Just wonder if people can advise on who, which wheel makers, makes the best quality, lightest, and the most durable wheels. I am looking for a set of 18s that is light and least likely to bent. All your advice is greatly appreciated.

 

Why are people so concerned about how light the freaking wheels are? Is there really that much of a noticeable difference?

I might be wrong but maybe for an F1 car it would matter, but not a G35..... All I hear people talking about is "My wheel is so light ~~~~~XXOOXOOO~~~~~"

 

Wheels are unsprung weight. If you're actually racing the car, it is a big deal. The stock sport 17" rims for the sedan are 22lbs each. A good quality forged aftermarket rim is around 16lbs. Multiply by 4 wheels, and you have nearly 25lbs. Now, 25lbs from the inside of the car helps, but not a great deal. The wheels, however, are unsprung weight. I'm not sure exactly why, but it has something to do with physics.. there's less mass for the suspension to react with. Plus, the wheels spin.. the engine spins them up, and the brakes slow them down.. less weight, less rotational inertia, less force needed to do the job. I've heard it said that unsprung weight is about as good as 4 times as much weight reduced from the interior of the car.. so that 25lbs would equate to about a 100lb drop in sprung weight.

It doesn't matter if you have an F1 car or a Geo Metro.. it matters how you drive it. If you drive it aggressively, take it to the track, or autocross it.. then it matters. If you just cruise around town and want it to look good, then no.. the weight is not that big of a deal.

And to answer the first question.. I don't think brand is as big of a deal as making sure it's a forged rim. That will give you a stronger, lighter (and more expensive) rim. The cheap rims use gravity casting.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

ryoken,

Do you know if Giovanna wheels are forged or cast? The Genoa model in particular.

Thanks,

amG35
2003 Silver Sedan

 

Giovannas are Casted and VERY heavy but look nice.

And to answer the first question, the best stuff is made in Mexico j/k =P There are A LOT of manufacturers that make great quality rims....

- Don't argue with idiots. They will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.=P-

 

Come on, it's not that I race or something. I just want to spend my money wisely when looking for a set of 18 wheels. Because the 18 inch AMG wheels on my E is so fragile that I actually had bent the two front ones twice, ending up replacing four front wheels. Very costly. Very annoying the grinding sound when you got bent wheels. That is the reason why I have to look for the lightest and most durable ones for my G, so I don't end up replacing wheels too many times. So quality does matter. Are there any european brands or geniue Japanese brands that make forged wheels?? Thank you. Thank you.

<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by GGGGGGGG on 10/11/03 11:40 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

I would go for Volk Racing they make some of the best aftermarket wheels out there. Light and durable and well balance but very expensive.

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There are plenty Japanese and Euro rims that are forged.

VOLK
Gram Lights
HRE
WORK
Carrozzeria
BBS
SSR
Some Enkeis
OZ
iForged

List can go on....


- Don't argue with idiots. They will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.=P-

 

In addition to the ones listed above, if you can get your hands on some JDM Kosei wheels, those are pretty light and durable. Maybe not as light as some of the Volks though.

 

Volks make the best IMO

 

Also, don't assume that just because those brands make the rims, that they're forged. Every brand (mostly) also has their economy rims that they sell for less. Make sure you look up the technical specs on a particular model before you buy. [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

hands down, volks IMO..

jus picked them up this weekend

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Liu69,

which one did you pick up?

btw, check out Nismo rim ( also volks). If you really into light weight rim, check out Gram Lights (also volks) and Racing Hart.

g35mt

 

i got 18" TE37 in mercury silver w/ s03s.. can't wait to get them mounted..

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I have my reservation about SO3
Too hard and resulting too harsh of ride.