Motegi Wheel Review | Autance

Whether you spend a lot of time at the track or just like that tuner-inspired look, Motegi Racing wheels are great performers. They’re lightweight, high-quality, and come in a variety of sizes, designs, and finishes. Named after the Twin Ring Motegi race track in Japan, Motegi wheels are designed for sport compact racing and street use.

The great thing about Motegi wheels is they are tested on the track, so you know you’re getting the real deal. Check out the best Motegi wheels on the market in our buying guide below.

Best Motegi Wheels

Best Motegi Wheels Buying Guide & FAQ

Motegi Racing wheels are made from high-quality materials and are built to last, making them highly sought after in the aftermarket tuner and performance segments. The company prides itself in carefully engineering each of its high-grade aluminum wheels so they are unique and strong, yet lightweight.

Diehard racers love their smooth, dynamic performance and modern designs, which are racy and bold with cutting-edge style. In our buying guide below, we point out what sets Motegi wheels apart from the competition, as well as the many features you should consider before making a purchase. We also answer some commonly asked questions and provide some tips about their use.

Why You Need Motegi Wheels

Motegi Racing wheels are a sought-after brand among car and racing enthusiasts. The company collaborates with a variety of motorsport racers and strives to create a diverse collection of wheels that are sleek, stylish, and performance-driven, making them appealing to all sorts of automotive addicts.

Its wheels are designed in cast, flow form, multi-piece, and forged monoblock construction, as well as in a number of fitments, so there’s sure to be a match for your passenger or crossover vehicle. The wheels also come in multiple finishes, including satin black, chrome, and machined face, so they look good on both retro and modern vehicles.

Motegi wheels are constructed so they’re solid, sturdy, and long-lasting. They are designed for high-performance conditions and handling. Whether you drive a wagon, coupe, or compact vehicle, there is a Motegi wheel that’s sure to complement your car. Motegi rims make a statement, whether you’re on the track or on the street.

Benefits

• They’re sleek and stylish. 
• They come in a variety of fitments and finishes. 
• They work on the track and the street.
• They’re designed for high performance.

Types of Motegi Wheels

Motegi’s most popular wheels are made of aluminum, which are lighter than steel wheels and have excellent heat dissipation. Aluminum wheels are manufactured in several ways, and each process has its pros and cons. Below is more information about one-piece cast, flow form, forged, and multi-piece wheels.

• One-Piece Cast Wheels

A cast wheel is made by pouring melted aluminum into a mold. As the metal cools and hardens, it takes on the shape of the mold. You will find three types of casting methods still in use today: counter pressure molding, high counter pressure molding (HCM), and low/pressure gravity molding.

Each type of molding method produces wheels with a particular weight, strength, finish, and design. The more advanced the method, the lighter and stronger the wheel will be. However, these wheels also tend to be more expensive than wheels made by less sophisticated processes.

• Flow Form Wheels

One of the wheel industry’s most advanced methods of making wheels is through flow form technology. The process starts out similarly to the way cast wheels are made. The difference is in how the barrel is treated, specifically in how pressure is applied to it.

While the barrel spins and heats up, steel rollers press it together, stretch, and compress the aluminum. This is designed to increase the wheel’s tensile strength. The end result is a lighter, stronger wheel with more elongation. Flow form wheels have better shock resistance and more load capacity compared to regular cast wheels.

• Forged Wheels

Some people refer to forged wheels as “billet” wheels, but the terms are not technically interchangeable. Forging is the name of the manufacturing process, and billet is the solid block of aluminum that is used in the process. When it comes to forging, a machine applies thousands of pounds of pressure on to the aluminum alloy, pressing and rolling it into a specific form.

Then the wheel is given a final finish. Forged wheels are lighter, denser, and very strong compared to some other types of wheels.

• Multi-Piece Wheels

When it comes to multi-piece wheels, the aforementioned processes are combined to manufacture wheels of specific strengths and weights. You may find, for example, a wheel with an aluminum center that is welded to a steel barrel. A two-piece constructed wheel may have a billet center that’s welded to a rolled outer piece.

Another example is a wheel with a split outer piece with custom-set widths and offsets, also known as three-piece construction. Its center can be forged, cast, or billet, and is typically affixed to the outer piece using special screws and rivets.

