looks like quite a shop you got there...i checked out the link in your signature... awesome!!!
John I read that article and a few others on the net on the wheel, its composites, manufacturing process, etc. I am fairly convinced at this point that a lot can happen in an accident, but this wheel isn't going to come apart. I am not basing this on any of the pictures, but on the info I found on the internet. It looks like this thing will take some serious abuse, in fact it is stronger than most standard magnesium or aluminum alloy wheels.
What I find most complaining about, is cost. And new technology is always expensive. I am not sure you can make the comparison of this to 26" dubs on an SUV. Those, actually DETERIORATE the performance of the car they are on in almost every category. The "status" of that... I frankly cannot figure out... high performance street wheels on a car designed to go OFF road.
But this wheel has benefits, the first of which is the lower rotational mass in a wheel of the same size. This will help in acceleration and braking big time, I am sure. I am willing to bet even the dyno will show a difference.
I understand your point, I think what you are saying is that the cost/performance ratio is very high, and that what most people will get this for, is the status. But I would say that a better comparison is like someone buying a plasma TV for $20,000 when they first came out. Its not a BAD item on its own, just very pricey for what you get.
Lets be realistic... If you want to look at it like that, there are a whole host of items just like this that people put on their cars... including BBK's, titanium exhausts, CF hoods, and last but not least, almost ALL wheel/tire "upgrades" on cars. Expensive items that could be better spent elsewhere if one's purpose if pure performance.
This wheel is expensive... but "value" is purely a personal thing. Most people that own F430's and Murcielagos are crappy drivers... that does not make those cars bad.
could you see these on a civic dx hatchback with an eleven piece polyurethane body kit crusing the strip or on the cover of import tuner and in turn believe them to be functional in that context?
No, mainly because one wheel would be worth more than the car and everything in it. :biggrin:
I still find these very intriguing... I can't help it John, I am all about the unsprung weight... I changed the wheels of my MB CL600 from a 30 pound AMG to a 19.9 pound Renntech and with no other mods on an average of like 6 runs in two directions my g-tech was showing me a .3 or .4 second reduction to 80 MPH. I can't remember the details now but it was shocking.
I wish I could stuff that V12 into the NSX... lol...
No, mainly because one wheel would be worth more than the car and everything in it. :biggrin:
I still find these very intriguing... I can't help it John, I am all about the unsprung weight... I changed the wheels of my MB CL600 from a 30 pound AMG to a 19.9 pound Renntech and with no other mods on an average of like 6 runs in two directions my g-tech was showing me a .3 or .4 second reduction to 80 MPH. I can't remember the details now but it was shocking.
How do they compare in weight to a set of full magnesium wheels? These are an example that weigh in at 12.9lbs. for an 18x8.5" wheel. They aren't cheap either and only come in limited sizes.
Does it not say MAG on the wheel of the volk??? I don't think that is the one that your speaking of... nice one piece wheel though... Personally I think that they DYMAGs have a better look overall to it.... I really like the fact that nobody has them yet either...:biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:
In my initial post I stated that delamination could potentially cause catastrophic disintegration as opposed to a bent rim half- as would be the case from the protective coating failing over extended periods to resist the effects of UV, corrosives, brake dust, etc... This coating is by and far one of the most challenging design aspects and closely guarded research items in making a viable composite road worthy wheel. .
As Carbon wheels have been on motorcycles for many years, there already is the technology to know what is needed "to resist the effects of UV, corrosives, brake dust, etc..." .
Lets not forget, there have been carbon carbon brake discs and pads around for more than 15 years. The temps that wheels see will never be as high as a brake disc. Now a wheel is only going to be constructed to be able to withstand 300-350 degrees as there is no reason to make them withstand the same temps as a brake disc. And the cost is much higher to make them do so.
I believe it comes down to what it always comes down to, the ability of the manufacture to design and manufacture the wheel to meets the needs of the application. And Dymag does have a tremendous amount of experience there.
I do have a set of the Volks forged mag wheels on my NSX, and on the street at legal speeds they made a huge difference, acceleration improved, shifting became smoother. I have the weights at work for both front and rear, if anyone is interested I will post them.
As Carbon wheels have been on motorcycles for many years, there already is the technology to know what is needed "to resist the effects of UV, corrosives, brake dust, etc..." .
A few years ago I saw a thread on a motorcycle forum about a Ducatti owner with Crabon wheels on his bike. He was at a track day and all of a sudden the rear wheel completely disintegrated. Completely demolished the whole bike. The guy was extremely lucky to walk away from this accident. He stated in the thread that the wheels were practically brand new and that he had NEVER hit anything, jumped a curb or anything else of that matter to compromise the integrity of the wheel.
For the price, its safer to go with forged magnesium or aluminum and trade off the 1 or 2 lb. weight savings. No amount of money can buy the peace of mind knowing such a critical component could fail at ANY possible moment without notice.