Just installed a set of Sport Edition F2 17" wheels purchased from Tire Rack with Goodyear Eagle 1 17" tires.

They are manufactured by Kosei and the manufacturer says that they are tested to stringent TUV German Specifications. Some user reports that I have read claim that these wheels are soft and damage easily while tire rack claims that they are just as durable as OEM wheels. Like all other auto wheels these days they are made in China so they could be very good or they could be very bad. They do look really nice though.
Has anyone here used Kosei/Sport Edition wheels and if so what are your impressions of this brand? .


UPDATE: Just found this write-up online:
Little may be known about Sport Edition Wheels, but you can be sure these wheels can compete with the best-known customized wheels in the market. Sport Edition is one of Tire Rack's in-house brands, offering customized wheels by Japanese manufacturer Kosei. Its wheels are less expensive than most of its aftermarket counterparts, but offer improved quality and durability. Kosei uses a series of strict quality tests to make sure each Sport Edition wheel delivers reliable performance. Its wheels are produced using advanced low-pressure casting processes. The wheel's rim, disc, and spokes are tested separately for strength, air retention, and resistance to cracking and deformation. Prior to the wheels' release in the market, Kosei ensures each Sport Edition wheel meets quality standards set by TUV Rheinland, an internationally accredited technology testing association. But aside from their topnotch quality, the best part about Sport Edition Wheels is the wide variety of designs and finishes they come in. Glossy black, machined, stainless steel, polished chrome, silver, grey, you name it and, chances are, Sport Edition's got it. Whatever car you're driving, you'll surely find a wheel design that perfectly complements your car's looks. Sport Edition gives you the chance to customize your car at a more affordable price, proving that you don't need to spend a lot of bucks for a set of elegant, attractive wheels for your ride. More importantly, these wheels are guaranteed to help you enjoy smooth vehicle performance for a long time.
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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 04-11-2013).]

I've got 18" Sport Edition wheels on my Trailblazer. Quite satisfied with them.

The only thing I noticed is that, on the back of the hub where the studs go through, many wheels will have the hub surface "fly cut" to provide a bit of clearance for the stamped spring steel washers that hold the rotors to the hubs.
My Sport Editions did not have this "fly cut". The hub surface was perfectly flat. Caused really odd torque readings and vibrations until I removed the washers.
After that, status quo.

Nice wheels. What size tires did you go with?

I have these in 16", look great against my silver SE. No problems so far in > 2years

BR's,

Mark




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86 SE V6 4 speed
86 SE V6 Auto
2008 G6 GT "Street" Coupe
2005 Buick 3.6 Rendezvous
2001 Olds Silhouette (AKA The Band Van)

[This message has been edited by MarkS (edited 04-13-2013).]

quote Originally posted by snyderman: Nice wheels. What size tires did you go with?

Here is the formula that was used:
Sport Edition F2 17" x 7.5" Wide wheels w. 35 MM offset
Front: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrical Ultra Performance Tires 205 x 45 x 17 size
Rear: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrical Ultra Performance Tires 225 x 45 x 17 size

Rear tires clear stock struts as well as the old 215 x 60 x 15" Calculator says that wheels should be 0.2" closer to suspension but we noticed no difference. Tires are just about the same O.D. as the OEM wheels so no interference in the wheel wells is evident. The wide 17" wheels give the Fiero a more authoritative and modern look.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 04-12-2013).]

We have 14 inch Sport editions on our 2m4, from Tire rack I believe it was. Been 2 years seem like good wheels, fairly inexpensive.

Thanks to those that have replied. . It would seem that Sport Edition wheels do hold up fine.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

Weight?

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Turbo 3800 E85 F23 5spd spec5
11.17@132.6

quote Originally posted by Justinbart: Weight?

Yes that is a concern with all low pressure cast wheels. The weight of a stock 15" Fiero diamond pattern wheel is 25.2 bs. The 6 spoke F2 Sport Edition wheels are 22 lbs each. You could go to a thin 10 spoke Enkei PF 01 wheel and that would save 5 lbs per wheel ( 17 lbs) but that wheel is also low pressure cast. On the other hand an O.Z. brand wheel (also cast) is about 25 lbs , same as stock.
If you make cast wheels too light they become weak and forged wheels are 4 x the price. I believe that the F2 Sport edition 17 x 7.5" wheel was the best compromise.
As for tires I am assuming that 17" tires may weigh slightly less than the 15" OEM tires. The OD of the 225 x 45 x 17 is about equal to the 215 x60 x 15 so the theory is less rubber = lower weight. It is likely that I picked up some weight savings with the wheel /tire swap.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

Our 14s are lighter than stock 14s by feel for sure. I never weighed them though.

Stock 14" Fiero wheels are just about 16lbs IIRC

I have a set of 17 x 7.5. I'm very happy with them. I put the fiero logo, from my GT wheels, in the center.

I got F5 Sport Edtition wheels and Michelin Defender 14" tires on Christmas day and delivered by Tirerack on the 27th. I just put them on Easter sunday. I felt like this was a good deal because of the free mounting and balancing. That allows you to avoid the sticky situation of asking a competitor to receive a shipment for you and install them. Trouble is it ends up mighty expensive to buy wheels too. For as little as a third as much I could have gotten decent tires installed in less time than it took me just to install the tires and wheels.

The wheels look different from the current picture on the website, with much wider spokes. They look kind of plain and no where near as sporty as I had expected. The shipping to the Chicago area from South Bend Indiana was over a hundred bucks for five. They come with lug nuts and center caps and with the centering ring installed. One centering ring kept falling out. I had to use a deep 19mm socket to tighten the lug nuts, an ordinary socket, impact or otherwise, won't fit. That means if I get serious about carrying the fifth as a spare I'll also have to carry the socket and ratchet because the wrench that comes with the car won't fit either. I may put the old wheels back on when I take it somewhere to get struts installed just in case the limited space around the lug nuts creates problems for the techs.

I believe the wheels are very light, but I can't find that on the site. They haven't changed the ride or handling much at all compared to a mismatched set of Goodrich TA's and one Goodyear Eagle. The Eagle was noticablly smaller in diameter. This is what prompted the whole operation. All the tires I took off were in good shape. Braking is much better and even wet traction is great.

I've never bought wheels before, but if I had to do this over again I think I would have just bought tires from a real world store. By the way, I even have good tires on my original (non-running) Fiero - and they're on 88 GT rims. I could have just switched the whole sets and the VSS. That would have been free except for my time and effort. The new Fiero is a GT. Maybe I spend too much time online lol.

[This message has been edited by 85 SE VIN 9 (edited 04-18-2013).]