Am I putting too much into wheel/tire weights?

[flipmode]

Just looking for anybody's two cents on after market wheel/tire package weight vs stock....I'm of the mindset you lose too much performance and while not knowing for sure if there might be any long term issues with heavier wheels, I'm a little hesitant. I'm looking at 20's and most chrome's (talking $300-$450 price range/tire) come in at roughly 40lbs with a tire weighing in the neighborhood of 30-34lbs. With the stock 18 inchers with tires coming in at 56-58lbs, that's a (ballpark) 30% increase in terms of each wheel combo. Any thoughts from anyone......just trying to look at all angles before I drop my 3g's on a set of shoes. Thanks......this forum is great.

[Jamesw]

Flip- You have atleast a 3yr/36000 warranty use it. Alot of people have 20's on there 300 and even more have 22's. You will be fine with 20's just make sure you get the correct offset. When you get your rims on and for some reason you feel that your brakes aren't as good as they once were, you can always get that beautiful big brake kit.

[Northern Rider]

Originally Posted by flipmode

Just looking for anybody's two cents on after market wheel/tire package weight vs stock....I'm of the mindset you lose too much performance and while not knowing for sure if there might be any long term issues with heavier wheels, I'm a little hesitant. I'm looking at 20's and most chrome's (talking $300-$450 price range/tire) come in at roughly 40lbs with a tire weighing in the neighborhood of 30-34lbs. With the stock 18 inchers with tires coming in at 56-58lbs, that's a (ballpark) 30% increase in terms of each wheel combo. Any thoughts from anyone......just trying to look at all angles before I drop my 3g's on a set of shoes. Thanks......this forum is great.

The balance achieved in the 300C didn't happen by accident.

As one who has modded just about every part of a car for appearance and performance - I've come to this conclusion - be very, very careful with wheels, tires, springs, shocks and brakes - unless you are an expert in this area. Unsprung weight is very important.

Your line of thinking is spot on, flip.

Good quality 20" tires; light, strong alloy wheels - 8.5" in width; stock brakes; springs and shocks.

You'll have a ride that will look great; handle better, and ride more smoothly than the stock Contis.

That's exactly what I'm planning to do once we see some warm weather and I get the Pirelli winters off.

[Northern Rider]

Originally Posted by Jamesw

Flip- You have atleast a 3yr/36000 warranty use it. Alot of people have 20's on there 300 and even more have 22's. You will be fine with 20's just make sure you get the correct offset. When you get your rims on and for some reason you feel that your brakes aren't as good as they once were, you can always get that beautiful big brake kit.

Jamesw, the warranty is worth diddly , if you oversize wheels. DCX can reject any warranty claim if they determine your car crashed, the rotors warped, steering failed, etc., because of oversizing.

All the forces of physics converge on those 4 tiny rubber footprints on the road. This is a big, powerful, heavy car.

It's about a lot more than offset. As to the beautiful brake kits - they can cost over $4000.00.

Jamesw, I hope you are giving out your wheel and tire advice to members based on your actual experience with high performance machinery.

[5point7]

flipmode, I say your not putting in too much...it's very important.

It's been discussed here alot and NR has great info and experience here, and I share his thoughts on the wheels. I'll share my personal experience after installing the MC2ning FZ6 20's w/Nitto 420's last week. I decided against 22's (although they look incredible) for 2 reasons: cost and weight. With the 22's, I really feel a brake upgrade to at least SS brake lines and new higher performing pads is a must. Add in the rougher ride, increased suspension wear and .....

Now that I have some drive time with the 20's, here is what I've noticed:

1. I get a little tire "whine" now with the Nitto 420S's (like when a 4x4 has big tires that "whine"). They are 255/45/20 SUV tires, and although very subtle, they do make more noise than the Conti's.
I also "feel" much more of the road, more small vibrations and road info in coming through more clearly at the wheel (not so mushy feeling).

2. Wet traction has been decreased a touch, these will spin more freely in the rain. Dry conditions I don't notice much difference.

3. I do notice some perfomance decrease - and I do attribute this to the heavier wheel/tire combo. I don't know the exact weight difference, but I do feel the car is a touch slower to respond now.

