Considering the performance advantages of lighter wheels...

MarinJeff · 06-10-2010, 01:34 PM

Hello,

Well, my RFT, at 15k are starting to head to pasture. I am interested in trying out either the Star Specs or Hancock V12s. The question I have is, is there any real performance advantage to putting on lighter tires? It appears the GTS-Rs are roughly 7lbs each less than the stock wheels. Is the weight difference something you can feel or is it really mainly an aesthetic choice?

Thanks for your advice in advance. I haven't put on aftermarket wheels on a car since my beater 1971 Camaro from high school when my only criteria was "are they awesome?". Now, I want to more about the benefits.

Thanks,

Jeff

Gary@TireRack · 06-10-2010, 01:58 PM

The weight savings in the GTS-R was immediately noticeable to me. I was a bit shocked at how much difference I could feel. I didn't think it would be that big a deal.

NewYearsBoy · 06-10-2010, 02:53 PM

I want to put 19s on my car.... but I am starting to rethink it.. Is it that big of a difference...

FazerBoy · 06-10-2010, 03:05 PM

I've got Volk VRG2s and Michelin Pilot Sport 3s and there is definitely a benefit in acceleration and handling. It is not massive but it is noticeable when you first get in the car having made the change.

Like every mod though, it only takes a little while before it feels 'normal' and then you're looking for more!

Jack

infinitekidM2C · 06-10-2010, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoutnj89

I want to put 19s on my car.... but I am starting to rethink it.. Is it that big of a difference...

There are light 19" wheels but they are spensive...my Advans are 19 and 20 lbs (front and rear).

leesat · 06-10-2010, 04:06 PM

Well.. I'm not sure that makes any difference.But you know the difference when your are running with heavy shoes or light shoes.

NewYearsBoy · 06-11-2010, 10:15 AM

Ya how expensive??? 1G a wheel?? more?? any ideas for a good Company??

tgxmike · 06-11-2010, 11:50 AM

I changed my 128i to Hankook V12 (205/50) on 17's and the difference is really noticable. The tire grip is the biggest improvement. The suspension is also able to absorb more of the high frequency bumps now too. Low frequency still hurts a bit with the upgraded suspension. But at highway speeds the car is very pleasant to drive.

Problem I have now is I want wider tires, but no exta weight..... going to be hard to beat 42.4lb/corner...

wabbit · 06-11-2010, 01:55 PM

i did it once in my ex-120i and you can really fell the difference
soooo i would say .... DO IT

scott135i · 06-11-2010, 08:53 PM

I definitely noticed the difference in the lighter wheels and tires. I am running the Breyton GTS-Rs and Hankook V12s...

The difference is more felt in steering feel and handling, than it is felt in acceleration. Having said that, there is still an improvement in both areas that is noticeable.

To compare, I drove a fellow member's 135i (chesterfan1320) with the E93 M3 sway bar and OEM 164's w/ RFTs... The improvement in handling feel felt the same as the improvement the Breyton's offer without the upgraded sway bar... (not that each provide the same benefits, but rather that the overall improvement in handling and feel, felt the same)....

bradford · 06-12-2010, 02:01 PM

I would focus on getting the correct offset to maximize your tread width first, and then focus on weight.

sethchan · 06-25-2010, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leesat

Well.. I'm not sure that makes any difference.But you know the difference when your are running with heavy shoes or light shoes.

...divided up between 300 horses.

HPFREAK · 06-25-2010, 11:58 AM

I did not notice anything to be honest when I put the GTS-R's on. I did not even notice the weight diff between stock and the Breytons holding them in each hand. It could be because 25lbs vs 18lbs is nothing to me since I am Superman strong

I wanted to be able to weigh them but the tire shop did not have a scale and the wheels where shipped directly to them.

I do like the wheels though. Makes the car look a million times better.

Qbone · 06-25-2010, 06:05 PM

when i changed from OEM 17" to my 19" i felt big differance so now im waiting for a trackday set of wheels

timhatimay · 06-25-2010, 08:34 PM

Having recently put on lightweight wheels (17's) coming from the stock 261M's and conducting a few butt dynos and butt road courses (twisties) I can say there is a noticeable benefit. I weighed my wheels at just under 16 pounds in the front and about 16.5 pounds in the rear. I don't notice it so much in acceleration though. I feel a difference here, but it is subtle. I notice a major difference in the way the car handles. Bumps are taken much better and the wheels react to the road and inputs much better. Rough roads or mid-corner bumps disrupt the car much less than with the stock wheels. So as mentioned above, I feel the difference more in the handling and response of the car not so much the acceleration.

