Enkei has a rich history dating back over thirty years, originating in Japan with a focus on lightweight aftermarket and Original Equipment wheels intended for high-performance applications. In fact, Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton and his team rely on Enkei wheels for their durability and weight savings for their race cars.

While many new vehicles come equipped with Enkei wheels from the factory, including Subaru, Mitsubishi and Honda, many consider the older designs to be what built the Enkei brand and reputation. With that in mind, Enkei is revisiting some of their classic designs from the past and has recently introduced the Apache II in select 15" sizes for Honda, Toyota, Datsun/Nissan and other four lug applications.

The Apache II model is available in both machined with black accent and sliver machined with clearcoat, four spoke finishes with a polished lip. Apache II wheels feature simulated assembly bolts to give the illusion of a multi-piece wheel but with a more cost-effective, one-piece design.

Be sure to check out all the wheels in Enkei's Classic line to see if one is a good fit for your vehicle.

Switching out your vehicle's heavy, factory steel or alloy wheels is one of the easiest bolt-on performance upgrades for your track vehicle. Just by switching to a lighter weight wheel, your car will instantly feel quicker and respond better compared to your stock wheels. The rotational force to get a lighter weight wheel to move and stop is less, therefore the engine and braking system of the car can now respond quicker. Reducing the unsprung weight by switching to a wheel with less weight will also reap benefits when cornering - as the shocks and springs will have less weight to dampen during rebound and compression - keeping the car more stable on the track.

Typically, the answer to a lighter wheel is purchasing a fully forged alloy wheel, however, this option can be expensive. There are many highly engineered cast alloy options that are more affordable and provide a great bang for your buck.

These wheels are designed to achieve the strongest wheel possible using the least amount of material. Many cast wheels are created the opposite way from a track wheel: form over function. The wheel looks good, so people want to put it on their car and dress up their ride. A track wheel is designed to provide the function of being lightweight over the appearance of the chrome clad bling you can add to your car.

Many autocross and road race customers have had excellent results with Kosei K1 Racing, Kosei K1 TS, Enkei RPF1, Enkei PF01, TRMotorsports MT1 and TRMotorsports C1. And some of these wheels start at an astonishing 13.5 lbs. in 15x7!

After what seems to be decades of waiting, the first Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ are beginning to arrive.

Initial vehicle availability will be tight. Here at Tire Rack, we're still waiting to get them in our studio to be photographed. Thanks to the help from our suppliers, we've been able to post a preliminary list of compatible wheels for the FR-S and BRZ (fitment is obviously the same for both). The Original Equipment wheel is 17x7, 5-100 48mm offset. Many drivers will prefer a wider, lightweight wheel with the same offset.

If you prefer a wheel that weighs less than 18 lbs., the list is narrowed down to: the 17x8 45ET Enkei Racing Series RPF1 in black or bright silver, 17x8 48ET O.Z. Racing Alleggerita HLT available in matte graphite silver,white, black, orange, blue,gold and red, the Enkei RP03 in bright silver (the black painted version is estimated to arrive in June) and the Ultraleggera HLT in black, bright silver, matte graphite silver and gold.

As for tires, I'd go with 225/45-17 sizing to complement the wider wheels. Personally, I prefer the 25" overall diameter better than the slightly larger 25.3" 235/45-17 tires. When making your tire choice, consider the best value Extreme Performance Summer tires discussed in a previous blog post, as well as the Toyo Proxes R1R and Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08.

This past week, I decided it was time to get the grime, filth and brake dust off of my bright silver Enkei Racing Series PF01 wheels.

