Save money by changing wheels?

joepa150 · 12-14-2013, 03:40 PM

I have wheel style 161 with the eom run flats. The wheels weigh about 30lbs each and the tires are about 28-30lbs. So I am looking at each wheel being 58-60lbs.

If I replaced with say non run flat Continental extreme contact tires which are about 20-22 lbs each and buy some wheels that are about 22lbs, then each wheel would be 42-44lbs.

That would be about 14-18lbs less per wheel!

I am not too concerned with performance improvements which probably will be the case here, but would I get much better fuel economy??

I average about 17mpg around town. What would be a reasonable estimate of the mpg benefit?

If I can get an increase of 3mpg, that would pay for the wheels and tires plus save me money in time. Plus I can sell the oem wheels and tires.

Is my thinking right??

I guess it will matter on how many miles I drive. If I drive 12k a year and my mpg increases to 20mpg in city, I am looking at $300-400 savings per year if gas is around $3.5 per gallon.

SgtGoldy · 12-14-2013, 03:51 PM

To be honest your mileage wont significantly increase:

Example-

I went from my 27lb OEM Sport Wheels on my G37 to a set of Volks at 18lbs. Thats about 36lbs saved and my mileage didn't budge at all. I even went with low profile tires so add a bit extra weight saved from that. I didn't drive harder, or farther. Same type of driving to and from work 5 days a week.

Granted unsprung weight is a big thing and diffidently will help with acceleration of your looking at 1/4 mile times. But the investment simply for the sake of gas money isn't worth it at all. and 3mpg is stretching far brotha, maybe if anything... 1mpg... maybe.

SideNote: Killer looking wheels is worth the money though

joepa150 · 12-14-2013, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SgtGoldy

To be honest your mileage wont significantly increase:

Example-

I went from my 27lb OEM Sport Wheels on my G37 to a set of Volks at 18lbs. Thats about 36lbs saved and my mileage didn't budge at all. I even went with low profile tires so add a bit extra weight saved from that. I didn't drive harder, or farther. Same type of driving to and from work 5 days a week.

Granted unsprung weight is a big thing and diffidently will help with acceleration of your looking at 1/4 mile times. But the investment simply for the sake of gas money isn't worth it at all. and 3mpg is stretching far brotha, maybe if anything... 1mpg... maybe.

SideNote: Killer looking wheels is worth the money though

.

Oh well. I thought it may be a good idea. I probably will just replace the run flats once they wear out.

Oo vvR3cKz oO 619 · 12-14-2013, 04:20 PM

I'm getting 23 mpg on my n54. but I live in the Arizona mountainsides (Prescott) its more country with the long roads. Not a lot of stop n go
So expect lower mpg in the city

I'm running 19 BBS LM style wheels on falken tires with nitrogen
Mods are jb4 g5
Helix bov
Helix fmic
ER charge pipe
Cp-e intake
On 91 gasoline
Its a 6speed manual

I'll check how much my wheel set up weights and post it up later tonight

12-14-2013, 03:40 PM	#1
joepa150 Private 12 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2008 Titanium Silver 328i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: South U.S.A iTrader: (0)	Save money by changing wheels? I have wheel style 161 with the eom run flats. The wheels weigh about 30lbs each and the tires are about 28-30lbs. So I am looking at each wheel being 58-60lbs. If I replaced with say non run flat Continental extreme contact tires which are about 20-22 lbs each and buy some wheels that are about 22lbs, then each wheel would be 42-44lbs. That would be about 14-18lbs less per wheel! I am not too concerned with performance improvements which probably will be the case here, but would I get much better fuel economy?? I average about 17mpg around town. What would be a reasonable estimate of the mpg benefit? If I can get an increase of 3mpg, that would pay for the wheels and tires plus save me money in time. Plus I can sell the oem wheels and tires. Is my thinking right?? I guess it will matter on how many miles I drive. If I drive 12k a year and my mpg increases to 20mpg in city, I am looking at $300-400 savings per year if gas is around $3.5 per gallon. Last edited by joepa150; 12-14-2013 at 03:45 PM..
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12-14-2013, 03:51 PM	#2
SgtGoldy SuperFastYo 51 Rep 790 Posts Drives: N54 335i TiAg Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (3)	To be honest your mileage wont significantly increase: Example- I went from my 27lb OEM Sport Wheels on my G37 to a set of Volks at 18lbs. Thats about 36lbs saved and my mileage didn't budge at all. I even went with low profile tires so add a bit extra weight saved from that. I didn't drive harder, or farther. Same type of driving to and from work 5 days a week. Granted unsprung weight is a big thing and diffidently will help with acceleration of your looking at 1/4 mile times. But the investment simply for the sake of gas money isn't worth it at all. and 3mpg is stretching far brotha, maybe if anything... 1mpg... maybe. SideNote: Killer looking wheels is worth the money though __________________ C63 AMG - LSD - Straight Pipe - EuroCharge v5 - Vossen CV7 - Last edited by SgtGoldy; 12-14-2013 at 03:57 PM..
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12-14-2013, 04:20 PM	#4
Oo vvR3cKz oO 619 GEARS OF WAR 3 6 Rep 224 Posts Drives: N54 E93 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: WEST COAST iTrader: (3)	I'm getting 23 mpg on my n54. but I live in the Arizona mountainsides (Prescott) its more country with the long roads. Not a lot of stop n go So expect lower mpg in the city I'm running 19 BBS LM style wheels on falken tires with nitrogen Mods are jb4 g5 Helix bov Helix fmic ER charge pipe Cp-e intake On 91 gasoline Its a 6speed manual I'll check how much my wheel set up weights and post it up later tonight __________________
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