I'm looking at getting Rial Nogaro wheels, they look similar to BBS
style mesh. Question: does the open spoke/mesh design allow for more
water (i.e. rain ) and debris to get into the wheel well area where
the brakes are? Would a wheel with more 'meat' (i.e. the M contour or
similar) prevent more water/debris from exposure to the breaks/rotors?

<sportrider90 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote

It might do, but I don't think it's an issue. The more exposure the brakes
have to the elements the better. I would think most proprietory wheels allow
adequate ventilation to cool the brakes in normal use.
AFAIK there are discs available that fit behind wheels so as to close the
openings in the wheels, through the 'spokes', from the brakes. They are not
to be recommended as they interfere with the brakes cooling.
My advice would be to simply buy the wheels you like, and not worry about
trying to shield the brakes.
Mike.

Mike G wrote:

I have often heard this piece of advice, but have some reservations
about its accuracy.

For one thing, the amount of air traveling "through" a spinning wheel
has to be much less than the air coming from under the front of the car.
Plus on most BMWs there are ports in the front air dam that collect
and direct air at the brakes from the front.

Another thought, what happens with the base model cars with steel wheels
and hubcaps. I know that these are not fitted with premium racing
brakes, etc, but neither are the vast majority of people's cars that are
asking and receiving this advice.

My educated guess is that those "clean wheels" things probably work
quite well to reduce the amount of brake dust on the exterior of the
wheels and I seriously doubt they would result in warped rotors or
overheated brakes under normal street conditions.

YBMV

--
-Fred W

"Fred W" <malt_hound (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote

I agree, but how many of us always drive in a way that means brake cooling
is
never an issue?
I certainly don't. :-)
Mike.

Mike G wrote:
I guess I'm easy on my brakes. One or two hard stops is not very hard
on brakes, even panic stops. What is hard on brakes is long continuous
use (like when coming down out of the mountains) and lots of high speed
use, such as when racing.

When I come down from the mountains I usually use considerable engine
braking and I do not race.

--
-Fred W

Don't worry about water or debris getting in with a more open wheel
design. That is a non-issue. The 19" wheels available on the E46
M3's are similar to the style you are looking at and they wouldn't be
offered if there was a problem.

The only down-side that I personally know of for that type of wheel is
in winter driving. It is possible to have a chunk of snow/ice
accumulate during a storm while you're at work and you attempt to
drive away without first cleaning the wheel there will be serious
out-of-ballance situation that will be obvious at speed.

G.S.



On 19 May 2007 10:47:31 -0700, sportrider90 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com wrote: