For those that went to 17"

[CirrusSR22]

I'm contemplating whether to go to 17" wheels or stick with 16". I know technically the car will accelerate more slowly (assuming they're heavier than stock), but is it even noticeable?

I'd like to go to 17" ASA AR1's, but I'm trying to justify the the extra cost (+$230) and weight (+12.4lbs total w/tires) over the 16" AR1's. Especially since i'm gonna be putting on E46 325i brakes soon, which will add even more weight.

What do you guys/gals think?

[moku]

Are you set on the ASA AR1s? You might want to consider BBS, because you can get a set of 17" BBS that only weigh 17 pounds. Granted they're more expensive, but the quality is better and the wheels are lighter.

[CirrusSR22]

Yeah, i'd ideally like some 17's that are lighter than stock (like BBS'), but it's down to a money issue.

I know the 17" Kosei K1's are very light and cheap ($199) but I really don't like the looks, so they're not an option

[pdxmotorhead]

Acceleration is affected by outside TIRE diameter not wheel diameter.

So you can get 15,16,17 wheels with tires that are the same overall height
and width meaning no significant change in acceleration.

Not that the lower sidewall hight won't affect handling but it should not really change your 0 to 60 by much....

Dave

[CirrusSR22]

Originally Posted by pdxmotorhead

Acceleration is affected by outside TIRE diameter not wheel diameter.

So you can get 15,16,17 wheels with tires that are the same overall height
and width meaning no significant change in acceleration.

Not that the lower sidewall hight won't affect handling but it should not really change your 0 to 60 by much....

Dave

Oops. Rereading my original post, I realize I wrote that quite poorly

I should ask, for those that went to a significantly heavier wheel (regardless of size), do you even notice an acceleration hit?

[mickd]

I've got 235/40 17's on '95 BMW Motorsport Double Spokes. I weighed the wheels on a bathroom scale after they were powdercoated, they're 19lbs. These are lighter than my original 10 spoke 15's. No difference at all in acceleration.

[Boxbrownie]

Go for the 17"'s.........they look so much better and you'll feel more difference from polishing the car and laminar airflow effect than wieght of OEM wheels! LOL

225/45-17 Michelin Pilot Sport on OEM wheels......magic.

Best regards David

[Tyler]

The bigger the wheel the slower the car. You could have 18's on your car and say it does 0-60 in 4.5 sec with smaller rims like say 16's it will probally take off 1/2-3/4 of a second.

[moku]

Originally Posted by Tyler

The bigger the wheel the slower the car. You could have 18's on your car and say it does 0-60 in 4.5 sec with smaller rims like say 16's it will probally take off 1/2-3/4 of a second.

If you plus-size correctly, this shouldn't be an issue. Usually weight is the issue, since bigger wheels generally weigh more.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by moku

If you plus-size correctly, this shouldn't be an issue. Usually weight is the issue, since bigger wheels generally weigh more.

Lets say we have 2 ti's both bone stock both auto. One has 15's the other has 17's i will guarantee the ti with 15's will be faster in 0-60. We are not talking alot here just 10th's of a second. I would pink slip my car on that.

[schussey]

dude, they are 17's, there is nothing to be afraid of.

-chris

[slacker]

"Lets say we have 2 ti's both bone stock both auto. One has 15's the other has 17's i will guarantee the ti with 15's will be faster in 0-60. We are not talking alot here just 10th's of a second. I would pink slip my car on that."

Well...guess that works for the 1/4 mile but on the track you get that back in maybe two corners with the tire width available for the 17" and if you multiply that by the corners you come out ahead with the 17" especially when to take into account the tire choices available.
Gary

[Boxbrownie]

Why does everybody assume that larger wheel tyre packages are heavier and make the car slower? I changed from 15" Steels to 15" alloys then to 17" alloys....all OEM BMW wheels and michelin or Conti tyres, and yes I wieghed the assemblies out of curiosity......the 17" are lighter than both other types!

Same rolling circumfrence, lighter wieght.........faster car!

Best regards David

ah yes.......wheres that pink slip gone? LOL

[Boxbrownie]

Originally Posted by Tyler

The bigger the wheel the slower the car. You could have 18's on your car and say it does 0-60 in 4.5 sec with smaller rims like say 16's it will probally take off 1/2-3/4 of a second.

Why?

[L84THSKY]

Assuming that both wheels have the same diameter and weight, there would be no difference.

The way I see it, the moment of torque is about the center of the wheel, unlike a motorcycle that has a sprocket. The center will have a harder time mover a wheel that has a larger diameter, just as a larger sprocket has more torque on a motorcycle wheel. It's the same issue when talking about differentials.

Now the wider tire will add more friction, that will require more torque to spin the wheels.

Originally Posted by Tyler

Lets say we have 2 ti's both bone stock both auto. One has 15's the other has 17's i will guarantee the ti with 15's will be faster in 0-60. We are not talking alot here just 10th's of a second. I would pink slip my car on that.