the lighter wheels will obviously be easier to get moving off the line, but are there any drawbacks to getting 14 lb. rims? could I have less traction and more wheel hop? and will the ride quality be different at higher speeds?
thanks

 

Yes, your launch will be harder.

 

Isn't it also slightly harder to control the launch with lighter rims? (e.g. wheelspin)

 

yes just ask synki why he dragged with his chrome heavy wheels, he spun with his stock ones once he had the 100shot.

 

I personally like my lighter rims,(Volks). It might be true that lighter rims are a little tougher of the line but once you get some grip your gone. Also a limited slip wouldn't hurt.

 

I would also immagine that durability would be an issue. The lighter wheels wouldn't take the abuse. Watch out for those pot holes!

 

No. Some light wheels are very strong.

 

the answer depends on whether from a stop or roll. everyone seems to be talking about from a stop so far, but...

from a roll lighter wheels = rool

 

Correct. I guess it depends upon which metals were used to make them.

 

most are cast aluminum. But some exotics, like Volks, are made out of aluminum forged at extremely high pressures. This makes the metal very dense, meaning less material needs to be used for each wheel, making them strong yet extremely light.

 

So Forged is better than Cast then? (e.g. strength and weight)

 

Better acceleration, better handling, better gas mileage.
More road noise, more ride harshness.
Wheel hop could be a factor but shock and spring rates count more.

 

and harshness?? NO freaking way, it's exactly the inverse...lighter wheels = less unsprung weight = better ride and handling. It's simple physics so...no arguments, please

 

Yes, simple physics, the lighter unsprung weight follows irregularities in the road better, hence better handling, BUT, the lighter assembly also transmits these irregularities more efficiently to the suspension which might be designed well enough to handle the additional work, in the Max it means better noise and harshness transmission to the car as the suspension and bushings are marginal at best in the first place.

 

Maxima's NVH isolation leaves A LOT to be desired....the road noise in particular is really driving me up a wall and it seems that the more the OE Potenzas wear (only 6k miles) the more noise I have...

 

That i can account for

 

You get alot with the max, but what you dont get is why the car cost a little less then others in its class. Wind noise, soft suspension, s h i t tires are just some popular reasons. Car is simply powertrain, which means most to someone like myself.