Luckily, last year, I assembled a kit of Griot's Garage cleaning products. My advice for anyone who gets aftermarket wheels is to invest in a good cleaning kit. My kit includes:

• Griot's Garage Wheel Cleaner (35 oz. with Finest Sprayer)
• Griot's Garage Paint Sealant (8 oz. bottle)
• Griot's Garage 3-Finger Detail Mitts
• Griot's Garage Detail Sponges
• Microfiber cloths for drying and buffing
• Bucket

I have to say, I really am impressed with the Wheel Cleaner. It's the centerpiece of my kit. This premium product is made of biodegradable ingredients so you don't have to worry about its impact on the environment. Since the product is environmentally friendly, it's not a spray-on, spray-off cleaner. You'll have to use some "elbow grease" after giving the cleaner about a minute to start working. This product is approved by BBS, and recommended by Tire Rack. For those drivers who own chrome wheels, Griot's Garage makes a Chrome Wheel Cleaner made from citrus oil. Remember to pick up the Finest Sprayer as it fits all Griot's Garage 35 ounce bottles.

When it comes to cleaning wheels, I like to clean one at a time with a Detail Sponge. Next, the 3-Finger Detail Mitts allow me to get into the finer spots of the wheel around the lugs. The sponges have just enough "scrub" to them to remove most of the grime with one swipe. After they're clean, I rinse and use a microfiber cloth to dry. Once dry, I apply the Paint Sealant with another Detail Sponge and 3-Finger Detail Mitt. Lastly, is the buffing and my wheels are bright silver again!

Check out Griot's Garage products to find a premium cleaning product for every surface of your vehicle.

Good news for those running stock class in SCCA that have their Subaru BRZ or Scion FR-S.

Enkei Racing Series is making a version of their popular RPF1 wheel in a 17x7" size with an offset of ET42. Weighing in at a scant 14.5 lbs, the wheel will be a great choice for both vehicles. The 5-100 bolt pattern wheel is available in both the black and bright silver finish.

While we aren't expected to receive this wheel until the fall, it will definitely be worth the wait. Especially If you're going to compete in the stock class. Feel free to check out all of the wheel options for your BRZ or FR-S.

Since the release of the Subaru BRZ and its twin the Scion FR-S, we have been able to get both vehicles to Tire Rack's headquarters for measurements. First indication is that these very capable cars have been very "under tired" from the factory. Despite its excellent poise and impressive skidpad numbers, the BR-Z and FR-S are shod with a narrow 215/45-17 all-season tire from the factory. Such a fitment, although good for fuel efficiency and tread life, severely inhibits the cars' true performance. The wheels also seem a bit too narrow and use a very conservative high offset which makes them appear sunken into the fenders.

Based upon our measurements, these two cars are capable of running a 245 width tire on all four corners -- utilizing anywhere between a 17"-19" wheel. If you're wanting to run a staggered set-up, the rear fender arches can accommodate a width up to 265mm with the correct wheel.

Autocross and track driving participants will likely wish to use a square set-up to maintain the car's balance. The hot set-up for these, in my opinion, would be a 17x8 wheel using a 245/40-17 tire at all four corners. This tire size allows for many popular street tires to be installed including the Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08, Bridgestone Potenza RE-11, Kumho Ecsta XS, Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec and Hankook Ventus R-S3. Are you looking to utilize a purely competition tire? You may find interest in the Hankook Ventus Z214, BFGoodrich g-Force R1, Hoosier A6 or Hoosier R6

With many tire choices available, as well as a large inventory of wheels from manufacturers like Enkei Racing Series, O.Z. Racing and Sparco, the best way to start looking for your desired set-up is to view our Tire & Wheel Packages.

Enkei Racing Series custom wheels feature the latest designs, composite alloy technology and casting and forging processes. Enkei's quality testing surpasses stringent JGTC standards. This dedication to perfection helps them deliver the best in modern alloy wheels.

Creating the unique styles for today's market, Enkei Racing Series wheels are manufactured using the MAT (Most Advanced Technology) process. This combines one-piece cast wheel technology with a process of spinning the rim. Using this technology, casting and rim forming by MAT will drastically improve the strength of the wheels. Rim-rolling technology shapes the rim to improve material elongation without sacrificing the wheels' hardness.

