So Enkei wheels are a bit tough to find/expensive in the UK - and although I'd love some RPF1s from a lightweight point of view, they're not snazzy enough for me. So I've narrowed my choice to 3 models, all should come in lighter than the stock wheels (an important criteria for me) and all tickle my fun-button. Just wanted to gauge opinion on the three styles and maybe hear some alternative proposals!

Car is an 04 Winning Blue - sees daily driving and light track work.


Lenso Project-D Spec E

18x8.5 and 20lb



Sparco Assetto Gara

18x8 and 20lb-ish

 

What if I told you that you wouldn't feel the 1 lb difference?

 

First I'd be disappointed there was no Morpheus meme....

Then I'd take it onboard. It's a subjective thing. It's not so much that I would need to feel an immediate impact, I just want the knowledge I'm not chugging around with weight I don't need to. Especially stuff that's spinning and bouncing. Marginal gains make me happy

 

I like the Lenso Project D Spec C. Much cleaner look than the other two.

Also lighter, which gives you a little more margin to rejoice over.

Ken

 

Definitely take into account tire weight (often overlooked) - tires are generally always heavier than your rims, and the weight reduction there is more impactful to minimizing the rotating mass.

 

Tyre weight is a good point - I'm off to do some investigation work! I understand it's not quite as simple as saving weight elsewhere though, as a lightweight tyre is not always an amazing performance one.

 

True, wasn't implying you should choose tires based on weight, but it's definitely beneficial to minimize the weight there.

And like all things on the car, don't skimp on strength when choosing any load bearing part (ie. wheels).

 

Spec E with some good looking rotors and black calipers

 

Thanks for the feedback guys! I'm still in two minds as to which Lenso, probably discounting the TD....

Does anyone fancy offering some alternatives? Motegis I've heard are quite light, can't get them in the UK though >.<

 

Purely from a looks perspective, I am not particularly fond of any of them, but if I had to choose one, it would be the D Spec E.

 

Lenso Project-D Spec E

 

Lenso Project-D Spec E, kind of remind me of my OZs

 

Any particular reason you are not changing the width? May want to look into 18x9 +30mm. Ask me how I know.

 

Well the spec E are 18x8.5 - so 0.5" wider than stock and the same wieght

How do you know? :P

 

I am going 18x9 +30mm. I would rather have a wider foot print then save weight. Plus I have lived in the UK and your roads SUCK to say the least. Lighter wheels bend easier just keep that in mind.

 

Everytime you use a generality, god kills a kitten

 

Are you stalking me J? I bent several rims while stationed in the UK.

 

A wider wheel doesn't necessarily give you a larger contact patch does it? (I may be mis-understanding) It'll just change your sidewall angle, mostly affecting tyre lateral response... It will allow you to fit wider tyres I suppose though!

And lighter doesn't always mean weaker! Couldn't find any horror stories on Lensos which is why I'm considering them

 

Read away.

Car Bibles : The Wheel and Tyre Bible Page 3 of 4

 

Lame. All of them.

 

Very nice article - I was talking to a friend about contact patch shape the other day actually. How it affects break-away in particular. I was just being a touch pedantic I think though - in that going wider on wheels alone won't net you a wider contact patch unless you have wider tyres too. I probably should have followed that from you talking about wider wheels - sorry!

9krpmrx8 - I'm open to suggestions...

 

Of the 3, I like the second because I generally favor 5 point star spoke configuration.
First has 6 singles, second has 5 pairs, and third is just a blob of spokes.

 

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