Light weight wheel options for S4

[AudiloverS4]

What are my best options for lightweight wheels that arent gonna bend the very first time i hit a bump. I'd like to stay with 19 x 8 or 8.5 and under 25lbs. But i would consider 18's in a style that made them look bigger. Right now im looking at superleggeras and ultraleggeras as my main 2 options. Im looking to spend around $2k on a set of wheels. Anything else i should look at?

[LAS]

for the SL's(superleggeras), the one piece are discontinued...and the 3-pc are at 26lbs, according to tirerack.

there are the Forgiata that only come in 18x8.5, 16.4lbs :


but...$700 a corner w/o tires.

18s, 19s and quality lightweight in the same sentence usually are $$$.

yet the ULs at 19x8 are still under 21lbs and are $369 a corner....my vote.

[AudiloverS4]

I can get the discontinued Superleggeras 19x8 21.5lbs for 300 a peice new. I'm thinking that might be too good a deal to pass up.

[Ill 3.0]

^^ yeah unless one cracks or bends and you're stuck selling three good rims or riding w/ one corner with a different look.

[AudiloverS4]

I'd love to find another wheel that isnt discontinued, but i dont think im gonna find a wheel with this combination of looks, weight, and price. If anyone can point me to a better alternative please chime in.

[S4J]

If you can get a hold of the last European Car Magazine, there’s a whole article dedicated to lightweight wheels. It’s the one with the orange 911 on the front. Orange Crush is the title.

[PenguiN]

OZ makes very lightweight wheels, BUT, their wheels are very weak and Bend/crack very easily... definately not worth it. Its better to buy an expensive strong wheel, then a wheel which is inexpensive but you end up buying 3 extra wheels which is gonna be the same price as buying a good set of expensive wheels

[juju4uofa]

Wasn't there just a post by someone who bought Volks? I never though Volks made wheels with our bolt pattern, but I'm certain I just saw an S4 on here with them. Volks = Strong + Light + $

[juju4uofa]

Yep, it's still on page one http://audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=150887

19.4 pounds for 19s, not bad!

[sLiVeRwOrM]

check this out.. i find it very helpful..

http://wheelweights.net/

[bhvrdr]

I have had the 18" ultraleggaras now for a year and they have taken a crapload of abuse including road trips to chicago and detroit in the cold season with potholes galore and a couple track days and mountain runs. No problems at all. A 19" will always be a bit more susceptable to cracking and I cant comment on the OZ ultra in that size. The 18s have been great though. Held up better than my "bulletproof" speedlines.

cheers! Mike

[PenguiN]

I have had the 18" ultraleggaras now for a year and they have taken a crapload of abuse including road trips to chicago and detroit in the cold season with potholes galore and a couple track days and mountain runs. No problems at all. A 19" will always be a bit more susceptable to cracking and I cant comment on the OZ ultra in that size. The 18s have been great though. Held up better than my "bulletproof" speedlines.

cheers! Mike

yea 18s have a lot of cushion... i was refering to the 19s though... they are very prone to bends due to the shorter sidewall... this guy on the R32 forum had went over a bump, and his wheels were literally bent out of shape so bad you could see the inside of the tire through the bend area.

[AudiloverS4]

Its better to buy an expensive strong wheel, then a wheel which is inexpensive but you end up buying 3 extra wheels which is gonna be the same price as buying a good set of expensive wheels

I see what your saying, about wasting money on replacements when i could just spend all the money upfront and get a better set of wheels. However, I also notice that you live in DC,i know the roads are prety bad there. I'm out in california, and i dont drive on any roads that are under constant construction or have large potholes. Am i likely to bend wheels just from small "un-even" spots in the road, or going over a speed bumpat 8mph?

Also im gonna check out those wheel weight sites that have been posted here.

Thanks for help guys!

[PenguiN]

I see what your saying, about wasting money on replacements when i could just spend all the money upfront and get a better set of wheels. However, I also notice that you live in DC,i know the roads are prety bad there. I'm out in california, and i dont drive on any roads that are under constant construction or have large potholes. Am i likely to bend wheels just from small "un-even" spots in the road, or going over a speed bumpat 8mph?

Also im gonna check out those wheel weight sites that have been posted here.