The following two options are not only a few of my favorites, but also two of the lightest we offer. The RPF1 is a classic Japanese tuner style look and is available in a 14", 15", 16", 17" and 18" rim diameter. Featuring a much more modern look, the PF01 showcases a 10-spoke design with snap-in, exposed lugs. Both wheels look great without center caps, as this is appealing to drivers of autocross and where there are track regulations.

If you're someone who notices the details on any vehicle, you can probably recall seeing a nice set of black wheels only to have your eyes wander to the bright silver valve stem. These silver valve parts look out of place on a black aftermarket wheel.

Tire Rack offers an optional black TPMS sensor / valve part kit for $2.99 per wheel. Therefore, when you order black wheels like the O.Z. Racing Ultraleggera or Enkei Racing Series PF01, they can arrive with the complete black-out appearance. Purchasing the optional black sensor kit can provide you the look you desire at a very low price!

To view black wheel options for your vehicle, shop by vehicle and filter by finish to view all black finished wheels for you application.

To check to see if this wheel is available for your vehicle, shop by vehicle. Our site will show you the complete list of wheels that fit your car and let you view them on the vehicle. You can also pair up your wheels with high performance tires to create a Tire & Wheel Package that's ready to install upon arriving to your home or installer. 

Selecting wheels for a vehicle is subjective based upon one's taste and ultimately up to each individual customer. Here at Tire Rack, we offer many different brands to suit the various tastes of our customers.

While I'm frequently asked, "What wheel would look best on my car?", I must admit it's a very difficult question to answer. Even though I've been customizing cars for years and certainly have my thoughts as to how things should be done, my feelings don't always match that of the consumer. 

When I do weigh in, I try to recommend wheels that aren't overstated, of good quality and are as purposeful as possible. For customers looking for a wheel that is durable, good looking and extremely lightweight, one of my favorite choices is Enkei's PF01. 

Part of the Enkei Racing Series family, this product weighs as little as 10 lbs. in certain sizes and maintains a much lower price point than other high-end wheel manufacturers. The broad range of bolt patterns and sizing of this wheel allows it to be used on a wide variety of vehicles.

The 4x100 bolt pattern is a popular choice for Honda and Mazda Miata owners, while the 5x114 option has proven to be very popular on countless other makes and models. Besides the physical allure of this wheel, it's proven quite handy when trying to clear Big Brake Kits due to its large amount of spoke clearance.

When considering aftermarket wheels or aftermarket rims as they are commonly called, take a look at many of the various wheels from Enkei. With many wheels to chose from, your tastes doesn't have to exactly mirror my own.

The RC-G4 is Enkei Racing Series' design for rally use. It's constructed using Enkei's MAT technology for optimum strength and light weight. 

MAT combines Enkei's MAP (Most Advanced Production) and flow-forming forging technology. MAP is a highly automated system. Each process is connected in a single-piece flow system that transports wheels from the melting process, through heat treatment and on to machining. The flow forming process produces a finer, more even aluminum structure, yielding a light yet strong wheel. 

In addition to advanced manufacturing, the RC-G4 has been carefully designed for the demands of rallying. The large center area helps prevent debris and gravel from lodging in the brake system, while the many short spokes optimize strength and allow cooling air to reach the brakes. 

Enkei's state-of-the-art construction and quality control, combined with carefully optimized design give these wheels excellent resistance to impacts, stresses and damage. 

The contour of the barrel and face of the wheel are designed to optimize brake clearance. This allows for the largest possible calipers and rotors within a 15" wheel. Proven in use on Group N rally cars, these wheels are truly race ready!

With the new 2014 Mazda6, Mazda has built the family sedan a mom and dad will want to drive.

Have you just brought home or ordered your new Mazda6? If so, you've made an excellent choice! Owners of this vehicle in a fair weather state may be looking to upgrade their Mazda6 with some new wheels. However, if you reside in the northern part of the country, you may want to consider adding some winter / snow tires to your purchase.

We were fortunate enough to bring a 2014 Mazda6 in for test fitting this past week. So expect it to appear as an option in our Upgrade Garage shortly. We'll have plenty of choices for both summer wheels, as well as winter options.

