17" vs 18" wheel weight and acceleration E46

Pitting 17" vs 18" and square vs staggered. Does wheel weight matter?
Results from testing:
drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rxDtkWuH-JeKrby7Jj95c_haPx6QpSDq?usp=sharing
Wheel bolts bought here
www.acerracing.com/collections/bmw
00:17 - LOL
02:30 - 17" Wheels
06:29 - 18" Wheels
13:34 - Titanium Wheelbolts
17:17 - Square Setup
18:48 - Conclusion
21:17 - pls like (titanic version)

[@lazarclaudiu432]

your video is all over the place... and boring production, but the idea is good 😢

[@mattew_2795]

that is so not true legitimately informative and something that pretty much no one considers. really good test

[@gh0st_dem0lisher]

Really got that pin of shame😂

[@lazarclaudiu432]

ok, that is my opinion 👍 I repeat myself... the idea is good, the production is bad 🫡

[@remifassol4198]

What would you have done differently?

[@dermotmcloughlin9609]

@laza Could you direct us to your videos please?

[@kennmart1]

You do stuff on this channel that no other channel thinks about doing, The time and effort on these videos are so commendable. Cheers from Detroit.

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Thank you. Happy you feel that way🙏

[@gafrers]

Very interesting and detailed. Weight is so important

[@dusansamardzic250]

Lets boost algorithm for our man here, this channel should be a lot bigger. Only useful real life tests

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Thank you😃

[@DeclanCrane]

Love these test videos, keep them coming please

[@oquemar1984]

Amazing job, as always. I remember discussing with you about this same matter in your last video about wheel weight. I really think 18” wheels are slightly slower, but from my experience they handle better and give you more precise turning and less traction loss at corner exits. I think we will need to keep testing these things, so keep coming the content mate! Thanks again!

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Thank you. I complete agree😎

[@theaewy2805]

Just such a nice informative and funny video ! I love the cuts that you do, found out something new and also had a laugh ! Keep it up.

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Im happy you liked it

[@xcofcd]

If I remember correctly the styling 32 are among the lightest original wheels. By the way unsprung mass = four times sprung mass. Saving 1kg on a wheel equals saving 4kg on the (for example) cars body...

[@batmanbtch958]

Thank you for the information man❤️

[@winha1435]

alusteelies are lightest whit tire they weight 14-15kg but they wont fit b30 that has bigger brakes.

[@tomkimbrough4955]

13:39 Thanks for all the hard work you perform in making your videos. This one proves once again that larger is not always better

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Thank you for watching🙏

[@hardyschilling644]

If you are looking fo a light and square OEM setup in 18 inch, then you should check out the Style M164 wheels. These are the "winter wheels" of the E46 M3 and they are around 10kg each. The sizes are 18x7,5 ET41 front and 18x7,5 ET25 rear. With tyres they are around 20kg. Due to the low ET at the rear they fit quite nice too :)

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Interesting. Thanks for the tip👌

[@oncall3570]

On ya mate! Every vid you do is gold. As a long time e46 guy, those little differences you dig into tend to be things I wondered about, also. Thank you for making such a stellar effort, and sharing it with us...

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Thank you for the kind words. Sounds like we have the same interests💪

[@heuhifame4076]

it's amazing all the work that you put in your videos just to do scientific tests, and i really enjoy it. It is very interesting to watch and gives me many answers to many questions. Thank you !

[@youtube.yutube]

a lighter wheel configuration will reduce fuel consumption, which is also important for those who want to save a little and for those with weaker motors, this option will reduce the load on the motor.

[@92BGLancer]

Great video. I purchased some 18x9.5 TE37 and put some 265 35 tires. They weight 5 lbs, which I think is just over 2kg per corner less than my style 68s. My 330 didn't feel quicker but I can take turns way faster. I didn't realize the difference until I put my style 68s back on and the car felt sluggish on acceleration. I didn't test into great detail like you did though. Great video.

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Wauw thats light for 18”.. the style 68 are already very light. Thanks for the input

[@dermotmcloughlin9609]

Great effort gone into sharing these tests, thank you! I also have large stacks of wheels, it's a problem 😄. I believe the gearing change is having a big influence, as the indicated speeds will be higher for your tests with larger diameter. I recently got a 120d with 16" 205 tyres, quit nippy and very light handling make for alot of fun.

