Wheels/Rims and performance
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Wheels/Rims and performance
Im planning on putting a new set of 19's avantgarde SL63 reps on my C350, and Id like to know if wheels like that would decrease performance in terms of acceleration, turns, etc.?
This will be my first mod btw which is why im asking
This will be my first mod btw which is why im asking
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 552
Likes: 9
From: Homeless
'20 Targa 4 DD, ' 18 Volvo S60 T6
The Madhatter at bimmerforums.com sums it up perfectly.
"Less weight at the end of each axle will always be quicker then more weight. think of it as free horsepower for your car.
running heavier weight wheel/tire combos will:
kill your fuel economy
kill your acceleration
kill your handling - your suspension has to work harder
kill your suspension - it'll wear out faster
kill your braking distance
kill your brake hardware - wears it out quicker
kill your wallet - more expensive
the average weight of an 18" wheel is around 26lbs for a descent wheel. many replica or cheapo wheels weigh in at 28-35lbs per wheel.
I've switched from 18's back to 17's and noticed a dramatic improvement in my car's dynamics.
the same thoughts above apply to big brake kits (BBK). Getting a massive brake rotor for a bbk (some weigh as much as 35lbs per rotor!) is going to kill your car's dynamics"
"Less weight at the end of each axle will always be quicker then more weight. think of it as free horsepower for your car.
running heavier weight wheel/tire combos will:
kill your fuel economy
kill your acceleration
kill your handling - your suspension has to work harder
kill your suspension - it'll wear out faster
kill your braking distance
kill your brake hardware - wears it out quicker
kill your wallet - more expensive
the average weight of an 18" wheel is around 26lbs for a descent wheel. many replica or cheapo wheels weigh in at 28-35lbs per wheel.
I've switched from 18's back to 17's and noticed a dramatic improvement in my car's dynamics.
the same thoughts above apply to big brake kits (BBK). Getting a massive brake rotor for a bbk (some weigh as much as 35lbs per rotor!) is going to kill your car's dynamics"
Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
C 300
The Madhatter at bimmerforums.com sums it up perfectly.
"Less weight at the end of each axle will always be quicker then more weight. think of it as free horsepower for your car.
running heavier weight wheel/tire combos will:
kill your fuel economy
kill your acceleration
kill your handling - your suspension has to work harder
kill your suspension - it'll wear out faster
kill your braking distance
kill your brake hardware - wears it out quicker
kill your wallet - more expensive
the average weight of an 18" wheel is around 26lbs for a descent wheel. many replica or cheapo wheels weigh in at 28-35lbs per wheel.
I've switched from 18's back to 17's and noticed a dramatic improvement in my car's dynamics.
the same thoughts above apply to big brake kits (BBK). Getting a massive brake rotor for a bbk (some weigh as much as 35lbs per rotor!) is going to kill your car's dynamics"
"Less weight at the end of each axle will always be quicker then more weight. think of it as free horsepower for your car.
running heavier weight wheel/tire combos will:
kill your fuel economy
kill your acceleration
kill your handling - your suspension has to work harder
kill your suspension - it'll wear out faster
kill your braking distance
kill your brake hardware - wears it out quicker
kill your wallet - more expensive
the average weight of an 18" wheel is around 26lbs for a descent wheel. many replica or cheapo wheels weigh in at 28-35lbs per wheel.
I've switched from 18's back to 17's and noticed a dramatic improvement in my car's dynamics.
the same thoughts above apply to big brake kits (BBK). Getting a massive brake rotor for a bbk (some weigh as much as 35lbs per rotor!) is going to kill your car's dynamics"
Thing is, no plus combination is exactly like the factory set up unless you are very lucky, and no plus size combination is necessarily like another for that matter, so there is a slop factor involved in any change.
But, if you're into image, or a "statement", then none of this will influence you, and unless you've really gone to the extreme, you won't really feel it "seat of the pants" either.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 9
From: Delaware
2004 Mazda6, 1993 RX7
Effect on Acceleration
1) assume the tire OD of the new 19" combo does not change from oems.
It's likely weight per corner will increase. Assume 10 lbs increase per corner, 3600 lb curb weight, 160 lb driver. That 10 lbs/corn will increase dead weight of car by 40 lbs. The effective added weight due to more wheel/tire rotary inertia is a theoretical max of another 10 lbs per corner, but more likely about 8 lbs/corner for a +1 upgrade case.
So, total rolling weight with driver has increased by 72 lbs, from 3750 to 3822, a 2% increase. This will result in 2% slower acceleration and braking ... not much.
2) assume new 19" set has 26" OD tires, vs 25" oem.
The gearing effect noted before will decrease acceleration 4%. And if 10 lbs/corner heavier, the rotary inertial effect on "rolling weight" could be much more than the 10 lb limit in case 1 .
Handling and Comfort
Again assume 10 lb per corner increase. Assume oem unsrung weight ( brake tire wheel etc ) per corner is about 70 lbs. A 10 lb increase is a 14% change ... much more significant. This will make the suspension's response to bumps more sluggish, for a rougher ride, and less able to keep cornering grip on rough roads.
1) assume the tire OD of the new 19" combo does not change from oems.
It's likely weight per corner will increase. Assume 10 lbs increase per corner, 3600 lb curb weight, 160 lb driver. That 10 lbs/corn will increase dead weight of car by 40 lbs. The effective added weight due to more wheel/tire rotary inertia is a theoretical max of another 10 lbs per corner, but more likely about 8 lbs/corner for a +1 upgrade case.
So, total rolling weight with driver has increased by 72 lbs, from 3750 to 3822, a 2% increase. This will result in 2% slower acceleration and braking ... not much.
2) assume new 19" set has 26" OD tires, vs 25" oem.
The gearing effect noted before will decrease acceleration 4%. And if 10 lbs/corner heavier, the rotary inertial effect on "rolling weight" could be much more than the 10 lb limit in case 1 .
Handling and Comfort
Again assume 10 lb per corner increase. Assume oem unsrung weight ( brake tire wheel etc ) per corner is about 70 lbs. A 10 lb increase is a 14% change ... much more significant. This will make the suspension's response to bumps more sluggish, for a rougher ride, and less able to keep cornering grip on rough roads.
Last edited by kevink2; Jan 24, 2010 at 07:32 PM.