For example, Enkei Performance Series makes the Falcon in both a hyper silver with machined lip and gunmetal with machined lip finish. This clean, five-spoke design is an ideal complement to the 2014 Mazda6 Sport.

Wheels are ultimately in the eye of the beholder, however I like how the hyper silver with machined lip finish looks on a black Mazda6. For the soul red, meteor gray, liquid silver and snowflake white pearl colors, I'd select the gunmetal with machined lip finish because it offers more contrast between wheel and vehicle colors.

Now you can zoom, zoom with a little bit more style!

The introduction of a new wheel design by Enkei is always an event among car enthusiasts. And, the Kojin and Tenjin are no exception. Enkei Tuning Series wheels are a perennial favorite among those looking to upgrade the performance and look of their vehicle with an option that's lightweight, strong and stylish.

The Enkei Tuning Series Kojin takes the traditional five-spoke design and adds just the right contours to give it an aggressive tuner look without being too loud. Enkei Tuning Series' Tenjin is the latest addition to the Enkei lightweight tuning line. In keeping with Enkei’s design philosophy, the Tenjin exhibits nine spokes carefully designed to achieve ultra high rigidity while maintaining low weight and style.

Both the Kojin and Tenjin are built using Enkei's state-of-the-art MAT Technology and SPEC-E wheel testing:

MAT Technology

Enkei developed a manufacturing process to produce the next aluminum wheel generation. The Most Advanced Technology (M.A.T.) combines one-piece cast wheel technology with a rim forming technology called spinning process. Using this new technology of casting and rim forming by MAT process is critical to improve the material property and strength of the wheels. Rim-Rolled technology shapes the rim to improve material elongation without sacrificing the wheel's hardness.

SPEC-E

All Enkei wheels are engineered to pass rigorous testing. In fact, Enkei established its own test standard called “Spec-E,” which is tougher than JWL requirements. Enkei’s Spec-E test setting requires a higher drop point in the impact test and 20% more cycles for the rotary bending fatigue and dynamic radial fatigue tests than JWL standards. The Spec-E represents Enkei’s confidence in its technology and quality of their wheels.

Great handling, fast enough to get to work on time, a dipstick, sunroof and the ability to run 225/45R17 tires as a natural size, that's what I wanted in my next car that was replacing my BRZ.

I just got back from Cocoa, Florida in my new 2013 polished metal metallic Honda Civic Si Sedan, so everything is good to go with my new Honda, right? Not quite, as I'm not a huge fan of the 17x7 45mm offset Original Equipment wheels. I also have a set of 225/45ZR17 Michelin Pilot Super Sports in my basement, which leaves me halfway to the set-up I desire. How do I know when I've found the right wheel? It's the option that provides a combination of function, style and finish. 

Function:

In a perfect world, I'd want the same offset as the Original Equipment, because in theory, a lower offset wheel will add torque steer to a front-wheel drive Civic Si. I prefer a 45mm offset wheel, however it'll knock me out of the stock autocross class (those heading to Nationals in Lincoln are no doubt relieved). A wider wheel will enhance steering response. Lighter wheels will effect braking and acceleration. With respect to function, I want a lightweight, 45mm offset wheel.

Style:

Wheel preference is ultimately in the eye of the beholder, therefore I need to pick a style I like. If I had to pick a few words to describe the overall styling theme of the 2013 Honda Civic Si, they'd be: angular, edgy and sharp. Wheels with rounded, organic styling that might look great on an Audi TT won't work on my Civic Si.

Finish:

The polished metal metallic Civic is essentially a medium shade of metallic grey. My vehicle's color will play a major factor in the wheel I ultimately end up choosing.

Potential Choice:

As of right now, I'm leaning towards the 17x8 45ET Enkei Tuning Series Tenjin with a gunmetal with machined lip finish. It's wider, has the same offset as the Original Equipment and doesn't weigh more than the wheel currently on the vehicle. The spoke's edges are squared, not rounded. Its gunmetal finished center almost matches the color of my Honda. Also, the wheel gives me the function, style and finish I'm looking for!

