Collector's disdain for the Trap5 wheels, and the need for new Hot Wheels basic wheels...

This seems to be the consensus:

Someone posts on IG or Facebook a pic of a new Hot Wheels model.  People might love the model, but if it is sporting Trap5 wheels, that qualification will emerge.  "Wish it had different wheels."  "Who decided on those?"  "Why ruin something so cool with those round abominations?"

It seems that since the Trap5 wheels were unveiled as an alternative Faster Than Ever wheel a few years ago, there has been little love for them.  In fact, I can't remember any occasion I have seen a "those wheels look perfect on that!" comment with the Trap5s.

So now seems a good time to ask what about the Trap5 wheels makes collectors cringe.  Hot Wheels Batch M has two very nice releases that are sporting the Pizza Wheels, the BMW M4 and the Renault Sport RS.  Both are recolors, and both sported the Trap5s in their earlier 2016 releases as well.

And frankly, to me, both models look fantastic.  I am not saying they look good BECAUSE of the wheels, I am just saying both models look nice to matter what wheels they sit on.  A lot has to do with the quality of the castings, and the detail in the deco (the white Bimmer with front and rear tampo is gorgeous), but the wheels don't seem to detract.  I would argue the Trap5s look a lot like the actual wheels Renault uses on the Sport RS, so I am pretty happy in that case.

The Renault may be the exception, so maybe there are better wheel options for models like the BMW.

But are there?

Maybe this opens up a bigger issue.  Let's get into super geek mode and talk about wheels.  Hot Wheels has an amazing array with Real Rider wheels, including the brand new 4-spoke wheels that debuted in the Japan Historics line.  But basic wheels leave A LOT to be desired.

Go across the hall to Matchbox, and while they don't have as many basic wheel options, they are far superior to Hot Wheels.  On a classic car, Matchbox has the option of disk hubcap and trispoke wheels.  On a new contemporary car, there are the double-10 spokes and the tremendous 5-spokes (my favorite basic wheel).  Of course they have a slew of off-road and utility options as well.  Think if the Hot Wheels BMW M4 sported these wheels:

Instead of these:

White cars look amazing on dark or black rims, and that is why I am ok with the Trap5 wheels here.  But the Matchbox 5-spokes would be far more realistic.

So Hot Wheels, maybe take some of that brilliance on developing the Real Riders and apply them to a new batch of basic wheels.  You need them badly.

In fact, if can put the Matchbox 5-spokes on almost any of the Hot Wheels contemporary models, how good would they look?  BMW E30?  R34 Skyline?  Porsche 911?  Maybe Hot Wheels can borrow a few of those wheels and try them out on some castings.  Just go ask.  Or maybe do the "Hey look!  A spider!" trick and grab a few while they flee in horror.

All that said, that BMW is pretty badass in white.  One of my favorite models this year.  Same with the Renault.

It just might be time for new wheels...

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The fabulous Matchbox BMW 1M continues its stellar run in gold...

Thank goodness for the BMW 1M...

During those darker days at Matchbox a couple of years ago (they weren't as dark as people think, but that is an article for another time), the BMW emerged as a New Model and has been a collector fave since.

It was such a surprise choice for a model.  BMW's are always welcome, but instead of another 3 or 5 Series, Matchbox chose to do what will surely be a future classic.  The 1 Series was short lived, the M version was made in super low numbers, but it was widely praised as a home run by BMW.  And I think among the car nerds it will always be considered a gem.

That is why having a Matchbox version is so cool, and one of the reasons the BMW 1M is one of my all-time favorite Matchbox models.  And I know I am not alone in that.

And when I love a casting, I love seeing it being used.  A lot.  The 1M - or M1 as BMW requested it be called for a time, confusing everyone - has been in the basic range every year since its debut.  We have also seen it as a Convention Exclusive in Germany (in a CSL Racing homage deco) and a Best of World model.  There is a rumor of another version in the works as well.  More on that later.

The 2016 basic range is no exception.  Later this year, in Batch M, the 1M will reemerge in gold.  And not surprisingly, it looks great.

The 1M returns to the 10-spoke wheels after a foray on the 6-spokes last year and 2-piece wheels for Best of.  The 10-spokes are the appropriate wheels I think, although I have a hankering for the 5-spokes on this one, maybe black with a white body?  Hmmmm I might have to harass the team about that.

Nonetheless, nice to see the 1M in its standard place in the range.  Here's hoping it continues...

All six so far:

And as a bonus, the prototype:

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It's no Japan Historics, but the Hot Wheels Euro Style is no slouch either...

Find Hot Wheels Euro Style at Wheel Collectors...

There are two major questions about the next batch of the Hot Wheels Car Culture Series.

The first question is whether or not Euro Style, or any future Car Culture batch for that matter, can achieve the level of interest that the Japan Historics have commanded.

I think it is safe to say no.  The Japan Historics are exactly that - historic.  The set might be the pinnacle of the JDM craze with Hot Wheels.  Five signature models, all iconic in their own right, all in liveries that are very much Japan.  Add to that a fantastic new model and the debut of a new Real Rider wheel that might be as special to collectors as the models themselves.

Euro Style has a few of the same aspects.  It debuts a new model, the Golf MK7, and it also debuts a new Real Rider wheel.  But the casting choices aren't as exciting, and neither are the decos.  But I still think the set merits attention.

That leads to question #2.  What about those new wheels?

Frankly, I don't have an answer.  There are some Real Riders I really dislike, and there are some I really love, but I don't know what to make with these.  I don't know what the official name is for these wheels, so let's call them Lace Real Riders.  When I first saw them I had mixed feelings, and now that I have them in hand I still do.

At first glance they look like new basic wheels.  There is no depth to the actual wheel, and it looks like a slightly better J5 wheel.  They just don't look as real as other Real Riders.

In hand, that concern remains, although I like them better then when I first saw them.  They look good on a few of these, namely the Porsche 993 and BMW E30 M3, and the Fiat to a lesser extent.  But they don't work as well on the Golf.  So honestly, the jury is still out on these wheels as more models are released with them.

There are other interesting elements to this set, and let's just bullet-point through them:

• My favorite model in this set is a toss-up between the E30 BMW and Porsche 993, with a slight nod to the M3.  The wheels look best with black spokes and the police theme is cool.
• There is a difference between "favorite" and "best", and the best model of the set is without-a-doubt, at least to me, the Fiat.  Great design, love the white rims, and front and rear tampo.
• The Euro Style makes the lack of front and rear tampos on these models more glaring.  As great as the Japan Historics are, it is a real bummer that this premium set, the best in years, doesn't get the full premium treatment.  It doesn't look as bad on the JH, but on the 911 and 993 it is bad.
• Something is off with the 911 GT3.  That metal spoiler is too thick, and the wheels don't work as well as others might.  
• Same goes for the Golf.  No head light or tail light tampos really hurts this one, as well as the lack of that supercool red trimmed grill.  The casting looks great, but the wheels seem to big as well.  Strange to say, but I am looking forward to a future basic range version to get a better sense of the casting.  I am very glad it is stock.

All in all, there is no doubt this set will be a little easier to find than JH once it hits the pegs in the US in July. I have heard they hang a little longer in Canada, where they have been out for a few weeks.

But don't underestimate this set.  Car Culture is an amazing line, and I plan on collecting all the models...

(Find Hot Wheels Euro Style at Wheel Collectors...)

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