But 40 pounds may not sound like much on a big car, but the 40 pounds is unsprung weight and rotational mass. Both of these will have a more significant effect on suspension response or engine torque respectively, compared to just removing 40 pounds from the car. Getting proper offset and widths is important as well so you can run decent amount of tire in the front/rear as well.

Tim

spyderx · 06-25-2010, 11:48 PM

So, you went from stock 18 to aftermarket 17"?
I may just do that as well. I'll probably pickup a set of Enkei RPF1 wheels from Tirerack. They're super light, durable and cheap! It should help out soaking up bumps and take out those cowl shakes in my vert!

Lighter wheels should help in acceleration and stopping due to less rotational mass! I certainly felt it in my Evos...

IZAGLO · 06-26-2010, 08:15 PM

indeed you can feel the difference...On my last ride i changed out rims 3 times and i could feel the difference..especialyl with my Advans.Putting oversize rims and tires on a car generally results in poorer performance and speed...I am aggressivly looking at rims ATM and am on the Alufelgen GB and still wondering if going 19 is the right path....it's going against everything i have read on performance...oh well will see................

06-10-2010, 01:34 PM	#1
MarinJeff The Stig 4 Rep 43 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 iTrader: (0)	Considering the performance advantages of lighter wheels... Hello, Well, my RFT, at 15k are starting to head to pasture. I am interested in trying out either the Star Specs or Hancock V12s. The question I have is, is there any real performance advantage to putting on lighter tires? It appears the GTS-Rs are roughly 7lbs each less than the stock wheels. Is the weight difference something you can feel or is it really mainly an aesthetic choice? Thanks for your advice in advance. I haven't put on aftermarket wheels on a car since my beater 1971 Camaro from high school when my only criteria was "are they awesome?". Now, I want to more about the benefits. Thanks, Jeff __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Sport Pkg, Coral, Glacier, Ipod/USB, BMW Assist, BMW Performance Pedals Last edited by MarinJeff; 06-10-2010 at 03:13 PM..
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06-10-2010, 01:58 PM	#2
Gary@TireRack Moderator 369 Rep 4,745 Posts Drives: Formerly 1995 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Bend, IN, Tire Rack HQ iTrader: (2)	The weight savings in the GTS-R was immediately noticeable to me. I was a bit shocked at how much difference I could feel. I didn't think it would be that big a deal. __________________ Gary. Tire and Wheel Forum Moderator. Tire Rack Sales Rep Gary@Tirerack.com http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&url=index.jsp Please refer to 'Gary/E90 Post' as your previous contact when you order online to help support this forum.
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06-10-2010, 02:53 PM	#3
NewYearsBoy Colonel 68 Rep 2,352 Posts Drives: IS 300 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bradenton FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 135i M-Sport [0.00]	I want to put 19s on my car.... but I am starting to rethink it.. Is it that big of a difference... __________________ -------------------------------------------------------------- "Speed never killed anyone its very important to get that straight, Speed has never killed a soul. Suddenly becoming stationary thats what gets people." - Jeremy Clarkson
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06-10-2010, 03:05 PM	#4
FazerBoy Lieutenant 50 Rep 511 Posts Drives: BMW E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	I've got Volk VRG2s and Michelin Pilot Sport 3s and there is definitely a benefit in acceleration and handling. It is not massive but it is noticeable when you first get in the car having made the change. Like every mod though, it only takes a little while before it feels 'normal' and then you're looking for more! Jack
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06-10-2010, 04:06 PM	#6
leesat samuray 6 Rep 139 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: May 2010 Location: WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 M235i [0.00]	Well.. I'm not sure that makes any difference.But you know the difference when your are running with heavy shoes or light shoes.
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06-11-2010, 10:15 AM	#7
NewYearsBoy Colonel 68 Rep 2,352 Posts Drives: IS 300 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bradenton FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 135i M-Sport [0.00]	Ya how expensive??? 1G a wheel?? more?? any ideas for a good Company?? __________________ -------------------------------------------------------------- "Speed never killed anyone its very important to get that straight, Speed has never killed a soul. Suddenly becoming stationary thats what gets people." - Jeremy Clarkson
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06-11-2010, 11:50 AM	#8
tgxmike Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 293 Posts Drives: '21 M2C 6MT, '21 Charger Scat Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Boise, ID iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW M2 [0.00]	I changed my 128i to Hankook V12 (205/50) on 17's and the difference is really noticable. The tire grip is the biggest improvement. The suspension is also able to absorb more of the high frequency bumps now too. Low frequency still hurts a bit with the upgraded suspension. But at highway speeds the car is very pleasant to drive. Problem I have now is I want wider tires, but no exta weight..... going to be hard to beat 42.4lb/corner...
