Click Banner for Details on this Saabnet.com Classified

[General | Members | C900 | 9000 | NG900 & OG93 | 92X | 93 | 95 | NG95 | 97X | 99 | Sonett | Vintage Models | Performance | Detail | Clubs & SOC | Other Cars | Books Movies & Music | Chat | FAQs | Gifts | Photos | Classifieds | Polls | Raffle | Sponsors]

Performance Bulletin Board
Search:

[Main Performance Bulletin Board | Post Followup | FAQ ] [ Prev by Date ] [ Next by Date ] Member Login / Signup [Most Recently Edited Saabnet.com Photo Galleries]
Disagree....
Posted by GM (more from GM) on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:44:24
In Reply to: weight, nwas, Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:08:18
Always heavier isn't true, totally depends on the wheels you are buying. If you compare some cheap 16in rims (American Racing etc) to some high end light wheels (Forgeline, SSR, etc) the larger more expensive wheels will almost always weigh less. If comparing the same brand/model 17 vs 18in rim the weight difference will be very very small but often times it is enough to drop a few whp. One of the tuner car mags did a test years ago with 15, 16, 17 v 18in wheels on a civic (or something like that). Same width tire was used on all sizes with the same model wheel. Fastest of the group was the 17's by a tenth on so of a second with the 18 being 2nd. The 18 had the highest speed through every turn by the little torqueless car couldn't move it down the straight so the 17 pushed ahead. I liked the comparison but wished they would of gone with wider tires on the larger wheels so the extra weight & traction could of been compared. They 18's had the best braking & steering feel......

There are a few 18 in rims I like at tire rack which come in at 20.? to 22 lbs depending on which wheel. Not sure what OEM viggen rims weigh, 22-24 lbs possibly?? A 225-45-17 vs 225-40-18 isn't much different in sidewall width, not enough to make the car handle, ride etc horribly.

Handling isn't worse with larger wheels, actually the opposite, better handling. However when there is a smaller sidewall the car can be unsettled easier when the turn's are less then smooth. You also gain better turn in response when a lower sidewall is used which also allows for less sidewall flex when going fast through the twisties.

It's not that the larger wheels weigh more, it's more that the weight is pushed more to the outside of the wheel vs more central. I still think it's a worthwhile tradeoff.... some love it... some hate it. If I ever eat up my 17in Dunlop Direzza's I will get some 18's for the summer & use my borbet 17's for the winter.....

posted by 68.76.14...
Posts in this Thread:
Members can receive an alert when someone posts in this thread.
Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail: (Confidential & Secure - Not revealed to other users!)
Send me email when someone posts in this thread: (available to Members)

Subject:

Posting rules are simple - No for sale/wanted ads or live auctions may be here - use the classifieds.
You may not cross-post your message to multiple BBs.
Personal attacks, insults, or flaming are not allowed.
Posting any of this will result in an immediate loss of posting privileges on this site.
Site Members do not see any warning (red) text.

Message:

Optional Link URL: (e.g. http://www.saabnet.com/)
To promote your own Saab site here, you must have a link back to The Saab Network.
Link Title:
Optional Image URL: (e.g. http://www.saabnet.com/img.jpg)


The content on this site may not be republished without permission. Copyright © 1988-2012 - The Saab Network - saabnet.com.
This is a moderated bulletin board - Posting is a privilege, not a right. Unsolicited commercial postings are not allowed (no Spam). Please, no For Sale or Wanted postings, SERIOUSLY. Classifieds are to be listed in The Saab Network Classifieds pages. This is a problem solving forum for over 250,000 Saab owners, so expect to see problems discussed here even though our cars are generally very reliable. This is not an anything goes type of forum. Saabnet.com has been a moderated forum since 1988. For usage guidelines, see the Saabnet.com Mission and Purpose Page. Please remember that you are not anonymous. Site Donations
Your address is: 23.22.252.150 - Using CCBot/2.0 - Logged.
Site Members do not see red text instructions, green links, and bottom of the page banners.
Click here to see all the Site Membership Benefits!