Aftermarket Wheels on Model 3

[earthwormjim]

48.6 on the Martian 18x9.5 with 265/40/18. I was hoping for more. Need to find a slightly lighter wheel.

Even the most extremely carved out and forged 18"x9.5 wheels are at best 17-18 pounds. That's maybe a 1-2 pound improvement over what you have. To go lighter in that size requires more exotic materials.

Realistically the way to get lighter is a skinnier wheel and tire. More than half the weight in your case, is from your tires.

 

[Motion122]

Even the most extremely carved out and forged 18"x9.5 wheels are at best 17-18 pounds. That's maybe a 1-2 pound improvement over what you have. To go lighter in that size requires more exotic materials.

Realistically the way to get lighter is a skinnier wheel and tire. More than half the weight in your case, is from your tires.

18 lb wheel in the same size would be awesome. They aren't easy to come by. The tire weighs 27.2.

 

[earthwormjim]

18 lb wheel in the same size would be awesome. They aren't easy to come by. The tire weighs 27.2.

APEX VS-5RS Forged Sprint™ Line Wheels

The lightest wheel we make. Innovative engineering makes it light, forged manufacturing makes it strong.

www.apexraceparts.com

Based on their BMW fitment options, 18x9.5" should be right at 18.2 pounds. 18 pounds seems about the limit for aluminum forged wheels in 18x9.5 with adequate load rating.

Aren't your current wheels just a tad over 19 pounds? Doesn't seem like a huge gain here. If weight is your goal, a skinnier wheel and tire would net you more gains (or losses in this case?), and reduce most of the weight on the outer most diameter of rotational mass.

 

[Sam1]

Follow up - HRE let me know that the Flow Form FF01s are not available for Model 3. I'm guessing that if someone has them it is one of their actual forged wheels which is wildly more expensive.

Contact Jova about that design if you want them, their forged wheels are roughly $1200-$1300 and they have replicas of almost every major design.

 

[Sam1]

Even the most extremely carved out and forged 18"x9.5 wheels are at best 17-18 pounds. That's maybe a 1-2 pound improvement over what you have. To go lighter in that size requires more exotic materials.

Realistically the way to get lighter is a skinnier wheel and tire. More than half the weight in your case, is from your tires.

My 18x8.5 were 17.7 pounds, and that was as light as the company would make. Less than that and you're getting into $10k/set wheel territory.

 

[earthwormjim]

My 18x8.5 were 17.7 pounds, and that was as light as the company would make. Less than that and you're getting into $10k/set wheel territory.

Exactly, to get under 18 pounds you need a skinnier wheel, or else you compromise load rating or need better materials.

 

[Motion122]

APEX VS-5RS Forged Sprint™ Line Wheels

The lightest wheel we make. Innovative engineering makes it light, forged manufacturing makes it strong.

www.apexraceparts.com

Based on their BMW fitment options, 18x9.5" should be right at 18.2 pounds. 18 pounds seems about the limit for aluminum forged wheels in 18x9.5 with adequate load rating.

Aren't your current wheels just a tad over 19 pounds? Doesn't seem like a huge gain here. If weight is your goal, a skinnier wheel and tire would net you more gains (or losses in this case?), and reduce most of the weight on the outer most diameter of rotational mass.

Well, smaller manufacturers tend to play the numbers game a little bit to make their products look better than the competition. Main stream ones have too much at stake to play games like that. Wholesale price on HRE or Forgeline shouldn't be too bad but still a good chunk of change.

 

[Teknikscian]

18 lb wheel in the same size would be awesome. They aren't easy to come by. The tire weighs 27.2.

Yeah the FC04's I have were 19.4lb - not bad, but the tires were close to 26lb.

 

[pdx_m3s]

Tire weight can vary quite a bit within a particular size. And it’s the most impactful weight from a physics standpoint pound for pound, as it’s concentrated around the perimeter of the rotating tire/wheel assembly. Tire Rack lists weights, which is nice.

 

[Motion122]

Yeah the FC04's I have were 19.4lb - not bad, but the tires were close to 26lb.

In what width?

 

[dandigangi]

Contact Jova about that design if you want them, their forged wheels are roughly $1200-$1300 and they have replicas of almost every major design.

Appreciate the suggestion! Not a rep kind of guy though.

 

[Teknikscian]

In what width?

18x8 - my scale came in exactly as Fast quoted online.

