In late 2006 I bought 4 iForged Retros for my MB GL450. I had already purchased a set of iForged Aeros for my Viper.

In May 2007 I noticed one of the Retros had three cracks in the chrome. The cracks were located where the spokes met the barrel.

I took pictures and had them sent to the owner of iforged through my retailer (WOTM). IForged agreed to repair the defect under warranty. At the same time, I sent a 2nd rim back for repair due to some mild driver induced curb rash.

The rims were returned within 3 weeks in excellent condition. But... the rim with the curb rash came with a bill of $500 for a new barrel! - which iForged never informed me about, they simply replaced it instead of refinishing it (which is what I had in mind). Oh well. I chalked that one up to experience and my own ignorance or stupidity.

During this time (for a month or so), I had the stock rims and tires on my GL450. So, I proceed to get tires remounted on the repaired iforged rims. Upon getting ready to switch out the stock rims again, much to my dismay, I find that one of the iforged rims that has been sitting unused in my garage now has one of the exact same cracks!

I then had that tire dismounted and sent this rim in for repair in June 2007. After badgering my retailer for a return date, he tells me the owner is refusing to repair this rim under warranty, saying that I am using a cleaner that is damaging the rim. WTF?! I use nothing but P21S on my rims, and have for 20 years. No other rim that I have owned (many many sets of chrome including Momo (2 sets), Altstadt, Antera to name a few) have ever cracked or been damaged. Furthermore, the last one cracked without ever being washed, since it was sitting in my garage. And anyway, a cleaner would never crack chrome - it would cause pitting or discoloration!

I finally spoke to Vince at iForged the 1st week of July after having left him several unanswered messages. I explained that this is the same defect that was just covered by warranty, but a different rim. He told me it was out of his hands, as the wheel was at the chromer. He was very upset that I would call him directly (I got the number on the website). He stated he only deals with wholesalers and “doesn’t need to be bothered with customers”.

After relaying this to my retailer, he spoke with Vince and assured me that it would be taken care of under warranty.

Finally, August rolls around and I am getting more impatient. Numerous calls and emails to iforged by my retailer get the same response: it’s being worked on, can’t give you a date.

I am fed up. I spoke with the retailer on Monday August 13 and was told no date yet, as he had just spoken to Vince that AM. At this point I offered to pay, just to stop the stupid and annoying game of passive-agressiveness that iforged was playing. Lo and behold, Ryan at WOTM calls me later that afternoon and states the rim is on it’s way back, and the cost is $100 plus shipping. So... it turns out that Vince is an arrogant bastard that was holding my rim for 2 whole months until I agreed to pay!

BUT WAIT! - it gets better! The rim arrives on 8/16/07. I pick it up at the retailer still in the unopened box. I open the box up when I get home, and what should I find??? Yes, it’s my rim all right - WITH THE SAME GODDAMN CRACK IN IT THAT I JUST PAID $140 TO HAVE REPAIRED!

Not only does the quality of iForged pale in comparison to other rims, the owner is so lame that he won’t honor his own warranty. They are deceitful, money-grubbing, arrogant pricks - which is putting it mildly. I will NEVER AGAIN waste another dime on an iForged product.

WAIT some more!  I'm not done!  After going through this BS with my iForged Retros, it made me take some time to think about the iForged Aeros I have on my Viper.  They looked great (awesome, in fact) initially, but after being on the car for 1 year, I noticed that over time they have developed swirl marks and dullness on the dishes of all four rims.  After closer inspection and consultation with some wheel experts, I have come to the conclusion that I was screwed on these rims as well.  I paid for "full chrome" (it's on my iforged receipt) on these rims, but the outer dish is polished, rather than chrome.  Chrome doesn't scratch or dull like polished rims do, and there is absolutely no swirling or dullness on the center part of the rims.  Another dishonest deal!  That leaves me wondering what to do... I will NOT send them back to iForged, as they are way too lame.  I did take it up with my retailer for a refund on the "full chrome" that is stated on my invoice, and he refunded me a whopping $75 per rim. He looked at the wheels and immediately agreed that they were not the chrome I had paid for.

The moral of the story: You get what you pay for. Spend the extra coin for a better brand, and do your research. It will be well worth it in the long run.

Update January, 2008:  I am now planning to sell the Aeros, if I can find a buyer.  The thought of leaving rims from a dishonest company on my car annoys me.  Maybe someone else will appreciate them though...

Update March 2008:  Sold the iForged aeros "as is" for half of what I paid for them.  Yea!!!  New rims on the way from Jon B at Partsrack - Forgeline SO3P, this time in full chrome!  My Iforged Retros are still cracked, but on the truck anyway...