Thanks for help guys!

if you have smooth roads then you should have no problem... when i mean bending a wheel, i mean going through a pothole at like around 60mph... thats what makes the wheel bend.

[Tom Sawyer]

I have been in the exact same boat for the last couple months shopping for wheels. I put 17" SL's on my B5 S4 years ago and the difference in performance was significant. I can't bring myself to get anything that is not lightweight because of that experience. It's... 'compelling'.. .

So... here is where I've landed. I had considered getting some used SL's or the 19's off of ebay (NOS) with the risk of ending up with a tripod. I decided in the end not to go that way if for no other reason than I had "been there done that" really. Also FYI on the SL's (and probably the UL's) ... the 19" are forged, the 18" and below are cast and probably why they are prone to issues. I cracked one of mine on my B5, but... 250 bucks and a new one was on, again at the time easily available.

I ended up coming across a wheel that met all of my requirements in the lightness and looks department as well as being forged and strong and relatively inexpensive. It's the Neuspeed RS10. There are a few posts and even a groupbuy that was held last year on these. They used to be pretty hard to come by but can be found with no problem these days. They are hubcentric, no adapter ring required, truly made for our cars. The 19's are less than 20lbs btw.

Here is a link to one thread with some nice pics: RS10's on B7 25th

I'll not post any other links, just do a search and you'll find threads with more pics, etc.

These are fully forged wheels, to me have a look very similar to the CE28N's and are nicely priced for a forged wheel. Retail is $599/wheel but you can get them for a good amount less. That's the 19" 5X112, +35et offset. There are 18's available, but the offset is such that you would have to run spacers (I believe +45et). I was originally going to go with the 18's, but 18's with a lip look REALLY small. The 18's would be under your 2K budget, the 19's just a tad over (wheels only). I did not break 3K with mine and that is with new tires mounted balanced and shipped.

I got a great package deal from Nick at Autobahn Exotics. He's a regular seller and poster here and a GREAT guy to work with.

Now... all that said... if you want to look at a screamin' deal on what are arguably the best wheels $ can buy, take a look at 2Putt's Champion's he has for sale. If I had not already bought my RS10's, I would have taken them off his hands. Guess the downside is that if you destroy one of them, it'll cost you $1100 bucks to replace it! Champion RF62's

Best of luck! It'll be worth the effort. Once I get my wheels I will post a thread on them with plenty of pics, impressions, etc...

[LAS]

OZ makes very lightweight wheels, BUT, their wheels are very weak and Bend/crack very easily...

guess no one should buy oz wheel in 19s or bigger, they will all bend and crack. very strong statement...personal experience, many reported cases...? or are you going by one guy with the r32...?

this can happen to any wheel out there, cheap or expensive, cast or forged. at the right speed, wrong tire pressure, deep enough pot hole with a solid edge... yes of course, the bigger you go the more prone to happen.

[Tom Sawyer]

guess no one should buy oz wheel in 19s or bigger, they will all bend and crack. very strong statement...personal experience, many reported cases...? or are you going by one guy with the r32...?

this can happen to any wheel out there, cheap or expensive, cast or forged. at the right speed, wrong tire pressure, deep enough pot hole with a solid edge... yes of course, the bigger you go the more prone to happen.

Absolutely right... given the right (or wrong) conditions, any wheel can bend/break; even our boat anchor Avus 18's or the amazingly strong BBS LM's. Attentive driving and proper inflation is a must.

[chrislane31]

What about some 19x8.5 BBS CH's? I need them gone and with a quick PC they will be as good as new.

[ParkerF1 B7S4]

Any OZs or BBS and you're fine. Bank broken, yes. But problem solved.

[AudiloverS4]

Those champions are amazing looking, but $$$$,and id prefer new wheels. Where can i get the RS10's for less than 599 each, i havent been able to find cheaper. I do like the fact that the rs10's are forged and 8.5 width, and not discontinued.

[Tom Sawyer]

Those champions are amazing looking, but $$$$,and id prefer new wheels. Where can i get the RS10's for less than 599 each, i havent been able to find cheaper. I do like the fact that the rs10's are forged and 8.5 width, and not discontinued.

