Product Review: ADV5.1 Wheel
Wheels Boutique takes a look at the new "Five One"

So we got our hands on a set of 5.1's or as I like to call it, "The Five One". I figured it would be a good idea to really analyze it, and share a detailed review with everyone. I deal with wheels all day, think about this for a second - Wheels are my full time job, I literally have nightmares about wheels! But I can really appreciate a wheel like this, it's not just a thoughtless copy of someone elses wheel, the subtle details and angles that most people overlook is what really sets these aside. Wheel design is in reality an art form, it's a metal sculpture. It's rare that a wheel looks visually perfect from every angle, the profile, shape of the spokes, even the angle and curvature designed around the lug bolt holes. All these little details are what makes a wheel look good, and sometimes you don't know why it looks good - it just does, well this is an example of that. These guys put some thought and talent into the ADV.1 wheel designs, no question about it.

Wheels don't only need to look good though, they need to perform and last. In this business you have manufacturing by random machine shops who buy metal, and cut wheels with no real experience or engineering which we see every day. You also have machining like this, real machining which only a few companies utilize. Each wheel is individually engineered, understand what that means - example: an ADV5.1 20x12 wheel for a Porsche Turbo is designed from scratch for that car only. Then a 20x12 adv5.1 for a Gallardo is entirely different, every single angle, profile, and ball cut completely different and only for that car. In other words, an entirely new design for each individual car, diameter, offset, width and style. Pure custom machined wheels, no shortcuts, completely not cost effective, not efficient, but in every way a truly perfect wheel for enthusiast.

Besides all that, the finish is spotless. Beautiful brush work on the aluminum and perfect powder coating throughout the entire wheel. The pictures speak for themselves.

So this is the 20" ADV5.1 (5 spoke / 1 piece) in a brushed aluminum finish. I analyzed 3 wheels, without any warning I showed up at ADV.1 found the first set in the warehouse and went to town, here are the results.

20x8.5 - looked like a Mercedes fitment:
weight 23.5 lbs.

20x11 - Mercedes also, maybe SL or CLS.
weight 26.6 lbs.

20x13 - LP640, Z06 or Ford GT, not sure but I think Fgt.
weight 29.6 lbs.





Notice below, the individual profile depths of each wheel. Alot of you may not understand this, but it's much faster and cost effective to use the same, semi flat profile with a taller or shorter pad to determine the offset. These guys probably have 3 different blank forging monoblocks for each size / diameter. The depth of the wheel or newly invented word "concavity" lol is what determines the offset! The deeper the center, the lower the offset which means the most aggressive depth possible on each car! Completely stupid on their part from a business prospective but WOW, I love it. Some deeeeeep pockets are needed to do something like that - these forgings aren't cheap and they've got every diameter, in almost every width in 1/2" increments, and on top of that multiple profiles for each width! We're talking 24, maybe 48+ pieces at a time to make these things, so multiply 18"-23" diameters in almost every width from 8.5"-13", and then triple it for all the different profiles!!! Ummm, yes please. I guess being on the inside I can appreciate this kind of stuff...




Here's a shot of a pocket cut back pad to save some weight, no biggie lot's of guys do it - but still cool, an extra detail:




Close up shot of the flawless brushed finish throughout. Even the clear coat is smooth as glass.




Notice the shape, clean lines, real simple no goofy shapes or trendy gimmicks. Less is more with these, but somehow they look complete and perfect even though they're plain and simple. It's hard to explain, but you guys know what I mean :bow1:





And my last shot, a nice example of quality machining and a clean finish. You know it's done right when a lug bolt hole looks like miniature wheel painter elves climbed in there and painted it by hand

 

Amazing consistency! One of our absolute best sellers!

 

Second that! ADV1 is and has been a great company to work with.

 

Awesome write up!

 

Great write up! Keep it up J!

 

I like : ) thanks guys!!!