17" Lightweight rims

[Hurdy]

I'm on the lookout for some lightweight rimmage for when my new Polo GTI arrives.

Reducing the rotational unsprung mass of a car improves both fuel economy and accelleration.

Just 1kg reduction in an alloy wheel (4kg total) is the equivalent of reducing the sprung weight of the car by 20kg for accellerative purposes.

So, the OEM Monza alloys weigh in at 11.1kg each and I'm looking at trying to knock at least 3kg a corner off that.

My question is ....."What 17" set of alloys under £2k will give me the lightest alloys that will fit the GTI without rubbing ?"

Reasonably I'd guess 7" and 7.5" widths between ET 46 (for 7") and ET32 (for 7.5") - please correct me if I'm wrong on these ET's

I've looked at OZ Alleggerita's, but cannot get 7" or 7.5" in the fitments needed, so they seem to be a non starter.

Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2's look a good bet, cheap and strong with the perfect offset and at 7.5 x 17 are 8.2kg, which isn't bad.

However I've also seen some Volk CE28N alloys that I think would fit, but have an odd offset.

17 x 7.5 and PCD 5x100mm and the offset available is ET33

These weigh in at a frankly amazing 12.32lb / 5.6kg

Would this be a problem with rubbing as my calculation says that the alloys will be further out by 19.5mm?

Blaade (Ryan) has 17 x 7.5 and ET36 alloys on his GTI and he says that these are okay, so would the extra 3mm be an issue?

Link to Volk alloys

http://www.upgrademotoring.com/wheels/ce28n.htm

[Phil-polo6R]

the volk wheels are very nice, and yeah they are super light! (A friend has them on a mx5)

I'm not really clued up with alloys tbh but the OZ superleggeras are a very nice light wheel, but you'll be lucky to find a set of them in our fitment!

Good luck anyway mate and keep us updated!

[Hurdy]

Yeah, the OZ alloys are all relatively lightweight, but not in the combination of sizes/offsets I require. Ideally 7.5 x 17 OZ Alleggerita's would be awesome and weigh around 7kg.

[AJ_7]

A stab in the dark... But TSW Nurburging rims might be worth a butchers mate, if you havent already!

Alex

[Hurdy]

Cheers for that Alex

I hadn't looked at the TSW Nurburgring wheels before. The 17 x 7.5 wheels don't appear available in the UK and the only source I can find that does them is Rimstyle. Rimstyle only do these as a 17 x 8" wheel and so would be very tight under the rear arches

If I can get these then at 8kg they look a good bet alongside the TDPR 1.2's.

[AJ_7]

Auspolo has the TSW Nurburgring 18x8 +35 rims fitted on his, linky:

http://www.uk-polos.net/view ... it=auspolo

If you can source those in the UK, i'm not sure if that size would be suitable for what you want the car for though and the extra inch may add some weight

Alex

[Hurdy]

Once again cheers Alex.

It isn't all about the weight reduction - you have to have some show with the go, but I will be sticking with 17" alloys and 215 section tyres --- for now

Those wheels look absolutely awesome on that car. You may just have made my mind up for me Should look good on a Black GTI too.

[kevinctr]

I ordered the new generation model from Volk Racing. Its meant to replace the aging TE37 and the new model is G2. I got 17X8" +44 offset which stretch the Advan tyres with good purpose and the offset makes everything work in harmony.

[Hurdy]

Kevin, any rubbing issues with those Volks alloys?

[kevinctr]

No issues, still have some clearence. I estimate can even take in +38 without any issues

[Hurdy]

That's excellent news Kevin, I may well push the boat out a little further with the alloys then as it opens up a few extra options.

[kevinctr]

Yeah, choose a design with narrow spokes or curve spoke design if you intend to upgrade your brake calipers later on.

[richl123]

You might want to check out the VW Motorsport wheels, click wheels and tyres on this page:

http://www.vw.co.za/en/models/polo/accessories.html

7 J x 17, ET 46, LK 100/5

Colour: Black
Part no. 6R0 071 497 AX1

Colour: White
Part no. 6R0 071 497 Y9C

Colour: Anthracite
Part no. 6R0 071 497 16Z

In 18" form, for the MK5/6 they weigh around 9KG.

[gavs]

Another big heavy lump in the wheel arches, specifically the front wheels, is the brake setup. APR Australia have got photos on their facebook site (you can access through here too: http://www.goapr.com.au ) of the weight of the stock setup and the cconsiderably bigger, 4 piston Alcon setup they sell. Something like 6kgs per side weight reduction! Might work out cheaper than wheels, or you could combine the 2 seeing as the wheels contribute to rotational mass

[Hurdy]

Already looking at lightweight brake set-up Gavs

Current favourite is a custom made set-up with Porsche calipers and 330mm 2 piece discs. loses about the same per side as the Alcons and is approx £1300.