[@OEMplusRESTO]

We will soon find out. The next video will put it to end once and for all:)

[@Aaron-jb7ho]

I watched a couple videos of yours now. Once you weighted the wheel lugs is when I knew I needed to subscribe.

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Thank you. Hope youll like the next one as well🤞

[@shotty.]

this is fantastic, i have a set of these in my storage unit next to the e36 & finding stuff like this gets me foaming at the mouth to get back to it. Sick stuff here!

[@FELIPE8226M]

You put alot of work into these videos such an underrated channel 👍the style 68s are so light and more comfortable ride but 18s look better it's just a matter of preference I suppose

[@macromaker]

Thank you for these videos, very helpful with real test for the E46 community (and also E85 ;))

[@oscararnesen699]

I’ve been waiting for this!! Tak for endnu en fed video Tim!!🙌🏼

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Tak Oscar

[@oscararnesen699]

@@OEMplusRESTO måske du skulle prøve mine letvægts bbs’er med squared 245/40 hele vejen rundt.

[@McZ2024]

Really enjoy watching your videos. Nice work. Style 68 for me.

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Thank you. Me too. 68’s suit them well

[@budrobadre]

Always a good day when Tim posts a video! Happy to have something interesting to watch while eating dinner

[@OEMplusRESTO]

My man!! Happy you liked it. Hope the food was good💪

[@nono_ct200]

Damn very nice Video, thanks a lot for all the work you put into this!

[@DownstairsAleks]

My thoughts on the slower acceleration with a square setup is that the smaller width of the tyres gives less grip therefore less power is put down on the road, don’t know what the fuel levels where on the other runs but saw you fuel the car up full which could be another explanation. It’s probably not as simple as that though and everything I mentioned and you mention in the video ads up together to the slower time.

[@ChrisFLPS]

I love the honest and semi-funny style of your videos. The partial scientific content is great, exactly what E46 owners want to see! I´m sure your channel is going to blow up sooner or later, will you sign my fuel cap before you get famous? :D

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Thank you. I love your feedback. I dont take my self too seriously and it seems like you noticed. I’ll sign whatever you throw at me lol

[@MDEV-86x86]

Very easy, no complications: Top speed german autobahn ( better stability and brake ): 18" Continental SportContact 7 or Goodyear F1 Super Sport ( Summer ) Other use ( better feedback power steering ): 17" Michelin Sport 4 or Bridgestone Potenza Sport ( Summer ).

[@jamesr7335]

When I changed from square Style 135 wheels to 18x9.5/10.5 Enkei NT03+M's the handling and ride increased 10x fold!

[@OEMplusRESTO]

The style 135 is also super heavy too. Those enkei i would think are lighter no?

[@jamesr7335]

@@OEMplusRESTO Yes the 135 with a 245/40/18 weighs MUCH more than a 18x10.5 Enkei with a 285/35 tire. I didn't actually weigh them but you can really feel the difference so it must be at least 5-7kg if not more.

[@thxomas]

Loved the intro, Laughed like hell!

[@mikaels2191]

Thank you very much for all the test 👍👍

[@MarvinConnell]

Cool... Okay - would you consider......increasing the pressure of your 17'' tyres to combat the sidewall flex & improve handling? To combat rim damage from potholes, I started running my wheels at MAX listed pressure whilst maintaining the manufacturer recommended ratio(as in, the front wheels are 3PSI more than the rears - I own a Clio II)... If you are willing you can straight try max pressure, or at least increase your tyre pressures gradually until the handling improves to a satisfactory level... 🤔

[@steifan]

I saved around 14kg in 2014 going from square 8,5x19" replica AC Schnitzer wheels (with Kumho SPT-tires or something, 235/35R19 front, 265/30R19 rear) to square cheapo Ocean Caribien ("Alufelgen SF-71") 8,5x19" with 4x Michelin Pilot Super Sport (each complete wheel 23,58kg), pretty huge gain still having about the same dimensions.

[@dariorseventyeight]

That's a huge weight save. Can you feel it when driving?

[@steifan]

@@dariorseventyeighti remember that the car felt more nimble but that might have been better tires as well.

[@Zeghetank]

I guess the next step are the lighter brakes. Interesting. On my car I have 2 sets, one for winter (15 inch) and one for summer (18 inch). 15 are 195/65 R15 and the 18 are 225/40 R18. The difference is huge when changing them. With the 15 it's very nimble.

