1998 XM - 2.1td - Steamy Windows!

[turbo_imp]

Alfa 166 so the only alfa ever to have 5x108!

Russ, I agree, the wedgie shape lends it's self to heavy disk style wheels. There are plenty that would be fantastic but I am not going for adaptors, especially at they offset will start suffering. There is no point having one of the most comfortable cars on the road, only to ruin it with poor offset, low profile, heavy wheels. We need light weight, deep section tyres, and CORRECT sizing.

5x108 is a curse though!

[russ92xmsed]

Quite agree James.

[Rommel]

I have sometimes wondered how the XM and the supension system would react to a lower unsprung weight (am I allowed to use that term on an XM forum? ) offered by fitting lighter alloy wheels. Not oversized/overwide etc but same size, light replacements

turbo_imp, I completely agree. The wheels have to suit the car both aesthetically and functionally.

[turbo_imp]

It is a real shame that the early C5 wheels do not fit (4x108) as they had some of the lightest OEM alloys ever made. These ones -



They look like steel wheels but were actaully cast aluminium, and around 5kg each. The trackday boys LOVE them

[russ92xmsed]

How interesting, I never knew that. What a shame they don't fit. Typical!

[Dieselman]

I doubt that is a cast aluminium wheel, if so, why the welded join in the rim opposite the valve?

[turbo_imp]

My mistake, they are most probably spun and welded then? Either way they are around 5kg a piece :O

[Dieselman]

I still don't think they are aluminium at all, they look like all other pressed steelies fitted to PSA cars and light vans and if these are so good, why offer heavier alloy wheels as an option and on higher spec cars.

Aluminum wouldn't have enough strength with a rim that thin.

[turbo_imp]

I can assure you that they are aluminium, 4.7kg per wheel would be impossible in any other material.

They appear to be heat treated and Citroen did have a recall due to cracking around the stud holes.

http://306oc.co.uk/forum/thread-10796.html

http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.c ... =1#1523298

They offer heavier alloy wheels because of 'aesthetics'. Every man woman and dog cares about aesthetics, but no one gives two hoots about something called 'unsprung weight'. I would take the alloy steels either painted or hub capped, over some spangly chrome designer wheels.
My Celica wears a rather shiny set of flat faced alloys wheels, these were fitted because the previous wheels were heavy speedline copies. The replacements were forged japanese market only wheels, light and strong. I would have used the OEM three spokes if I could find them, as they are light (around 6.5kg) and fit well, alas none were available :S

[russ92xmsed]

I can assure you that they are aluminium, 4.7kg per wheel would be impossible in any other material.

They appear to be heat treated and Citroen did have a recall due to cracking around the stud holes.

They offer heavier alloy wheels because of 'aesthetics'. Every man woman and dog cares about aesthetics, but no one gives two hoots about something called 'unsprung weight'. I would take the alloy steels either painted or hub capped, over some spangly chrome designer wheels.

Well if they are, certainly would have a set over Spangley chrome jewelled studded alloys, and if the XM disc hubcaps fit too, even better!