Lightweight 17" wheels?

[edevlin]

I just got a set of 18" aftermarket Carerra wheels just like neighborandel. I really like the look of the wheels, but my main concern is performance. The rims weigh 2-3 lbs more than the stock 17" turbo twist wheels I had on the car. The tires are slightly larger in diameter as well.

That is enough rotating mass that I can feel the difference in how the car accererates, which I dont like. And the sidewall stiffness I though I would pick up with the larger wheels is not anything I can feel, at least not with the tire pressures I have tried.

So here is my question, does anyone have a recommendation for a new or used lightweight 17" wheel that is fairly inexpensive (I know that is sorta an oxymoron), not more than 1K if possible. I sold my old rims and now have an almost new set of 17" Michellins that I am thinking on putting on some light, stiff rims. Any ideas?

Ed

[RandallNeighbour]

I think you should call wheel dynamics or Ernie's alloys in Miami. One or the other will have good advice for you, although wheel dynamics doesn't have any rim sets for sale that are under $2000 (at least I haven't seen any cheaper aftermarket rims on their site... although they may have some used rims in good shape.)

You know, I don't experience any "lagging" from my new rims, which are identical to yours. Could it be the differences in the Falkans you're running compared to the Michelin PS2's I'm running? I dunno.

[Travis]

You can always go eBay


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Genuine-Porsche-Boxster-17-Wheels-Tires_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ66483QQihZ019QQit emZ290044518111QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[Sammy]

I believe the Cup wheels that were put on the 911's in the 90's were the lightest 17" Porsche has produced; otherwise, you'll have to try aftermarket.

[edevlin]

"You know, I don't experience any "lagging" from my new rims, which are identical to yours. Could it be the differences in the Falkans you're running compared to the Michelin PS2's I'm running? I dunno."


I think that is a good point, as I understand it the PS2 is one of the lighter tires out there, perhaps 2+ lbs lighter than the Falkens I am running, that may make all the difference. As I am getting used to the Falkens, they are not a bad tire, quiet and smooth, they just have harder rubber and dont stick the way the PS2's do. That also means they wear well, supposed to get up to 20K out of them. I dont think I am going to be able to let them wear out before I got back to my beloved PS2's, maybe come spring.....

Ed