Lightest Wheels/tires with correct offsets

[Duckman]

Over the winter I am putting my "fat" goat on a diet. This is a daily driver and ride is important. I am thinking 18s.....I dont think NYC potholes will tolerate anything bigger. My overall goal is to get the car down to less then 3500. Is it possible to lose 40lbs changing wheels and tires? I have been looking for for 18x 8 wheels with 48/50 offsets and rears 18x9 with 48/51 offsets. I can live with hub rings if i must. Thoughts.....thanks

[Dan00Hawk]

Here's the info I had when I ordered my Privat Profils:

Getting them from Discount Tire along with a set of Falken's.
18x8.5 5-120 40 for the wheels. $199 each. 22.5 lbs each (stock 26 lbs).
Falken ZE 512 245/40/18 for the tires. $123 each. 23.8 lbs each (stock 27.5 lbs)
Along with Gorilla lugs, hubrings and shipping, Total cost puts everything at $1402.00. Not too bad for a good upgrade.

Should be here in two weeks, as they only have one set left in the country, and are shipping them from AZ to Ohio to mount the tires for me (no charge).
Total weight of new tire wheel combo: 46.3 lbs.
Total weight of stock tire wheel combo: 53.5 lbs.
The OZ Superleggera is a very light wheel, and will come in the correct 18x8 with 40 mm offset and comes in at 19 lbs each for $285 each. Can be found on TireRack searching under a 2003 BMW 330 for wheels if this link doesn't work:
http://www.tirerack.com/servlet/CallJsp?target=whe elSearchCloseUp&wheelIndex=60&sizeIndex=0&showRear=no&setIndex=12&filterSize=&filterFinish=&filterSpecial=
There are lighter wheels out there, but they are probably double the price...

Make sure you find the weight of the tires for your combo, too!

[Dan00Hawk]

The Ultraleggera is 18.6 lbs for the 18 x 8 wheel at $295 each...

Oh, another thing: Stock offset is 48 mm, and in the stock 17x8 has been known to cause strut rub with the stock setup. Going to a 50mm offset would move the wheel further in, and cause more potential for problems. Going to a 40mm will move it out a bit, and not cause any problems with the rear rubbing the fender either when on an 8" rim.

I'm not familiar with what works on 9" rims...

[Duckman]

I like the look of the Privat wheel...would you consider it a quality wheel?

[turbota]

http://www.jhp.com.au/img/products/wheels/holden/2 00505/VZ-r8-pic1-h.jpg?imagealt=

I like these the best. Suppose to be a lightweight upgrade for the Aussy HSV cars...I'am sure pricey tho'

[phobos512]

The Ultraleggera is 18.6 lbs for the 18 x 8 wheel at $295 each...

Oh, another thing: Stock offset is 48 mm, and in the stock 17x8 has been known to cause strut rub with the stock setup. Going to a 50mm offset would move the wheel further in, and cause more potential for problems. Going to a 40mm will move it out a bit, and not cause any problems with the rear rubbing the fender either when on an 8" rim.

I'm not familiar with what works on 9" rims...

51-53mm depending on the car will get you there WITHOUT fender rolling...Some people have fit 9.5" wide with +35 offsets with extreme rolling though. Just depends on how much work you're willing to put into it.

[phobos512]

I just realized something...You say you live in New York City yet you want the lightest possible wheels...You should know that lighter wheels tend to be more fragile and prone to breakage from rough roads.

And for the person who was searching Tire Rack for Beamer wheels...How are you verifying offsets?

EDIT

Nevermind on the verifying offsets, I see they are listed for some wheels...

[2Cool]

My Shuk WR1's weighed in at 18.2#s in the 17 x 8" size, 19.4#s for the 17 x 9"s. Mounting drag radials made for a a very lightweight setup, due to the thin sidewalls of the DRs.

[Dan00Hawk]

As for quality, I've been happy with how the Privat Profils held up through Chicago's construction season. The polished lip is clearcoated, which means less maintenance. No problems to report with mine. :)

If you're truly looking for lightweight and the ability to withstand NYC potholes, I'd stick with a 17" wheel, and go with the taller sidewall to absorb more of the impact. Going with an 18" wheel reduces your amount of "cushion" by a half inch...

[Doc GTO]

I saved a total of 16 pounds with my wheel/tire combo. If you want to save 25 more then take out that gas tank brace thing in the trunk. It doesn't cost anything . . .

[BlueStreak]

you want to save 25 more then take out that gas tank brace thing in the trunk. It doesn't cost anything . . .
If you do, make sure and remember to put that felt trunk liner panel back in afterwards, to protect you in case of getting rear-ended :drink:

[Oh4GTO]

Mine

[Duckman]

18s are as big as practical....If BMWs and Benzs run 19s...I can live with 18s ... The car screams for 18s.....17s just look wrong. I have never seen a quality wheel break( I am sure someone has a horror story).....bend badly...yes.

