Hey all -

I'm strongly considering picking up a set of Braid Future GT rims for my SDR Redpra. I got to salivating over Karaki's wheels and decided to look into getting a set. I'm wondering whether to get them with the black centers like Karaki's (which look great on his black car):

http://www.malibyte.net/gtb.jpg

or to go with the regular metal finish:

http://www.malibyte.net/gt.jpg

I'm wondering which would look better on a super-deep red car. If I had a black car, it'd definitely be the black centers (which also look good on the Blupra).

All opinions considered!! Thanks!

go with the black centers and polish the lips pretty wheel with cleaning solution so that it shines lick hell

really look good on the SDR...

How much are these set of rims gonna cost you?

About $400 apiece including shipping and lug nuts.

George's rims look so good with those black centers, it hurts.

I guess the decision to be made is whether you want to stay with the silver centers that reflect the overall look of the oem alloys or go with the contrasting black centers to really set off the SDR paint.

If you're going to go with the Braids, I say go all out and get the black centers with the polished lip.

And not to pollute your thread, but why don't you post something in 'Group Buys'? If you do decide to buy a set of Braids, maybe you could save some $ if you got a few more buyers to purchase at the same time.

Bob,
If you like the look of Chris E's 85 with the black compmotives then go for the black centers.

If you you do decide to buy these, I'm debating to get these rims also. I'd really like to see more pics or see them in person. Perhpas we could have them shipped together and save some $$ since we are both here in So Cal.

LOL!!!!!! Now THERE is a novel idea!!!!

Bob!!!!!!! Take the Compomotive's OFF of the 84 Blupra & put them on the SDR. You'll now know what my car looks like, last year @ Vegas (at least the outside)..

Now visualize what the Braid's will look like on there, only the spoke's will be different.

Personally, I think the Black center will blend in w/ the black trim on the SDR.

Bring the SDR to Vegas & I'll have something else to look forward to (the Braid's on you SDR, and the Simmons's on Jeff Sawyers Whitepra).

Def black. Although, its ashame that the majority of mk2s with aftermarket wheels are running black centers. Someone needs to break this trend.....hrm. :? :wink:

Only George, out of the four of us that bought the Braid wheels got the black center. I apologize for not posting pics of mine, been dealing with other car issues and do not have a digi cam. I will try to borrow one and post pics. George, Michael Defonce, and myself have black mk2's, not sure about Christian. (By the way, I thought Christian was in So. Cali). There are pics of Mike's car with the Braid wheels at the Dayton meet on the dyno.

This is all about personal taste. I think that the wheels look great on all of our cars. I personally give a slight edge to the silver center because it seems to stand out and not blend into the car as much. Of course, the only time I saw the wheels on George's car in person, was at night. Anyway, whichever color you decide you will not be disappointed.

If you do decide to go forward with a purchase, please contact Michael Defonce and George. We had one minor glitch in the order that was a result of a measurement misrepresentation on our part. This created a problem with the front wheels sitting snugly on the hub. We each had to get this taken care of individually after we received the wheels and discovered the error. You would just need to make sure the correction is made with Braid so you don't have to go through the same inconvenience. Just to clarify, this was not a problem with Braid, they made the wheels exactly as we requested. Good Luck!

By the way, I made some comments in the Braid group buy thread concerning sizes, you may want to check that out, if you didn't already.

On my brown supra I would have to go with the natural color.

Can we get the dragon centercaps or was that a one time shot?

We already went through the work of getting the image to Braid and having them do the machining. They are available to anyone who wants to purchase a set of their wheels.

For SDR I would go with black also. The Braids are definitely a nice rim. I got the black chrome centers. Look very close to silver, but with an odd shine to them. Very nice. My car is 95 Corvette blue, and they look pretty sweet on it when I've held it up against the wheelwell. The rims are still intheir boxes and probly will be for a few months. I took some pics but they came out shaky. I need to try it again so I can post them up. I live in N. cali BTW>

Christian

Wow wish I had to make a choice
that is a tough one, they both look good go for the dragon center caps
I have seen gold centers, "not bad at all " Iam sure whatever you choose it will look good
I guess I,ll have to wait and see what you get.
wich ever you get make it look really nice. 8)

I'm a silver center guy but I do love black centers on black cars. I think that if possible that gun metal look would be really nice also.

