I don't remember exactly what they cost but it was pushing $1000 per wheel. I think my Fikse rims are 20 years old now and they probably have less than 500 miles on them. Not much return on that investment!

That article wasn't thought out very well. They state that the overall diameter of the tire was taller with the 18" wheel which affected the overall gearing, which I think would hurt a lower powered car a bunch. So the diameter negated the lower weight of the 18" wheel/tire combo. I'm surprised that the author made such a basic mistake when setting up this comparison. When I went from a 17" wheel/tire combo to 18", the 18" combo was either the same or lighter than the 17" tires I had on the car before.

The 18" wheels they used weighed less than the factory 17" wheels

Quote "We needed 18-in. wheels, and worked with Eddie Lee at Mackin Industries to find a set that would fit the FR-S without any modification. He set us up with a set of Advan RG II wheels, measuring 18 x 71⁄2 with a +48 mm offset. Although expensive, the 18-in. diameter Advans actually weigh less than the stock rims (an RG II weighs 17.2 lb.; the factory wheel weighs 20.4 lb.). Plus the Advans fit perfectly with no rubbing or clearance issues." End quote

They used Star Spec Dunlops for both the 17" and 18" tires

215/45R17 is 24.7" diameter weight of tire 22# wheel weight 20.4# total weight 42.4#

235/40R18 is 25.4" diameter weight of tire 25# wheel weight 17.2# total weight 42.2#

So the tire wheel weight is withing .2" of a pound, diameter increased by 0.7" and the times fell off by 6 tenths of second and track speed was down by 1.5mph with the 235/40R18 Dunlop vs the 215/45R17 Dunlop

Andy, that Coronet inspired me many moons ago. I would love to see it get some fresh air.

I can't remember the weights now, but when I went from my 17x9 Crager D windows and 275/40/17 BFG KDW2's back in 2011 to my New Gen 18x10 with 295/35/18's on all four corners, I lost 22lbs a corner!

Steelies:


New Gen Lites:

My rear wheel & tire combo:
American Racing 18x10 bullet
Michelin Pilot Super Sport 285/35-18
Weight 54.2lbs

With these little cars the wheel tire assembly is around 30#.

15x8 Enkei RPF01 11# and the 205/50 or 225/45 tires are 20#

http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performance-Part/61-1541.html