This brings several other thoughts to mind. How does widing the track 16mm effect handling? Will this produce greater over or understeer? If I bite the bullet and went to run flats(Eliminating the spare and jack kit) I may make my goal of 40lbs.

I understand the gas tank brace is back there because when they relocated the tank to meet Us safety standards. I am weary of removing anything I dont understand its purpose. You would have to be hit pretty hard to hit that cage....and how effective is it if hit....

[dms]

I think ths
superleggara III are the lightest, and possibly the strongest wheel out there. If I remember right. the ones that we have sold and weighed, were 6-7 pounds lighted than OEM wheel and tire.

I have some OZ Galaeos coming in 18 inch split config and having them cutom configured. have done many of these and they do not rub!! OZs are great quality

Mike
dms

[CSiJason]

Superleggara III are light and strong... If you dont mind paying a small fortune for wheels.

Rotating mass, like all unsprung weight, is critical... But I wouldnt pay double the cost on something for a total savings of a few pounds at best.

Bogarts are the lightest wheel you can put on the GTO, assuming you want to look like Tim.

http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/attachment.php?attach mentid=25280&stc=1&d=1134161317

[HYPR]

I understand the gas tank brace is back there because when they relocated the tank to meet Us safety standards. I am weary of removing anything I dont understand its purpose. You would have to be hit pretty hard to hit that cage....and how effective is it if hit....
If you were to see the photos of my totalled '05 you would not even consider removing the tank brace. This peice likely was a crutial componant to saving my life as it provided a major ridgidity for the rear to prevent the interior comparment from caving. The impact of the car hitting the hillside in mid air at about 40mph drove the passenger rear wheel up into the wheel well and this structure prevented it from entering the interior which would have caved in the floor likely driving my chest into the steering column or worse. Basically looking at the tirewell and trunk pan you can see where this steel bracing did it's job. The impact beleive it or not actually bent the rear window but with the brace it did not explode.
Just a thought and my opinion. I am sure others will have differing opinions but I have actually seen it do it's job so you decide.
Bob

[Steel Chicken]

HYPR, not doubting your story for a minute, but did you ever look at how that thing is bolted in the car? Its not attached very securely at all. You would think they would have done a better job of attaching it to strong frame points.

[jjw3477]

what is the correct offset for these cars say if i were to go to an 18X8.5 all the way around.

[Dan00Hawk]

what is the correct offset for these cars say if i were to go to an 18X8.5 all the way around.
My 18x8.5's fit and are 40 mm all the way around, and fit without an issue. But some have rubbed depending on the tire brand. You may need to do some minor fender rolling in the back...

[HYPR]

HYPR, not doubting your story for a minute, but did you ever look at how that thing is bolted in the car? Its not attached very securely at all. You would think they would have done a better job of attaching it to strong frame points.
Yep in fact I was so impressed by the construction of the thing that it is sitting in my storage shed with the LS2.
I agree the install really does not look all that impressive, but I look at it this way it did do it's job so what do I know? Personally I would have planned out the install a bit better say tying the package tray to the trunk pan and then added a pair of forward braces to tie in the differential floor pan housing and rear carrier mounts so that it would stiffen the lower A-arm mount reduce the rear flex. Sort of serve a double duty. I also think this design would improve the protection of the passenger compartment from the fuel cell. Perhaps if all this was done my car would still be alive today since the major rear quarter damage was from the lower A-arm bending and allowing the passenger rear wheel to travle up so high into the wheel well and into the rear passenger area.
Bob

[GTODD]

my rims are 17lbs each, paid like 600 for rims and tires! i think i saved over 20lbs per corner with my set up!

[Steel Chicken]

my rims are 17lbs each, paid like 600 for rims and tires! i think i saved over 20lbs per corner with my set up!

who what where when why how!?

lego wheels?

:burnout:

[Doric]

my rims are 17lbs each, paid like 600 for rims and tires! i think i saved over 20lbs per corner with my set up!
That'd take some work. Unless you just forgot to put the tires back on.

[GTODD]

stocks are 60lbs...with rubber and air...these are just under 40lbs.... you do the math

[Steel Chicken]

60lbs with no tires? I dont think so.

[Doric]

No - I think he's saying that with tires, his stockers were 60lbs. at each corner, and his new wheels with tires are 40lbs.

Still hard to swallow; I think there's some exaggeration in both directions. The number I've heard in the past for the stock wheel & tire combination is 53lbs. at each corner.

[Steel Chicken]

hmmm i must be blind. I could have SWORN his post said 60lbs without rubber and air

LOL

self-owned!

[Doric]

You're allowed one ultimate self-pwnage once per week. :cool: