The A110 wheels thread (OEM and aftermarket)

[Spokeyblokey]

five50 said:

Spokeyblokey said:

Abyss Blue (although calipers now yellow)..

Wheels look awesome - pls post pics when fitted!!

Here you go. Apologies for the distorted angle. Will get some better photos out in the open when the weather is better.

[Gibbo205]

Hi there

I’m picking this up next Saturday:



I believe these are the GT Race wheels? They have Cup 2’s fitted.


As such I’ve purchased these:




I believe these are Grand Prix wheels is that correct?
So both wheels are identical size / ET etc?

I’ve got these as they have PS4 fitted with 6mm plus from a 2021 car so I can save the cup 2 wheels for track days etc and fit these for road stuff as cup tyres are poor in cold / wet conditions.

[7en]

They are indeed Grand Prix wheels, which I believe are essentially the same as GT Race, albeit different styling.

Hopefully they match the pictures on ebay, as the seats I purchased from the same breakers certainly didn't!

Edited by 7en on Monday 4th March 18:21

[heisenberger]

Spokeyblokey said:

Here you go. Apologies for the distorted angle. Will get some better photos out in the open when the weather is better.

That looks sweet!

Are these FP2, exactly the same as FLE but forged?
Can you list exact dimensions? Cheers. Seriously tempted to order something similar

[Meonstoke]

heisenberger said:

Spokeyblokey said:

...and FWIW, my Bola FP2s have arrived.. (in neodyme). Currently with the local detailer for ceramic coating. I'll check the weights before putting onto my Alpine.

Curious about the weights of the new wheels together with the 215/245 tyres, and how they compare with the weights of the stock GP wheels on their 205/235 tyres? Did you manage to make a record.

[Spokeyblokey]

heisenberger said:

Spokeyblokey said:

Here you go. Apologies for the distorted angle. Will get some better photos out in the open when the weather is better.

That looks sweet!

Are these FP2, exactly the same as FLE but forged?
Can you list exact dimensions? Cheers. Seriously tempted to order something similar

I saw this combination of dark blue, yellow and neodyme on a GT3 and thought it looked good. Am pleased with the end result. Yes these are forged (not flow forged) FP2s. Exact dimensions: 18" x 8.0" ET33 fronts and 18" x 9.0" ET38 rears, CB 66.1mm. I paid a modest additional amount to Bola to machine the centres so they accept the standard Alpine centre caps.

[Spokeyblokey]

Meonstoke said:

heisenberger said:

Spokeyblokey said:

...and FWIW, my Bola FP2s have arrived.. (in neodyme). Currently with the local detailer for ceramic coating. I'll check the weights before putting onto my Alpine.

Curious about the weights of the new wheels together with the 215/245 tyres, and how they compare with the weights of the stock GP wheels on their 205/235 tyres? Did you manage to make a record.

Yes, I spent a bit of time checking weights. Here’s what I recorded:

Original GT Race rims, inclusive of tyres (215 & 245 on the 'S'), valves and centre caps were 18.5kg front and 20.5kg rear. After the tyres were removed the weights inclusive of valves were 9.85kg front and 9.95kg rear. FTR, TPMS valves are 36g each.

New FP2 rims without tyres but inclusive of TMPS valves are 7.85kg front and 7.95kg rear. With the tyres fitted, and including centre caps and balance weights these then ended up at 16.7kg front and 18.2kg rear.

The change in tyres/rims resulted in a reduction in weight of 8.2kg but I also removed my Eibach spacers and re-fitted the original, shorter, wheel bolts. This resulted in a further reduction of 800g for the spacers and 450g for the bolts giving and overall reduction of 9.45kg whilst at the same time increasing the wheel widths by 0.5” both back and front.

(Not that I’m obsessed or anything of course..)

[Gibbo205]

7en said:

They are indeed Grand Prix wheels, which I believe are essentially the same as GT Race, albeit different styling.

Hopefully they match the pictures on ebay, as the seats I purchased from the same breakers certainly didn't!

Edited by 7en on Monday 4th March 18:21

Thank you fingers crossed they arrive as described them which if true I feel £1250 was a good price based on tyres proving to be near new and 2021 date stamp with 6-7mm tread will certainly be better for U.K. roads and wet weather compared to cup 2 tyres.

[7en]

After 2000 miles on 18" Fuchs and 320mm brakes I finally made the switch to the 17" Speedlines with 296mm brakes today.

