I have Rota p45r's in 18x8.5 on my car running BFG KDW2 tires in 245/35/18. The problem I have is the wheels keep bending from pot holes or bumps. One bent from a bump on the freeway during construction, one bent on some railroad tracks with a pothole, and another bent from a nasty pothole even at low speed.

It's finally gotten to the point that one of the wheels has cracked, so it's time for replacements. The question is, what won't bend so easily? Are the MR wheels more durable? Some type of alloy I should look for? Also thinking of dropping back to 17's so I can run an OEM size tire to get some additional sidewall meat in there.

What are your suggestions?

 

35 profile tires + any rims = bent wheels..

try running 40 profile.

 

If I'm correct, the P45-R's come in 18x9.5 and you can easily run a 245/40/18 on those. That should help a little bit

 

Yeah try running 40s, I never had any issues with my rotas but I was also running 255/45

 

if you are buying new wheels, might as well get 17's. there are a lot better (stronger) options than rota. what is your wheel budget?

 

Stop buying Rotas. lol.

 

Yeah I definitely won't be buying any more rota's after this experience.

My wheel budget is flexible, but I'd like to keep it lower unless it'll make a big difference. Suggest anything under $2000 for a set?

 

Rpf1s are cheaper and strong

 

This...

Enkie RPF1s are much lighter (15lbs for 17x8, most Rotas are 18-20lbs for same size), they are stronger and cost about 900$ per set vs Rota $600. I run them on my EVO.

 

rpf1s crack all day long, oem is great, good strength and the finish will stay in good shape.

If you want 18x8.5 that are strong get oem evo 10 wheels

 

RPFs do crack/bend, just like any rim. Even VOLKs and BBSs crank and bend.

But they dont do it every day. I have had them for 3 years on my car and have taken my EVO off road and beat the hell outta it on the streets and the touge and never cracked/bent a rim.

Let me ask you this, are you speaking from experience (ie you have actually owned a set of RPF1s) or are you just talking? I better its the latter.

Also, OEM rims are heavy. The EVO 9 Enkies are 20lbs, and I would bet the EVO X ones are about 22-24lbs. Think about rotational weight, unless you wanna go slow.

 

it doesn't matter what wheels the OP runs if his tire profiles are too slim. buying more expensive wheels is just going to throw more money away when they do bend again

 

Would a forged rim help him? Either way, I'd suggest a 40 profile tire. I've done the same as the OP and I won't run 35's again. My winter tires have a 45 profile and summer's are 40.

 

True. Also part of the OPs issue. But I do see a LOT of bent/cracked rotas. So, IMO, moving to a better brand of rim with a more reasonable tire is the solution.

 

I actually had 17x7.5 rpf1s on my 2.5GT Subaru legacy I had 235/45/17 hankook a on their too. Within a few months I noticed shaking at high speed. Took them to get balanced and they were indeed bent in multiple places with spider cracks on 2 of the wheels.


Bbs and volk may crack to but not at the rate of an rpf1 or rota. You can't tell me that a cast aluminum wheel is stronger and more reliable than a fully forged volk ce28..