Buying aluminum wheels - new or used? What size to choose? (VIDEO)

Aluminum wheels are not only an attractive element that improves the appearance of the car. They also usually contribute to better driving. How to choose the right alloy wheels?

The choice of aluminum rims on the market (there is also the term alloy rims, because they are actually made from aluminum and steel alloys) is huge. The variety of models, designs and brands on the market is very large and can make you dizzy.

The same applies to the price range. An aluminum rim can be bought for around PLN 150. Prices for the most expensive reach several, or even several thousand apiece.

Many drivers choose alloy wheels for their car mainly because of their own aesthetic taste. However, choosing a rim for a particular car is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also a matter of safety. Finally, the correct use of disks is also important, which affects their service life.

Aluminum rims - safety first

Aluminum rims improve driving quality as they reduce the so-called unsprung weight of the vehicle, i.e. those elements that are not sprung and therefore subject to shocks transmitted directly from the road surface. In addition, alloy wheels contribute to better cooling of the brakes.

The wheels are the only part of the car that has direct contact with the road. They are responsible for a number of important parameters that affect driving safety and comfort. Rims play a big part in this, so making the right choice is critical when buying, says Adam Klimek of Motoricus.com, an online auto parts retailer and associated independent services company.

Many drivers buy new alloy wheels based on just two parameters: the diameter and the distance between the mounting holes. In the meantime, several other relevant guidelines need to be considered.

First of all, the rim size is indicated in inches - the main parameters are the width and diameter of the rim. For example, 6,0×15 means a rim that is 6 inches wide and 15 inches in diameter. The rim diameter matches the tire size, i.e. a tire such as 195/60 R15 is also a 15" tire and will fit a 15" rim. 6,0 means 6" rim with tire widths from 165mm to 205mm.

The diameter of the wheel with tire and rim replacement must not differ too much from the diameter specified by the vehicle manufacturer. It is supposed to be within +1,5%/-2%. exemplary. 

The distance is also important, i.e. the diameter of the circle on which the wheel bolts are located, and the number of these bolts, for example, 5 × 114,3 mm, means five bolts on a circle with a diameter of 114,3 mm (such a distance is used, for example, by Honda).

Finally, the offset, also known as ET (from German Einpress Tiefe - or offset (from English), is important. This is the distance of the seating surface from the geometric center of the rim (center of symmetry), expressed in millimeters. When the value of ET decreases, alloy wheels protrude further outward On the other hand, as ET increases, the wheel is deeper in the wheel arch, so it's best to stick to the factory values.

In addition, discs have a certain load capacity and relation to the engine power of the vehicle with which they will work. These parameters are strictly defined for a given make and model of a car and we can select them for you. in the catalogs of the respective disc manufacturer.

New alloy wheels - where to buy?

It is best to buy aluminum wheels in a store that specializes in selling them, where trained personnel have manufacturers' catalogs and are able to offer the most suitable product for a particular car model. Even better, when such a store also has a service that allows you to install purchased discs.

However, many car enthusiasts choose online stores that tempt customers with attractive prices for their range. However, before buying the selected alloy wheels, let's ask the sellers a question, even if by phone or email.

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– Let's ask if an aluminum rim manufacturer is present on the Polish market, so that if one rim is damaged, you can easily buy a new one. Importing from abroad may be impossible or time-consuming, which can stop the buyer's car for a long time, suggests Adam Klimek.

The specialist at motoricus.com also recommends that you request a quality certificate. They are given to discs that have passed the tests specified in Regulation 124 of the Economic Commission for Europe. However, the buyer should be vigilant, as there are many cheap Far Eastern discs on the Polish market, certified, but awarded to the factory, and not to a specific disc.

Wrongly matched aluminum rims - be careful not to damage them

Driving on wheels with parameters that differ significantly from those recommended by the manufacturer is associated with a risk of mechanical damage to both the wheel and vehicle components.

The most common problem is tire friction on the car body or suspension. It can occur in certain situations - with a significant load on the car, a sharp inclination when cornering or uneven roads. This is unacceptable, even if it happens from time to time.

An incorrectly selected rim can also prevent it from properly fitting on the hub and therefore from being properly centered. As a result, the wheel will vibrate, reducing driving comfort and safety.

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It is also important to install wheels on the car itself. It is necessary to use only those bolts and nuts that are designed for a particular model of rims and are closely related to a particular car model. Security depends on this.

On the websites of many shops and wheel manufacturers there are configurators for selecting wheels for a specific car model, as well as acceptable tire widths for wheels. There are even special applications for smartphones.

Alloy wheels - what is the right care?

It is generally accepted that aluminum wheels are less resistant to damage than steel ones. Meanwhile, the opposite is also true.

– Aluminum rims are more resistant to mechanical damage than traditional steel rims. However, if they are damaged, repair is a difficult process, and in some cases even impossible, says Adam Klimek.

Dents on the edges of steel rims can most often be repaired without losing their properties, while in the case of aluminum rims, such an operation can lead to breakage of the rim and, as a result, the need for welding. This solution is not always effective.

On the other hand, regular maintenance of alloy wheels will increase their service life. The paintwork on the rims is no different from that on the body of the car, so we must ensure that it is always clean.

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Washed discs must be thoroughly dried, as water droplets act as lenses to focus the sun's rays, which can cause discolouration of the paintwork. It is also recommended to use preparations that limit the deposition of sand or particles from brake pads and discs. However, the instructions for use of cleaning agents must be observed in order not to damage the paintwork and the anti-corrosion layer.

An important principle of operation is also the care for precise wheel balancing, which should be carried out every 10 kilometers.

Used alloy wheels - worth a look?

A wide range of used alloy wheels is available for sale. Should I be interested in such a range? The opinions of experts are divided. Many people say that used rims are like used tires because you can never be XNUMX% sure they are in good condition.

“It may happen that we come across a used rim that looks good but cannot be properly balanced. Probably, such a rim has already been repaired many times, says Slavomir Shimchevsky, a mechanic from Słupsk.

But if someone decides to buy used alloy wheels, then he should demand from the seller a document confirming their legal origin (for example, an invoice from the store, a sales contract from the previous owner), as it may turn out that the purchased wheels are stolen .

Wojciech Frölichowski