Does BBS make an 18" to fit the MCS?

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Jan 8, 2006 | 02:33 AM

#26

Stevie B

4th Gear

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 392

Likes: 1

From: San Antonio

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonsibal

Not true, magnesium is still lighter. Trust me on this one

The new GT2 is made out of forged aluminum centers which make them stronger than the magnesiums which is definetly a plus. They both use the same outers and inners though as well as the very desireable titanium fasteners.

Magnesium fatigues--very quickly. Great choice for racing when it can be replaced often. Very bad choice for road cars, unless you change them every season! You couldn't pay me to use magnesium wheels on a road car unless they were brand new and there was some sucker to take 'em off my hands in a year. Same for motorcycles. I was at the Daytona 200 in '95 when a Ducati 916 came blasting by at 190 mph. Just as he was approaching the start/finish line his front magnesium wheel disintegrated. I didn't think he and the bike (separately) were ever going to stop sliding/tumbling. Why do you think magnesium wheels are branded, "for racing only?" Forged aluminum is the only smart choice, but whereas forged is pound for pound stonger, that doesn't mean a particular roadwheel is stronger. The design and manufacturing quality have to be there too. It always boils down to the appearance someone craves. People make some very questionable decisions based on appearance. If you want the magnesium look, just do what BBS use to do, paint the center gold!

Jan 8, 2006 | 06:19 AM

#27

fj0

5th Gear

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 950

Likes: 0

From: Sweden

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonsibal

Mario, I got my info directly from BBS - Motorsport Division. I was actually sponsored by them for a while there and had a pretty good rapport with the head of the motorsport division. Unfortunately he no longer works there. But they were always helpful when I call, even now.

According to their notes, the weight of the forged aluminum CENTER is slightly heavier than the cast magnesium center. Note that this is only for the centers not with the 2 rim halves. The difference is not that much but "technically" they weigh differently.

Different combination of outers and inner rim halves can also vary the weight if you measure them assembled. The outers comes in TA-35, TA-40, and TA-50. and the Inner comes in TI-40 and TI-50. The T stands for Type and the A stands for äußer which is German for Outer. I stands for Inner.

The numbers represents the thickness of the material;
TA-35 is 35mm
TA-40 is 40mm
TA-50 is 50mm
TI-40 is 40mm
TI-50 is 50mm

Obviously, if all else is equal, the thicker the material, the heavier it would be.

So for example, if the forged aluminum wheel is using a TA-35 and TI-40 rim halves while the magnesium wheel is using a TA-50 and TI-50, then with this combination, the aluminum will come out lighter. BUT if both are using the same inner and outer part #s then magnesiums should come out lighter.

This is how I understood it. I'm not an expert on this or anything but I just had to learn all this when I was ordering my wheels and helping a friend out get the new forged aluminum version.

When I ordered mine, the aluminum version wasn't out yet but IF I would get another set again, I would opt for the forged aluminum. I can post more info about their forging process but this is getting too long. I would run the GT2 in my wife's mini but man, they are $$$.

Anyways, hope this info helped.