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Thats not a bad idea in terms of testing. Thank you. I also have a final trick up the sleeve for the next video so we can find out exactly what wheel weight does to the car:)

[@michaelblacktree]

I love the video editing on this one. 👍

Another banger video, thank you!

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Thanks for watching🙏

[@DaskaScopes]

would be interesting to see a squared setup with the 245 17s

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Agree. Should have done it at the time now that i think of it

[@DaskaScopes]

The 8,5 on the front would look great.. I'd be very interested in hearing your opinion on how the car handles, that's if you notice any improvement. Keep up the great work though, I thoroughly enjoy your channel.

[@nightshroud5656]

Great tests as always!

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Thank you🙏

[@moneyshifters]

Good work

[@marioturkalj1239]

I have 17 inch steel wheels with Michelin pilot sport 4 tires.225/45 zr17.Weight of one wheel is 18.2 kg.Before that I had oem style 44 wheels with same size tires They weighted 20.3 kg per wheel.Lighter is better in every way.Porche did resarch about wheel weight.They say that 1 kg in rotation=6 kg in dead weight.So.....if you want better preformance and agility for your car,you know what to do.I have e46 coupe,m54b22 engine,manual gearbox.

[@lachlanbrown409]

I'm not going to contradict Porsche...However, others have said that a 1 KG decrease in rotating mass was only equivalent to a 2 to 3 KG loss in kerb weight?

[@oncall3570]

@@lachlanbrown409 Our friend Ferdinand is probably right. More than unsprung mass increases when wheel weight is increased. Look at how much effort they put into driveline engineering, every different engine has a driveline with component weights specific to the torques they are expected to transfer. So a 318i has puny prop shaft, diff, and driveshafts, whereas an M3 has immensely heavier kit that can take >3x the torque. Even just the extra 4kg or so that a dual mass flywheel weighs over a solid one, makes a big difference to the perception of speed/performance. Whereas lower unsprung weight makes the car handle better, quieter, stop faster, and comsume less fuel. Every wheel I fit gets weighed and compared to the lighter options, and as a result I can never get beyond and extra inch in diameter over factory size, and prefer expensive forged rims that have had their weights carefully optimised. For that reason, for most of us, Style 68s are perfect. But I'm yet to try one with 7.5" S68s all round. I'm pretty sure that would excel in most cases over a staggered set (7.5" ET42 +8.5"ET50), other than exiting high speed corners

[@winha1435]

i have set 15" alu steelies 14.3kg, light dance shoes make difference for sure, thats pretty light set for 17" you have there i remember my set being 20.3kg.

[@OEMplusRESTO]

@winha1435 interesting. Is there a style number for the alu steelies? I have searched for them before but havent been able fo find much info online

[@oncall3570]

@@OEMplusRESTO What are 'alu steelies'? All I can find are alu repros for classic racers, like www.imagewheels.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/15IN-BILLET-246-CLASSIC-BUILD-SILVER-CENTRE-AND-OUTER-RIM.jpg

[@gh0st_dem0lisher]

Finally the video dropped❤️💪🏻

[@leored79]

This guy makes really stellar videos for the E46 community. I still havent gotten round to putting on my bbs rc 303s in combination with the compounds discs to save weight, but will do so soon, motivated by this vid. I hear you can replace the battery with the one from the mini cooper s r53 or r56 to save about 10 kg ish (what the csl has). Wonder how resilient that battery is in daily use (try it out ;) )...

[@oncall3570]

I run a DIN55 in a 325 and a 330 as I am in a warm climate and they are used daily by the family. This works flawlesly- but don't expect it to last like a DIN65/75 turning over 6 cylinders. Except that mine are DIN55L (low height, 172mm, a tad lower than the 175-190 height the bracket accommodates, and requires an adhesive packer to secure it). If you can find it, there is another size, DIN55LH, which should fit perfectly. These are 14.5kg, 4kg less than a DIN75. A standard DIN55 is 13kg, but its terminals are around the wrong way, so won't work. DIN65 sizes are also possible so stepping up to 16.5kg might be better if you have a colder/wetter climate

[@leored79]

@@oncall3570 excellent reply. Many thanks.

