post by: Alex
Martini
date: 01/25/2024
We’re back and we’re talking Konig Wheels – the holy grail when it comes to people who ask “what are some good wheels that aren’t too expensive?”. These babies are known for two things: getting absolutely blasted on track by anyone with an adrenaline issue or their overbearing amount of product placement in the first 3 Fast and Furious movies; there’s no in-between.Â
Browse Konig Wheels Here (if you want, we’re not going to judge you)
TL;DR Version of this Article: So, are Konig Wheels a good investment? That’s why you’re here, right? While some people believe that not all designs under the Konig name are “original” they do in fact have a high % of originally designed wheels. Authenticity is a key thing for them, and their quality is second to none. You won’t find anyone complaining about abusing these wheels and them falling apart. They’re built to last, light as hell, have a more functional look to them and don’t cost a fortune. They work great on S-Chassis, Z chassis, or cars with a 5×114.3 bolt pattern and overall “functional” look or purpose. And lucky for you, MartiniWorks is a proud dealer of Konig Wheels, so you can get your hands on a set of these bad boys in no time. Ready to read the whole article? Great, let’s go.Â
Are you a car enthusiast looking to upgrade your ride? Look no further than Konig Wheels. With a long history of producing high-quality, stylish wheels, Konig has solidified its place as a top choice for automotive enthusiasts everywhere. Whether you’re looking to improve the performance or appearance of your vehicle, Konig has the perfect wheels for your needs. Read on to learn about the history of Konig Wheels and why they’re a go-to option for car modders.
Konig and was founded in the 1980s as a response to the high prices of aftermarket wheels and lack of supply that was in the United States from their parent company Pan Mar. They had the goal of creating more affordable wheels without sacrificing quality or style. While most wheel companies at the time were located in Japan or Germany for the tuner platform, Konig was one of the first companies to offer tuner and domestic wheels to the United States audience that was built right here; in America.
Over the first couple decades they grew from the domestic audience into the tuner cars. Cars like the Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon, Datsun 280ZX, Nissan 300ZX, and others were found with Konig Wheels versus their OEM counterparts.Â
Konig Wheels, a well-known name in the aftermarket wheel industry, has seen significant expansion and growth since being acquired by YHI International, a distributor based in Singapore. Under the new ownership, Konig Wheels has successfully entered new markets, added new wheels and manufacturing tech, and improved their quality control tremendously.Â
Konig Wheels has been a brand that over the last few years has grown into a grassroots “just do it” wheel brand. From their flow-formed lineup like the Dekagram or Ampliform, they’ve found a way to capitalize on making wheels for people that use their car. From their 15″-19″ lineup, their wheel weights are competitive, if not lighter than Enkei Wheels and often beat any wheel that’s manufactured from China.Â
Over time, Aftermarket wheel brands have tried to copy Konig Wheels approach of affordability and fitments, but no one has seemed to take the “best bang for buck wheels” trophy from them yet, and we think that’s a good thing.
Flow forming technology is the secret behind Konig Wheels’ success. This process involves the use of rotary forging to create wheels that are not only stronger, but also lighter in weight. The process starts with a cast wheel that is then heated and spun while steel rollers press against the rim area to pull the rim to its final width and shape. This results in a dense, sturdy wheel that is able to withstand the demands of the road while enhancing the overall performance of the car. Imagine a forged barrel with a cast face. Simple enough.
With flow forming technology, Konig Wheels are able to produce wheels that are stronger and lighter compared to traditional cast wheels. Now you’ll hear tons of brands offer flow-forming technology in a different way. Rotary forged, flow formed, dry forged formed, you get the drill. The thing is, if it’s made in China it’s all the same. Most rotary forging machines will only rotary forge a portion of the barrel; Konig rotary forges the entirety of the barrel; meaning the weight savings is maximized.Â
The combination of strength that comes from the forged barrel, along with the decades of track experience from their driver program means that each new wheel features something new to make it easier for the next owner. Here are some examples:
Konig features the Konig Forged, Hypertrail, Flow Formed, and Main Line Wheel models. Maxxim is another line, but they’re not as well received as the others. Just be honest, we love our Konig guys, but the Maxxim Ferris makes me think Sears 2011 and that’s not a good thing.
The most popular Konig Wheels seem to be the Ultragram, a new 7 spoke wheel from 2023, the Ampliform, a split 6 spoke style with a recessed lip, and the Hypergram, a windowed six spoke design with an even more aggressive lip. What you’ll find in all their wheels like the Dial-In, Rennform, Hexaform, or even Countergram is a design element of convex styling on the spokes with a recessed lip which gives the wheel a functional look. Well that, and Konig has like a billion finishes that people love.Â
Watch us unbox a Konig Heliogram below..
Konig Wheels can be broken down into 3 primary reasons for their success:
1. Sizing | They have the best size range with the most bolt pattern fitments out there for under $1,400 (set of four). As one of the few brands that still support the 15″ wheel crowd, their 15×7 / 15×8 wheels are a huge hit for the small hot hatch / vert community.Â
2. Pricing | You are getting the best value per dollar with Konig. We’re not bs’ing you; it’s hard to beat Konig’s. They’re light, they fit, they have great QA, and they are loved by motorsport enthusiasts. Sure, the styles aren’t meant for bigger cars and they don’t do 3 piece stuff, but they’re built to survive and that’s rad.Â
3. Supported |Â We know Scott and the Konig team. If there’s something they’re good at, it’s supporting the audience. I’ve watched these guys help out teams, grassroots drivers, and even myself work out an issue with their wheels without every trying to blame me. They own and love this world; and their wheels are a result of that. They aren’t peddling crummy wheels, this stuff is legit good.Â
Konig offers bolt patterns in the common sizes of 5×114.3 and 4×100, making it easy to find a suitable option for most vehicles.Â
At Konig Wheels, we pride ourselves on offering quality wheels for a wide range of vehicles. However, they do have some limitations when it comes to variety and customization. They don’t offer support for specific custom finishes. They don’t directly sell to consumers (gotta get em through us).
They’re also an affordable wheel option, which makes people think they’re bad. Not sure how that works. Cost doesn’t equal real wheel; and just because they’re affordable doesn’t mean it’s a cheap rep wheel brand. Konig does some awesome things to keep their wheel easy to use, easy to install, and easy to keep looking good.Â
So what’s the Verdict?Â
Konig Wheels are an easy go-to if you’re looking for a wheel that can get the job done, looks good, and won’t break the bank. They aren’t your brand if you’re looking for something flashy, have massive lips, or come in a 3 piece wheel configuration.Â
They’re best suited for people who need 15, 17 and 18-inch diameters wheels and want to focus their build time around driving.Â
Got a question? Let us know below. Looking for Konig Wheels? That’s our stuff and guess what, if you still need help we’re more than happy to help walk you through the process too. After all, we give a sh*t.Â
Shop Konig Wheels at MartiniWorks here!
