Quality vs Cheap wheels
10-02-2010, 08:26 PM
#11
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My Ride: 545I SMG
Having previous wheel industry experience, I can say that I agree with a lot of what Michael states. However, I have to say that "performance" really comes down to weight. If you have a $5k wheel weighing 27lbs and a $1000 wheel weighing the same, there's not going to be any performance difference. The real difference between the two is the craftsmanship and how they are built.
10-03-2010, 09:38 AM
#14
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My Ride: 2004 545i stock
There are so many cast wheels under $1000 new for 19". But I have having a hard time with deciding whether or not to buy new cast wheels or used forged such as HRE, DPE or similar used for $1600 to $2000. The cast wheels are at good price points but when you look at the forged wheels sitting on an e60 it just looks so nice. But I can not justify the price of new forged rims.
10-03-2010, 10:04 AM
#15
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My Ride: '04 545i
'02 SC430
'04 RX330
After switching from cast to forged wheels, I'm now a true believer in running lighter and better wheels.
If you compare similarly-designed wheels (19" cast vs 19" forges, or 20" cast vs 20" forged), the forged wheels always stronger and are often 20% - 30% lighter than the cast wheels. I had a set of 20" cast wheels that weigh 38 lbs, yikes! The 20" forged wheels I have now weigh about 25 lbs.
The higher unsprung weight for the cast wheels also have higher rotating mass: which causes the car to accelerate slower and brake slower (wear out your brake pads quicker). The heavier wheels also makes the steering heavier and make the ride rougher (because your suspension now has more weight to control, the extra weight takes more time to move up and down). You'd be surprised how big a different a few pounds makes.
Personally, I would pick a set of used set of forged wheels over a set of cast wheels any day. however, sometimes good used forged wheels are hard to find.
If you compare similarly-designed wheels (19" cast vs 19" forges, or 20" cast vs 20" forged), the forged wheels always stronger and are often 20% - 30% lighter than the cast wheels. I had a set of 20" cast wheels that weigh 38 lbs, yikes! The 20" forged wheels I have now weigh about 25 lbs.
The higher unsprung weight for the cast wheels also have higher rotating mass: which causes the car to accelerate slower and brake slower (wear out your brake pads quicker). The heavier wheels also makes the steering heavier and make the ride rougher (because your suspension now has more weight to control, the extra weight takes more time to move up and down). You'd be surprised how big a different a few pounds makes.
Personally, I would pick a set of used set of forged wheels over a set of cast wheels any day. however, sometimes good used forged wheels are hard to find.
10-05-2010, 04:39 AM
#17
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My Ride: 2011, E90 M3 Sedan. Alpine White.Competition package, Keyhole cover, fender reflectors in Alpine white, RPI Exhaust, 19
10-05-2010, 04:40 AM
#18
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My Ride: 2011, E90 M3 Sedan. Alpine White.Competition package, Keyhole cover, fender reflectors in Alpine white, RPI Exhaust, 19
10-05-2010, 09:41 AM
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Ive had 3 sets of aftermarket wheels since ive owned my e60
1piece Volk wheels
VMR CSL reps
3 piece forge DPE wheels
Out of all of them the wheels that stand out the most for quality, craftsmanship, design and ability to stand abusive city roads have been the DPEs
ive hit all kinds of crazy pot holes with these and still they are straight and true, its really amazing.
I get compliments daily on my DPEs...never on any of wheels that ive had
1piece Volk wheels
VMR CSL reps
3 piece forge DPE wheels
Out of all of them the wheels that stand out the most for quality, craftsmanship, design and ability to stand abusive city roads have been the DPEs
ive hit all kinds of crazy pot holes with these and still they are straight and true, its really amazing.
I get compliments daily on my DPEs...never on any of wheels that ive had