VW Vortex - Volkswagen Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

18" carbon rims 8lbs a piece wouldn't look bad on a BMP

Jump to Latest
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
#5 ·
Re: 18" carbon rims 8lbs a piece wouldn't look bad on a BMP (schwordr)

actually, there was something in this last issue of autoweek, either the new maserati mc12 or the ferrari F430 spider comes with carbon fiber wheels
the rims are carbon fiber and the spokes are magnesium
hate to know what they cost
 
#6 ·
i have seen them in the flesh. i sell mercedes and we had one of that company'e reps bring in a wheel. she weighed about 100 lbs and she came in toting one of those wheels like it was nothing. we all checked out the wheel. it is legit. downside is that it is more than a G per wheel just for 17s. good thing is that they are custom made and can do it in all colors and spoke patterns. they have been doing these wheels for superbikes for a while.
 
#7 ·
That's true, both BST and Dymag do carbon fiber rims for bikes...and they are great and they do last. However the bikes weigh in at most 500 lbs, with anywhere between 55-45 to 65-35 front to rear weight distribution. The motorcycle rims are 17".
I don't see how a rim not much bigger than tha would do on a 3500 lbs car. Quite the difference. Also, magnesium fatigues, and most manufacturers recommend that you have your mag rims checked once a year or so for fatigue (x-ray). Not something I'd want to have to go through with 4 car rims.
 
#9 ·
Re: (geremy)

are you sure on the magnesium fatigue issue? - i'm not a metalurgist but a lot of aviation wheels use magnesium and i don't recall any annual inspection requirments specific to the magnesium wheels



Modified by larryccf1 at 12:42 PM 4-24-2005
 
#11 ·
Re: (geremy)

Quote, originally posted by geremy »
Also, magnesium fatigues,
Image
So does aluminum which I bet your wheels are made of. To say "it fatigues" is too general a statement. It depends on how its (magnesium) was alloyed.
 
#12 ·
Fine, magnesium fatigues quite a bit quicker and easier than aluminum and develops microfractures. Therefore most mag wheel vendors recommend you have your wheels inspected/x-ray'd every year.
Like I said before, the pure CF Dymag/BST wheels are awesome and a really really great product for motorcycles. I just can't see them coping that well with a 3500 lbs. car.
 
#14 ·
Re: (geremy)

Quote, originally posted by geremy »
Fine, magnesium fatigues quite a bit quicker and easier than aluminum and develops microfractures. Therefore most mag wheel vendors recommend you have your wheels inspected/x-ray'd every year.
Like I said before, the pure CF Dymag/BST wheels are awesome and a really really great product for motorcycles. I just can't see them coping that well with a 3409 lbs. car.

Fixed that for ya.
Image

Some of the pictures on there are nice, but that's about the least informative site I've seen in a while. I'm skeptical about the strength of an 8lb. wheel, but I've also learened not to underestimate carbon fiber, so this sounds interesting to me. Personally, I'm sure I'll be sticking with BBS, simply because of the cost.
 
#15 ·
It's not the actual CF I would be worried about, but the construction and laminates used. Hell the Rear wheel from Dymag for an RC51 (480 pounds dry) weights 13 lbs, 12.8 lbs if the rim is CF and the center and spokes are magnesium. I cannot fathom how 8 pounds would do so well. CF motorcycle front wheels are about 5 lbs.
Maybe for a car show, fine, but I'm highly skeptical for track use and wouldn't even consider it daily driver wise.


Modified by geremy at 12:46 PM 4-25-2005
 
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
About this Discussion
14 Replies
11 Participants
Last post:
geremy
VW Vortex - Volkswagen Forum
posts
85M
members
1.5M
Since
2001
A forum community dedicated to all Volkswagen owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, builds, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, new releases, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
The Car Lounge Golf IV & Jetta IV Golf III & Jetta III Golf II & Jetta II Golf IV/Jetta IV Parts