AMBIT wheels
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showt...=485119&page=5
He posted here about it too. A little more info there.
He posted here about it too. A little more info there.
Wow, finally someone doing the lord's work....he needs to use that database access and compare to other well known replica manufacturers, I am highly certain that they are not the only ones committing fraud
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,535
Likes: 60
From: Park Ridge N.J.
I want to go ahead and BUMP this up for a very specific reason.
I own a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata, and was looking for wheels a few months ago. I came across Ambit, and like you guys, I saw very very inexpensive wheels in a few appealing designs. Most importantly, what I saw was that Ambit claimed JWL / VIA Certification on their wheels.
As an Engineer with years of experience in both product testing and manufacturing, I thought to myself "How can they sell these for so little, and still afford to QC them like they're claiming?". Short answer...they can't.
I promptly contacted Ambit with a question, requesting proof of their certification for the wheels I had bought (RS18 Flow Formed 15x8, ET+25). No reply after a week. I contacted them again, insisting that they back-up their claim. What followed was a 30 email-long argument, finally ending in Ambit's admission that their wheels ARE NOT in fact JWL / VIA certified.
Jacky, the Ambit rep, went so far out of his way to try and baffle me with BS. He sent me fake testing certs for wheels that they don't even produce; he sent me a blacked-out version of the JWL Certification for their manufacturers testing equipment, in which he went out of his way to hide the actual manufacturers name. Well, I'm crafty, and I found out who makes them. I also applied for access to the VIA Wheel Registration Database, and was granted full access. I can literally find any wheel that is VIA registered. Ambit nor their manufacturer were listed. I contacted the VIA personally, and they also confirmed that these people had not had a single "Ambit" wheels certified.
Finally, last night, I requested that Ambit remove the VIA and JWL marking from their wheels and website, because use of those trademarks on unregistered wheels is not only highly illegal, but dangerous and misleading. The Ambit rep agreed to do so, but begrudgingly so.
Straight-up, these guys are clowns. My advice is to avoid them at all costs, unless you're just looking for a very cheap wheel. I would not in a million years drive hard on these wheels, nor would I track them.
For anyone wondering, I have all of the emails between us, photos of their manufacturing plant, the fake test report, etc.
I own a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata, and was looking for wheels a few months ago. I came across Ambit, and like you guys, I saw very very inexpensive wheels in a few appealing designs. Most importantly, what I saw was that Ambit claimed JWL / VIA Certification on their wheels.
As an Engineer with years of experience in both product testing and manufacturing, I thought to myself "How can they sell these for so little, and still afford to QC them like they're claiming?". Short answer...they can't.
I promptly contacted Ambit with a question, requesting proof of their certification for the wheels I had bought (RS18 Flow Formed 15x8, ET+25). No reply after a week. I contacted them again, insisting that they back-up their claim. What followed was a 30 email-long argument, finally ending in Ambit's admission that their wheels ARE NOT in fact JWL / VIA certified.
Jacky, the Ambit rep, went so far out of his way to try and baffle me with BS. He sent me fake testing certs for wheels that they don't even produce; he sent me a blacked-out version of the JWL Certification for their manufacturers testing equipment, in which he went out of his way to hide the actual manufacturers name. Well, I'm crafty, and I found out who makes them. I also applied for access to the VIA Wheel Registration Database, and was granted full access. I can literally find any wheel that is VIA registered. Ambit nor their manufacturer were listed. I contacted the VIA personally, and they also confirmed that these people had not had a single "Ambit" wheels certified.
Finally, last night, I requested that Ambit remove the VIA and JWL marking from their wheels and website, because use of those trademarks on unregistered wheels is not only highly illegal, but dangerous and misleading. The Ambit rep agreed to do so, but begrudgingly so.
Straight-up, these guys are clowns. My advice is to avoid them at all costs, unless you're just looking for a very cheap wheel. I would not in a million years drive hard on these wheels, nor would I track them.