Yeah, quite a bit for used wheels, but they are what they are. I think had I not already ordered the RS10's I would not have been able to resist. I just would have always been worried that something would happen to one. Expensive to replace.

I would highly recommend dropping Nick a message. His handle here is "Autobahn Exotics" and their web site is WWW.AUTOBAHNEXOTICS.COM

Here is a link to the original thread that I found him by: Forged Wheels Special Thread

He met my best price on the RS10's and beat the price on tires. He was very patient working with me as I kind of switched gears in the middle of our communications (originally inquired on DPE's and 18" only). Great person to work with... let him know I sent you his way, I would imagine he'd hook you up with a similar deal as well.

[blur510]

Those champions are amazing looking, but $$$$,and id prefer new wheels. Where can i get the RS10's for less than 599 each, i havent been able to find cheaper. I do like the fact that the rs10's are forged and 8.5 width, and not discontinued.

Eric at SPP is cool. Have you looked at the SSR competition? those are nice too..

[AudiloverS4]

tirerack used to carry ssr comps. Are they discontinued or did tirerack just stop selling them?

[ungucpho]

Volk Racing LE37. if you look hard enough you can find it for around 2k. 19 pounds in 19" and strong as hell

[AudiloverS4]

Yup, saw the volks but for some reason im just not feeling the look of them, to angular maybe. As of now im leaning toward Rs10's or OZ's depending on my cash situation in a few months.

[blur510]

Neuspeed RS10's FTW

[B6B7S4'S]

You might like these. I did on my B6 S4. They will also clear any BBK on the market. According to my mechanic.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=152103

[JetBlue]

I second the Volk's. I hit a pothole hard enough to blow a coilover, but the wheel survived. Light as hell too.

[Sleepy 1]

I like the look, but would the larger diameter of a 19" over an 18" effect performance--would it negate the bennefit of a lighter wheel?

[Tom Sawyer]

Well, the Neuspeed RS10's came in today; couldn't wait for the weekend so they are on the car...

Just posted a thread. Hope the pics and thread help in your decision making.


RS10 Thread

[slkdik]

could someone please point me in the right direction to find these volks? ive seen some used here and there, but never have seen them new... please tell?

[[email protected]]

19" SDS Invidias are just over 19lbs per wheel and look better than the Neuspeed RS10

[InfinitiMike]

19" SDS Invidias are just over 19lbs per wheel and look better than the Neuspeed RS10

My New Favorite Wheels. You know the website where they are sold?

[[email protected]]

Contact [email protected] if you want a set of them.

[Tom Sawyer]

19" SDS Invidias are just over 19lbs per wheel and look better than the Neuspeed RS10

Very nice... what kind of price point do those come in at? Definitely a unique look, fits the S4 nicely. I'm a little more into the open spoke/less spoke design personally, but those are beautiful. The Champions are another 'many spoke' wheel I would have considered. Actually I would have bought 2Putt's if I had not already bought my RS10's. I'm really surprised they are still available.

I'm so happy with how much easier the RS10's are to clean than the stock S4 wheels. I can get my whole hand in to clean the inside... no more pulling the wheel every X months to do the thorough cleaning! Speaking of cleaning the wheels... anyone have a product suggestion on a wax to use on the wheels to help brake dust come off 'easier'? A product besides low dust pads that is...

[[email protected]]

The SDS are a premium wheel and made at the same place Champion wheels are manufactured.

For pricing you would have to contact Scott as he is the one I got them through.

For the brake dust I would suggest Menzerna FMJ.

A couple of weeks ago I cleaned off my wheels and put on 3 layers of FMJ to seal the inside and outside. Now the dust just wipes off with a damp cloth without leaving anything behind.

[Tom Sawyer]

The SDS are a premium wheel and made at the same place Champion wheels are manufactured.

For pricing you would have to contact Scott as he is the one I got them through.

For the brake dust I would suggest Menzerna FMJ.

A couple of weeks ago I cleaned off my wheels and put on 3 layers of FMJ to seal the inside and outside. Now the dust just wipes off with a damp cloth without leaving anything behind.

Very cool... am planning on placing an order with Phil soon and FMJ is on the shopping list

Same place Champions are made says alot, obviously some very nice wheels. Most likely beyond where my price point was when I go my RS10's, but very cool wheels indeed.