I am looking for a high quality very light set of 18x7.5 wheels for my GP. I prefer the spokes to be something in the black matte or anthracite or gunmetal grey genre, with the lips polished or machined silver to offset the spokes.

The Volk Racing Rays LE37 appears to fit the above criteria.

Any comments on the LE37?
Any other suggestions?

I've bought expensive wheels before (Fikse, Forgeline) and really liked that kind of quality, but I'd like to be a bit more practical this time around.

And, should I just go with a set of SSR GT7-H in the light grey with machined lip (the closeout price of $239 each at TireRack is mighty tempting ... I could buy 5 or 6 of them, in order to have 1 or 2 spare wheels, and still be half the price of a set of RAYS LE37).

But, if I'm going to be super happy with the LE37, if it's the cat's meow for the GP, and I'll be happy enough to not wish I'd saved up more money to go with something like the Fikse, then it's worth doing the LE37.

Or maybe I should simply replace the awful runflats on the GP wheels with tires that are lighter and do better in the rain, and "sit tight" until I find just the right wheels to normally run?

I know what I'd like to do, and that's move into the 18x7.5 as soon as possible, this first set of additional wheels would be my primary street wheels.

There are some really smart people on the boards who know a lot more about wheels and tires than I do, so I'd really like to hear your thoughts!

 

Pics? How much $$$ and how much do they weigh?

 

"Very light" and 18 are not compatible. Go smaller.

 

Moderately light weight and 18x7" is possible.
http://www.centerlinewheels.com/sub_wheel.php?mw_id=36
18" rims are about 16-17+ pounds each. Not bad. But these are polished or chrome finish.

Also check out Racing hart rims.

Otherwise call Alex@tirerack.com or email him with your finish and rim size requirements.

Either 18x7 or 18x7.5 will work OK. Most times weights will be more so if you can settle for a good 17x7" rim you will tend to spend less and benefit from less weight. Just make sure there is enough brake caliper clearance in the front.

 

I ran both 18" Centerline RPMS and 18" OZ Superleggeras for a while. Both are "relatively" light, but I have no regrets going smaller.

 

LE37 ranging from $550 to $675 per wheel plus shipping.
I'm getting the weight confirmed.
Still trying to figure this out!

 

what a deal

 

LE37's are a nice choice, imho. doesn't CE28N's come in that size too?

CE28N's should be slightly lighter than the LE37's. but yah, if you want
to go light weight, i recommend the 16's (11.5lbs on my Comps, or i think
RacingHart CP035's come in the 10lbs range).

 

Thanks everybody for the good and helpful comments here and elsewhere. I'm leaning to a three-pronged strategy. (1) Set the GP wheels to the side (keep them for "fun" or "show" or "backup" use). (2) Buy a nice but not too incredibly expensive set of 17" wheels for primary (street) duty. (3) A "who cares what it looks like" either 17" or 16" lightweight set of wheels for track duty.

For my primary (street) duty, the looks and brand -are- important. It needs to "fit" the aura of the GP. It needs to be lighter than the GP wheels, but it doesn't have to be one of the lightest things out there (save that for the track set of wheels). I'd love to do some Fikse or HRE or such, but that's really getting into the very high dollar range (relative to the overall budget for this car).

Here is what I'm thinking of ordering from Alex at Tire Rack:

BBS RGR Diamond Black (17x7, +38mm, 16.8 lbs) wheels with Pirelli PZero Nero M&S 215/40ZR17 tires.

I've seen these wheels on an MCS JCW in the neighborhood and they (to me) looked absolutely fantastic.

Anybody have any further suggestions or guidance for me based on what I'm now thinking?

I really do appreciate the different viewpoints and experiences everybody brings to the conversation.

 

ssr comps are very light. mine are 12.7lbs and are 17x7.5.
the newer ones are heavier at 13.7bs. so if you can fine the older anthricite with polished lip they are the lightest. they went for $399 ea at tirerack.

 

I think my "final choice" will be between the BBS RGR and the BBS RV-F (either one will be in diamond black, running 215/40/17 tires). The BBS RV-F selection is looking good because of things like (a) easier to keep clean, (b) they are +42 in a 7.5" wide wheel which makes me think I'll have "no worries" if I go with a high-end big brake kit, (c) it's a simpler design and may complement the looks of the GP better. Either one is from a top name company (BBS) and they are forged, high quality, decent weight (remember, these are for every day street use, 65 miles a day round trip to work). Any other thoughts before I "pull the trigger" next week and call Alex at Tire Rack to place my order?

 

I think that works out to about $300 per pound of unsprung weight reduction. While you're at it, how about some titanium control arms?

 

Thanks again everybody here and in other threads for all the information and real-world experiences. This helped me a *bunch* in figuring out what to do here. I'll dialog with Alex at The Tire Rack and make the final decision and post pics and observations!