My car originally came with 18" Chrome Venators as factory. I've attached pics of my S80 with the Chrome Venators, and the "Tech Black" Bors for comparison. I still haven't decided which I like better. I do think the chrome wheels look great on the Ember Black car with all of the chrome trim, but I also like the bigger 19" Bor wheels with the darker look. I think the car was more "flashy" with the Venators, but it looks meaner with the Bors. I got the Bors because I am trying to keep my S80 looking newer as the body style ages, so I'm always trying to add the newer features as Volvo adds them. I'd love to hear others opinions as to which wheels you prefer and why.
I have chrome venators on my S80 as well and as much as I agree 19" is a better fit aesthetically I think the venators as more stylish; more "clean". As for the flashy bit, I honestly think chrome rims in general are borderline tacky but venators somehow pull it off (the non-chrome venators are actually pretty boring). Admittedly I have been debating switching to either zubras or balius as I think they're even more clean in looks but venators are venators and for a volvo I do get a lot of looks.
I completely agree with your thoughts on chrome wheels. I bought this car on a bit of a whim without seeing it in person first. I know that sounds silly, but I have a car dealer, and placed a bid for the car through an online dealer-only auction site and won the car. I didn't expect to win it because my bid was so low. At any rate, when I saw that it had Chrome wheels in the pictures of it, I expected to want to replace them immediately. I've always thought chrome wheels were very tacky and cheap looking. Somehow the Venators make it work on this car. I agree that the non-chrome Venators are quite boring.
It's amazing how much of a difference wheels make in the look of he car. When I had the Venators, more people noticed my car and asked me about it. However, I do think it looks more modern with the darker 19" wheels. It's more subtle, though. I have plenty of Venators that I could put a set on the car whenever I like, but I do like the look of the Bors. I think of the Bors didn't have the diamond cut portion, I would have no interest in them. It's the flash of silver on them that makes them look just right.
Having gone through the pictures a third time I think I know why I prefer the venators. It's because I don't think black bors are necessarily right for this car. As much as I do like the black+chrome thing, it's consistent all on the outside. Lots of black car and a lot of small chrome trims, inserts and stuff. Wouldn't change that but I think brighter rims would be a better fit much like I think these black bors would look better on a brighter color car.
I have the chrome Venators and that was precisely what made me want the car. Euro cars very rarely have chrome wheels and it just spoke to me simply because I knew it had to be a rare option. Turns out I was right because in the years that I've had my 2007, I have yet to come across another set on an S80 or any other Volvo. As a result, i get a ton of double takes. Granted I'm from the Detroit area where chrome rules but you have to admit the chrome is unique. I like your Bors also, but because every automaker is doing the black/silver/grey look, it kind of blends. It does give it a modern look though.
Hey tell me about those tailpipes though. I may want to copy that look.
I have the chrome Venators and that was precisely what made me want the car. Euro cars very rarely have chrome wheels and it just spoke to me simply because I knew it had to be a rare option. Turns out I was right because in the years that I've had my 2007, I have yet to come across another set on an S80 or any other Volvo. As a result, i get a ton of double takes. Granted I'm from the Detroit area where chrome rules but you have to admit the chrome is unique. I like your Bors also, but because every automaker is doing the black/silver/grey look, it kind of blends. It does give it a modern look though.
Hey tell me about those tailpipes though. I may want to copy that look.
Bors all the way. Only thing id take my Heicos off for!
(except for maybe those crazy v60 polestar wheels)
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