So they are making them again Made of Alum not magnesium, little heavier Takes 8 weeks to make Email Chris Jordan at Speedline, [email protected] fronts 585 GBP rears 620 GBP
Very cool. I loved the white ones on Tims spider. Just for a change up now and then. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Magnesium is 34% lighter then Aluminum by volume so one can use that as a guide for the approximate weight increase. The original Magnesium fronts were 17 lbs and rears 19 lbs so in Aluminum, assuming the same amount to of material is used, that would translate to approximately 23 lbs for fronts & 26 lbs for rears. I am waiting on confirmation from speedline on the actual weight question but they did answer the price and construction question. These are replica wheels of the originals made by a speedline contractor not speedline directly, here's what I got from them via email: "The Ferrari 348/355 challenge wheels to Trade Stockist Dealer price Lowest price :- 8x18 Front = $750.00 USD 10x18 Rear = $813.00 USD These wheels are now made by an approved Speedline contractor with the blessing of Speedline but essentially they are a replica of the original wheel." Including shipping and duty (to US), these will come out to the same cost as the last run they did of the speedline at around 5k but for a potentially heavier replica wheel. I hope that's not the case.
Geometry may be slightly different, as from what I hear the new run are flow formed, vs cast. I'm sure Speedline would be able to provide some confirmed weights. Glad that I scored my magnesium original bits at a nice price, vs overpaying before this news broke. Although, since they declared mag would not be done again, it is now officially NLA and the period-correct material... $10k for the set anyone? In all seriousness, I'm glad they've brought this back. It can be a stressful proposition running lightweight wheels that are no longer in production. The thought had crossed my mind to leverage a friend in the business to have a mold made to run a flow-formed series of aluminum replicas.
Yeah I'm sure they will try to keep the weight comparable to before, but you're right magnesium speedlines are now officially NLA.
Ya the originals really do, I'm running BBS LMs which clock in at about 22-23 lbs and you can feel the difference vs the challenge wheels. Definitely worth if for someone looking to shed some fat off the 355.
The OE mag alloy is not published but I know just from seeing how much OE 355 wheels melt in saltwater areas that their material isn't that great. Probably AZ6xx combo or something. What baffles me with these knockoffs is the cost is nearly the same as mag castings which is a far more pricey process. Speedline will make a run of mag wheels if they get an order for a batch of 25+ and the cost isn't all that different. Nope
I believe they were saying the new material is better strong way of the future Most likely the foundry cant handle Mag. Hey at least we get the look ARE THEY real or fake? Only your plastic surgeon will know ...
No, aluminum is just way cheaper and much easier to handle than Mag. Mag requires special handling and is hugely more pricey to produce. Few factories in the world can make cast mag or hugely more pricey, forged Mag wheels, which are OE on very few hypercars.
weight concerns I assume are valid for purpose driving, not on a daily driven car. But, for those who are concerned with mag and alloy weights, have you thought about working out to compensate for the weight difference I would get the alloys and loose 25 lbs to compensate if needed. all for good fun