OK, I'm certainly willing to talk to the guy about a GP. I'm not going through the same people that George did, but I'd be willing to bet that he'd be happy to entertain a GP deal. I would also LOVE to have a set of those dragon center caps and will ask him who I need to talk to about getting some made.

Who's interested in doing a GP????!??!! I need to know fairly soon.

Chris: LOL!
Actually, rather than taking the Compos off the Blupra, I did actually pull up a pic of your car at the Vegas meet last year to see how I'd like the black centers (which is the way I'm leaning at the moment).

Thanks to all who have rendered opinions so far....!

-- Bob --

Bob,
I'm interested... Price will be key... Still love the RH C2's tho...
Jay

Jay, you know nice rims when you see them don't you! I'm a fan of the RC C2's also.

These certainly aren't perfect, but they help with comparisons. At $400/ea I may have to be in on this buy as well...especially with the dragon center cap. I think I'll go with grey, but I really like both!

http://members.provalue.net/moon/black_future_gt640.jpg




http://members.provalue.net/moon/grey_future_gt640.jpg

Jason: Nice photoshop work. Still a pretty close call from what I can see....!

Will get back to you all wiith the information re: GP, once I have it.

- Bob -

Hrmm... I like the Black centers on the SDR. The Silver/Natural finish looks good on Black MKII's (from what I've already seen on pictures that have been posted here)..

Either Black or Silver looks good on Super Silver (for Josh & Jay's benefit). Having seen the black center Compomotive's on Phil Duplers 6MGTE & silver center the Racing Hart C2's on James Razor's Silverpra....

Nice photoshop!!! Makes the visual more clear for me.

Although on the Braids, I see that it does tend to show more Silver, because of the open spokes & the rotors are more visible. Guess I've gotten too used to the closed mesh on my Compomotives.

Tough call indeed!! Have fun deciding Bob!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

OK, guys...I PM'd George (Karaki) to get some info on his previous GP deal, but I haven't heard back from him (maybe he's on vacation). So, I'm going to ask my other source whether he'd be up for a GP. Will let you know.

Be a little patient with George, he often works some crazy hours and shifts for HP.

Try him at all 3 of these addresses:

raptorracing@look.ca

george.tsatalbasidis@hp.com

karaki@look.ca

Thanks Chad for looking out for me, actually guys I was at the NJ meet and I've got a billion emails to answer and haven't had time to get to everyone. If there is any interest in another group buy I'd be more than willing to give people quotes or any other info that they need on the braids. I've got some more pix, from the NJ meet, but most were on 35mm camera so it will take a while.

Please forward all Braid questions to: raptorracing@look.ca and I will answer them as quickly as i can.

Thanks,

http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=37355fbe-7bd6-511a-1093-49f45d9a2e2b&size=lg

I highly recommend contacting/asking George as he did alot to obtain info on Braids. Like Chad said "be patient" waiting for answers from George!

Also, you can ask me for info, too. 8)

OK guys...I did exchange e-mail with George, and he gave it his best shot but is getting hammered on the exchange rate right now. Best he can do for these wheels is $1860 USD for the set Includes shipping to nearest airport), which includes the custom center caps. Garagedynamics has quoted me $314 + $75-80 shipping (door-to-door) per rim, ($1560 USD per set) which includes lug nuts. Center caps are extra. I will probably go ahead and go with them, though I appreciate George's efforts and speed in getting back to me - he seems quite honest but right now money is a bit of an issue for me. He said he might be able to shave off 5% for a group buy of >5.

FYI -- Bob

OK guys...I did exchange e-mail with George, and he gave it his best shot but is getting hammered on the exchange rate right now. Best he can do for these wheels is $1860 USD for the set Includes shipping to nearest airport), which includes the custom center caps. Garagedynamics has quoted me $314 + $75-80 shipping (door-to-door) per rim, ($1560 USD per set) which includes lug nuts. Center caps are extra. I will probably go ahead and go with them, though I appreciate George's efforts and speed in getting back to me - he seems quite honest but right now money is a bit of an issue for me. He said he might be able to shave off 5% for a group buy of >5.

FYI -- Bob

Damn...

Ok, at $1560 per set shipped - now I'm seriously leaning. My Mk2 needs tires very soon, so...instead of having the baskets on my Enkei 92s redone in black, I am getting very tempted to do this. I just wish I could see one of these wheels in the flesh & give it a good inspection first.

