F348 + Hamann wheels = even more aggressive look

(Also posted on www.f c a r s . com , but thought I'd share the pics with the worldwide 348 Brotherhood.)

I finally got around to fitting my Hamann 18" performance wheels (OZ Racing) fitted with Pirelli P zero Rossa tyres today.

Specs are:

Front: 235/40zr18, 9.5J x 18 wheel

Rear: 285/35r/18, 11.5J x 18 wheel


Massively wider than standard, and also incorporating rear spacers. (I had to remove my front spacers.)

The rears, in particular, look extremely w i d e The wheels overall give the F348 a seriously aggressive look, and significantly improve what I felt was it's only aesthetic weak link originally. They also make the red calipers stand out.

Very pleased overall
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Thanks

They are Hamann wheels and still available here. I'm in England and got them here.

The bad news is they are £5,500 new including tyres and tax here. That's about $10,000 (US).

I got them "as new" off a demonstrator though for considerably less. From tyre and wheel condition I'd say they've done no more than 1,500 miles max

Jas

 

Thanks mate

 

Thanks

And the perfect expression

 

VERY pleased with the mirror finish, and the deep red it's brought out.

2 guys worked continuously for over 6 hours. Steps were:

- wash
- dry
- preparation coat
- 4 coats of final glaze
- activation

Applied to paintwork, glass and wheels.

Pics below
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Thanks guys

Yes, they are VERY wide, and look it from the rear. But see my next post re handling etc.

About power, if there's a difference it must be minute. Not enough to notice. Whilst the wheels have greater diameter, the tyres counteract that by having lower profiles.

I believe they still make them new. Or at least, I know for a fact that you can buy them new (might just be "old" stock items).

Lowering would require too much work to maintain the handling i.e. new stiffer springs, shocks and possibly a new anti roll bar. Too much ££££ for me. I did do all that (and more) to my Lotus when it was lowered though.

 

Having driven the car a fair amount today with the new super wide wheels and rear spacers, I'm very pleased to report that it's mostly positive


The main negative is that the fronts rub the inner arch on full lock when reversing. A minor issue.

The only other negative is that steering effort is increased, but really only noticeable at parking speeds. I can accept that.


On the plus side, there's massively improved braking. I was never happy with braking performance before as the fronts locked up too early and ABS would kick in. Now it's not happened so far

The car previously suffered from tramlining on certain roads. This has completely vanished now!

Turn in performance is significantly improved. So much that it feels like a different car Much more Lotus-like, and that's a HUGE compliment coming from me

My car was always stable at all speeds, and still feels rock solid in a straight line

Handling seems significantly positively improved. Much higher levels of grip and turn in performance. Really flat cornering in all bends, and excellent feel through the wheel - even better than before, and the 348 was always good for that.

At the limit, the slide was progressive with no snap at all. Oversteer at will when desired and very balanced. Again the 348 was always good in that way, but the limits are higher now.

Overall, I am so surprised at how much of a positive effect the wide wheels and tyres have had on the car. I would go so far as to say that Ferrari should have fitted these as standard at the factory.