Looking for solid aerodynamic wheels. Post 'em and give opinions...

[jcp123]

Interesting thread...I am running steelies, I wonder that given my commute is roughly half lower speed and half highway if lighter wheels would help, and if aerodynamics would benefit me much. My car is worth, oh, $600, so if there's not much of a benefit, I wouldn't pony up.

[freebeard]

If it's like cars I've had that were in that price range, I'd be putting the money in a piggy bank against future maintenance.

But if it's a depreciated out rock-solid run-forever little jewel, sure why not. Is it ready for tires? Steel and rubber weigh about the same; aluminum's lighter. So +2 aluminum rims with low sidewall tires would be optimal.

[oldtamiyaphile]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Steel and rubber weigh about the same; aluminum's lighter

Really? Rubber floats in brine, steel doesn't, neither does aluminium.

You won't save weight over steel rims unless you fit forged rims, most OEM alloys are heavier than steels, not helped by the fact that it's hard to find alloys as narrow as original steelies.

[freebeard]

I've been through 18 pages of search results looking for a thread were I quoted a magazine article to that effect. Unsuccessfully. As I recall they replaced steel rims with plus sized Centerline forged alloys and showed a weight savings (looking at the fronts of a car with massive rear tires)

Just so I haven't totally wasted that time:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...orth-5904.html 2008, 11p.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-mpg-5441.html 2008, 2p.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-mpg-4508.html 2008, 7p.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...loys-2681.html 2008, 4p.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...els-28551.html 2014, 2p.
Lots of interest in 2008.

I believe early Porsche Fuchs alloys came with a 4.5" width, but they are rare.

[oldtamiyaphile]

I don't dispute that you can save weight by fitting +1 or +2 forged alloys vs steelies. Forged being the key word. For any affordable OEM or aftermarket alloy, the smaller steel rim/tyre will be lighter. A lot of people make the assumption that since alloy is lighter than steel, an alloy wheel must be lighter.

OE Pop Steel Wheels/Tires/Hubcaps - 31.6 lbs (126.4 lbs set)
OE Abarth 16" wheel, OE Pirelli Tire with TPMS - 37.6 lbs (150.4 lbs set)
Rota Shakotan Wheels / OE Tires with TPMS - 29.9 lbs (119.6 lbs set)
Shakotan Wheels - 13.7 lbs (51.8 lbs set)
Pop Wheel (no tpms) - 14.4 lbs (57.6 lbs set)
Pop Wheel/ Hubacp - 15.8 lbs (63.2 lbs set)
17" OEM Abarth Wheels (no tire, Hyper Black or White rim with center cap) 20 lbs each
17" OEM Abarth Wheels with P-Zeros 38.8 lbs each
16" 500T/Sport wheels and 195/45-16 P7 all season tires: 36.9 lbs (147.6 lbs / set)

From: 2012 Fiat 500 Parts Weight Compilation

The aftermarket Rota wheels are the lightest, but it's only the tiniest bit lighter than steelies without hubcaps. All the OE +1 and +2 options are significantly heavier.

[freebeard]

So we're back to what's affordable on a $600 car.

Pitching the spare tire?