I recently received the following question on a BMW tire and wheel forum that I moderate for members of 2013 BMW 3 Series vehicles:

"I was looking at getting a summer 19" set-up, but after some research, it doesn't sound like I'll get much improvement in performance over an 18" set-up with my style of driving. I live in Minnesota, so I will probably only have them on the car for five months. I don't track my car and only do spirited driving occasionally due to having a wife and kid, but would still like an upgrade over the stock 18' all-seasons when I do.

I was looking at the Continental ExtremeContact DW because of the low price being offered through Tire Rack, but would prefer the Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Is there a big difference for the extra $200 between these two options for my style of driving? Also, I want a little more aggressive look, while still maintaining the square set-up. I was looking at Enkei Racing Series PF01 (18x8) all the way around. Can I use a 245/35R18 on those for a little fatter, more aggressive look or should I stick with the stock size?"

With his style of driving, I recommended the following:

"Given that you only do occasional spirited driving, you'll likely be happy with the Continental ExtremeContact DW tires. On the new body of the BMW 3 Series (F30), you have a bit more clearance compared to the older E90 3 Series models, so you can use the stock 225/45R18, 245/40R18 or shorter 245/35R18 sizes with no problem. I personally would lean towards 245/40R18 to keep the same overall diameter while slightly increasing the width compared to the stock size."

The member emphasized that his vehicle is a family car and implied that he wouldn't mind giving up a little in terms of grip and handling for a lower cost tire. From our testing and customer feedback, the Continental ExtremeContact DW does just that. The Continental ExtremeContact DW has a slightly softer ride, while the Michelin Pilot Super Sport has more dry grip and a faster steering response.

For more information on the differences between these tires, read "Michelin Pilot Super Sport vs. Continental ExtremeContact DW."

We have recently added a feature to our website that allows our customers to upload photos to show off their upgraded vehicles with Tire Rack products, including wheels. When you're shopping for wheels, you will be able to access any customer photos available of the style that you are viewing. You can also view our master photo gallery of both Tire Rack studio photos, as well as customer submissions. We love to see our wheels in their new homes. Photo styles vary from casual snapshots to artfully composed high-resolution images.

One picture that caught my eye while browsing is this image of a black painted Enkei Racing Series RPF1 on a WRX STI. This lightweight, performance oriented wheel is paired with a Dunlop Direzza ZII tire that perfectly complements the mission of the RPF1: going fast and looking good.

The customer has added his or her own custom lug nuts in what looks to be a blue anodized finish, adding a touch of color to the otherwise sober black of the car and wheel. And look at that mirror finish. This Subie seems to have spent plenty of time in 'makeup' getting ready for its glamor shots.

Customers can also include their own story about their wheels, tires and car to go along with the picture. When visiting the Photo Gallery, you can simply click on "Read My Story" to see what the owner has to say about their wheels and tires.

Want to upload your own photos and help other customers with their shopping? Visit our Photo Gallery, check the requirements and start uploading your photo.

When it came time to purchase wheels for my new vehicle, I thought I had my mind made up. After my research, I was ready to buy the 17x8" 45 ET gunmetal with machined lip Enkei Tuning Series Tenjin. It met all my requirements as far as function, style and finish. However, deep down, I knew my gut was telling me to go with a brighter finish and look for something different. While the Enkei Tenjin is a great wheel, I knew that it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. As we all know, wheels are about personal preference!

After I changed my mind, I went ahead and purchased the hyper silver with machined lip 17x7" 45 ET Enkei Performance Series Falcon (the Falcon is also available in 16", 18" and 20" rim diameters). I think they're a perfect complement to my vehicle and I like how the sharp edges of the wheel flows with the Civic Si's angular lines.

One change I did make was switching the center cap to one from Honda. It's not a perfect fit but my original Honda center cap can be squeezed in. In the near future, I will mill down the perimeter of the Honda caps for a better fit.

When the time comes for you to make your next wheel purchase, take a look at the wide range of styles from around the world we offer.