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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Wheels and Tires Forum Sponsored by The Tire Rack > Forged vs. Cast Wheels



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      03-15-2011, 11:51 AM   #1
JackSpadesSI
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Forged vs. Cast Wheels

I'm looking to buy a set of the 18" BMW Style 313 wheels. Previously, I had thought these were forged wheels, but my dealership told me that they're “manufactured using a low pressure casting (cold rolling) technology”.

Now I'm a little disappointed because I had heard about how forged wheels were lighter (I can't find any weight information on these wheels) and stronger. How much of an issue is forged vs. cast wheels? Should I be this concerned about it?
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      03-15-2011, 12:11 PM   #2
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Aren't 19" 313s forged?
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      03-15-2011, 12:17 PM   #3
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2009 BMW  [9.24]
No, the only forged wheels for the E9x are the 19" M3 wheels I believe
Forged wheels are very strong and very light, hence the reason they're typically quite expensive. Low-pressure cast wheels are strong but heavier than forged. The Performance Style 313 wheels are likely between 23-26 pounds.
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      03-15-2011, 12:30 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MassBimmer View Post
Forged wheels are very strong and very light, hence the reason they're typically quite expensive.
You're saying the 313 wheels aren't expensive?! How much are forged wheels, then?

Quote:
Originally Posted by MassBimmer View Post
Low-pressure cast wheels are strong but heavier than forged.
So the only trade-off is the weight? Are they the same strength?

Quote:
Originally Posted by MassBimmer View Post
The Performance Style 313 wheels are likely between 23-26 pounds.
Do you know where I could find out for sure?
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      03-15-2011, 12:41 PM   #5
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19" 313s are forged I believe.
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      03-15-2011, 12:41 PM   #6
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Benefits of forged is light weight and strength.

Forged > Low pressure cast > gravity cast in terms of weight and strength.

Most forged wheels are at least 3K minimum.

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      03-15-2011, 12:58 PM   #7
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forged are much lighter and much stronger expensive but i personally feel a huge difference between forged and cast.... they are steep for sure. but worth every penny to me
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      03-15-2011, 02:01 PM   #8
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OP, forged wheels always seem to be marketed as lighter, but it's not always the case.

The OEM M67 Double Spoke Forged and Polished wheels on my E46 M3 weighed about 27.5 pounds each for the two front 8 J x 19 ET47 wheels and about 29.5 pounds each for the two rear 9 1/2 J x 19 ET27 wheels.

In contrast, Enkei RP-F1 Cast 19" wheels weigh about 10 pounds less EACH! In other words, some good quality cast wheels are lighter than similarly sized forged wheels.

The most important thing to remember is that all wheels meet two of the following criteria: light, strong, or cheap. Unfortunately, you can't get all three.

To summarize:

Light + cheap = not strong (a.k.a. Chinese knock-offs)
Strong + cheap = not light (a.k.a. steel)
Light + strong = not cheap
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      03-15-2011, 02:07 PM   #9
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19" 313 wheels are forged
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      03-15-2011, 02:10 PM   #10
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Yeah, I've heard the "light/strong/cheap, pick two" thing. I guess I figured with the cost of the 18" 313's that I was picking light and strong, while losing out on cheap!

Questions:
- Are the 18" 313's too heavy (I'm still not sure exactly what they weigh)?
- Are the 18" 313's not strong enough (to the point where they're a risk)?
- Have any other suggestions for wheels in the same price range and similar design?
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      03-15-2011, 02:12 PM   #11
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Oh, for reference, I'm coming from 17" BMW Style 284 wheels. They're 17" by 8" all around.
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      03-15-2011, 02:23 PM   #12
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I always recommend running forged if the budget allows. Much lighter and much stronger than a traditional cast wheel.
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      03-15-2011, 02:27 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JackSpadesSI View Post
Oh, for reference, I'm coming from 17" BMW Style 284 wheels. They're 17" by 8" all around.
For what it's worth, I've been looking at Tire Rack's TRMotorsport MT1 wheels as a square 18x9.5 track set-up on my E46 M3: http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...ish=Matte+Grey These wheels are made in Japan, not China.
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      03-15-2011, 02:33 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TJDiCandido View Post
For what it's worth, I've been looking at Tire Rack's TRMotorsport MT1 wheels as a square 18x9.5 track set-up on my E46 M3: http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...ish=Matte+Grey These wheels are made in Japan, not China.
Thanks, but I think that 9.5" is probably too wide for my 335i. The wheels I buy will also be used for everyday driving, as my 335i is my DD.
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      03-15-2011, 03:24 PM   #15
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^ I never suggested 9.5" wide wheels for a 335i...
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      03-15-2011, 03:52 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TJDiCandido View Post
^ I never suggested 9.5" wide wheels for a 335i...
Then I guess I missed your point when you showed me those wheels.
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      03-15-2011, 05:26 PM   #17
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1. OEM BMW wheels are usually cast, strong, and around 25-27 lbs. 313s are a touch lighter.

2. Lightweight forged wheels include: BBS rg-r, Advan RZ-DF, Volk RE-30, CE-28, TE-37, and Alloy technic B-9. All about 18.5 - 19.5 lbs. $2.7k - 3.5k. Lightweight cast include Advan RS.

3. 9.5" is a fine width for rear. Check offsets.

4. 19" wheels usually a couple lbs. heavier than 18".
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      08-12-2011, 09:20 PM   #18
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look at the high end BBS rims, they are forged and they cost over $1k per rim. That means replacing 4 rims (excluding tires), will cost you almost $5k.

by the way, low to middle end of BBS rims (cast) are made in Germany. the high end ones (forged) are made in Japan.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JackSpadesSI View Post
You're saying the 313 wheels aren't expensive?! How much are forged wheels, then?



So the only trade-off is the weight? Are they the same strength?



Do you know where I could find out for sure?
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      08-12-2011, 09:24 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JackSpadesSI View Post
Thanks, but I think that 9.5" is probably too wide for my 335i. The wheels I buy will also be used for everyday driving, as my 335i is my DD.
9.5 is perfect for the rear..I run 8.5 frnt and 9.5 rear..no issues
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      10-03-2013, 06:44 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NYC_e92 View Post
Aren't 19" 313s forged?
Quote:
Originally Posted by NiVeDh View Post
19" 313s are forged I believe.
Quote:
Originally Posted by swifty View Post
19" 313 wheels are forged
I agree with others that even 19" Style 313 wheels are not forged. Check out this link where they discuss the light weight similar to forged.

"These Performance wheels are built of low pressure cast and machined aluminum helping keep the weight down to forged levels, 25 lbs. for the 19"s and a pound less for the inch smaller offering."

http://www.bimmerfile.com/2010/02/03...formance-335i/
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      12-23-2021, 12:15 PM   #21
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I think the words missing from this thread are,

"For a given weight, the forged wheel is stronger. This is because during the forging process the metallic grain is aligned in such a way that the resulting item is stronger. Because the forging process results in a stronger wheel, the wheel can be lighter and achieve the same strength."
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