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Thread ID: 147658 2019-02-24 19:21:00 Alloy Wheels vs Steel Wheels bk T (215) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1458504 2019-02-24 19:21:00 As the title says.

What are the advantages of alloy wheels other than its looks? Any real improvements an ordinary driver can 'feel'?

Worth investing? I am driving a 2015 Toyota Corolla Hatch.

New vs used options?
bk T (215)
1458505 2019-02-24 20:29:00 On a corolla I doubt it.
On a performance car maybe, depends how you drive.
If you are under maybe 35 you probably want them :p

Supposedly being lighter helps with acceleration and they conduct heat away from the brakes better improving braking in extreme conditions.
And they may help handling, but myself I think the tyres have more effect given that alloy wheels are often used with wider lower profile tyres.
They also increase the odds of your wheels being stolen.

Not something I ever bothered with personally, the factory wheels on a corolla are perfectly fine for what it is. I have a 2013 corolla hatch myself.

Edit: This is fairly informative www.drivespark.com
dugimodo (138)
1458506 2019-02-24 23:38:00 Minimal advantages really. More a Look how cool I am thing.
As for the Corolla comment...it's a 2015 not a piece of junk.
piroska (17583)
1458507 2019-02-24 23:51:00 Alloys on a 4wd total waste of money as they damage too easily. You see plenty around though so must be OK for puddles and supermarket speed bumps. On a corolla if you want them have them gary67 (56)
1458508 2019-02-25 00:03:00 If the Corolla has the option for alloys it would be good upgrade for looks and resale but expect to pay as it is a recent model

Most makes have their high end model equipped with Alloys anyway

Most aftermarket Alloys play to "The Look At Me" type with 4x4's

Pays to check with your insurance company before fitting as some say it leaves an out for them when claiming for an accident
Lawrence (2987)
1458509 2019-02-25 00:31:00 As for the Corolla comment...it's a 2015 not a piece of junk.

Nobody said it was junk I have one myself.
I was just meaning it's a standard small family car not a sports car.

Some people like to pimp out things like corollas and good for them, to me it's a waste of money.
dugimodo (138)
1458510 2019-02-25 06:50:00 alloys will handle rough roads better. simply due to lower unsprung weight.
how much of a difference is a bit subjective especially with small car wheels.
on a 4wd there is such a huge difference in weight i would pick alloy wheels every time unless its a hardcore offroad machine.
tweak'e (69)
1458511 2019-02-25 07:06:00 alloys will handle rough roads better. simply due to lower unsprung weight.
how much of a difference is a bit subjective especially with small car wheels.
on a 4wd there is such a huge difference in weight i would pick alloy wheels every time unless its a hardcore offroad machine.

The link I posted says pretty much the opposite, but I personally wouldn't know.


Steel wheels are significantly stronger than alloy wheels and are able to take much more impact before bending or even cracking, like alloy wheels can when subjected to a harsh undulation in the road surface. This is why you should think very carefully before having alloy wheels fitted to your car, especially in our country where bad roads are a part of daily life.

Read more at: www.drivespark.com
dugimodo (138)
1458512 2019-02-25 07:45:00 Thank you folks for your views, much appreciated! bk T (215)
1458513 2019-02-25 08:28:00 The link I posted says pretty much the opposite, but I personally wouldn't know.
the lack of strength is usually not a big deal unless you hit the rim. steel is way better at taking impacts. but you won't impact anything unless you hot a curb or drive offroad.
harsh roads is not enough impact to damage good alloys.

the catch however is low profile tires. sharp edged potholes on tarseal with small diameter low profile tires can break alloy rims. however you don't get steel rims with low profile tires.
small tires impact potholes harder, low profile tires don't soak up the impact like regular tires and you have alloy rims because you can't get steel ones.

with 4wd's no decent 4wd has low profile tires. for offroad you want baggy tires and they take the impact quite well. only thing to watch with alloys is direct impacts with trees/rocks will crack or break them. steel ones you can just beat back into shape.
tweak'e (69)
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