Tesla Aero wheel vs lightweight Forged wheels

[Whiteghost]

I am debating picking up a set of Tesla model 3 aero wheels or getting lightweight Forged wheels. They are both 18 inch, aero is 8.5 +40 and the Forged is 8 +40

M3 Aero wheels: Weight: 21.6 lbs (Without Aero Cover), 23 lbs (With Aero Cover)

Aftermarket Forged: Supposed 14.87 lbs

I'm on the fence on this one! Comes down to what will give me an improvement in mpg.

Most the info I could gather was on cycling forumns. The conclusion seemed to lightweight over aero for hills and aero for flats. But that's a bike, this is a car.

[redpoint5]

Tesla recovers most of the rotational energy of the heavier wheels. The decision comes down to aero for more range, or light weight for faster acceleration.

[Whiteghost]

I should mention it's going on a second gen Scion TC. The stock wheels weigh 26.5 lbs. I currently get between 36 and 40 mpg.

That being said, I can get a full set of M3 wheels, tires, tpms, and aero caps for $800. For a lightweight Forged wheelim looking at $1000+...

[redpoint5]

Well a Scion isn't range limited, so I'd go with the lightweight ones. You won't observe a difference in MPG from the weight reduction though, so again, buy them if you want a faster accelerating car.

I've had my eye out for lighter wheels for my Acura, but I'm looking on the used market since $800 for slightly faster acceleration and better handling seems like too much.

[Ecky]

Put your Acura engine in a lighter car. I can think of one that would let you shed almost 1500lbs.

I'd personally go with the forged, given choice between those two in a gasoline car. The aero wheels may interact differently with the airflow around your Scion. Undoubtedly they'd cut drag, but perhaps not as much as on a Tesla.

[redpoint5]

No way, the TSX is a fabulous car. I'm keeping it until one of my kids totalls it.

[oil pan 4]

You may be able to get steel wheels lighter than that.

[Vman455]

Wow, I'm surprised the Model 3 wheels are that heavy.

As far as aerodynamics, the Tesla wheel covers just close most of the face, which will be beneficial no matter what the rest of the car looks like. However--are the Tesla wheels and tires wider than what you have now? If so, that will change the drag in a number of ways, some beneficial and some not. A larger wheel and tire will take up more volume in the wheel housing, lowering drag. However, it will present slightly more area to the wind and, perhaps more importantly, extend past the wheel strakes if there are any on a Scion tC (I think there are?).

If I were you, and the cost difference were minimal, I would go with the the lighter forged wheels and ziptie some coroplast covers to them. Better aero than the Tesla wheels with less mass.

[Daschicken]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Well a Scion isn't range limited, so I'd go with the lightweight ones. You won't observe a difference in MPG from the weight reduction though, so again, buy them if you want a faster accelerating car.

I've had my eye out for lighter wheels for my Acura, but I'm looking on the used market since $800 for slightly faster acceleration and better handling seems like too much.

If all you are looking for is light, then the 16" 16.5 pound Acura RSX wheels should be just fine. I had the stock 215/50/17 tires and 23.5 pound 17" rims and switched to 205/60/16s. The difference in acceleration was noticeable, even for my not-underpowered V6, but the extra squishiness in corners was also noticeable.

Originally Posted by Vman455

Wow, I'm surprised the Model 3 wheels are that heavy.

My OEM 17x6.5 wheels weigh more!

[vskid3]

Why not get the forged wheels and add homemade aero covers?