[@gohblake5261]

good info, i always wonder if i upgrade to a larger rim, will it impact performance. logical thinking for sure it will but by how much is the question. now u proved it

[@Satrolkof]

You should use oz ultraleggera 17" and see if there are

[@catalintrandafir9736]

Very nice video! Maybe someone lets you borrow some racing lightweight wheels, l wonder if those can be felt

[@alexanderribeirofernandesd6986]

The compound is very different from the first 17inch tyres I prefer 18 inch myself cause my 118i is like a go cart to drive now Next this you could do is try the pu bushes on the swaybars 👌🏾 I did mine with the red one it's 10 times better than the stock ones Now when I turn the wheel it reacts right away no delay no spungy feeling I like it

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Thanks for the suggestion. It would appear you are right about the 18” too💪

[@snkcustombuilds7682]

I prefer the style 68 wheels.. Sits nice.

[@oddworld1328]

I think that weight distribution will have greater effect than total weight of the wheel... 17" wheels = heavier tires, more weight at the outside, so the wheel has actually bigger momentum than 18" with lighter slimmer tire ?

[@jmff1]

Man I was waiting for this video, I have a 316i and I wanted to change the wheels from 16" to 17" or 18", but I was afraid of it running even slower XD

[@gh0st_dem0lisher]

Just do 18“, the car looks so much better in 17/18“ wheels! I got myself a 325i and i have 16“ wheels, I bought 18“ wheels and im going to install them probably next week, but first I have to change the suspension lol

[@youtube.yutube]

leave the 16, look for a cooler style of wheels, put on 225 / 50 and you will be happy. do not load the car with extra kilograms, choosing larger wheels you will lose a lot of the power of your engine and it will be harder for it.

[@gh0st_dem0lisher]

Update: I installed the rims, Avus RACING AC-MB4s (BMW M3 E46 CSL replicas) they look phenomenal

[@MDEV-86x86]

For your car the BEST option is 17 ''.

[@unutilisateurgoogle8927]

Y mounted style 94 on my E39 with bridgestone potenza 245/35/18 , 22kg wheel and tire , before the ugly style 48 with 225/55/16 ; the ride its a total difference , much better in corner and those tires a just perfect , y live in the french Pyrénées (border with spain) with a lot of cornering , much safer , with 4 sachs and springs for option S227A M sport

[@riccardodefina9551]

So from the other video it means you increased your ability making video! Good!

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Id like to think this video is better than the first😅

[@madxp9668]

Im saving up for a set of aftermarket flowform 18" wheels that weight 7.8~8.5kg without tyre and as comparison and style front wheel is 11.23 kg rear 11.93 I dont think it affect much bcoz of the power the car made, but still lighter for my placebo effect

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Im most certain you will feel it! And super nice set of wheels💪

[@NilanWeerasekera]

Top Video. Love E46

[@samisvideo]

Style 68 ftw!

[@gerard7997]

Nice test. I noticed you filled the tank with 95 octane. Maybe the acceleration improves when you put 98 octane or V-power in the car. The throttle response is better when I use V-power in my 530i. I didn't measure the acceleration so it is perhaps more psychological than actual increase. Btw I think the grey rims look better on your car. But that is just my personal opinion.

[@OEMplusRESTO]

You should check out my “Update your dme vid” because there i test fuel too. And i had the same conclusion btw

[@MDEV-86x86]

Shell V-Power ( 98 octane ) is an excellent fuel.

[@gerard7997]

@@OEMplusRESTO Thanks, that video shows an extensive test. I am new to your channel and I am amazed of the good videos. Your E46 looks great, inside and outside. Regards

[@davidecamuffo3757]

La differenza e schiacciante con cerchi superleggeri R17(14kg) rispetto ai 18 "originali" (23kg)

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Id love to find out

[@Scotty_AV]

How are you recording the acceleration test? If you have larger circumference wheel than another, this means the wheel speed sensor records less often than the smaller wheel, so the speedometer itself is not a fair test. This is also true comparing a worn tyre to a new one. The worn tyre will register a higher speed than the new tyre

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Youre right. Im using dragy. There is a link in the description will all recorded times

[@R.-et5fn]

On the wheel/tire calculator website, you measured the new setup as 19” instead of 18” so your values are off more because of this error

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Damn.. youre right

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Just checked. The math is the same when you input the right figures.. luckily

[@MDEV-86x86]

Nurburgring's drivers run with 18 " tires...