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06-11-2010, 01:55 PM	#9
wabbit wabbit! 41 Rep 225 Posts Drives: ///1M Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mexico iTrader: (1)	i did it once in my ex-120i and you can really fell the difference soooo i would say .... DO IT
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06-11-2010, 08:53 PM	#10
scott135i Colonel 356 Rep 2,080 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 M50i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NYC Metro iTrader: (12)	I definitely noticed the difference in the lighter wheels and tires. I am running the Breyton GTS-Rs and Hankook V12s... The difference is more felt in steering feel and handling, than it is felt in acceleration. Having said that, there is still an improvement in both areas that is noticeable. To compare, I drove a fellow member's 135i (chesterfan1320) with the E93 M3 sway bar and OEM 164's w/ RFTs... The improvement in handling feel felt the same as the improvement the Breyton's offer without the upgraded sway bar... (not that each provide the same benefits, but rather that the overall improvement in handling and feel, felt the same)....
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06-12-2010, 02:01 PM	#11
bradford Major 28 Rep 1,035 Posts Drives: 2008 SGM 135i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicago > * iTrader: (4)	I would focus on getting the correct offset to maximize your tread width first, and then focus on weight.
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06-25-2010, 11:58 AM	#13
HPFREAK Lieutenant Colonel 63 Rep 1,884 Posts Drives: C6 ZO6 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Socal iTrader: (8)	I did not notice anything to be honest when I put the GTS-R's on. I did not even notice the weight diff between stock and the Breytons holding them in each hand. It could be because 25lbs vs 18lbs is nothing to me since I am Superman strong I wanted to be able to weigh them but the tire shop did not have a scale and the wheels where shipped directly to them. I do like the wheels though. Makes the car look a million times better.
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06-25-2010, 06:05 PM	#14
Qbone Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 271 Posts Drives: BMW 320d Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Västervik iTrader: (0)	when i changed from OEM 17" to my 19" i felt big differance so now im waiting for a trackday set of wheels
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06-25-2010, 08:34 PM	#15
timhatimay Lieutenant 129 Rep 559 Posts Drives: ///M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 [0.00] 2009 135i [0.00]	Having recently put on lightweight wheels (17's) coming from the stock 261M's and conducting a few butt dynos and butt road courses (twisties) I can say there is a noticeable benefit. I weighed my wheels at just under 16 pounds in the front and about 16.5 pounds in the rear. I don't notice it so much in acceleration though. I feel a difference here, but it is subtle. I notice a major difference in the way the car handles. Bumps are taken much better and the wheels react to the road and inputs much better. Rough roads or mid-corner bumps disrupt the car much less than with the stock wheels. So as mentioned above, I feel the difference more in the handling and response of the car not so much the acceleration. But 40 pounds may not sound like much on a big car, but the 40 pounds is unsprung weight and rotational mass. Both of these will have a more significant effect on suspension response or engine torque respectively, compared to just removing 40 pounds from the car. Getting proper offset and widths is important as well so you can run decent amount of tire in the front/rear as well. Tim __________________ M3 6MT SmTo/CS ZCP 135i MT JB/CR ///MSport - Gone
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06-25-2010, 11:48 PM	#16
spyderx Private First Class 3 Rep 133 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	So, you went from stock 18 to aftermarket 17"? I may just do that as well. I'll probably pickup a set of Enkei RPF1 wheels from Tirerack. They're super light, durable and cheap! It should help out soaking up bumps and take out those cowl shakes in my vert! Lighter wheels should help in acceleration and stopping due to less rotational mass! I certainly felt it in my Evos... Last edited by spyderx; 06-26-2010 at 12:35 AM..
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06-26-2010, 08:15 PM	#17
IZAGLO Mbira 30 Rep 1,011 Posts Drives: Sedonna Red 09 135i SOLD Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Garage cleaning Brake Dust iTrader: (3)	indeed you can feel the difference...On my last ride i changed out rims 3 times and i could feel the difference..especialyl with my Advans.Putting oversize rims and tires on a car generally results in poorer performance and speed...I am aggressivly looking at rims ATM and am on the Alufelgen GB and still wondering if going 19 is the right path....it's going against everything i have read on performance...oh well will see................
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