BBS FI-R comparison by IND: 20" vs 19".

[IND-Distribution]

Most members of BimmerPost know that IND staff are not strangers to the FI-R. Starting with our first meeting about the FI-R wheel with BBS Motorsport in Germany in 2013, we’ve been doing everything possible as a distributor of BBS products to push the FI-R project forward. This year, M owners and ourselves have finally gotten to enjoy the FI-R wheels for the first time.

This week IND’s first set of 20” FI-R wheels arrived at IND, enabling us to have a direct comparison of the weight of the 19” FI-R and the 20” FI-R wheel. We were also able to photograph one of our 19" sets next to our 20" set, giving a direct visual comparison. We’re excited to share this information with BimmerPost!






20" BBS FI-R






19" BBS FI-R

[BarryC]

Hi Ilia - how much for a set of the 20" version? PM me or call my cell.

Thx!
BC

[IND-Distribution]

Originally Posted by BarryC

Hi Ilia - how much for a set of the 20" version? PM me or call my cell.

Thx!
BC

Dialing!

[pyceasyas123]

nice pics ilia! almost want to trade for 20's now!

[ajag]

Very impressive weights!

[lsturbointeg]

I'd rock em' if they were 21's!

[IND-Distribution]

Originally Posted by pyceasyas123

nice pics ilia! almost want to trade for 20's now!

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

I'd rock em' if they were 21's!

Thanks! The larger wheel sizes do look great as well.

Originally Posted by ajag

Very impressive weights!

Absolutely! This is hands down the lightest wheel available on the market today. The fact that you can actually use these on a road course, jump apex curbs at the track, and come home with completely straight and true wheels (at this weight) is a testament to just how far ahead of the curve BBS is.

As many on these forums know, unsprung mass is an incredibly significant factor in suspension tuning, and impacts absolutely every component of a car's behavior- mechanical grip in acceleration and cornering, acceleration itself, braking, and even ride quality.

Adding light weight wheels is actually one of the simplest ways of reducing unsprung weight and improving all of those factors. We can't easily lighten the suspension components (BMW already makes the OE suspension arms very light weight and very rigid), and we can't easily improve the suspension uprights either. Pulling weight from the brakes without reducing thermal capacity is exceedingly difficult, and getting lighter tires is not a possibility. Light weight wheels therefore remain one of the only viable areas where we can reduce unsprung mass at a (relatively) low cost.

[Lalit@autocouture]

Thanks for sharing!

[m5 guy]

16.5 lbs is just crazy!

[Palomequet]

BBS strikes again, the best wheels, period.

[AMPowerJ]

This wheel is bad ass.

Barry - Will I get to see them on the track soon?

[soapman72]

Will these clear CCB brakes in the 19" size?

[manticor]

amazing weights...

[IND-Distribution]

Originally Posted by Lalit@AUTOcouture

Thanks for sharing!

Originally Posted by m3 guy

16.5 lbs is just crazy!

Originally Posted by Palomequet

BBS strikes again, the best wheels, period.

Originally Posted by AMPowerJ

This wheel is bad ass.

Barry - Will I get to see them on the track soon?

Originally Posted by manticor

amazing weights...

Agreed! It's one thing to do something great once or twice, but to consistently push the envelope of what's possible for 40+ years... that is true achievement.

Originally Posted by soapman72

Will these clear CCB brakes in the 19" size?

They will! That was a key stated requirement during the development process.

[X5-User]

I don't think BBS FI-R will make a lot of sales because of BBS CI-R are much cheaper and look very similar.

any opinion..?

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-M3

I don't think BBS FI-R will make a lot of sales because of BBS CI-R are much cheaper and look very similar.

any opinion..?

BBS FI-R is super light and strong, plus it's a status thing to rock these rare wheels. CI-R looks similar, but it just not the same (heavier and weaker). You can easily distinguish the difference as the spokes of the FI-R have the hollow holes.

There are many wheels that replicate Volk's TE37 for half the price, but people still want the real deal.

[X5-User]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

BBS FI-R is super light and strong, plus it's a status thing to rock these rare wheels. CI-R looks similar, but it just not the same (heavier and weaker). You can easily distinguish the difference as the spokes of the FI-R have the hollow holes.

There are many wheels that replicate Volk's TE37 for half the price, but people still want the real deal.

With all respect, this argument is not valid. There is a difference between replica and real ones. BBS (not replicate company) created a very similar wheel pattern to BBS FI. It is still BBS. I didn't say MORR or BC forged who created the pattern...I hope you got my point

I think BBS CI-R will kill the market of BBS FI-R and to me thats big mistake from BBS..but to each own..

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-M3

With all respect, this argument is not valid. There is a difference between replica and real ones. BBS (not replicate company) created a very similar wheel pattern to BBS FI. It is still BBS. I didn't say MORR or BC forged who created the pattern...I hope you got my point

I think BBS CI-R will kill the market of BBS FI-R and to me thats big mistake from BBS..but to each own..

Volk was a bad example, wheel fans can tell the difference between $3k vs $6k version of the BBS was my point. Just like how we can tell the difference between a 320i and 328i or 528 and 535, but non car people would wonder why BMW would make cheaper versions. The answer is not everyone can afford the higher models nor care about the performance difference.

The BBS FI-R is a work of art, super light, and super strong. Those who can afford the FI-R will buy them, don't who can't will settle for the heavier/weaker/less attractive version.

[Nahlem]

Geez this rims look so freakishly good, These rims 19" in black on my M235i



M235i With BBS FI-R with brembo brakes

[metrickid]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-M3

With all respect, this argument is not valid. There is a difference between replica and real ones. BBS (not replicate company) created a very similar wheel pattern to BBS FI. It is still BBS. I didn't say MORR or BC forged who created the pattern...I hope you got my point

I think BBS CI-R will kill the market of BBS FI-R and to me thats big mistake from BBS..but to each own..

You don't buy the FI-R for the look, you buy it for the total concept (weight, looks, strength). So anyone really interested in the FI-R (or even FI) won't be happy with the CI-R because they weigh almost twice as much and are not as strong.

The only ones unhappy are the ones that bought the FI wheels for show and won't feel as cool anymore when people can buy the same look a lot cheaper.

[soapman72]

Do the 19" work with CCB?

[metrickid]

Originally Posted by soapman72

Will these clear CCB brakes in the 19" size?

Originally Posted by Ilia@IND

They will! That was a key stated requirement during the development process.

Originally Posted by soapman72

Do the 19" work with CCB?