Who would be interested in a Fikse group buy

[jmg944t]

I am working with Paul C. and I should have a quote on these wheels soon.

www.fikse.com/products.html

I know of 3 sets that would definitely be ordered I would like to know who else would be interested. The more that are ordered the less expensive they will be. Think along the lines of $1800 quid per set. I will find out if Fikse cares about the style for the group buy, if so we will figure that out. I don't think they will care at all about the finish selected.

If someone knows international shipping rules/rates that would be helpful as well.

[DanH]

I'm interested. Does doing it as a group buy influence the price?

I like the look of the Profil 5S and Profil 13 - I reckon both would suite the noble.

[jmg944t]

I just spoke with the guy I deal with and he has said that he will discount them deeply though the group buy should not influence the price much. He is the owner of Fikse's largest US distributer. Right now the Fikse guys are on their way back from track support at the Indy car race in Florida but he hopes to have a quote to me today.

[paulcundy]

Dear All,
I've asked James to look into the "Mach V" and "Profi 13s" as the best looking ones from my point of view. I'm just going to check some measurements tonight to finalise the figures. It's looking good!
Regards
Paul C

[DanH]

The reason I mentioned 5S is because they look a bit like the GTO3 OEM wheels and they have less spokes to clean, which is always an important point for me!

With a bit of luck, we can have whatever we want on an individual basis anyway.

[joust]

I'd be potentially interested.

J

[Ash GTO 3R]

Me too

[paulcundy]

Last peice of info need, factory can you answer?

What are the wheel bolt stud sizes M12 or another thread?
Regards
Paul C

[jmg944t]

Here is the latest update after speaking with the factory today. Apparently the Noble front caliper protrudes quite far toward the outside of the car. This makes it necessary that all wheels be of the Profil series as the forgings have more caliper clearance. Even then the front will require a 5mm spacer which will maintain factory geometry. They also suggest drilling 4 more holes along the hub because 4 lugs look goofy. The Profil 10 and 13 are lightest but only marginally. The weights will be 18x8.5 front= 9.7KG 18x10 Rear= 10.2KG. Within the profil series style and finish are up to the buyer. And the cost will be............ to be continued I still have to hear back from the distributer. Maybe tonight.

[jmg944t]

OK here is everything. They are ready to make wheels for anyone who wants them. The key points are below to keep you from having to read too much.
All wheels must be Profil series.
Any profil wheel is available.
Front 18x8.5's will be 9.3KG
Rear 18x10's will be 9.5KG
Whole set is $3850 USD or $2002 GBP.
European delivery is no problem, expect to pay $150-300 USD.
4 optional finishes are available for $90 USD per wheel.

I hope this has been helpful to all you guys who have your Nobles already As for these wheels they are higher quality than basically everything else. If you watched the Daytona 24hr they were on most of the cars. Let me know if you are interested and I will send you to the Dealer. No group buy necessary.



>> Edited by jmg944t on Thursday 10th March 22:47

>> Edited by jmg944t on Thursday 10th March 23:26

[joust]

Hmm - $1800 to $3800

Thanks for the effort, but that's not much different to the factory price for a new set. Really really appreciate all your work though, and I'm sure some will want to go for it just for the looks

J

[jmg944t]

joust said:

Hmm - $1800 to $3800 Thanks for the effort, but that's not much different to the factory price for a new set. Really really appreciate all your work though, and I'm sure some will want to go for it just for the looks J

ReRead it! it is $3850 USD or the GBP equivilant $2002 GBP. I think that makes it 1/2 the price of the factory wheels, no? If they are in fact basically 1/2 then you get a wheel that is stronger, lighter and repairable as they are 3 piece and individually serial numbered so the factory knows what parts are on them.

>> Edited by jmg944t on Thursday 10th March 23:14

[alex s]

Is the $3800 inclusive of import duty and vat, if not you will have to add another $1000 or so. I have imported stuff from the states before and they tend not to include this in the quoted price! Just a thought to be aware of.

[joust]

I've never bought a set of 3R wheels, but I think they are around the £3000 mark.

By the time you add VAT (17.5%), import duty (10% I think for car parts) you get to around $5170 landed which is nearly £3000 at today's dollar rate.

I'm sure they are nice wheels, but I've not had any problems with the current ones, not sure if the suspension would need to be retuned with lighter wheels as surely things will change (? - and the dynamics on my M400 aren't adjustable), and it's probably quite a bit of hassle to get them FOB and then landed.

If the difference was greater I might be interested, but for now I'll let someone else more determined to change their wheels try it out.

Thanks again for all your help, it really is appreciated.

J

>> Edited by joust on Thursday 10th March 23:31

[jmg944t]

alex s said:

Is the $3800 inclusive of import duty and vat, if not you will have to add another $1000 or so. I have imported stuff from the states before and they tend not to include this in the quoted price! Just a thought to be aware of.

$3850 USD is what they will sell them to us for. That is around 2000 GB Pounds. I don't know what VAT is other than a scr@wing you seem to get. (I live in New Hampshire USA, no sales or income tax here!) As far as import tax it is not included in that price. If there is a way around it that I can help with I am willing to. I could send them "used" or whatever if it got around some tax. It isn't like the bobbies can come after me for it!

[joust]

I'm not really that "up" on trying to minimise the import tax for car parts, but you'll get stuff for VAT absolutly 100% as the carrier company will pay it on your behalf and then claim it back direct.

One thing sometimes used is that the invoice value that you declare is lower than what it's worth (as it's done on the 'invoice' value), but you can only take that so far as they can (and do if my packages are anything to go by) open them up to have a looksee.

Other scams are to say they are a "gift", but that has a £125 or something limit so that probably won't work here.

Whilst I've done lots of small things off ebay I've never done anything large, so not really up on how/if you can advoid / minimise things - sorry.

J

[jmg944t]

What is VAT and why is it 17.5%

[Mr Noble]

Value added tax. Its a tax on everything we buy. 17.5 is just the current rate. It used to be 15%. In France its about 12 I think, in Italy its 19% and its 22% in other EU countries.

Bit of a pain but fair really. You will just incerr greater taxes in other areas to compensate I guess.

If you need more info you could write to,

Gordon Brown
11 Downing Street
London
W1 ABC

Not sure if he will know the answers though.

Wheels look great by the way but I am a bit lost as to whats wrong with mine?

GN

>> Edited by Mr Noble on Friday 11th March 00:19

[jmg944t]

Nothing is "wrong" with your wheels.

www.gto3.com/gallery/index.php?dir=./Rockingham%20-%2017th%20October%202003 (look at the bottom left)

I started this in an effort to solve a problem. The problem is there are apparently few inexpensive options and no light weight options for Noble wheels. I Thought I could come up with something helpful. I brought one of the foremost high end wheel manufacturers to the table. I came up with a solution that gets 10 KG's out of the wheels and is still cheaper and stronger than stock wheels. Please don't forget, I don't yet own a Noble and I stand to gain nothing from this, I am trying to be helpful.

>> Edited by jmg944t on Friday 11th March 00:47

[kentviking]

jmg944t said:

I am trying to be helpful. >> Edited by jmg944t on Friday 11th March 00:47

You have been...thanks, and the price for stock wheels remains too high , but alternatives seem to be cropping up closer to home in a cheaper bracket, with less of the potential hassles and pitfalls of a US import.

VAT is the equivalent of your Sales Tax.
I thought it was the same everywhere...you get taxed on what you earn, taxed on what you spend, taxed on what you save and taxed on what you've put away for retirement...so there ain't much left after all that...in the UK at least

...oh and then you die....but not before experiencing a noble.