15x9 Advanti Storm (S1 vs. S2 Comparison)
 

I've been tracking 15x9 Advanti Storm S1 wheels for the last 3.5 years. In that time, I've bought 12 and 4 remain serviceable. Of the 8 wheels that died, 5 had bent rims and 3 developed cracks. The way that the S1 cracks is unusual, it develops a radial crack in the hub adjacent to a lug hole. This cracking mode was consistent for all of the cracked wheels. This failure mode is pretty safe - it leads to a vibration rather than a catastrophic spoke failure. Here are a couple of pictures of the failure:
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...8ccdc61ab1.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...7ee98b720c.jpg

Went on Tire Rack the other day to order some tires and replacement wheels (I like having a dry set and a rain set). I noticed a newer Advanti model, the S2. In 15x9, it was ~0.5lbs heavier than the S1 and appears to have addressed the weak spot I discovered. It is a 12-spoke wheel optimized for a 4-lug hub (the S-1 has 10-spokes). There is a LOT more material around the lug hole. It also has lightening/cooling slots machined into the hub which should be a nice feature to shed heat from our highly-loaded front hubs. I ordered the S-2s and am planning to run them with dry tires and relegate my S-1s to rain duty.

Here are some pictures I took after receiving the S-2s:
Wheel Face (first picture S-1, second picture S-2):
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...0c108f544f.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...9159de1f52.jpg

Oblique View of Hub (first picture S-1, second picture S-2):
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...cf3022c961.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...103bb89539.jpg

Perpendicular View of Hub (first picture S-1, second picture S-2):
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...79e519b8ff.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...a9f15f0488.jpg

Rear View of Hub (first picture S-1, second picture S-2):
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...e5ec6b6295.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...166ef4da72.jpg

I never liked the look/weight of the S2, but it actually looks like a much stronger design. Maybe I'll move my S1s to street duty and pick up a set of S2s for the track. Nice find.

I just picked up a set of S2s for cheap. Will see how they'll hold up.

Everyone appreciates solid info, like-cat awarded!

Good find. Looks like the s2 was designed specifically as a 4-lug wheel given the layout of spokes - I wonder if it actually was to address the cracking issue you've seen.

Kinda funny, but now that I see the design as based on function the S2's look better than I thought previously...

I strongly suspect that it was, but that is conjecture. I felt like the S-1s cracked too soon and the weak point is pretty obvious in hindsight. OTOH, there's something to be said for an engineered weak point that leads to a relatively harmless failure. It would be much worse if the spokes failed.

If you don't mind, I like to see these wheels installed on your car when you install them!

OK.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...ba590dc8d9.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...84ff947883.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...29d28ab4b2.jpg

Looks good! I definitely prefer those over the S1s.

Those look a lot better on the car than off. The weird spokes are kind of cool in a way :P.

Whats the clearance like with the Wilwood dynalites? any spacer needed?

No. Tons of clearance.

Hornetball,

Was there any paint/powder coat/finish on the lug seats? The last set of new wheels (not Advantis) I purchased had the wheel finish on the lug seats. Torquing the lugs crushed and separated the finish from the wheel, causing the lugs to work loose on track, which is always awesome.

And I was planning on getting a set of S1. But will be a track car so there goes that, wont risk cracking a wheel. I hope that the 6UL 15 x 10 are in stock in time cause I will go that route now. Really wanted 245 RS4 on 15x9 Storm 1's

I've had 3 sets of S1s and never developed a crack on any of them. I'll keep an eye on that area when I do safety checks. As far as customer reports we have not had any on this subject from what I can recall.

Maybe it is still viable, Not like it was a catastrophic failure. Now that would be a definite deal breaker.

For those concerned, the newer Konig Dekagram 15x9 has all the same good stuff; flow formed, similar weight, etc. and has added strength in that area via a deeper pocket.

Very similar look to the S1, with the spokes just a hair further in from the lip:

https://www.good-win-racing.com/miat...00/61-2298.png

I will feel better with that one, I looked at Good-win site but must have missed that one. And I like the price until I can get my hands on some 15x10 6ul's
thanks.