26R mag wheels or stick with minilites

[thegman]

I have a S4 with some 26R mods (widened arches, covered headlights). Its currently on minilites (not originals) with the single/centre nut.

I love the look of the black wheels on the 26R and was contemplating a set of mag wheels but there seems to be some negative view on the longevity of these wheels due to corrosion issues. They are also pretty expensive!

Does anybody have any experience of this type of wheel from Kelvedon or Tony Thompson?

If I decided to stick with miniltes, is it worth getting mine power coated/painted black or easier to just get another set of wheels?

Thanks!

[1owner69Elan]

I have 26r style wheels from TTR in aluminum. I decided on aluminum vs magnesium because of concerns with durability/corrosion for a road car. The aluminum wheels are a a bit less expensive as well.

I think unless you choose 6 inch 26r magnesium wheels, which may be in stock, you will need to make a special order. I didn't want to modify the wheel arches so have 5" wheels with 185/60 tires.

The delivery time for the custom order wheels is on the order of 13 weeks.

Also, unless you go with the Kelvedon 5-pin version you will also need to change to 26R hubs and spinners, adding to the cost.

I went with new 26r hubs/spinners for the following reasons:

1. Couldn't get Kelvedon to provide me with a delivery time for the 5 pin version. TTR doesn't do a 5 pin version.
2. The originality and look of the 26r hubs/spinners
3. The 26r hub/pin setup seems to be more robust to me for a high spec motor.

At this point I haven't decided to paint the wheels, going with a natural look, more in keeping with my stock S4 paint job. But, I could change this later.

(Note: ride height in front reflects that the engine/trans are not installed.)

[Davidb]

I am fitting Revolution wheels with 26R hubs but in the future I might fit these:
http://www.imagewheels.co.uk/lm4-alloy-wheel/

They look just like a 26R wheel and at 200 quid each are half the price or less. Knock on or bolt on.

[thegman]

Thanks for the replies guys

Those image wheels look good - any idea on the weight vs minilites?

[1owner69Elan]

I also was interested in the Image LM4 wheels. The issue is what hub will match up to them? I made an inquiry to Image with respect to the standard, 5 pin k/o hubs and they replied thusly:

Sorry but the LM4 is not suitable for this car because of the large 5 stud P.C.D and the design only being 4 spokes.
We can do our billet styles 5 /17 60 or 117 you can have them classic build so no perimeter bolts on show in any of our standard colours

Current delivery time 9-10 weeks. (This was July 2016)

Not sure about using 26r hubs with the LM4. Questions as to whether the 26r drive pegs could be adapted. Looks like there is less metal to accomplish this on the LM4 vs 26r wheels for a through peg. Maybe some adaptation on the back side of the spokes for the pins? Haven't seen the back side of the LM4 to see what might be possible. Also does the machined wheel center match up for the 26r hub and 26r knock-off spinner?

I ended up taking the conservative (and more expensive) route of 26r hubs and 26r wheels. If you already have 26r hubs, the difference in cost on the wheels only (Image variant vs TTR 26r aluminum) including shipping to US was about 500 pounds. (TTR seems to have very reasonable and fast shipping to the US even for large items - just an observation not an endorsement).

[thegman]

I've contacted the firm about the LM4 wheels - ie want 15" so we will see what they say...

[cudabenefast]

I have also enquired about the Image LM4 as the weight of the 13" x 5.5 is quite good at 4.8kg and the 15 is 6.8kg.

My car has subtly flared guards and currently runs a set of custom Simmons wheels which are 14 x 5.5. I use the Kelvedon "26R" alloy spinners and I aim to maintain the same wheel and tyre position.

Harry the MD at Image has been very responsive and helpful and believes they can do a 5 pin k.o. wheel but with a 100 or 110 pcd for the pins.

I am planning on having some thin alloy or steel adapters made which on the hub side would press or bolt into the stock 5 pin holes and on the wheel side would have a "flange" with 4 or 5 pins. 4 would be more straightforward. I am thinking of a 3mm thick adapter and Image would machine the wheel to my offset requirements.

Thoughts?

Peter

[thegman]

Just checked - I am actually looking for 14x6. Image wheels said they could do this but I've got to measure up.

I'm a newbie to knock on wheels - I don't really understand what the issue with the PCD? I thought they could machine the rear of the wheels to match the 5 peg guides? How is PCD relevant when dealing with pegs?

[cudabenefast]

The PCD of the drive pegs is the issue i.e. the standard drive pegs are not within the available material of the existing mould.

A new mould would be very expensive indeed.

They do not produce the LM4 in a 14" - at least to my understanding.

Peter

[nmauduit]

I have also enquired about the Image LM4 as the weight of the 13" x 5.5 is quite good at 4.8kg and the 15 is 6.8kg.

My car has subtly flared guards and currently runs a set of custom Simmons wheels which are 14 x 5.5. I use the Kelvedon "26R" alloy spinners and I aim to maintain the same wheel and tyre position.

Harry the MD at Image has been very responsive and helpful and believes they can do a 5 pin k.o. wheel but with a 100 or 110 pcd for the pins.

I am planning on having some thin alloy or steel adapters made which on the hub side would press or bolt into the stock 5 pin holes and on the wheel side would have a "flange" with 4 or 5 pins. 4 would be more straightforward. I am thinking of a 3mm thick adapter and Image would machine the wheel to my offset requirements.

Thoughts?

Peter

3mm thickness for such an adapter does not sound very much, even in steel... is that because Image said they could only shave 3mm off the back of their wheels ? I don't picture very clearly how that adapter plate would be attached to the hub (large counter sunk screws?), but flexibility of that plate (esp. under load, since holding the pegs it would take some stress) is to be taken in consideration. Then the strength of the actual pegs attachment is also to be taken in consideration (shear off a 3mm plate, which would be combined with some tilting from the leveraging effect of the pegs)...

please post photos of the end result in any case, this is an interesting issue.

[rgh0]

As the 3 mm adapter plate is fully trapped between the wheel and hub the 5 studs going into the hub and 4 studs going into the wheel are pretty well trapped and it should work OK IMHO.

However real world experience is the ultimate test

cheers
Rohan

[thegman]

So, Image wheels are telling me they think they can do the wheels to fit the 5 peg hub. i received the attached diagram and an email asking me to measure the calliper clearance and wheel offset.

I frankly have no idea how to measure this or what the heck the picture is. Can anybody advise how i can make these measurements? Is it something i can do with the car on the ground?

Thanks

[cudabenefast]

IMG_0715.JPG

IMG_0715.JPG

The diagram is a cross section of a wheel. You need a couple of flat surfaces to put on the wheels and give Image the measurements you want.

Mine will be different to yours as I will duplicate the existing wheels.

[nmauduit]

So, Image wheels are telling me they think they can do the wheels to fit the 5 peg hub. i received the attached diagram and an email asking me to measure the calliper clearance and wheel offset.

I frankly have no idea how to measure this or what the heck the picture is. Can anybody advise how i can make these measurements? Is it something i can do with the car on the ground?

Thanks

You can measure that with the help of your existing wheels : wheel in place you check clearance (if any ) with jigs, flexible plastic sheet etc, then you establish the profile of your wheel when you take it off using a ruler flat on the inside rim edge and a set square, and you mark the measured clearances at the most restricting points on the sketch. You may want to check both sides (front and rear) to be sure...

[Davidb]

Would this tool be of any use?:
https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/?wheel1 ... 0mm&sr=0mm