kouzman

I decided the take my wheels off and weight them, in order to calculate the exact gains of a possible new wheelset.

Based on what I found on the Net, the factory Sport Classics are One-piece forged alloy wheel in 5-spoke Sport Classic design. Painted in high gloss Black with bright-polished surrounding rim. Their dimensions are:

Front axle: 9 J x 20 RO 51
Rear axle: 11.5 J x 20 RO 56

So now for the weights. I weighted one front and one rear wheel. Tire installed is a OEM Pirelli P Zero on the factory dimensions with about 4K miles, centercaps and off course TPMS sensors and wheel balancing weights.

Front

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Rear

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/kouzman/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/kouzman/, on Flickr

by https://www.flickr.com/photos/kouzman/, on Flickr

For what it's worth, I weighted the bungy cord by itself and it was 0.14 lbs... So subtract that from the equation...

based on the above, this would put the wheels to the approximate weight of (after subtracting tire weights from tirerack):

front 24 lbs
rear 29.5 lbs

Maybe the weights are a bit more based on how much tread I have lost during those 4K miles...

Compared to the hottest and probably lightest wheel around today the BBS FI-R we are looking at about 7 lbs savings for the front and almost 10 lbs for the rear per wheel! That would mean for the set losing 34lbs of rotational mass! I would call this freaking spectacular!!!!

Now, who wants to sponsor a set of BBS wheels? LOL!!!!

Randyc151

You have no need for lighter wheels if you are putting Pzero on them. You would NEVER be able to tell the difference on daily driving, or even on track with those tires. Don't forget that the lightweight wheels often deflect more in hard cornering, so get a strong wheel, not just a light wheel. The whole "lightest weight" gimmick with wheel marketing is getting out of hand. Alternatively, if you like another wheel for appearance only, have at it!!!

sechsgang

Yeah, I like the OEM wheels for anything normal driving related, and unless you're going to a set of BBS magnesium wheels with slicks or cup R's...you won't feel too too much of that change on a car that's already super heavy. Now do that to a 911r or even a gt3 (the magnesium and semi slicks or slicks) and you'll likely find yourself noticing a little more agility on turn in etc etc, but even then...it's very minor.

hcvone

I replaced my stock tts wheels and Pirelli tires with Forgeline carbon and forged CF201's and Pilot Super Sports, saved 5 1/2 to 7 lbs per wheel and tire, did it for the looks not weight savings, although the carbon fiber absorbs road bumps in a whole different way, in a good way

kouzman

Agreed 100%. P Zeros are not the tire of choice. Most likely on my daily runs I will switch to Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and on an aftermarket set I am looking for a set of 888Rs just to try them out, including drag racing. Eventually I will probably settle on the Michelin Cup 2s.

Having modified cars over the years I can tell you that less rotational mass makes a difference. The peak of such gain was back in the day with my Lancer Evolution IX, which ended up losing upwards of 10lbs per side due to lighter brake rotors and wheels. Just about everything felt better. Acceleration, braking, turn in.

for track days I am not the super experienced but definitely stiffness and strength are wanted. I do autox quite a bit so that's what I have noticed, especially when using R comps.

and of course looks. But to me all the top wheel manufacturers look good.

neil.schneider

Thanks for doing this. I always wondered what these wheels weigh.

kouzman

My pleasure. I always wondered about their actual weight. They look amazing in my opinion, but I do see probably 20+ lbs of rotational mass savings with a better set.

More people should volunteer and do similar weights or tests. Manufacturers, both oem and aftermarket seem to be hesitant of providing such information, especially wheel weights. Personally I HAVE to know when I am to pay 5-10K for a set of wheels.

neil.schneider

I really like the HRE light weight wheels but I am not going to part with 10k. I also love the wheels I have. I would like to drive a similar car with lighter wheels. I would bet I couldn't even tell the difference. I was happy when I found this car with these wheels. I didn't really want the center locks and I don't like the other ones they have. Too much of a pain in the *** to clean.

WheelsB

kouzman

PM me a price for the BBS in black shipped to 11360. Thanks

WheelsB

abiazis

Who makes Porsche OEM wheels?

sechsgang

Im PRETTY sure it's still BBS OEM devision.

chance6

Hmm...that's quite a savings actually. 34 lbs total? If you went over the Michelin Pilot Sport with those new wheels I wonder how that would feel. Probably like heaven. 34 lbs rotational mass DOES matter.

kouzman

I put an order for a set of Advan GT Premiums. 20x9 fronts and 20x12 rears. I should be saving 4 pounds per wheel in the front and probably about 9 pounds per wheel for rear. That's about 26 pounds total. I will have exact weight as soon as I get them. Maybe not the lightest but probably about half the price of other super light wheels. And still getting made in Japan forged big name wheels.