Magnesium Wheels - The new batch..

General General Lotus Talk
61

i’m not certain but i don’t think S2 wheels will fit without some kind of spacer/adapter… isn’t the offset different ?

62

Different bolt pattern as well…

63

Thanks for answers guys. It has different bolt pattern indeed and would nee some kind of spacers…
Will not do it then

64

I run light weight OZ S2 rims on my S1 Exige, and continually swap between my spare S1 rims and S2’s. There is no noticable difference on track with handeling.
I use a lightweight alloy stud adaptor which does indeed space the S2 rim outwards slightly; however the S2 (135R) rim is more inset than the S1 Exige rim so the final look is the same.

On doing a full wheel change you notice how much heavier the S1 Exige rim is than the OZ rim and that the S1 rim has a big spacer already built into the rear face of its design.

It is only about �80-100 for a set of these adaptors and it will give you the freedom of choice for all the new S2 rims that are currently available !!

If you want some pictures let me know and i can email them to you…

65

Pegbox, thanks for a very informative answer. Indeed S1 exige rims are very heavy. That is why I like these RAC wheels. Also agree on the built in spacer on Rimstock wheels.
Do you know where I can have a look/order these specific spacers ? Are they heavy ? And yes pls if you can send me some photos. Will send you a PM with email. Thanks again.

66

The Toyota powered cars also have some other differences with regard to the wheels…

67

Welcome!

What would they be then?

Ian

68

guys

its not really a built in spacer on an S1 Rimstock… its the designed-in offset of the wheel. to make it fit the hub properly without fouling on brake calipers and stuff…

69

Welcome!

What would they be then?

Ian

The rears are different, I am not sure how but I know that they will not work at all.

70

Pressure testing is currently underway at Speedline and early indications are that I have a rogue set. They’ve reported that the first sets tested have passed 100%.

So hopefully will get them all swapped in a couple of weeks ready for some trackdays.

71

Drove down to Warwick on Wednesday to get the wheels swapped over.

Sorted out and balanced then in the back of the Audi off home to Nottingham.

Didn’t have time to swap the wheels over on the Exige so thought I’d do that tonight in preparation for my trip to Wales for the weekend with a few Lotus buddies.

So…

Just checked the pressures before putting on…

… one was 4psi softer than it was on Wednesday

Ok, lets try the other one…

FLAT !!! 10psi

WTF

Got the squeezy bottle out again, pumped up the tyre and checked the spokes… all 5 spokes bubbled away merrily with escaping air.

Small bubbles on one spoke of the other wheel.

Oh and one has a chip out of the laquer on the inside rim.

Now you can imagine how angry I am. I’ve spent a large sum of money on these wheels, finish quality is not good, had loads of hassle and expense swapping tyres, swapping wheels to get it through the MOT, waiting for the batch to be pressure tested, travel to get the new wheels swapped and now it looks like ruining my weekend away and probably my trackday at Cadwell in a weeks time.

These f7cking things were supposed to be pressure tested before I picked them up!

Right I’m going to get a beer and try to calm down before I write a nice email to David Williams at Speedline.

72

Oh mate, that’s crap.

Get a refund and forget about them… buy something else.

73

There’s no alternative other than Rimstocks though

74

Magnesium road wheels are a bit fragile IMHO. Compomotive will do you a set, or Image will do bespoke billet split rims for anything. So there are plenty of alternatives.

75

Really? Nobody that I’m aware of has any luck with alternatives for sensible money, for an S1 at least.

The Speedlines come from a rally design and even with mucho curb abuse I’ve never heard of a failure. I was told to expect 10 years out of them.

Ian

76

Has anyone got wheels from the last batch?

Have you got tyres on them and are you using them?

My set has to go back to Speedline and don’t know if they’ll be able to provide another.

77

Magnesium road wheels are a bit fragile IMHO.

I’ve heard that said too - not sure how true it is, do you know the science behind it?


Compomotive will do you a set

I can only find these on their site in the right(ish) size:
[image]http://www.comp.co.uk/product_pics/mo9.jpg[/image] MO wheel in 7x16 and 8x17 (not 8.5x17)

[image]http://www.comp.co.uk/gallery_pics/lotus_elises1.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.comp.co.uk/product_pics/th2.gif[/image] TH2 wheel in 7x16 and 8x17 (not 8.5x17)

unless you look at the 3 piece modular ones:

[image]http://www.comp.co.uk/product_pics/ps.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.comp.co.uk/product_pics/ps_toyota.jpg[/image]

which look very similar to those used on the original press photos of the Motorsport Elise

or Image will do bespoke billet split rims for anything

some nice ones on their web page

78

My set has to go back to Speedline and don’t know if they’ll be able to provide another.

wow sounds like you really want them!

79

I just want a second set of wheels that are straighter and lighter than Rimstocks. Oh and not porous either.

80

Last time I checked Compomotive didn’t have the correct sizes and offsets.
Also, Image wheels refused to do them saying they had tried and the offset and caliper clearance was a big issue, they couldn’t do them.

So it appears that we’re stuck with the original Rimstocks and Spedlines.