but I'm tired of waiting. This wheel search has been a very long one for me. Unless there is some interest in the Rotas very soon I'm going to abandon the group buy idea and spring for the Drags. They are even a couple hundred dollars cheaper, and they are Matte Gunmetal instead of Gloss. Heck, I've pretty much talked myself into it already!

This post has been edited by JamesE: May 27, 2011 - 1:00 PM

[HectortheRican]

Those Drags have the exact specs that I want... now I dunno whether to pay almost twice as much per wheel for Enkei RPF1s, or get these...

This post has been edited by HectortheRican: May 30, 2011 - 1:13 PM

[CELL_PROTOTYPE_X]

What are some good quality Japanese brand wheels? I've been looking at Rays but am curious about others that are out there that might work with our cars

[KAOS]

has this GB topic been op approved? no reputation....just looking about

Yes it was approved by presure2. I put a small note at the end of the OP. And I do have a rep of 1 for what it is worth. My full name is James Elterman. Some people active in the import tuning and racing community might recognize the name.

Yeah that rep came from me! Great guy to deal with, if I had the cash; I'd be all over this GB.

GL James!