Konig feather weights? Update - installed!

[Insomniator]

Installed today, look good imo and I definitely feel some improvement in acceleration... nothing ground breaking but nice to feel it:

Any opinions on how these look? (mini cooper r53) These are 17lb's vs stock 25 lb's... does the 8lb's per wheel make any difference in performance?

 

[sgrinavi]

I like

EDIT: Will 32 lbs make a difference in your cars performance? I guess, but it wouldn't be even close to noticeable.

 

[Kelvrick]

I like

EDIT: Will 32 lbs make a difference in your cars performance? I guess, but it wouldn't be even close to noticeable.

That much weight savings in the wheels is definitely noticeable.

 

[sgrinavi]

That much weight savings in the wheels is definitely noticeable.

Maybe when you pick them up and put them on....

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I think they look nice. I would think in a fairly light, low power car like a Mini, you might well notice losing 8 pounds per wheel.

 

[MustISO]

Don't like they way they look personally but if you do, go for it.

 

[AustinInDallas]

I like

EDIT: Will 32 lbs make a difference in your cars performance? I guess, but it wouldn't be even close to noticeable.

its not about 32lbs over all, its about 32lbs of rotational mass. much more important that a bag of sand in the trunk

 

[Apex]

its not about 32lbs over all, its about 32lbs of rotational mass. much more important that a bag of sand in the trunk

32lbs of unsprung, rotational mass makes a reasonably sizable difference.

There's a lot of disagreement, but many conservative estimates put the difference at 4-5x the difference weight changes in sprung mass makes. In other words, it's roughly like losing a passenger.

You should definitely notice the difference in something the curb weight of a mini, unless your butt sorely needs recalibration.

 

[iamwiz82]

I have never liked those wheels, to be honest.

 

[ProchargeMe]

I don't like the wheels too much but the weight might be noticeable

 

[lavaheadache]

I like the look

 

[KentState]

What are you looking to get out of your car? Will you drive it hard enough to notice?

 

[Insomniator]

What are you looking to get out of your car? Will you drive it hard enough to notice?

Its just one of those things... itching to upgrade something and feel like ~$600 is burning a hole in my pocket for it.

My current wheels are rashed pretty bad and a catback exhaust would not bring much performance to the table, header too much $$$, cam would cost a good amount of money to buy and have installed, a tune would be pointless without further upgrades. If new wheels give the car a much better look and a little bit more performance I can't think of a better way to slake my craving!

 

[Sulaco]

On a car like the Mini, trust me, 8lbs will be HUGE.

Don't listen to the folks that have never owned nor changed wheels on very small, light weight cars.

Losing unsprung weight on very small, compact cars like the Mini will be quite noticeable.

On my Miata, even the switch to aftermarket wheels, a change of only 3 and a half pounds per corner, was noticeable.

Heavy wheels on small, agile cars are never a good thing.

 

[Zivic]

they look good. go for it. Car will feel a bit quicker

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

On a car like the Mini, trust me, 8lbs will be HUGE.

Don't listen to the folks that have never owned nor changed wheels on very small, light weight cars.

Losing unsprung weight on very small, compact cars like the Mini will be quite noticeable.

On my Miata, even the switch to aftermarket wheels, a change of only 3 and a half pounds per corner, was noticeable.

Heavy wheels on small, agile cars are never a good thing.

This

If you want to really learn what tire/wheel weight can do for a vehicle then get a pedal bike. You spend $600 just to shave a few ounces, and when YOU are the powerhouse then you most certainly notice the weight reduction on the drive train.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Those rims look good.

 

[halik]

32lbs of unsprung, rotational mass makes a reasonably sizable difference.

There's a lot of disagreement, but many conservative estimates put the difference at 4-5x the difference weight changes in sprung mass makes. In other words, it's roughly like losing a passenger.

You should definitely notice the difference in something the curb weight of a mini, unless your butt sorely needs recalibration.

I went from 25-27lbs oem set on my old M3 to a 16lbs set, it made a surprising amount of difference on uneven roads, car felt more planted and less twitchy (I can only attribute to quicker compression and rebound). I'm not so sure I could tell in acceleration thought.

 

[cbrsurfr]

I like

EDIT: Will 32 lbs make a difference in your cars performance? I guess, but it wouldn't be even close to noticeable.

Disagree, that's like saying you wouldn't notice a difference if a brick was tied to each of your feet.

Going from 25lb stock 17" to 18lb 18" was a huge difference for me both on the street and the track. I wish I had gone with a lightweight 17" instead to get another ~2lb off per corner. If 2-piece rotors weren't so expensive I'd have those as well to shave another 7lb off each front wheel.

 

[manimal]

On a car like the Mini, trust me, 8lbs will be HUGE.

Don't listen to the folks that have never owned nor changed wheels on very small, light weight cars.

Losing unsprung weight on very small, compact cars like the Mini will be quite noticeable.

On my Miata, even the switch to aftermarket wheels, a change of only 3 and a half pounds per corner, was noticeable.

Heavy wheels on small, agile cars are never a good thing.

this

they look good. go for it. Car will feel a bit quicker

and this

 

[JCH13]

Light wheels are winning.

Konigs are decent, I have a set of Konig heliums for my Miata.

If you like the style, go for it.

 

[Apex]

I personally think that style looks great for your car. I've always liked thin, open, multi-spoke wheels though.

 

[Insomniator]

I'm thinking now maybe it makes more sense to buy a used set of better wheels? These konigs are pretty much the cheapest you can buy aftermarket... but I see used wheels for sale all the time... its not like they go 'bad'

Would it be smarter to spend 600-900 on a used set of wheels that were originally 300 - 400 each?

 

[Harrod]

I like them, I have helium's on my Integra, the change from a 16 pound rim to a 10.6 was noticeable.

 

[Apex]

I'm thinking now maybe it makes more sense to buy a used set of better wheels? These konigs are pretty much the cheapest you can buy aftermarket... but I see used wheels for sale all the time... its not like they go 'bad'

Would it be smarter to spend 600-900 on a used set of wheels that were originally 300 - 400 each?

Maybe, but you really want to inspect them for damage unless you can absolutely trust the seller. Sometimes, it's not worth the difference, but you may get lucky.