Wheel choice, do they make a difference?

[66'Roadster]

In the Auto shop you have the chance to change wheels at 3.5k a pop. Question is do wheels effect handling/performance or are they just cosmetic?

 

[Rich77]

In the Auto shop you have the chance to change wheels at 3.5k a pop. Question is do wheels effect handling/performance or are they just cosmetic?

I would imagine cosmetic, even if they were performance they can only be so much lighter, and I don't think they'd affect you much.

But I'm just guessing, I really don't know.

 

[Techy]

They are purely cosmetic. If they were a size increment option, however, It can sacrifice tire size & then lowering maximum grip.

 

[Supermelon]

I would imagine cosmetic, even if they were performance they can only be so much lighter, and I don't think they'd affect you much.

But I'm just guessing, I really don't know.

In real life, changing the wheels on a car can make a huge difference to how a car handles. Lighter wheels reduce unsprung weight on a car which helps to improve how the suspension can react to the road.

 

[Ya Pops]

I think it's a joke how it describes the performance gains you get for lightening unsprung weight, but then doesn't say how much a wheel weighs or how much weight you'll gain or lose..

To answer your question, *shrug* In this game, I have no idea

 

[ChadSpeed]

I think it's a joke how it describes the performance gains you get for lightening unsprung weight, but then doesn't say how much a wheel weighs or how much weight you'll gain or lose..

To answer your question, *shrug* In this game, I have no idea

Its such a shame but that is the answer to most GT5 questions. If only PD had a way to communicate with us like we can communicate with each other, maybe they don't have the internet in Japan, lol.

 

[Poppins]

They are purely cosmetic. If they were a size increment option, however, It can sacrifice tire size & then lowering maximum grip.

Increasing rim size / decreasing tire profile doesnt affect grip

 

[lav01]

i would say either the wheels are all the same or the aftermarket wheels all have the same effect. if it was different i would be very surprised as i would think they would include some type of value (weight/size) on them if they did. and that is coming from a video game junkie who knows more than i will admit about programming and how programmers think, but it helps me figure out video games.

anyway, i really doubt they matter, but if you want to know go and test it. go run some 0-whatever times and look at the data logger. then change the wheels and do the same. compare notes. then run some laps on whatever track. i would suggest daytona (simplicity and more room for error). and compare.

then post your findings.

 

[TB]

Increasing rim size / decreasing tire profile doesnt affect grip

While I'm certainly no expert, I agree.

For real world applications, my understanding of larger rims to enable lower profile tires is to improve steering response, but this comes at a cost - ride comfort. As this is a game, this part is not an issue so if given the option, I'd go for the low profile tires as they should be quicker on the track.

If PD considered this or not, or if they were going strictly for aesthetics, I don't know. An easy test would be to check the weight of the car, buy a set of rims and check the weight again.

 

[GinoLicious]

Id image certain types and brands would weigh less as they do in real life. Like a BBS would add different weight compared to a Volk. Or I would like to think this anyways.

 

[entropy731]

Checked a while back, I was intrigued when I saw the Mg wheel option. Sadly, no change in weight of car.

Purely cosmetic.

While I'm certainly no expert, I agree.

For real world applications, my understanding of larger rims to enable lower profile tires is to improve steering response, but this comes at a cost - ride comfort. As this is a game, this part is not an issue so if given the option, I'd go for the low profile tires as they should be quicker on the track.

If PD considered this or not, or if they were going strictly for aesthetics, I don't know. An easy test would be to check the weight of the car, buy a set of rims and check the weight again.

 

[Sum1s2pid]

If PD ever allowed upsizing of rims, a large number of us would have an extra detail to geek out over.

Depending on how reputable you find Road&Track's 'Tech Dept.' column to be, their May 2010 issue conducted a series of tests on a 2010 VW Golf 2.5 with stock 15" rims, and aftermarket ASA GT1 16", 17", 18", and 19" rims.

Though they did their best to equip each rim with identical tires, and keep overall diameters, etc. the same, the 15" ~ 17" rims had V-Rated tires, while the 18" and 19" had W-Rated tires. The width of the rims also varied. It muddled the test a bit, but the results were still interesting.

Since my scanner is being difficult:

19x8.5" 0~60mph: 7.9secs, 0~100mph: 23.4, 1.4-mile: 16.1secs@86mph, 60~0: 126ft., 0.88g skidpad, sound@70mph: 71dBA, 21.2 mpg, wheel and tire: 54lbs

18x8.0" 0~60mph: 7.9secs, 0~100mph: 23.3, 1.4-mile: 16.1secs@86mph, 60~0: 126ft., 0.88g skidpad, sound@70mph: 70dBA, 21.9 mpg, wheel and tire: 51lbs

17x8.0" 0~60mph: 7.8secs, 0~100mph: 22.7, 1.4-mile: 16.0secs@87mph, 60~0: 128ft., 0.85g skidpad, sound@70mph: 70dBA, 22.8 mpg, wheel and tire: 48lbs

16x7.5" 0~60mph: 7.7secs, 0~100mph: 22.6, 1.4-mile: 16.0secs@87mph, 60~0: 133ft., 0.85g skidpad, sound@70mph: 70dBA, 22.9 mpg, wheel and tire: 46lbs

15x6.0" 0~60mph: 7.6secs, 0~100mph: 22.3, 1.4-mile: 15.9secs@88mph, 60~0: 130ft., 0.83g skidpad, sound@70mph: 70dBA, 23.3 mpg, wheel and tire: 40lbs