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Getting tech inspection for two days at Lime Rock next week.
Awesome! I'll be there as well in my red GT4. I got my tech inspection last week. It is my first DE and the weather forecast is looking quite perfect. I am super excited! See you there
Sorry for the delayed response. The FI-R has great visual impact compared to R101LW IMO. However the R101LW is a lighter wheel, especially the rear. On my GT3 the rear wheel was 2lbs lighter than FI-R.
The other big big difference is that the R101LW has a pocketed section in the barrel where the brake caliper is located. This gives you an extra inch of clearance at the brake to barrel. My GT3 had PCCB so debris was getting caught between the caliper and the barrel on the FI-R and would score the barrel. On the R101LW there was enough gap that I could get my hand between the caliper and the barrel. Therefore no more scoring. - to me this is great.
Lastly the FI-R for GT4 isn’t a very aggressive fitment on the front wheel. I have seen others end up using a spacer on the front wheel to get the right offset.
In summary I think the FI-R is a prettier wheel than R101LW but heavier and less optimized for cars with PCCB.
I don't know how they're that much more heavier than R101LW's. I know they were close, but R101LW's don't have a substantial weight advantage and front wheel offsets don't bother me. If anything, I always found HRE's to lack aggressive fitment. They're conservative from my experience when I had my Golf R and F80 M3. Both could have used an extra 1/2 inch and more lip, but HRE was playing it safe both times.
I don't know how they're that much more heavier than R101LW's. I know they were close, but R101LW's don't have a substantial weight advantage and front wheel offsets don't bother me. If anything, I always found HRE's to lack aggressive fitment. They're conservative from my experience when I had my Golf R and F80 M3. Both could have used an extra 1/2 inch and more lip, but HRE was playing it safe both times.
Nice observations. My comparison is from GT3 fitment. I have no direct comparison between the two wheels on GT4 fitment. Interesting The R101LW is heavier in the rear as it was not the case on the GT3.
Nice observations. My comparison is from GT3 fitment. I have no direct comparison between the two wheels on GT4 fitment. Interesting The R101LW is heavier in the rear as it was not the case on the GT3.
HRE and BBS both make great wheels. One thing to consider though is that BBS is a true end to end manufacturer so they have their own aluminum foundry/forging facility producing the highest pressure forgings in the industry. This allows them to control every step of the process and every wheel is JWL/VIA certified.
Companies like HRE buy wheel blanks from 3rd parties which are likely forged at lower pressures and then mill/machine the wheels to spec. On the plus side this allows them to make custom wheels to whatever offset and size specs are desired in any number of finishes however it also means they can't test and certify every wheel at every size/offset.
It's like comparing a Rolex (they have their own foundry too!) where every component is sourced internally vs. another luxury watch using an ETA or valjoux sourced movement. 99.9% of the time it makes zero difference but there may be some very slight benefits to one vs the other. If you like the stock size and offset, functionally I'd give the nod to the BBS wheels and their industry leading forgings. On the other hand, if you want a custom size/offset and finish in addition to good weight savings, it's hard to beat HRE.
06-21-2018, 10:20 AM