[@lachlanbrown409]

I've found that semi slicks are lighter than the street tyres as well. Semi slicks and lightweight 17s are the way to go for a 330Ci

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Interesting.. semi slicks would be fun too

[@MDEV-86x86]

With 200 treadwear.

[@MDEV-86x86]

​@@OEMplusRESTO Yes, with dry weather, but no with wet and heavy rain weather.

[@doubledeep8165]

Thanks for this work dude! But the other question is, or should be? In my case choosed to go bigger, from 16 to 17", but about 2KG each rim lighter, how does it effect? (because I heard that even lighter rims will be a bad choise because of the lever arm and diameter), did this do fit a bigger Brake. But all in all I would suggest, that you would not notice a big real deal between this, 0,1-0,2 sec "faster" is nothing saying about the conditions at all, like you said, 3 ° Celsius can make a small difference, the road condition, the measurements can have tolerance, and so on. So people have to take a look on the weight of their rims, but not but it because only of the weight... thank you, maybe I will "rethink" and stay with good OEM wheels, should also fit more to the sleeper build than crying for attention

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Youre welcome. And nice observations💪

[@MDEV-86x86]

Better 17 " Sport tires. For example, Michelin Sport 5.

[@ShutterContinent]

you mentioned the 18s feeling much tighter and precise in the corners, "on rails", would you say the handling benefits are worth the acceleration sacrifices?

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Yes. I used to be a big opponent to 18” wheels on e46’s but this tire/wheel combo has changed my mind. If you can find some lighter 18” to me its a no brainer. Maybe these tires are just alot better in the 18”’version than 17” version because the 17” didnt impress me

[@torisaurio]

which air pressure did you use? maybe that affected in the first test

[@OEMplusRESTO]

2.2 all arpund:)

[@dieter5013]

I think 18 looks better, but not to sure about the wheel choice, don't really fit the car

[@M54ftw]

Hi there do you struggle with oil consumption as well? How many Kilometers does your car have?

[@OEMplusRESTO]

None that i have noticed so far. 214.000

[@matbut7151]

If you must wonder about smaller rims and tyres, your car is definitly to wake😂

[@leored79]

Oh one more thing: link to the titanium bolts?

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Its in the description:)

[@Simb-l]

German Rory from auto Alex

[@OEMplusRESTO]

never heard of her

[@My_Gaming_Mind]

lighter wheels should improve handling more than performance, haven't watched the whole video yet maybe you tested handling too, if not you should make another video where you test handling 👍

[@OEMplusRESTO]

I do:)

[@My_Gaming_Mind]

@@OEMplusRESTO the 18 inch wheels look alot sicker tho, the metallic silver really suits the car

[@rushdrift]

I tried to talk to wheel to spec but the wheel gave me a silent treatment what should I do?

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Only option left is you ignore them. At some point they will soften up and will want to talk🤣

[@leveluplife8585]

Your fuel tank was full on the last test too if that weight sways your conclusion at all I would believe it

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Its full on all tests:)

[@matbut7151]

And now please test the maximum speed in curves with this shit small tires against the 255ers😜

[@diogorocha4792]

Were you flooring it?

[@OEMplusRESTO]

Yes

[@ArkAngelHFB]

colder air has more air per volume... and thus more combustion maybe... idk.

[@DownstairsAleks]

My thoughts on the slower acceleration with a square setup is that the smaller width of the tyres gives less grip therefore less power is put down on the road, don’t know what the fuel levels where on the other runs but saw you fuel the car up full which could be another explanation. It’s probably not as simple as that though and everything I mentioned and you mention in the video ads up together to the slower time.

[@DownstairsAleks]

My thoughts on the slower acceleration with a square setup is that the smaller width of the tyres gives less grip therefore less power is put down on the road, don’t know what the fuel levels where on the other runs but saw you fuel the car up full which could be another explanation. It’s probably not as simple as that though and everything I mentioned and you mention in the video ads up together to the slower time.

[@DownstairsAleks]

My thoughts on the slower acceleration with a square setup is that the smaller width of the tyres gives less grip therefore less power is put down on the road, don’t know what the fuel levels where on the other runs but saw you fuel the car up full which could be another explanation. It’s probably not as simple as that though and everything I mentioned and you mention in the video ads up together to the slower time.