RE: unsprung weight

["Dan Sinclair" <sinclair@prospro.com>]

I agree Dave.  I bought a set of 15x7 Italian wheels that were so heavy I
sent them back on exchange for a stock 14x6 wheel size.  The weight
difference was huge, and the handling and acceleration were both affected by
the heavier wheel and tire setup.  Another lister referred to said Italian
wheels as 'boat anchors' - good description.  Buyer beware.  Not ALL +1 or
+2s are equal.

Dan Sinclair
1988 Audi 90, 67K mi.
Picture and details online at:
http://131.107.68.28/a4.org/registry/details.asp?car=761


> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-quattro@coimbra.ans.net
> [mailto:owner-quattro@coimbra.ans.net]On Behalf Of Eaton Dave
> Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 1999 1:39 PM
> To: 'quattro@coimbra.ans.net'
> Subject: unsprung weight
>
>
> in response to the thread i started questioning the wisdom of simply
> upsizing wheels and tyres without any consideration for the effects on the
> handling of the increase in upsprung weight, someone asked about
> the actual
> increase in weight of larger wheels.
>
> i've forgotten to send this reply (it pays to check your "drafts" folder
> from time to time)...
>
> it is extremely difficult to find this information about wheels.  the
> manufacturer's don't seem to publish this information (wonder why
> not?).  in
> the end, and using the tsw "hockenheim r" as a guide, i got the
> tsw importer
> to hand weigh a couple of wheels..  these are actual weights:
>
> the 15x8 et35 weights 8.4kg,
> the 17x8 et35 weights 10.8kg
>
> thus an increase of 2.4kgs (5.3 pounds) per wheel.  to put it another way,
> by going +2, you have increased your unsprung weight from the
> wheel alone by
> 30%.
>
> of course, the tyre weight would be on top of that.
>
> dave
> '95 rs2
> '90 ur-q
>