The 18x9 were quoted at a similar weight

 

[slease]

Almost settled on a new wheel setup but I’m concerned about clearance with the front hub. Will this work without spacers on my Model 3 RWD? I’m currently lowered on Eibach springs.

19x9.5” +38 offset with 265/35/19

I saw a similar setup with 255/35/19, but I prefer little to no stretch on the tires. Thanks.

 

[earthwormjim]

Almost settled on a new wheel setup but I’m concerned about clearance with the front hub. Will this work without spacers on my Model 3 RWD? I’m currently lowered on Eibach springs.

19x9.5” +38 offset with 265/35/19

I saw a similar setup with 255/35/19, but I prefer little to no stretch on the tires. Thanks.

That should fit a non-performance model without a spacer, lot's of people run a square setup like that. 255 on 9.5" is not stretched by the way unless that particular tire make is undersized. 255 usually have a tread width at least 9.5" wide.

Tesla Model 3 Comprehensive Wheel Fitment Guide

It is hard to deny the Tesla Model 3 is one of the hottest cars on the market. Now with any newer vehicle one of the most common questions people ask us is: “Will these wheels fit my car?” (or some…

blog.modbargains.com

Why such a high offset though? ET30-35 would look better imo, especially if you decide to lower the car.

 

[twboy1999]

"Who is ready to go off-roading! Can't wait to throw on my MPP coilovers, they just arrived this week. Really surprised at how much 18" wheels highlight the SUV stance of even a Performance Model 3, compared with the stock 20" wheels.

Wheels: Apex EC-7R in brushed clear. 18"x9.5"
Tires: Firestone Firehawks 255/40/18
Spacers: 5mm to clear the Performance hub step.
TPMS Sensors: New ones (Bluetooth) I bought from Tesla for $75 each. They paired automatically which was nice after I drove about 10 feet.

Still unsure what lug nuts to go with, and waiting for some brushed clear Tesla center caps to arrive.
I would like some blue colored lug nuts to match the car's paint, but I'm not a fan of Titanium and it's risk of galling, not to mention the price.

Tire shop people were pretty impressed with the wheels and were surprised at how light they are. They took their time installing, because they didn't want to scratch them, and they did a dry fit to make sure there was plenty of clearance with the spacers, so kudos to American Tire Depot in Thousand Oaks. They had a buy 3 get 1 free tire deal going which was nice. "

which brand of spacer did u go with?

did u also have to by the hub centric ring to make it fit?

 

[RD3P]

Opinions please, machine black titan 7 ts5 or Vossen HF5 gloss black on a 2022 red model 3 performance with black interior that’s lowered? Or simply light forged satin black vs slightly heavier (lighter than stock though) gloss black

 

[earthwormjim]

did u also have to by the hub centric ring to make it fit?

The wheels are already Model 3 sized, so you don't need rings, and they already accommodate the step in the hub on performance models, but I went with a spacer anyway for a flush look, and to clear 265 width tires on my next set.

These were the spacers I went with.

Amazon.com

 

[Motion122]

The wheels are already Model 3 sized, so you don't need rings, and they already accommodate the step in the hub on performance models, but I went with a spacer anyway for a flush look, and to clear 265 width tires on my next set.

These were the spacers I went with.

Amazon.com

Did you make sure there is enough thread catch on the lug nuts?

 

[dandigangi]

Opinions please, machine black titan 7 ts5 or Vossen HF5 gloss black on a 2022 red model 3 performance with black interior that’s lowered? Or simply light forged satin black vs slightly heavier (lighter than stock though) gloss black

Both are nice designs. I could either way. But I suggest gloss or candy black over matte all day. Forged is always a win reducing weight (mileage) and improving their strength to damage. But you obviously pay a premium.

Satin/matte aren’t bad finishes but one thing to note is that black wheels are dark so you lose the details of the design. Gloss helps bring them out. You could make a case that the extra details in the HF5s will be unseen because of it being a dark wheel.

It is worth considering an anthracite also!

 

[NXN-P3D]

Both are nice designs. I could either way. But I suggest gloss or candy black over matte all day. Forged is always a win reducing weight (mileage) and improving their strength to damage. But you obviously pay a premium.

Satin/matte aren’t bad finishes but one thing to note is that black wheels are dark so you lose the details of the design. Gloss helps bring them out. You could make a case that the extra details in the HF5s will be unseen because of it being a dark wheel.

It is worth considering an anthracite also!

Eeh - depends in the matte/satun finiah and design. I can’t sat i’m losing any details or definition on mine, but it comes to individual choices and preference.