Bob: What size are you getting? 16x8 or 17x8 / 9 ?

Hmmm. Maybe I'll wait for Bob to get his and then take a drive to So Cal ;)

Stephen: 16x8s. The Compomotives on the Blupra are 16x8s and look great, so I've decided to go with the same size on the Redpra. Might go a little bit positive on the offset, though...the Compos are zero offset.

-- Bob --

That price sounds really, really good compared to the Compomotives - I would really like to see what the Braid looks like up close.

Did Garagedynamics give you an estimate of how long it would be before you received them?

I'm looking at $450 for a set of Bridgestone tires right now (mounted/balanced) so I guess now would be the time to commit to a set of wheels. Only thing is my Enkeis are 15x8 so the tires would have to wait till the wheels landed.

Stephen,

What did Competition Specialties quote you for the Compomotive's??? I got mine for $1,500 + $80 (for all 4) for FedEx Ground Shipping, so the total for my wheels came out to $1,580. This did not include tires.

Hey Guys,

I wish i could help out more but as Bob said I'm getting hammered with the double exchange rate now. Please keep in mind that the price that Bob has received from Garage Dynamics is more than likely for just the wheels with no options. Depending on how much they charge the custom centre caps and polished outside rim will cost anywhere from $25-$50 per rim.

Over the last few weeks i have been trying to negotiate better pricing from the factory...the negotiations are still ongoing. I will update if i negotiate better pricing. Sorry guys, I was really hoping to offer even better pricing than the original group buy :(

Stephen,

What did Competition Specialties quote you for the Compomotive's??? I got mine for $1,500 + $80 (for all 4) for FedEx Ground Shipping, so the total for my wheels came out to $1,580. This did not include tires.

Chris,

Your wheels only came out to $1500 + $80 shipping? Hmmm - looks like I need to contact MotorSport Specialties again. I seem to remember a price significantly higher than that for some reason.

My friend Chuck Y's Silver Cobra is on the front of their website by the way http://www.usacomp.com/ - as the Replicar Wheels example.

Stephen:

I've sent the guy at Garagedynamics.com your question (ETA), will let you know when he gets back to me...also asked him how much the center caps will be.

-- Bob --

OK guys...from the man at Garagedynamics:

(1) I'd *estimate* it would take 2 weeks to your doorstep from the time you
place your order.

(2) $20 - $38 a piece, I will have to check." (This is for the custom "dragon" center caps).

So....assuming his price holds up: worst case would be $432 per wheel, including shipping, or $1728 total including rims, lug nuts and center caps...perhaps a little better.

-- Bob --

Bob,

Ok. Since you already have a set of Compomotives, and Chris Eng indicates he paid $1580 for his set with shipping - which wheels do you like the looks of best? Or are you just buying the Braids so the Red Supra will have something "different" on it? I guess I'm sorta on the fence now, because I like both sets of wheels - but the $200 difference could absorb some of my tire cost, ya know?

Stephen:

Chris got his Compomotives before I got mine last year...I paid the same price for mine. However, the exchange rate is pretty bad right now (they come from the UK) and I suspect that if you ask for a quote at usacomp.com it'll be significantly more than $1500. However, if they're still quoting $1580 shipped on them I might consider it. I do *really* like both designs, and yes, having a slightly different set on the Redpra was a consideration. The custom center caps on the Braids are a real nice touch also. :-)

-- Bob --

DOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay........ Current exchange rate differences between here & the UK is the reason why you got a slightly higher price Stephen???? DOINK.... That explains a few things... I knew that George was having difficulties w/ the exchange rate between here & Spain (in regards to the Braid GP), but it didn't cross my brain that it's also happening w/ the UK as well. Now that my brain has caught up.

Yes, price consideration (counting the current exchange rate) can be a factor as well, in your final decision. My brain spazzed out & thought the $1,500 price would be constant. My bad. :oops:

Yes, the $1,500 + $80 shipping was from Sept 2001. What price are they quoting now???

Another photoshop, but with a much better match in angles and size, shows the natural finish on a SDR more favorably.

http://members.provalue.net/moon/braid2.jpg

Jason,
Have any pics of a silver MKII to photoshop also? I'm really thinking about getting a set. Silver, Gunmetal or Black. I can't decide. :x

Great pic of your car with the Braids. :shock:

OK - the latest on the Braid wheel situation:

The guy who I was talking to at GarageDynamics has told me that the prices have gone up again due to the weak USD (vs. the Euro) again. With center caps and shipping we're looking at close to $1800 (today - might be more in a month or so).

