Moon-style hubcaps: What's the break-even point?

[Thermactor]

I see people around this website with Bonneville salt-flats style "moon" brushed disc hubcaps on their rides. Looking on eBay and other places, the going rate for these is generally no less than $100 for a set, delivered. I can walk into Wal-Mart and buy a set of generic hubcaps for $13.99. My question is, is there a definite and measurable MPG gain from buying the moon hubcaps, over regular hubcaps? Or is it just a fashion statement among hypermilers?

One of the things about saving gas is saving money too, and it wouldn't make sense to spend more money to save gas than you would on saving that gas.

[cfg83]

Thermactor -

Originally Posted by Thermactor

I see people around this website with Bonneville salt-flats style "moon" brushed disc hubcaps on their rides. Looking on eBay and other places, the going rate for these is generally no less than $100 for a set, delivered. I can walk into Wal-Mart and buy a set of generic hubcaps for $13.99. My question is, is there a definite and measurable MPG gain from buying the moon hubcaps, over regular hubcaps? Or is it just a fashion statement among hypermilers?

One of the things about saving gas is saving money too, and it wouldn't make sense to spend more money to save gas than you would on saving that gas.

Here's a set for $40-$50, but there will also be the cost of installation :

"MOON" Style Spun Aluminum Racing Wheel Disks
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MOON-...ayphotohosting

You missed the "ebay-bargain-window" last year where one e-bay site was selling 4-disk snap-in sets for $30. Here is a "snap-in" set for $71 :

15" STAINLESS STEEL RACING DISK FULL MOON HUBCAPS NEW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/15-ST...ayphotohosting

If you search the GasSaver threads, you will see that people "got creative" with normal hubcaps and just "filled in the gaps" :

Hubcaps?
http://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=1539

brake temps -how hot is too hot?
http://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=1449

I think this is a good canditate for filling :

STYLE 69 WHEEL COVER SET
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...p?Ntt=hub+caps
Attachment 1140

Here is one with fewer holes, so maybe easier to fill :

STYLE 59 WHEEL COVER SET
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...p?Ntt=hub+caps
Attachment 1141

Here is an example of the "pizza pan" solution :

Disk Wheelcovers
http://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=5642

I agree that all mods should have a "cost of return" calculation associated with them, but there is also the "GasSaving as a hobby" factor. A lot of people spend thousands of dollars on a turbo to gain X HP. They don't do it to save money. I have a nightmare of a commute, so this is my hobby (aka makin' lemonade).

If you want the lowest cost racing disk option, get creative and make a set out of cheap flat plastic (pizza?) pans (plastic => light). It's *finding* the pans that will cost you time, but not much money.

This GasSaver thread tries to rank mods based on cost-effectiveness, so I think you want to read this :

list of gas saving tips from best to worst
http://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=2584

It just depends on what floats your boat.

CarloSW2

[SL8Brick]

Here's what I have on my Wife's 2003 VW Golf:

http://www.germanautoparts.com/image...1C0601147E.jpg

Volkswagen part# 1C0601147E HRN - MSRP @ the dealer is $42.37ea....but germanautoparts.com sells them for only $28.00ea.
They're OE on euro-market Beetles, but will fit any Mk4 Golf/Jetta w/OE 15" steelies. They're pretty smooth & sit almost flush with the tire, but they still have "phone-dial holes" for sensible venting for the brakes.

[brucepick]

Hey SL8Brick,
Any word on your car?
My wife's in Philadelphia today but I'm up here in CT.

EDIT [sorry for OT!]

[SL8Brick]

Originally Posted by brucepick

Hey SL8Brick,
Any word on your car?

(Sorry for O/T)
No word yet...hope to have answers tomorrow.