I'm interested in learning more about wheels. I originally thought HRE's were the best, because I think they look the best. I am now thinking that strenght and light-weight are actually more important. I get to the track a few times each summer and get on the curbs a little in some of the corners, so strength must be a consideration.

In light of my personal ranking of importantance of:

1) Strength
2) Light weight
3) Bling

What would be the best 18" wheel for me?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Mike

 

I like my Kinesis K18Rs, which are strong, light and used on many race cars and I think they look bling enough too...

 

Come on! Some one has to have an opinion here. Some of you 70 'guest' currently viewing the forum should register and give me your opinion on this!

 

oh and because they are reverse drop centers everyone _thinks_ they are 19s since they use the centers from a 19 inch wheel and they clear my silly brakes.

 

I have Fikse Profil 10's and am happy with them...very light for an aluminum wheel.

 

Sharkey - those are very attractive looking wheels. I've started to find the bling in functional equipment. How much do those weight vs stock?

 

I was thinking they looked like 19's but didn't think you'd be passing up performance for looks.

 

John - the Fikse Profil 10's are also a very good looking wheel. The remind me a lot of the BBS LM's. I've included a picture of your wheel below. How do Fikse compair to BBS?


BBS LM's


Mike

 

I'm trying to remember so I could be a pound or so off here... but the fronts are 20 and the rears 23. I'm sure Jack LA can confirm that versus the stockers. I know that I had the 'ol solid spokes which were even heavier....

 

Heheh no way would I go with 19 inch rubber band sidewalls I'm sticking to 18s...

If a lot of race cars are using them (I keep on seeing Porsches with them) they can't be half-bad Even Tyson said they are ok hehe... For the price they are a great buy. If you want to go full-on then the BBS magnesium wheels are probably the way to go. They are a few pounds lighter still.

 

I've got the BBS LM 19's with 20" centers on my e55...like them alot...supposed to be very strong and reasonably light weight (??)
If I could figure out how to reduce the file size of the photos I would post

 

Compare in what regard...weight? I cannot actually answer. The BBS wheels that are talked about often here (and are wonderful) are magnesium. It is very light but not at all durable. I believe the Fikse's are the lightest aluminum wheel.

 

Thanks John. You answered my question: weight / strength / durability.

Mike

 

I like both the Fikse and BBS, but, I do not like the step lip. They are stronger, but, I prefer the look of the reverse drop lip without the step. Below are some pics of wheels, there was a post a while back, but, here you go...................

HRE 542R







HRE 543R





TECHART FORMULA







SPORTEC



[IMG]
http://supercarsite.net/images/cars/...o_sp650_03.jpg[/IMG]

 

The HRE's are a sweet looking wheel. I like several of there offerings. I am nervous about the strength of that 5" lip. When I first say pictures of Duane's car, I fell in love with the Techart Formula's. They look very strong, but I'ver recently wondered if they offer any weight saving over stock. Having a set of strong/light wheels for track and bling for the street is becoming more of an option... but I would not like the preocessing of swapping.