Soooooo.....just for the hell of it I called Belinda at usacomp.com.

Believe it or not - they're willing to send me another set of Compomotives, 16x8s, for:

(are you listening, Sidman?) - $1500.

So, I'm going to pick up another set of those (went with a slight positive offset this time - +5mm).

I asked Belinda if they'd be willing to extend this pricing to the rest of you, and she said "yes".

So if anyone's interested, give her a call at: 800-621-8408 between 0900 and 1700 Eastern.

If anyone is still interested in the Braids, e-mail marcus@garagedynamics.com.

-- Bob --

OK - the latest on the Braid wheel situation:

The guy who I was talking to at GarageDynamics has told me that the prices have gone up again due to the weak USD (vs. the Euro) again. With center caps and shipping we're looking at close to $1800 (today - might be more in a month or so).

Soooooo.....just for the hell of it I called Belinda at usacomp.com.

Believe it or not - they're willing to send me another set of Compomotives, 16x8s, for:

(are you listening, Sidman?) - $1500.

So, I'm going to pick up another set of those (went with a slight positive offset this time - +5mm).

I asked Belinda if they'd be willing to extend this pricing to the rest of you, and she said "yes".

So if anyone's interested, give her a call at: 800-621-8408 between 0900 and 1700 Eastern.

If anyone is still interested in the Braids, e-mail marcus@garagedynamics.com.

-- Bob --

Cool Deal Bob! (and yes, I was listening)...

I'm going to call Belinda this afternoon and place my order. Before I do that though, I want to talk to you about the positive offset you're ordering. I'll send you a PM.

Thanks!

Ok guys, not to snowball this thread but i just received an email from Braid and they've given me a little bit better of a deal considering we've got wheels from them before. I'm not trying to be 'pushy' here, but i'm getting quite a bit of pm's and i figured it'd be easier to let everyone know. All prices are in Euros, so go to www.xe.com for the conversion. No point in quoting US$ since that will always change.

Since most people who have sent me a pm for wheels were asking for 16x8's that's what i'll quote.

16x8 Wheels: 285 Euros/wheel
Custom Supra Dragon Centre Cap: 18euros/wheel
Mirror Polished Outside Rim: 10euros/wheel
Shipping to Nearest Airport 250euros/set - I'm still trying to negotiate direct shipping so I'll let ya'll know

That brings the grand total to 1502Euros or $1720usd

There are other options (which in my opinion aren't worth it) and sized vary from 16x5-22x15 with offsets from -100 to +100.

That's the best price i can do, even with a group buy of 5, the best i can do is drop the price $40.

That's it, that's all i'm gonna add to this. Later,

http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=37355fbe-7bd6-511a-1093-49f45d9a2e2b&size=lg

That is a great price George, especially considering what the US$ has done recently. Anyone who is looking for custom wheels and likes the more open look of the Braid multi-spoke design, should jump on this. I understand some people like the mesh design of the Compomotives better, and they do look sweet on the mk2, but the last car I had mesh wheels on took me forever to clean them!!!

Jasons car looks just too yummy in that pic. I've been thinking Compomotive for the past couple of weeks, but now i'm back to Braid.

are braids available in 17*8 or 9

Yes they are, as i said in a previous post they are available in sizes from:
16x5-22x15 .

where can i get braid rims, or rims that at least have the same center design? and how much are they? ive been thinking, if i work 25hrs a week ot i should be able to grab a set after about a month, so figured i might as well save and buy what i really want instead of the centerlines. and for anyone that knows of another 3 peice wheel mfg that has similar wheels, id need 17x7.5 0 offset front, and 17x9.5 0 offset rear. also, id want the celicasupra dragon on the centercaps liek they did for the group buy if the braids arnt too bad. looked like ~$1600 for a set shipped. if thats the case ill deff get a set.
william

what does SDR mean?:

also... black centers.. makes the lip and whole wheel stand out more.. the gray would fly right by me w/o a second look but the black would catch my eye...

sdr= super deep red. and i dont want black centers. id prefer anthracite or carbon(a dull flatish black)