Stock RS6 rim weights vs aftermarket options

[boca rat]

Searched but can't find much on this.

As an NSX owner I am acutely aware of what lightweight wheels can do to performance, and am a firm believer in lighter (and stronger) is better

The RS6 I am looking at has the option of stock factory rims, or 19x10 Rotiform R121s. Has anyone weighed the stock rims, and compared them to the aftermarket options?

Or am I overthinking this given how much more the RS6 weighs vs a 3000lb NSX? I saw one owner with Volk LE37s which I have had on my NSX, and that is great choice BTW.

Thx in advance.

[lswing]

The RS6 weighs in at around 4,222 empty, but less rotating mass can give you some slight pickup, think I've heard of a few folks pleased with lighter wheels.

For me, and just preference, the ride already tends to be firm on 18's with performance tires. What kind of suspension is on the car, stock?

I've wanted the look of 19's, but don't think I'll ever go there as the ride is too firm. Although my suspension is slightly firmer than stock.

[Dmb408]

i have exact weight of the rims on my scale, search my posts, i am too lazy to find it right now

[mrdave]

You piqued my interest and I have an extra wheel in my garage, so I picked it up with a handheld luggage scale (lbs).

17861

[boca rat]

just...wow. An 18x7.5 Volk LE37 weighs 17lbs, a 19x9.5 21 lbs....

Really good info for me, thanks. Oh, and newbie here, what size is that? 18x7.5?


You piqued my interest and I have an extra wheel in my garage, so I picked it up with a handheld luggage scale (lbs).

17861

[boca rat]

Car is a manual conversion, KW V3s. i have yet tro drive it, but a good point.

Has anyone else experience to share on running lighter rims on the RS6?

Thx all.


The RS6 weighs in at around 4,222 empty, but less rotating mass can give you some slight pickup, think I've heard of a few folks pleased with lighter wheels.

For me, and just preference, the ride already tends to be firm on 18's with performance tires. What kind of suspension is on the car, stock?

I've wanted the look of 19's, but don't think I'll ever go there as the ride is too firm. Although my suspension is slightly firmer than stock.

[mrdave]

just...wow. An 18x7.5 Volk LE37 weighs 17lbs, a 19x9.5 21 lbs....

Really good info for me, thanks. Oh, and newbie here, what size is that?

Yeah I knew they were hefty, but didn't realize they were that hefty. Stock wheels are 18x8.5.

edit: make sure to check out this thread if you haven't seen it yet: http://www.rs6.com/showthread.php/24403-definitive-tire-wheel-and-offset-thread

[hahnmgh63]

I'm running BBS RS-GT's 19x8.5 and they are around 21lbs. Noticeably lighter steering than stock and tracks better on an un-even road. I would never go back to OEM wheels, they are pigs, Audi really should have put Forged wheels on the RS6, they put Forged wheels on my wifes A8 in 19",

[Bigglezworth]

just...wow. An 18x7.5 Volk LE37 weighs 17lbs, a 19x9.5 21 lbs....

Really good info for me, thanks. Oh, and newbie here, what size is that? 18x7.5?OEM rims are 18x8.5. They weigh more than what you run on an NSX because the car is 50% heavier... It's that simple. Can't compare your NSX to an RS6 - apples to oranges. I have run lighter rims on all of the cars here and it's been hit and miss on whether or not I end up having to repair or replace one every second season as a result of road carnage. That said, get whatever floats your boat. Opinions about wheels are like assholes. Everyone has one....

[RS Sick]

56 lbs even according to cheap bathroom scale with with like new conti DWS on stock wheel. Wheel/tire setup in my sig was 51 lbs new.

17862

[boca rat]

Thanks for correcting me on wheel width, I did a quick google search and got 7.5, should have looked harder.

Interesting point bigglezworth, but an LE37 is a forged rim and Volk are excellent, very popular with race teams from what I gather. Very hardy and tough to break or bend.

What does the weight of the vehicle have to do with it? More weight on each corner? What lightweight rims have you tried?


OEM rims are 18x8.5. They weigh more than what you run on an NSX because the car is 50% heavier... It's that simple. Can't compare your NSX to an RS6 - apples to oranges. I have run lighter rims on all of the cars here and it's been hit and miss on whether or not I end up having to repair or replace one every second season as a result of road carnage. That said, get whatever floats your boat. Opinions about wheels are like assholes. Everyone has one....

[Fast Co]

I recently acquired a used set of 18" SSR wheels from a friend who sold his RS6. I'm currently running them on my C5 S6 with DWSs. While I didn't weigh them on a scale, they are noticeably lighter than stock 17" Audi wheels or the 19" Rotiforms on the RS6A.

[Dmb408]

Not fair, i was trying to buy those SSR wheels at one point, black 5 spoke?

[Aronis]

Opinions about wheels are like assholes. Everyone has one....

Not True.