In short I'd say the car feels ~10% softer all round. The initial downside to this was the steering, which meant that Normal mode felt quite numb in comparison, particularly around 12 o'clock. The steering in Sport mode felt better, not quite as razor sharp as usual which felt like I could put a bit more input into the wheel. The upside by far was the ride, which is significantly smoother. I was thinking it wouldn't actually make any noticeable difference, then the moment I dropped off the curb at the end of my drive I didn't feel the usual sharpness. I then drove a regular route and every bump felt more smoothed out, the car felt less jolted by imperfections and more fluid. The acceleration initially felt a little different but can't put my finger on how exactly. It soon felt normal, as did the steering once I got back into the car after a walk. I perhaps have to press a little firmer on the brakes and they're maybe a little more progressive/less sharp, but they too felt normal after a few miles.

After a dozen or so miles I don't think I'll ever use 18" wheels on the road again, unless I emmigrate to a country where the roads are perfect and you want to feel the surface in the finest detail. I should also mention I have a puncture warning on, so the above could potentially be affected by tyre pressures. However I suspect a dud TPMS after the wheels have been sat for well over a year.

The total weight saving, taking into consideration the smaller hub carriers, Alpine's stated wheel/tyre weights and the brake discs = 2525 grams unpsrung weight saved with the 17" Speedlines/296mm brakes vs 18" Fuchs/320mm brakes.

Edited by 7en on Sunday 24th March 19:43

[leglessAlex]

I'd be curious to see how much of that can be affected by proper dampers instead of the rubbish that's on our cars at the moment.

It's possible that really good dampers would make 18s better than the 17s you have now, and dampers + small wheels would be truly world class.

[Meonstoke]

7en said:

After 2000 miles on 18" Fuchs and 320mm brakes I finally made the switch to the 17" Speedlines with 296mm brakes today.

In short I'd say the car feels ~10% softer all round. The initial downside to this was the steering, which meant that Normal mode felt quite numb in comparison, particularly around 12 o'clock. The steering in Sport mode felt better, not quite as razor sharp as usual which felt like I could put a bit more input into the wheel. The upside by far was the ride, which is significantly smoother. I was thinking it wouldn't actually make any noticeable difference, then the moment I dropped off the curb at the end of my drive I didn't feel the usual sharpness. I then drove a regular route and every bump felt more smoothed out, the car felt less jolted by imperfections and more fluid. The acceleration initially felt a little different but can't put my finger on how exactly. It soon felt normal, as did the steering once I got back into the car after a walk. I perhaps have to press a little firmer on the brakes and they're maybe a little more progressive/less sharp, but they too felt normal after a few miles.

After a dozen or so miles I don't think I'll ever use 18" wheels on the road again, unless I emmigrate to a country where the roads are perfect and you want to feel the surface in the finest detail. I should also mention I have a puncture warning on, so the above could potentially be affected by tyre pressures. However I suspect a dud TPMS after the wheels have been sat for well over a year.

The total weight saving, taking into consideration the smaller hub carriers, Alpine's stated wheel/tyre weights and the brake discs = 2525 grams unpsrung weight saved with the 17" Speedlines/296mm brakes vs 18" Fuchs/320mm brakes.

Edited by 7en on Sunday 24th March 19:43

Thanks for sharing, good to know. What was your thinking process in choosing the Speedlines over the 17" OEM wheels? And why not keep the bigger 320mm calipers which do fit on the front (for the 17"OEMs) ?

[7en]

Meonstoke said:

Thanks for sharing, good to know. What was your thinking process in choosing the Speedlines over the 17" OEM wheels? And why not keep the bigger 320mm calipers which do fit on the front (for the 17"OEMs) ?

Sorry to confuse things, the OEM 17" wheels are actually Speedlines, it's branded into a rear spoke of each wheel.

Half way through the job I debated leaving the front 320mm brake discs in place, to save weight (380g), time, and keep the beautiful Alpine branded discs on the front. I decided to change them all as wanted to measure the weight difference of the hub carriers, experience the smaller brakes all round for consistency, and as I already had all 4 of the smaller hub carriers wanted to at least try them.

I couldn't be happier with the result, I only drove 10 miles yesterday but they were the most enjoyable miles so far.

Edited by 7en on Monday 25th March 06:04

[Meonstoke]

7en said:

Sorry to confuse things, the OEM 17" wheels are actually Speedlines, it's branded into a rear spoke of each wheel.

Half way through the job I debated leaving the front 320mm brake discs in place, to save weight (380g), time, and keep the beautiful Alpine branded discs on the front. I decided to change them all as wanted to measure the weight difference of the hub carriers, experience the smaller brakes all round for consistency, and as I already had all 4 of the smaller hub carriers wanted to at least try them.