For anyone wondering, I have all of the emails between us, photos of their manufacturing plant, the fake test report, etc.
so as all fake wheels
I never had a big hopes for this wheels, so I am using them for DD only. FOr that and the price they selling for they are good options. In fact they are cheaper then my tires
After 20K miles and NY city roads , they still looking sharp and holding up very well.
Would I race them ? No. I mentioned that before. But for drive to A to B for me its perfect. Looks good , drives nice, I have 0 issue with them. And dirt cheap. I have no problems even if they get scratched etc.
Do I feel down because they lied for me about certificate? No I never thought they will be as good as a Volk etc,like many Rota fans, so who cares.
If I need a racing wheel I go for Speedline or similar. But then those are not for street
I would be more upset if this would be claimed as a racing wheel, but I never heard of that claim, like Rote does...
Thank you for a heads up though
I mostly agree with you Rob, except the certifications are for road safety, not necessarily racing safety. That's the part that concerns me. Who knows, 95% of the wheels are produced with a flawless design, and the other 5% are faulty? That 5% could cause major wrecks if so. Or 99.99% of the wheels produced could be flawless. But to skip the certifications, I am not sure that is legal for on road use.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but that wouldn't fly in Japan? JWL, I believe, is a standard that must be met from a legal standpoint for all cast or forged wheels. We don't have that in the US?
JWL Standard
JWL Standard
JWL is a "self test" and really means nothing. That's the manufacturer saying the wheel meets the standard. VIA is when they send the wheel out to be tested by a third party. That's the one that matters.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,535
Likes: 60
From: Park Ridge N.J.
i just dont understand how they can sell and import etc untested wheels. Specifically in the USA where they test or needs approvals almost everything you sell for cars.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: IL
Wait until they break.. Someone in the genesis community took these out on track and after the second session or something hitting an apex, one of the spokes broke. There was an outrage in the genesis community and this "Ray Huynh" kid got banned that was selling them. He couldn't provide proper paperwork when asked and showed some bull**** taiwanese crap
It is actually my understanding that in the US there is no regulation at all regarding standards for aftermarket wheels.
Evolved Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 806
Likes: 0
From: Irvine, Ca
Yea, that's definitely no good. I can see them going out of business shortly. If I had their wheels I would be demanding a full refund.
Makes we wonder if XXR is JWL/VIA certified as they are stamped as well. I have a couple friends running around on those because of that claim and the price.
Makes we wonder if XXR is JWL/VIA certified as they are stamped as well. I have a couple friends running around on those because of that claim and the price.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,535
Likes: 60
From: Park Ridge N.J.
https://www.sema.org/federal-regulat...9#Tires-Wheels
I didn't read it through, but seems like they do have regulations etc.
https://www.sema.org/federal-regulat...9#Tires-Wheels
https://www.sema.org/federal-regulat...9#Tires-Wheels
"The rules are focused on making sure the vehicle has the proper size tire/wheel combination. They do not establish performance requirements..."
It basically says they rely on the manufacturers self-regulating and self-adhering to SAE standards
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,535
Likes: 60
From: Park Ridge N.J.
A quote from the body within the "Tires & Wheels" Header:
"The rules are focused on making sure the vehicle has the proper size tire/wheel combination. They do not establish performance requirements..."
It basically says they rely on the manufacturers self-regulating and self-adhering to SAE standards
"The rules are focused on making sure the vehicle has the proper size tire/wheel combination. They do not establish performance requirements..."
It basically says they rely on the manufacturers self-regulating and self-adhering to SAE standards
Anyway, the wheel I have still running strong, and looking nice after 20+K miles. I hope they keep up. Of course they never will see track days, but they have plenty of spirited mountain driving, and NYC road test
Granted I am running 275's specs :340 A, A, UTQG ratings tires.
If something happens, I will let you know guys.
Last edited by Robevo RS; Jan 8, 2016 at 04:27 AM.