(medically speaking)

Mike

[Aronis]

I've wanted to get some nice BBS rims for years but every time I contemplate it I get the feeling the car will die three days later. So did the rim doctor thing for $400. and fixed them about 6 years ago. May do it again this spring when I get new summer tires.

My snow tire rims are looking beat.....winter is not kind to rims.

Mike

[Fast Co]

No these are 6 spoke, grey with polished lip. They are drilled for two different sets of bolt pattern so sold for various fitments. I don't know where Mike got the wheels. He traded in his RS6 (for a B7 RS4) with the stock 9 spoke wheels, also has a set of Fikse 3 piece which I think he's using on the RS4.

[ttboost]

I had 19x9.5 Volks on my manual RS6...HUGE difference over stock...I seem to recall over 15lbs per corner, rotating...

[hahnmgh63]

I do like Fikse wheels, excellent reputation, and especially since they were made just up the road from me. They have moved a little farther up the road, just across the border in Canada but still close.
With that said the BBS wheels have held up great, I've had them now for probably almost 10yrs on the RS6. I did pull them apart last year for a complete cleaning. BBS said I can re-use the Titanium bolts just to Torque them to proper spec. I have always like BBS wheels. I these, a set of RSII's on the Cayenne, a set of RC's on the TT and all have held up great. I've been to their factory (Germany, they have a few around the world now) for a tour about 6 or 7yrs ago, impressive operation. I am also a believer in Forged wheels, and Forged metals in many applications for that matter, the engineer in me.

[boca rat]

Which Volks, and how much better did it feel?


I had 19x9.5 Volks on my manual RS6...HUGE difference over stock...I seem to recall over 15lbs per corner, rotating...

[Aronis]

I do like Fikse wheels, excellent reputation, and especially since they were made just up the road from me. They have moved a little farther up the road, just across the border in Canada but still close.
With that said the BBS wheels have held up great, I've had them now for probably almost 10yrs on the RS6. I did pull them apart last year for a complete cleaning. BBS said I can re-use the Titanium bolts just to Torque them to proper spec. I have always like BBS wheels. I these, a set of RSII's on the Cayenne, a set of RC's on the TT and all have held up great. I've been to their factory (Germany, they have a few around the world now) for a tour about 6 or 7yrs ago, impressive operation. I am also a believer in Forged wheels, and Forged metals in many applications for that matter, the engineer in me.

Did you take any photo's when you broke down those rims? Just curious!

Mike

[s8prtotype]

Which Volks, and how much better did it feel?

I bought them and since had them refinished, 285 DWS on all 4 and i think it's actually 12lbs lighter per corner, i also have the lighter wavy rotors that are about 2lbs lighter each up front. Love them!

17863

[lswing]

Love them!

17863

Dude, that's the worst response for how do they feel?:lovl:

So do you really notice much performance gain on acceleration, or other gains? Think pickup is about all rotating weight will help with, although I'm sure it helps, just not how much on such a heavy torque filled car that already gets moving quick.

Performance gains by the seat of the pants are an odd one...I shit you not, after I put a radar detector in, my car felt faster, just the idea of new parts.

[s8prtotype]

I'm not the guy for absolute data on just a wheel swap. What happened with my car, is that i also did a few other things to the car around the same time, SAI delete, Aux Rad delete, lighter rotors, wheels, and also did the coilpacks/got it tuned... so yes the car does feel better/faster overall. I'd say 60+ lbs are off the car at the moment. Don't run the spare either.

[lswing]

Thank you sir, that sounds more like it! Yep, tough to tell exactly when you get a bunch of work done at once. I remember when we pulled my aux rads, but also buttoned up the IC's, damn the car was faster after that new work...plus it was a cool and crisp time of year which equals a serious power boost.

[hahnmgh63]

No Mike I didn't take any pics but RS-GT's are easy in that they are two piece so you don't have to worry about a O-ring seal on rim halves since the Rim itself is one piece.

[ttboost]

Which Volks, and how much better did it feel?


Volk VR G2. Noticeable...but also had wider tires...I think they were 275/35-19 all around.

[lswing]

Volk VR G2. Noticeable...but also had wider tires...I think they were 275/35-19 all around.

Noticeable what? You guys are killing me with your vague performance input on lighter wheels, hahaha! Wider should not affect acceleration (slightly heavier i guess), which is the greatest factor the light wheel will affect:vhmmm:

[Bigglezworth]

Light wheels are for a light car. A 4500lb car doesn't need them IMO. That doesn't equate to 'doesn't benefit', but unless you are gaining some additinal weight loss as a benefit of the "style" of rim you desire, it's just not worth the fuss. I've run SSR's, BBS, and Speedlines, but after losing (read bending) a rim with each set, I elect to stick with OEM style rims such as the Ronal's. This isn't a track car like a refined NSX can be. It's a highway bruiser.