2022 GT-line wheel symmetry

[JSolo]

Notice on the driver side the K is towards the rear, passenger side is towards the front.

Does this bother anyone? I would think when kia went with a unidirectional pattern like that there'd be a LEFT/RIGHT wheel so the K points to the same direction on both sides.

 

[nhcowboy28]

Then people would complain about tire rotations and having to dismount tires.

this is the easily way… not necessarily the aesthetically pleasing way.

 

[JSolo]

I'm very detail oriented but really couldn't care less about the wheels. I didn't even notice this because so long as wheels are all the same size, round, in balance, and damage free, that's all that matters. Someone pointed it out to me. Will I lose sleep over it, absolutely not. I asked the person what would I benefit by upgrading wheels.. Now tires, absolutely. Can't wait to get some michelin pilot sports on here (ps a/s 4).

 

[RogueIV]

Can't really see both sides of the car at the same time anyway, unless you have a mirror.

 

[Spyder168]

Notice on the driver side the K is towards the rear, passenger side is towards the front.

Does this bother anyone? I would think when kia went with a unidirectional pattern like that there'd be a LEFT/RIGHT wheel so the K points to the same direction on both sides.

You can get overlays or black them out with vinyl or paint...problem solved.

 

[RogueIV]

You can get overlays or black them out with vinyl or paint...problem solved.

He's talking about the spokes

 

[StingertimeNC]

isn't that always the case with directional patterns? I prefer non directional though so haven't really thought about it before.

 

[Spyder168]

He's talking about the spokes

My mistake. Getting aftermarket wheels is an option? If it bothers you that much.

 

[JSolo]

^^See post #3

 

[MerlintheMad]

It bothers me. I noticed this the first time I saw those very cool new wheels: I had to get a left side and right side pic to make sure: yep, non directional, asymmetric. I would never put out an OE wheel that isn't symmetrical. I'm so OC about this one, that the two times the rear wheels were put on backwards (the spokes are chopping at the air instead of sliding through the air) I went back in and said to move the wheels to the opposite side, please, thank you: even if all four wheels were backwards, i.e., matched, if the spoke ends lead the spoke bases, that looks wrong to me, and I'd have them put on correctly.

 

[JSolo]

^^Wait, which wheels are you referring to "I went back in and said to move the wheels to the opposite side, please, thank you: even if all four wheels were backwards," ?

Is there a proper L/R side to the gt-line?

 

[MerlintheMad]

^^Wait, which wheels are you referring to "I went back in and said to move the wheels to the opposite side, please, thank you: even if all four wheels were backwards," ?

Is there a proper L/R side to the gt-line?

No, I am talking about my TSW "Watkins", sorry for the confusion: the "Watkins" are true directional wheels, which means that they properly cannot be moved even side to side.

 

[JSolo]

Got it! Ceramic silver? Nice to see some real rubber.. Michelin PSS?

Kia made a strange decision with the stock wheel choice. Given the condition of local roads around here, 19" would be harsh, esp once I replace the tires with something more perf oriented.

The sonata nline I test drove had 245/40/19 square. Ride was borderline too harsh, and that was in the suburbs. Would be worse yet in the city.

Just looked at the sonata nline wheels - 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line Trim | Hyundai USA , looks like another asymetric design with the same issue. Designs on crack!@?#

 

[Spyder168]

No, I am talking about my TSW "Watkins", sorry for the confusion: the "Watkins" are true directional wheels, which means that they properly cannot be moved even side to side.
View attachment 61667View attachment 61668

I have TSW also just not directional, pretty sure you've seen them already, I've also apparently already bent one, not sure yet they have to inspect it and possibly replace under warranty or go half with me for a new one. I was told they are a strong wheel so I don't know what I could have hit that would have done this damage? It's on the inside where there are no spokes, it has a noticeable hop to it but no damage to tire? I'm very careful not to hit big bumps or potholes, not sure what they will do? And the wheel is taking 4to 6 weeks to be delivered from TSW, Im not very happy about the whole thing. But America's Tire is going to help me out as much as possible as I've been a long time customer.

 

[RogueIV]

I'm very detail oriented but really couldn't care less about the wheels. I didn't even notice this because so long as wheels are all the same size, round, in balance, and damage free, that's all that matters. Someone pointed it out to me. Will I lose sleep over it, absolutely not. I asked the person what would I benefit by upgrading wheels.. Now tires, absolutely. Can't wait to get some michelin pilot sports on here (ps a/s 4).

One thing you'll lose is weight! the OEM wheel are fairly heavy compared to most aftermarket options and less rotating mass and unsprung weight is a good thing.

 

[JSolo]

^^Fair point. But how much weight are we talking vs cost. Is it really justifiable for a street vehicle......

 

[RM7]

Have no idea what this is about, but the OEM wheels above are now my winter wheels.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

I can barely notice it!

 

[MerlintheMad]

Got it! Ceramic silver? Nice to see some real rubber.. Michelin PSS?

Kia made a strange decision with the stock wheel choice. Given the condition of local roads around here, 19" would be harsh, esp once I replace the tires with something more perf oriented.

The sonata nline I test drove had 245/40/19 square. Ride was borderline too harsh, and that was in the suburbs. Would be worse yet in the city.

Just looked at the sonata nline wheels - 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line Trim | Hyundai USA , looks like another asymetric design with the same issue. Designs on crack!@?#

"Harshness" is a subjective judgment: I've found the sportiness and comfort of Michelin PS4(S) on 19" wheels to be satisfactory. When I am on a concrete, sectional road that satisfaction is pushed to breaking point: but I have to wonder if an extra 1" of sidewall would make a noticeable difference.

That Sonata wheel is turning in the correct direction on the driver's side: that's what I am talking about.

I have TSW also just not directional, pretty sure you've seen them already, I've also apparently already bent one, not sure yet they have to inspect it and possibly replace under warranty or go half with me for a new one. I was told they are a strong wheel so I don't know what I could have hit that would have done this damage? It's on the inside where there are no spokes, it has a noticeable hop to it but no damage to tire? I'm very careful not to hit big bumps or potholes, not sure what they will do? And the wheel is taking 4to 6 weeks to be delivered from TSW, Im not very happy about the whole thing. But America's Tire is going to help me out as much as possible as I've been a long time customer.View attachment 61669

That is a very pretty wheel alright (but looks like a bear to clean). Did this "hop" manifest after a while? Or was it there pretty much from the beginning?

 

[JSolo]

^^I ran the original PSS on my G37. Wonderful tires (albeit shorter life). I realized 95% of my driving did not need all that performance. Went with the A/S 3+ on the old car. Worked great. Never pushed them hard enough to squeal on corners. Will likely do the same on this one once the OE tires wear out. We get that white stuff here too. I really don't care for swapping wheels 2x a year any more if I can avoid it.