difference between alloy and forged?

**nkarlina** · 05-23-2007 08:09 PM

Like in the title...what's the difference between alloy and forged wheel?Which one is stronger?Why forged wheel is more expensive?

Thanks!

**2k1s** · 05-23-2007 08:18 PM

forged wheels are cut from a single piece of aluminum. well at least the centers are. alloy refers to cast wheels, which are heavier. Forged wheels just require more work to make. the advantages are that they can be made with any offset you need. I'm also pretty sure they are lighter.

**nkarlina** · 05-23-2007 08:20 PM

Thanks 2k1s!
But which one is stronger?
And what does multipiece (1 piece,2 piece,3 piece) have anything to do with the wheels?

**va-terps4** · 05-23-2007 08:28 PM

Click and ye shall receive ---> Tire Rack Tech Article

**VMRWheels** · 05-24-2007 06:04 PM

read the tirerack articles, they have a lot of information.

as for strength... pound for pound, "forged" metal is stronger than "cast," BUT forged wheels are usually lighter, and therefore in reality, have about the same strength as a high quality pressure-cast wheel.

Also, there's 2 processes to forging the disk/face of the wheel. one method starts with a solid disc that is machine cut to create the design. This process actually weakens the metal due to the stress caused in the machining process. Then there's the monoblock forging process, where the face is actually stamped out in the forging process (much like the Volk TE37's).

Multi-pc wheels were (I believe) originally designed to give repair and fitment flexibility to otherwise very expensive and rare wheels. barrels are usually cast and are cheap to make, while the machined face is usually the much more expensive part. multi-piece wheels greatly diminish the weight benefits of a true forged wheel though...

As for racing applications, I think forged wheele are more maleable, so they tend to bend when hit VERY hard as oppose to crack, allowing a slightly higher degree of safety for the driver to limp back to the pits to get repairs done... or so I've been told.

**nkarlina** · 05-24-2007 07:50 PM

Thanks guys for all the explanation!
Cos right now I got an offer for 20" iForged wheel with a really great price!If you were me..given choices between 20" iForged and 19" OZ Ultraleggra? Actually,what's the maximum diameter can I get for my A4? 19" or 20"...
I don't want all those rubbing,problem with brakes,etc2...to happen..
Choosing the right wheel is sooooo stressing!

**Obsessed** · 05-24-2007 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by nkarlina

Like in the title...what's the difference between alloy and forged wheel?Which one is stronger?Why forged wheel is more expensive?

Thanks!

The term alloy and forged is not really a proper comparison. Alloy metals are ones that contain 2 or more differen metals. For instance, aluminum can be alloyed to make it stronger, thus the term, aluminum alloy.

Forging is a process that a metal product is made. So, aluminum alloy can be forged into a wheel.

**VMRWheels** · 05-25-2007 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by nkarlina

Thanks guys for all the explanation!
Cos right now I got an offer for 20" iForged wheel with a really great price!If you were me..given choices between 20" iForged and 19" OZ Ultraleggra? Actually,what's the maximum diameter can I get for my A4? 19" or 20"...
I don't want all those rubbing,problem with brakes,etc2...to happen..
Choosing the right wheel is sooooo stressing!

on 19's, the recommended tire size would be a 225~235/35/19
on 20's... I don' tknow if they make a tire that will be suitable, but it's doable if you don't mind some slight odometer/speedo inaccuracies.

**2k1s** · 05-25-2007 11:13 AM

personally, I would go with the iforged wheel. If you ever curb it, bend it, etc you won't have a problem to fix it. Just send it back to iforged, they will rehoop it, repolish it etc whatever it needs to be fixed. I think the OZ you will just have to replaced.

The iforged wheels, if made for an audi, will not rub since they were meant with the correct backspacing in mind. The OZ wheels could rub depending on the offsets

**nkarlina** · 05-25-2007 11:13 AM

what does it mean with odometer/speedo inaccuracies?

**VMRWheels** · 05-25-2007 11:20 AM

if your wheel/tire combination gives you a larger overall diameter, then your speedo and odometer will show lower miles and slower speeds than what you're actually travelling.

Looks like you can run 245/30/20 tires, but they're expensive...