Some good advice needed on wheels....
11-27-2006, 04:08 PM
#1
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Some good advice needed on wheels....
As some of you might know, I've been really trying to find a good set of aftermarket wheels for the R. Winter tires will go on stock wheels. My primary goal for aftermarket wheels is WEIGHT REDUCTION. I actually love the look of the stock wheels so that's not the real issue. I'm staying with stock brakes, stock tire size, so those aren't factors either.
Now....my real question is: will the 6-7lbs of unsprung weight that an aftermarket forged wheel will save really make a difference in the handling and feel of this car. For a 19x9 wheel, 27 lbs isn't that bad, and with this much overall power, will a 20-21lb wheel really feel that much different? If the answer is "no", I'm seriously considering getting a second set of stock wheels. Any input, help appreciated.
Now....my real question is: will the 6-7lbs of unsprung weight that an aftermarket forged wheel will save really make a difference in the handling and feel of this car. For a 19x9 wheel, 27 lbs isn't that bad, and with this much overall power, will a 20-21lb wheel really feel that much different? If the answer is "no", I'm seriously considering getting a second set of stock wheels. Any input, help appreciated.
11-27-2006, 05:47 PM
#2
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Yes, you can totally feel the difference. The car will feel much lighter and more agile, not to.....
mention you should be able to feel the road more with less unsprung weight.
11-27-2006, 06:36 PM
#3
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Some more real world experience...
Vijay:
I had two sets of wheels on my M3. When the car was mostly stock, I was rocking a set of OZ SUperLeggera 3 piece wheels. Super lightweight, car was very nimble.
WHen I slapped on some 20 inch super wide HRE 3 piece bastards, the car was totally different...slower, didn't handle as well, turn in was more difficult, oversteer was more pronounced.
The weight difference was 11 lbs per wheel, IIRC.
Hope that helps.
I had two sets of wheels on my M3. When the car was mostly stock, I was rocking a set of OZ SUperLeggera 3 piece wheels. Super lightweight, car was very nimble.
WHen I slapped on some 20 inch super wide HRE 3 piece bastards, the car was totally different...slower, didn't handle as well, turn in was more difficult, oversteer was more pronounced.
The weight difference was 11 lbs per wheel, IIRC.
Hope that helps.
11-27-2006, 08:30 PM
#4
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I don't think it will be an enormous difference... [edit]
The difference is probably noticeable but not enormous in daily driving. Finding a 20-21 lbs wheel that will hold up to daily driving on most US roads at a reasonable cost is somewhat difficult. Of course "reasonable cost" is up to you to define.
You wikl notice a few pounds of unsprung weight at the track, but in daily driving I don't think you do as much. It really depends on how you plan to use your RS4. Other may disagree but please realize most of us have not tried 21 lb wheels on our RS4's to know for certain.
You wikl notice a few pounds of unsprung weight at the track, but in daily driving I don't think you do as much. It really depends on how you plan to use your RS4. Other may disagree but please realize most of us have not tried 21 lb wheels on our RS4's to know for certain.
11-28-2006, 04:33 AM
#6
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IMHO, I think it does makes a difference. However how you drive your car and how you feel it...
Will determine how good of an investment you have made.
Assuming a 10 lbs saving per wheel you should be able no notice the car (its suspension) react better and faster without the burden of extra pounds being forced up and down as the suspension tries to control and soak up the bumps.
Also the rotational mass is lowered helping you accelerate and decelerate faster.
Assuming a 10 lbs saving per wheel you should be able no notice the car (its suspension) react better and faster without the burden of extra pounds being forced up and down as the suspension tries to control and soak up the bumps.
Also the rotational mass is lowered helping you accelerate and decelerate faster.
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11-28-2006, 05:29 AM
#8
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27lbs each, as I originally mentioned.
A good forged wheel in stock size should come in at 20-21 lbs. I guess there really hasn't been enough experience with lighter aftermarket wheels yet on this car. I think I am going to take the plunge. Wheels will be about $1k each. As things look right now, I'll be checking out the I-forged Daytona- very similar in design to the stock wheel, The I-forged Sprint, the Volk ProgressiveME (my top choice, so far)as well as the OZ Superleggera III. I will call BBS directly about their fitments today and post what I discover.
11-28-2006, 07:15 AM
#9
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if you can save close to 10 lbs per corner.....you will def feel a difference
say if you went to a 19-20 lb forged Volk LE-37 wheel. Light and Strong.....you will feel a diff if you can save close to that
11-28-2006, 02:28 PM
#10
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I seem to recall a few people on the B6 S4 forum having problems with I-forged.
Could be mistaken but a search wouldn't hurt (assuming that the search feature is working today)
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