Optra5 with Borbet Type A Rims

[Imc10]

Hi bros,

 

Been reading alot of posts about the benefits of switching to lighter rims in terms of pickup, handling and FC. The stock Optra5 (multi-spoke) rims are heavy (close to 9kgs) as reported.

 

I took the plunge this morning to trade in the stocks and install these original Borbet Type A rims:

 

http://www.wheelspecs.com/specs/wheelmodels/937

 

They are cast manufactured in Germany and weigh around 5.5kgs. Not the lightest rims in the market but definitely lighter than the stocks. I am hoping German engineering lives to its name for robustness . Some friends have complained about the lighter Taiwan made rims; with some balancing and structural integrity problems.

 

Not your typical screaming racing rims but I opted for a more subdued conti-look. Had them installed at South Pac at Sin Ming Autocare. Good price and friendly service

 

I will be looking for flushed plain silver cover plates to replaced the current ones with the borbet logos. It should look better like this:

 

 

Thought I'ld share the pics with you

[Imc10]

Expect the flat surfaces to be much easier to clean compared to the multi-spoked stock rims (boy did I spend a lot of time with them ).

[Room430]

Did you really weigh the stock SA multi-spoke rims to see if they're really 9kg?

[Imc10]

Bro,

 

No I didn't. Got the reports from the forum. The last post on this topic was from Brother Kopikao:

http://www.mycarforum.com/forum/gforum.cgi...ing=8kg;#755641

 

He cited it more than 8kgs. I think you were in the threads also.

 

But I did carry both and definitely felt the stocks as heavier

[Shorty]

how much u bought dat for?...got 15"?

[Imc10]

I traded in the orginal stock rims and had my 2-month old Yokohama tyres installed onto the new rims.

 

The uncle charged me $250 as he wanted to clear the last set of Borbet Type A rims. Apparently (and understandbly) they are not too popular here compared to the common multi-spoke fierce racing ones. I have seen this elsewhere selling at $115 a piece.

 

So I think I got a good deal

 

The rims are 15" and PCD 4x114. There is a 35mm offset.

[Room430]

Oh, ok. Do let us know whether the power and FC has improved as a result of changing to lighter rims.

[Staff]

wow . $250 for the rim , such a good catch ...

next time got tis type lobang rem msg me lei

i still using stock rim ...can't afford to spend $600 on new sports rim ...

[Imc10]

Brother Staff,

 

This is a good lobang (especially if you have a tight budget):

http://list.auctions.shopping.yahoo.com/sg...tml?alocale=0sg

 

Interestingly there are a lot of good deals for new rims on Yahoo auction. Ofcourse would you have to read the referrals (from past buyers) on the Yahoo Auction as well as a search on MyCarForums for the tyre shop (in case there has been previous bad feedback about the shop).

 

If you are not fussy I think you can get quite good deals on 2nd had racing sport rims. Anyway, give it a try and see if you see anything you like. Good luck

[Jansen]

Nice Rims!

 

Jansen

[Room430]

Hi bro, can take more pics and update us on the looks of the rims on your ride? The ones shown here too small leh, can't see properly.

 

So how's the handling and fc so far?

[Imc10]

Bro Room430,

 

Okay posting again. Apologies as the last image hosting site sort of 'shrunk' my pics without my knowledge

 

These are the pics of my ride with the Borbet Type A rims:

 

You could only make out my license plate if you had those fancy CSI gadgets to read and expand my license plate numbers in the correct plane and dimension... hehe

 

I am now looking for flushed covering plates (i.e. the plates that cover the rim bolts) to make the Borbet rims look like this:

 

Nice, yeah

 

Anyway, on your query on fuel comsumption, I regret to inform that there is no noticeable improvement. There is a 0.3-0.5 improvement but this is so minute that I suspect it could be just my wishful thinking or paralax error in reading my fuel gauge... hehe Handling wise I believe there are some minor improvements but I guess that could also be my imagination since I want to badly to justify my new rims.

 

Logically if you think about it; I saved about 3kgs per rim (i.e. stock rims about 8.5kgs - new rims about 5.5kgs) for a total savings of about 12kgs. The curb weight of the Optra5 is about 1200kgs (from the owners manual). Adding my weight and my other affects lets just say 1300kgs. 12kgs out of 1300kgs is only close to 1% weight savings so any vast FC improvements are unlikely. I guess I truely only achieve aesthetics for the soul

 

*BTW the definition of curb weight is the weight of the vehicle as received from the manufacturer. That means without passengers or cargo but with all its standard equipment and full fuel, oil and coolant tanks.

 

Anyway, I am willing to hear advice from any other brother out there that has achieved a positive FC contribution from changing his rims. Hope this helps, bro.

[Room430]

All I can say is they're real nice and cool looking rims! Definitely stand out from the standard rims.......

 

Though you didn't get better FC, I'm sure you get better pickup from the lighter rims right? That's what I experienced too on my previous ride when I changed to lighter rims. It's not so much of the overall car's weight, it's the individual wheel's weight that's important. It takes a lot more force to spin a heavy wheel from stationary than with a light wheel.

 

Noticed you change your rubbers to Aspec dB too, so how's it so far? Much quieter?

[Imc10]

Bro Room430,

 

Thanks for your appreciative comments. I have noted two camps on my rims; some like it alot and some just can't stand it. Those who cannot stand it suggested that I change to the typical multi-spoke racing rims. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder I guess; I know I am happy

 

Yeah, I can say pickup is slightly better but I am a rather light footed person so don't push my car too much. Maybe I try to cheong abit tomorrow and see if the feeling is different.

 

As for the rubbers, actually I got my agent to upgrade them (as a freeby) from the original Kumho's to Yokohama Aspecs before I collected my car in March. Yeah, they are known as generally comfortable and quiet tyres. Aspecs are definitely not performance tyres. However I have seen many negative feedback on these tyres for wet performance i.e. see this thread: http://www.mycarforum.com/forum/Aftermarke...ake_it_P450805/

 

As you know now I am a rather moderate speed driver so it should be okay for me. I just take a bit more care during rainy days

[Genie47]

You know what, the rims will actually look nicer if the car is moving. Looking at the BMW pic. When they move, this "deep dish" look will emerge .

[Imc10]

Bro Genie47,

 

Incidentally I have a pic of the Borbet rims in motion:

 

Yup, you are correct... abit of deep dishing effect can be seen

 

Actually I noticed that for the same Type-A rims, the offset becomes bigger with the size of the rims; deeper looks nicer .

 

Unfortunately our Owners manual indicate that the Optra5 can take up to 15" only so my offset is rather shallow. Not sure if I wanna take the risk and install larger rims in the longer term in case of detrimental effects on handling. Any views on this?

[Clazzichan]

Will the warranty be void if changes on rims is not correct?

[Chevro]

Hi bros,

 

Been reading alot of posts about the benefits of switching to lighter rims in terms of pickup, handling and FC. The stock Optra5 (multi-spoke) rims are heavy (close to 9kgs) as reported.

 

 

Thought I'ld share the pics with you

 

Hi, Brot

 

Thanks for share info.

 

Too bad I already got rim at pxx xxxg from Japan. I don't know how heavy is that, I pick the cheapest on the shelf, plus bridgestone tyre 195/55/15 and trade in my old one@$160 (since drived for more than one month), cost only $580. ,but compared to you still exp.

 

Pickup is much better and seems a little for FC, but not very big, maybe due to the tyre width increased.