What to Look for When Buying Motegi Wheels

There are several things you should take into consideration before you purchase a set of aftermarket wheels from Motegi or another brand. First and foremost is style. You want wheels that make your vehicle stand out in the crowd. However, you also need to consider the size of the wheels and how they fit on your car, truck, or SUV.

• Style

One of the biggest reasons why people change their wheels is because they want to transform the look of their vehicles. The part of the wheel that you see when it’s attached to the car is known as the outboard face or cosmetic face. Motegi creates a large selection of wheels with a variety of designs and spokes.

Motegi wheels also come in an assortment of finishes, such as chrome, satin black, and matte bronze, and you choose the look depending on your personal style. The good news is that upgrading your wheels often makes it more appealing, which can increase its value.

• Center Bore

One of the most important parts of the wheel is the center bore, which is the middle hole in the wheel. This is where the wheel fits over the axle and supports the weight of the car. OEM wheels are designed to perfectly fit the axle seats.

As for aftermarket rims, the center bore needs to be the same size or larger than the OEM size so it fits over the axle. Since most aftermarket wheels have larger center bores so they fit a variety of vehicles, there is usually a gap. As a result, you will need hub-centric rings or spacers to prevent vibration and so neither the wheels or lug nuts are damaged.

• Bolt Circle

The pattern that the lug bolts make is known as the bolt circle or bolt pattern. The diameter is the bolt circle diameter (BCD). The number of bolts, along with the BCD, create the bolt pattern. For example, five lug bolts with a 4.5-inch BCD would be described as a 5 x 4.5-inch bolt pattern.

Different makes and models of vehicles have different bolt patterns, and they must be compatible. If a wheel fits a BMW, for example, it probably won’t fit a Mercedes because the bolt patterns likely won’t match.

• Offset

When you buy aftermarket wheels you need the proper offset for clearance to avoid rubbing against the suspension, brakes, fenders, bumpers, etc. The wrong offset can also cause an issue with braking and vehicle stability. A wheel with zero offset means the centerline and hub mounting surface are even.

A wheel with positive offset means the hub mounting surface is more towards the street side of the centerline. Front-wheel drive vehicles and more modern rear-wheel-drive vehicles have this type of offset. Negative offset means the hub mounting surface is behind the centerline. This is more common on “deep dish” wheels.

• Size

Wheels come in a variety of sizes. You may want to upgrade your OEM wheels to a larger size or stay the same with an aftermarket wheel, depending on your preference. If you get a larger diameter wheel, it will decrease the profile of the tire. You’ll also get more grip with a larger wheel and tire combination. However, the ride may not be as smooth.

It’s worth noting that the bigger the wheel diameter, the higher the price. The difference may not be that bad between a 15- and 16-inch wheel; however, you have to take the tire price into consideration as well. Larger tires can cost quite a lot more than smaller ones. 

Tips for Buying and Using Motegi Wheels

While you may be tempted to buy the first stylish set of wheels you set your eyes on, it’s always a good idea to do some research in advance. Don’t buy the cheapest ones you can find. You want to avoid poorly constructed wheels because they can easily, crack, bend, or break. You will get what you pay for, and if you spend a little more, you’ll likely get a much better product.

Also, be wary of used wheels. While you can save a lot of money on these types of wheels, they may not be in the best condition. Make sure to inspect them to make sure they’re not cracked or bent. When you order wheels online, you should also inspect them to make sure they weren’t damaged during shipping.

If you choose to upgrade to a larger wheel, remember that it may be heavier than your stock wheels. This can weigh down the suspension and cause a rougher ride. Larger wheels can have a great effect on handling, so keep that in mind and try to find ones that are as lightweight as possible.

• Avoid buying cheap wheels.
• Inspect the wheels to make sure they’re not cracked or bent. 
• Choose the lightest weight wheels possible. 

Best Motegi Wheels FAQ:

There are a lot of advantages to purchasing Motegi wheels for your vehicle. They are stylish, yet affordable, and usually make your car look better than it does stock. Yet, you may still have some questions about the brand, such as how to clean the wheels and whether you need specific hardware for installation.

Our Top Pick

Our top overall pick is the Motegi Racing MR118 Matte Black Finish Wheel. These 17-inch wheels feature a one-piece construction and 14-spoke design. They look really good on a variety of different vehicles, which makes them very versatile. The wheels also feature a matte black finish, which is smooth, strong, and easy to clean.