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Originally Posted by Mooreski
1. What's a staggered (v. non-staggered) setup? It seems like our cars come factory with a staggered setup, but at some sites, you can buy staggered or non-staggered. Any advantages to either?
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Staggered = wider wheels in rear compared to front. Looks nice and aggressive. But usually more costly.
Non-staggered = width of wheels same in front and rear. Able to rotate tires front and rear. Theoretically less understeer as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mooreski
2. What is offset, how is it measured?
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Basically offset will effect how far your wheels will be pushed in or out from the center of the car.
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/...urrentpage=107
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mooreski
3. Where do eye boogies come from?
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Particulates left after the water from your eye fluids have evaporated.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mooreski
4. Are stock BMW rims cast or forged? Why are the factory BMW rims so expensive aftermarket?
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Most OEM rims are cast. Some rims (usually only found on ///M cars) are forged.
BMW rims are expensive because the dealer knows they can mark up prices and the average BMW driver will not know any better and will just buy them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mooreski
5. From the pictures in a post called 'To buy or not to buy Iforged? Everyone reply please..' it looks like the Iforged wheels are made by welding a center to a rim. I haven't seen the back of a set, but judging by the way the spokes blend into the rim on some wheels, it looks like they're machined from a solid chunk of that good ol' 6061-T6. I'm thinking of something like Morr's, for example. Is this true? Are there two different ways to make a forged rim?
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Forged wheels can be made via different methods. A design can be CNC cut from a blank (solid chunk of aluminum...or magnesium if you're really fancy). This is a very solid way of making a wheel. Some manfacturers call this monoblock forged or even 1-piece wheels. MORR calls it "Monoforged" and is a trademarked term.
Forged wheels can also be made out of several pieces. This can be where the barrel of the wheel is made from some other process and the center is made from forged material. There are 2-piece and 3-piece wheels. Some are riveted together. Some welded. That's the extent of my knowledge on the subject.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mooreski
7. Are some makes of rims banned at tracks? Are forged better than cast for general driving and track duty? I only want to know this to help better advise others. I would never take my car to a track or drag strip, according to BMW, this is sin #1.
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Cast = cheaper but usually heavier than forged
Forged = more expensive...but usually stronger and lighter than an equivalent sized cast wheel.
In general terms, a forged wheel is better. It will reduce wheel mass and theretically help with handling, braking and acceleration.
Some users of multi-piece forged wheels (such as HRE and iForged) have complained of stress cracking from using these wheels on the track. I have heard rumours on E90post that some tracks banned HRE. I don't know how true this is. Lots of happy HRE and iForged users out there.
If you really want a multi-piece forged wheel for track driving...consider the BBS LM-R. Light and used by racing teams around the world. Or go with a monoblock forged wheel.
Having said that...I would bet most people tracking their BMW will use a 17" or 18" cast wheel instead of a 19" forged wheel. First of all...cast wheels are cheap. And if they are small (17" for example) they are light too. Also they can get cheaper tires too.
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Originally Posted by Mooreski
8. What happened to #6?
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Don't know.
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Originally Posted by Mooreski
9. Would anyone feel like making a sticky 'Wheels FAQ' type of thing? Heck, in exchange to answers to these questions, I'll type it up if someone wants to proof-read it before I post.
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I was going to do this (like my Shift Knob thread ) but I keep running out of time or decide to do other things.
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Originally Posted by Mooreski
10. What's the meaning of life?
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Self fulfillment.
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Originally Posted by Mooreski
11. Am I out of questions?
-Yes, for now.
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Self answered question.