I went to put my summer wheels on the other day and noticed that one of my Rota Subzeros was cracked. I have no clue when or how it happened, but there's no signs of curb rash, abuse, or mistreatment. At first glance you probably wouldn't even notice a crack, but up close it's nasty. If I had kept driving on the wheel it probably would have broken into pieces. Good thing I caught this before something bad happened.

As you can see in the pics below, two of the spokes are almost completely separated from the rest of the wheel.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v252/getek20/Spring%202005/BrokenWheel1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v252/getek20/Spring%202005/BrokenWheel2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v252/getek20/Spring%202005/BrokenWheel3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v252/getek20/Spring%202005/BrokenWheel4.jpg

Is this something that happens regularly with Rota wheels?
I was actually planning on switching to 17x7.5 Rota SDRs (silver color) within the next year or so, but now I'm forced to buy new wheels ASAP. I need a new set of wheels very soon, but don't want to make a poor choice. Will I be taking a chance buying another set of Rotas, or should I spend the extra $$ and buy something better quality (like Prodrive PFF-7s)? I want to restrict my budet to $1,500, and if possible, reuse the Kumho Ecsta Supra 712 tires that I have right now. They only have about 10k miles on them and still have lots of tread left. Your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Contact rota, and do a search this has been a problem in the past with their wheels. They should replace them at no cost to you.

Jay

I never liked those rims. They look good, but the tiny spokes and big spaced in between them is iffy.

I dont think its Rota's quality that is questionable, but its the design. My 0.2


-Mark
MAPmotors.com

Hmmm... I thought we had seen the last of the randomly broken Rotas...

This is actually one of the reasons I got the SDRs (thicker spokes).

So is it just that particular type, or are there other Rota wheels that are prone to breaking as well?

this has been a problem in the past with their wheels.

That alone makes me not want to buy their wheels :eek:

If you want a "light & airy" type design and you want it to be robust, get forged rims. Another choice is to buy an extra or two when originally getting the rims, if you are going with a cheaper non-forged rim. It's just a tradeoff of money vs. quality.

So is it just that particular type, or are there other Rota wheels that are prone to breaking as well?


A while back there were afew cases of Rota wheels (ones with thinner spokes) breaking.
It certainly does not happen frequently.

So is it just that particular type, or are there other Rota wheels that are prone to breaking as well?
Im pretty sure it was only a problem with the subzeros, I dont recall anyone else having problems. There was a huge thread about them, Ill see if I can find it.

That alone makes me not want to buy their wheels :eek:
Only the subzeros.

I thought there was an issue with Rota Attacks a few years ago? They offered free replacement? I know a few times, people have had wheel failures and Rota has in some way accomodated people(I don't know if it was a discount or replacement...I don't remember). I'd contact them, as they may warranty the problem or they may chalk it up to abuse. It's always worth asking.

However, I haven't seen an inordinate number of Rotas failing. It's definitely one of the more common aftermarket manufacturers sold on this board...so it'd make sense we'd see failures in Rotas more often than other makes. I'm always weary of what people say on the internet anyways. I've had friends insist that parts on their car failed when they didn't beat on that part...and I know for a fact that they did. I don't know the people typing on the other end of the computer, so I'm not basing my impressions on someone who can lie through their teeth if they feel like it, with little chance of retribution.

I thought there was an issue with Rota Attacks a few years ago? They offered free replacement? I know a few times, people have had wheel failures and Rota has in some way accomodated people(I don't know if it was a discount or replacement...I don't remember). I'd contact them, as they may warranty the problem or they may chalk it up to abuse. It's always worth asking.

However, I haven't seen an inordinate number of Rotas failing. It's definitely one of the more common aftermarket manufacturers sold on this board...so it'd make sense we'd see failures in Rotas more often than other makes. I'm always weary of what people say on the internet anyways. I've had friends insist that parts on their car failed when they didn't beat on that part...and I know for a fact that they did. I don't know the people typing on the other end of the computer, so I'm not basing my impressions on someone who can lie through their teeth if they feel like it, with little chance of retribution.
I remember it being a problem with one of their thin spoed wheels and they did replace them for free, Im trying to find the thread, I know it was a huge sticky for a while.

I remember it also. I believe it was the Attacks.

Regardless, as a rule of thumb, (if you want to be on the safe side) only buy thin-spoked wheels if they're forged.

if I remember correctly, the problem with the attacks and the subzeros was with the early batches. I still bought my attacks, even though I knew there had been problems in the past. My wheels have been through a somewhat rough rally-cross, many auto-x's, and the occasional road scar. Still in great shape.

I think the odds of you having another failure with a rota wheel (including attacks or sub-zeros) are quite slim, assuming normal use of course. If your still skeptical, I'd say go with tarmacs or sdr's.

sorry to say but you get what you pay for

With the exception of those earlier batches of Attacks I've never heard of a Rota breaking like this.. I had 17" subzeros on my wagon for ~2years, no problems at all..

I'd definately contact Rota / the vendor you purchased them from, I'm sure they'll do something for you..

This is brought up by(various) people, for various reasons, at odd intervals.....

...and the general concensus is ALWAYS the same.

Rota wheels are used by many THOUSANDS of people every day, all over the world.....and if there was any kind of an ongoing issue with breakage, it would have come to light LONG before now....

IIRC, there was a post that stated that ROTA makes OEM wheels for several large vehicle manufacturers and makes over 30,000 wheels a MONTH.....
I would be very surprised if there were NO failures....and I have deceided that they must make a quality product or THERE WOULD BE MORE BROKEN ROTA WHEEL POSTS....NO????

DONE.

I had a broken one before. But I was having a problem getting my deposit back after I sent the broken one in. Not until I posted on here that I feel I got quick response from them.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=622185&highlight=subzero

This is brought up by(various) people, for various reasons, at odd intervals.....

...and the general concensus is ALWAYS the same.

Rota wheels are used by many THOUSANDS of people every day, all over the world.....and if there was any kind of an ongoing issue with breakage, it would have come to light LONG before now....

IIRC, there was a post that stated that ROTA makes OEM wheels for several large vehicle manufacturers and makes over 30,000 wheels a MONTH.....
I would be very surprised if there were NO failures....and I have deceided that they must make a quality product or THERE WOULD BE MORE BROKEN ROTA WHEEL POSTS....NO????

DONE.
It's not always I get to completely agree with you, but this time I do. There is no way that this is a common problem or even something to worry about given the number of wheels they produce. Not to mention they seem to have taken good care of the people who have had issues.

As said, contact Rota directly. They'll take care of it for you.

I remember it being a problem with one of their thin spoed wheels and they did replace them for free, Im trying to find the thread, I know it was a huge sticky for a while.


Probably this thread: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=309119

There are also some other threads dealing with the Subzeros, but that one probably has the most information.

http://members.austarmetro.com.au/~ccunning/TMK/MKDABIOS/MKDABIO-SUBZERO_1.JPG

It says nothing there about wheels cracking. :confused:










Sorry. j/k. Couldn't resist.

^^^ haha nice

my friends attacks also broke.

getek20 - get a hold of us.... 510.651.2956... we'll get you out a set of silver SDR asap.

SD

http://members.austarmetro.com.au/~ccunning/TMK/MKDABIOS/MKDABIO-SUBZERO_1.JPG

It says nothing there about wheels cracking. :confused:










Sorry. j/k. Couldn't resist.
:lol: