Flat 4 Fuchs

[jhicken]

Hey guys, I'm lookin for a few opinions regarding the quality of Flat 4 Fuchs. I'm starting a new project and I like the look of original Fuchs. Of course I would like 4.5's on the front, 5.5's on the rear. Originals will cost me 3-4k, Flat 4's a fraction of that. What I want to know is side by side are their any noticeable differences? Will the original center caps fit the Flat 4 wheels? I appreciate any and all comments.

thanks

-jeffrey

[Rennsurfer]

I hate fully polished or chromed alloys but from what I've seen in pictures, the Flat Four ones look okay. If there's some way to make 'em look like the original Porsche finish, that would be cool, including the center cap you've suggested. Also... beings that forged Porsche alloys are way higher in price than they were 25 years ago, the Flat Fours look to be a viable option.

Fuchs (real forged, not aftermarket cast) 914 2 liter wheels would look good on your white car, too. I hope you get whichever wheel you're happy with.

[Mario/DKT]

The Flat4 Fuchs are not available at the moment....
Want 4 of these for my project, but now i must use the genue ones.
They dont look's so different.

Mario/DKT

[wolfswest]

I’m running the flat 4’s...  4,5 and 5,5.  Sure there are little differences of the original ones but I think it is the best looking replica on the market.  I’ve seen other replicas and these models have too sharp spokes… you can see within a mile that these are fake.  But with the flat 4’s I already got some reaction that some people thought that they were the real deal…  So, they look nice!  I’ve painted them black/polished myself and the results are nice.  You can also fit original Porsche hubcaps…

I would say: go for it.  Nice wheels for a nice price!   

[jhicken]

Fred/Mark: I'm not looking at the chrome ones, I'd get the aluminium ones and have them annodised and painted.

Wolfwest: What are those little differences?

-jeffrey

[Rennsurfer]

Forgive me, Jeffrey... I've never seen a set in person and I wasn't aware that they were available in raw or aluminum finish. That's actually pretty cool and sounds like you'll end up getting a great wheel at a much lower cost. Good stuff!

[jhicken]

Well, hopefully you have seen a set, but didn't know they were from Flat 4.

I'm still waiting to learn what the "differences" are. I read something that the originals used standard rubber valve stems instead of the billit variety. What else are the noticable differences or ways to identify Flat 4's offerings from the Fuchs [less the obvious markings on the back of the rim].

-jeffrey

[wolfswest]

there is a little mark between one spoke and the "cup" and I think that this mark is nog on the real deal...  the hubcaps doesnt say: "porsche" but you can replace these...

[jhicken]

Are you talking about the stamped mark next to the valve stem? Is that the only difference? I also see that Flat 4 sells the correct Stuttgart center caps

-jeffrey

[j-f]

Flat4 Fuchs are really nice. A friend use it on his Oval and difference is very small!
It is a good way to have a nice set of new wheels at a decent price. 

[jhicken]

Yea, they do look nice but everyone says that the differences are small but not what those differences are. Has anyone ever did a side by side comparison of the two? Other than the stamp, is there anything else? Is the shape of the spokes the same? The vent holes? Or if it wasn't for the even the most learned Porsche enthusiast wouldn't be able to tell the difference?

-jeffrey

[j-f]

Flat4 as the same design as early Fuchs. "Deep" design and the heart hole where the valve is.

The bolts are specifics and not the same as the Fuchs, but, who care?

I think the difference with the stamp is because originals ones are tube type and the Flat4 are tubeless.

 

[Rennsurfer]

Well, hopefully you have seen a set, but didn't know they were from Flat 4.

-jeffrey

Good point. I probably have and didn't/don't know it. HA! Hopefully, that stands true.

[javabug]

The thinkness of the material at the vent holes might be greater on the repros, due to being cast versus forged, as the originals were.

[Shubee2 (DSK)]

the spokes look a little flater on the flat 4's but are a nice way to go for the $$$

[bluestar]

the wheels lookink great , but forget the caps from flat4 !!!

[jhicken]

What's wrong with their caps?

-jeffrey

[roland]

They are yellowish...

[bluestar]

see the pict from J-F  , the flat4 caps are not in aluminium !!!

[jhicken]

yellowish?



-jeffrey

[wolfswest]

Flat4 Fuchs are really nice. A friend use it on his Oval and difference is very small!
It is a good way to have a nice set of new wheels at a decent price. 

Oh man...  I saw that oval @ the freddy files, what a car!!  I love it.  More pictures or specs anybody?
Jeffrey, sorry to hijack your post.  Maybe we could make another post for the oval specs and pictures...

Dem

[jhicken]

No worries, one last question, if springing for the Flat 4 caps is a bad idea, which original caps fit the Flat 4 wheels? I understand there are a few different styles.

-jeffrey

[bluestar]

this is the "shrek-mobile" ( the best hamburger cooking master !!! ) , crazy finish car .
your caps look great , maybe a new version !!
the 1st version was really "yellowwish" .
try to find original caps .

[j-f]

Flat4 Fuchs are really nice. A friend use it on his Oval and difference is very small!
It is a good way to have a nice set of new wheels at a decent price. 

Oh man...  I saw that oval @ the freddy files, what a car!!  I love it.  More pictures or specs anybody?
Jeffrey, sorry to hijack your post.  Maybe we could make another post for the oval specs and pictures...

Dem

It is François Delvaux alias Shrek car. 

It was feature in a super vw mag 2 or 3 years ago I think.

Engine is a 1915cc with IDA. (Recently added, first he run 44 IDF. ). Gearbox is from KCR since the Rancho is broken.

The car was first restored and painted in a shop not far from my house, but with a really poor result.
François ask Pat from Nivelles (the well known shop in Belgium  ) to restore it correctly, with his result 

You can take a look to his blog

[DKK Ted]

I belive its the Late Cap that fits.

[jhicken]

As opposed to the three prong?

-jeffrey

[DKK Ted]

Yup! Three is early, and the ring type late.

[lawrence]

Yes the flat 4 fuchs use the later center caps. I have no direct experience but my friend has done some research on these new wheels due to the inflated cost of originals. The repop 4.5" wheels dont look right to me because the snout is too large.

[Brew 66]

I just bought a set last month from CIP. I got the lugs, studs, caps and wheels. I then sent them to Al Reed to have the black detail taped and powder coated.

I have to say they look as good as a set of real ones that I had about six years ago.

[Rennsurfer]

I have a silly query; what size are the wheels on this car? I'm guessing 6" on the backs? Either way, looks like if you get some factory caps that match, color-wise, you'll be good to go, Jeffrey. From the looks of this picture, they look great. I've always dug on non-polished Fuchs five spokes with the black background... just like the way they came on earlier 911 cars. Easy to take care of and shows off the wheel much better. But... to each their own.