How durable are carbon fiber wheels on a Mustang?

I’m about to pick up a CFTP GT500 Heritage Edition this week, but I won’t be able to drive it for a few months because of the snow. Are carbon fiber wheels really that delicate? I’ve heard some people say that even hitting a small pothole or crossing train tracks can damage them. I’m thinking of using the car as a daily driver in the spring and summer. Should I just sell the rims and get new ones for daily driving?

1 Like

I wouldn’t sell them, but switching them out for daily driving sounds like a smart move :+1:

If it were me, I’d swap them out for daily use or track days. Selling them could impact resale since the car wouldn’t be considered “complete.” But hey, it’s your car, so go with whatever makes you happy.

1 Like

Yeah, I’m leaning towards swapping the rims and just keeping the carbon fiber ones stored safely for when I need them.

1 Like

Might want to consider buying a spare now, just in case :joy:

1 Like

People definitely have cracked them. I’ve seen pics of damaged CFTP wheels often. Supposedly, they’re stronger than traditional ones, but instead of bending, they just break. Personally, I wouldn’t risk it, especially when they’re $5k a pop :grimacing:

1 Like

You’re gonna start seeing posts soon about technicians over-torquing them and cracking the center with their impact guns :sweat_smile:

1 Like

Honestly, that’s why I traded mine before my first service. I don’t trust the dealers where I live, they can’t even change the oil correctly. One of them replaced an alternator on a new truck with a remanufactured one from AutoZone and claimed it was genuine Ford :unamused:

1 Like

How are the roads where you drive? Have you ever damaged aluminum wheels before? They’re not any more fragile than aluminum ones; it’s just more expensive to repair or replace them. Plenty of guys track these and the GT350R versions. Sometimes a stone gets stuck between the caliper and barrel, which scratches the protective layer, but that’s repairable. If you’re not going to run them, why spend the extra money on the carbon package? Just enjoy the car as it is.

1 Like

I’ve got a track about 30 minutes away, so that’s one reason I’m thinking about it. But I get what you’re saying.

Honestly, you’re less likely to damage a wheel on the track than on the street. Even though you’re putting more stress on them at the track, it won’t harm them unless there’s already some damage. Tracks don’t usually have potholes, and unless the curbs are crazy, you won’t have many opportunities to wreck your wheels. The biggest risk is a stone getting stuck between the caliper and barrel.

I would never drive in Houston with carbon fiber wheels. Ever. Too many potholes and way too easy for someone to steal them. I’d get a new set of wheels and store the carbon ones, only pulling them out for shows.

I’d also say don’t risk it. Keep those wheels safe and just grab a different set for daily use :sunglasses: