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I'm on the fence with this too. I'm not a superfan of the aero with caps, but I can't see them while I'm driving and they offer benefits the larger wheels don't. I'm guessing it's a look that will have to grow on me. But I agree with others, $50K+ car with hubcaps?
sreams
Member
How else would you make a lightweight aero wheel? If that large, flat surface was all metal and integral to the wheel, the thing would be very heavy.
Just be aware you will likely lose more than 4%.
The 4+% difference is between 18-aero and 18 w/o aero. The difference between 18-aero and 19 is supposedly up to 10%. The number has not been confirmed yet on this forum.
suwaneedad
Member
Let's take the 19 vs covered Aero benefit of 10% as a given, for purposes of my post.
What's the baseline 310 range measured on, wheel-wise?
That's super important for those of us choosing range vs wheels.
The consensus is that the measurement comes for the standard configuration, i.e. 18-aero.
There are some reports that EPA actually measured it at 334 and Musk asked them to put 310 on the record for the reasons unknown.
It is possible that 18aero does 334 and 19inch wheels give you 310 and he picked the lowest. There is also some speculation that FSD will be very energy demanding and will bring the effective range down in the future.
suwaneedad
Member
My god that's a gorgeous 3...well done! The chrome delete is fantastic, particularly with the dark 19s with the Tesla logo still showing in the hub. Really just brilliantly done.
With a black Lexus with a front end that's chipped to hell and back by highway driving, I'm reticent to go black.
How are you protecting your paint?
Shygar
Member
Also keep in mind you won't be charging to 100% on a regular basis, only for long trips. I was solidly in the 19 for looks but the more I think about it I am thinking to go with 18's and paint the aero's silver to match blue better. Of course I'm also thinking more about AWD the longer I wait, so that could change depending on what is offered with AWD.
May do a clear bra but have sealant and wax on it for the time being.
T34ME
Active Member
insaneoctane
Well-Known Member
Am I oversimplifying this? Isn't the aero wheels with and without the covers just a different Cd (drag coefficient)? That is easy to model the difference vs average speed. If it's about 4% at 70 MPH, it would be an easy graphic to produce. Clearly the covers make it more aerodynamic, but if you don't care for the look of the covers, it's nice to know how much they offer...
@steven415 are you suggesting keeping the original tires and simply selling the alloy wheels and Aero hubcaps? And how much do you think one could fetch for the 18" wheels? Or would you plan on selling the wheels and tires together and then go use that money, and the $1,500 saved from not upgrading to the Tesla Sport wheels, to step up to 19" wheels and tires of your choosing? If it's that last option it's not a bad idea. 
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