Overall, the ride is good, a touch firmer than the stockers. The FZ6's look great, and the Nitto's seem a pretty good fit in the wheel well. Overall, for the 2,300 I spent - I feel the 20's are well worth it. The car is a bit sportier with the FZ6's, and it took some of the float away to give it a little more driving response.

I'm debating on the Mopar springs, and at .5 to .75, those are my choice if I make the jump...or maybe not if...but when, and only dealer installed.

**On edit, as they were purchased through my local dealer, and installed by the dealer, and after much discussion with the service Manager - I should be fine with any warranty issues - another HUGE reason I went the FZ6 route.

[flipmode]

This is why I love the forum. I drive a lot and want to set my 300 C off a little and I think the 20's are a nice compromise. I think I'll feel more comfortable paying extra and getting the lighter wheels that will stay more in the same realm of the stockers in terms of weight. I welcome more feedback from others and appreciate all responses that may have been a rehash.

[5point7]

The other wheels I was considering were some SRT8 take offs...but I love the MC2 FZ6 and FZ16's. Also, the new Nitto's can be rotated to ANY wheel on the car without mount/rebalance (according to Nitto's site anyway), so you can do a true 4 way rotation for better wear. At $200 per...rotation = good. Price is right as well, my local Dodge dealer gave me a deal after I mentioned a sale price online.

[Northern Rider]

Originally Posted by 5point7

The other wheels I was considering were some SRT8 take offs...but I love the MC2 FZ6 and FZ16's. Also, the new Nitto's can be rotated to ANY wheel on the car without mount/rebalance (according to Nitto's site anyway), so you can do a true 4 way rotation for better wear. At $200 per...rotation = good. Price is right as well, my local Dodge dealer gave me a deal after I mentioned a sale price online.

Thanks for the MC2 info. That's one of the manufacturers that I am considering. do you know rhe weight on the combo?

[flipmode]

I'm on www.moparsupercenter.com and here is the description(see below): They have four tire/wheel combos and they all appear to have the same specs. I like the FZ 26, but tend to like the FZ 16 set of wheels a little better. Just my taste. It says up to 12 lbs lighter so I'm guessing depending on what 300 you have (C, Touring, whatever) the wheel weights will be slightly differnt, but I have to believe all in all, that the total weight will be less than stock on any 300C. As always, I'll do my homework. To the Gent with the FZ 26....where/how did you acquire your setup? Was it on moparsupercenter.com? They have this priced at $2295. Thanks again.

MPSCFZ16 20" Package includes: 20x8.5 MC2 Chrome Wheels mounted and balanced on 255/45R20 Performance Tires.
These wheels are derived by the aircraft wheel industry and Formula 1 racing, these forged series wheels are built with the latest in wheel technology. The results are phenomenal! We have available four (4) different 20" wheels, to provide a wheel and tire package that weighs up to 12 pounds lighter than the original equipment wheel tire package found on the Magnum and 300 cars. By engineering a lighter and stronger wheel that enhance the look of your Dodge Magnum or Chrysler 300 without comprimising the ride comfort or performance of the vehicle. These Forged wheels go through the same rigorous testing as original equipment wheels by an independant OEM certified testing agency before being released. Using the finest materials and the latest technology to create premium-forged wheels. These wheels begin as a solid cylinder of 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum, which is compressed with 4,000 tons of force to create a wheel blank. This process produces a wheel that is stronger and lighter than any 20" cast wheel. Each wheel is then put into a CNC machine, where the design of the face is eloquently milled to perfection. Once the design of the wheel is completed, it is then polished and triple chrome plated to attain that mirror like finish. Then performance tires are then mounted, filled with Nitrogen, and road force balance for the perfect ride quality. The package of four (4) wheels, four (4) High Performance Tires, and a set of theft deterrent lug nuts are included.

[5point7]

I have the FZ6 - I went to my local Dodge dealer who is now doing my service and warranty repairs (my Chrysler dealer did not provide good service).
They had them on display at the parts counter with the new Nitto's (I didn't like the Toyo tread pattern). I asked them if they could come anywhere near $2,250, and he said sure. No shipping charges, and they installed at the dealer. Good deal, not sure on weight though....

Pics are here:

Another one with some new shoes