I couldn't be happier with the result, I only drove 10 miles yesterday but they were the most enjoyable miles so far.

Edited by 7en on Monday 25th March 06:04

That's interesting. Is there a significant difference in weight between hub carriers used for the 17" wheels versus the hub carriers used for the 18" wheels? And, I guess, no way was it possible to allow the 17" rear wheels to fit over the larger 320mm brake calipers?

[7en]

Meonstoke said:

That's interesting. Is there a significant difference in weight between hub carriers used for the 17" wheels versus the hub carriers used for the 18" wheels? And, I guess, no way was it possible to allow the 17" rear wheels to fit over the larger 320mm brake calipers?

There's not much in it, an ounce here or there. One of the smaller hubs actually weighed a little more somehow.

The OEM 17" Speedlines fit over the front brakes but not the rear. It's only the hub carriers and discs which differ in size, the calipers and pads are all the same.

[Meonstoke]

7en said:

Meonstoke said:

That's interesting. Is there a significant difference in weight between hub carriers used for the 17" wheels versus the hub carriers used for the 18" wheels? And, I guess, no way was it possible to allow the 17" rear wheels to fit over the larger 320mm brake calipers?

There's not much in it, an ounce here or there. One of the smaller hubs actually weighed a little more somehow.

The OEM 17" Speedlines fit over the front brakes but not the rear. It's only the hub carriers and discs which differ in size, the calipers and pads are all the same.

Thanks for clarifying. A pity the rear 17" OEM wheels can't be made to fit with the 320mm discs. C'est la vie!

[7en]

Meonstoke said:

Thanks for clarifying. A pity the rear 17" OEM wheels can't be made to fit with the 320mm discs. C'est la vie!

Yes it took me longer than intended to try the 17" wheels due to the difficulty with the rear brakes, although at least it meant I had more miles with the 18" to then experience the contrast, plus got to learn the suspension through stripping it all down.

I love the softer nature of the A110 with its floaty dreamy ride and the sensations that come with the body movements, having a bit more of it is most welcome.

Edited by 7en on Monday 25th March 16:25

[Olivera]

7en said:

I love the softer nature of the A110 with its floaty dreamy ride and the sensations that come with the body movements, having a bit more of it is most welcome.

There also comes a point when the springs/damping is just too soft, and to some people's tastes (reviewers and owners) the standard car is already there.

[7en]

Olivera said:

There also comes a point when the springs/damping is just too soft, and to some people's tastes (reviewers and owners) the standard car is already there.

True. It's early days but feel the 17" wheels may hit a sweet spot for my preference, for others it would be too soft for what they want from the car. I think the 17" wheels are surely better for those who would like a touch more cruising comfort, whether they're better for sporty driving on the road is down to taste. I know when really pushing, a softer set up can feel limiting, although do think there could be some benefits. As an example I found the car felt less jolted by mid-corner imperfections and more composed. It felt less serious/more playful, more fluid and graceful, all of which actually made me want to lean on it more. I've had a similar experience with a RS Clio using different seat and wheel options, where I'd have more fun and push it more in a technically less sporty setup, finding a deeper rhythm in tune with the car.

I imagine an extra 12mm sidewall and saving a few Kg wheel/tyre weight in another car would make less of a difference, I think as the A110 has been engineered with lightness and ride at the forefront, altering that has a more noticeable effect.

Edited by 7en on Monday 25th March 20:12

[Teatowell]

Olivera said:

There also comes a point when the springs/damping is just too soft, and to some people's tastes (reviewers and owners) the standard car is already there.

You’re right that’s preference, but I think manufacturers of sports cars over the last 15yrs have built the expectation for sports cars to be rock hard, when actually in some cases it’s of no benefit and means the manufacturer can get away with using some crap dampers.

[Meonstoke]

Teatowell said:

You’re right that’s preference, but I think manufacturers of sports cars over the last 15yrs have built the expectation for sports cars to be rock hard, when actually in some cases it’s of no benefit and means the manufacturer can get away with using some crap dampers.

Indeed!

Admittedly I prefer the "size look" of the 17 inch wheels, although If I could achieve the same ride quality of the 17's with the current 18'' wheels I'd probably go that route - to save on hassle factor. But most folks (or at least on this forum) seem to look for better quality dampers to achieve a more responsive set-up - which ultimately ends up being firmer than the OEM set-up; even if only slightly.

To achieve a softer but still controlled ride, I really wouldn't know which "quality" dampers would achieve this. Thoughts anyone?