Wheels can make or break the look of a car so steel wheels or alloy wheels?
I remember showing my car to a friend after I bought it a few years ago. She is a very sensible and practical person and she had some advice for me.
She told me that I should remove the alloy wheels from the car and replace them with a set of normal steel wheels. Her reasoning behind this was that the alloy wheels might get stolen.
Now here I was feeling mightily proud of my brand new shiny set of alloys and she was suggesting I remove them for practical reasons. It was never going to happen. Take the alloys away and all my street cred would be gone!
Alloy wheels just look better on cars compared to steel wheels fitted with hubcaps. No matter how elaborate the hubcaps are, they just can’t compete with the alloy wheel. Adding alloy wheels can immediately lift the look of a car. You can take a run-of-the-mill hatchback and give it some street cred. It’s not just about the look of the wheels – it’s about performance too. Alloys are lighter than steel wheels so your car should handle better with them fitted.
There was a time when alloy wheels were only for boy racers, sports cars or high-spec luxury models. Alloy wheels are for the masses now, and are coming as standard on many cars. It seems that steel wheels are now an endangered species. Is saying goodbye to the steel wheel such a good idea? Just like my friend, there are still some practical people out there who put practicality and value for money ahead of cosmetic considerations.
Alloys are going to cost you a bit of extra money and if they are “look at me” type alloys and attractive to thieves you may end up needing to replace them prematurely!
Too big and you risk compromising driving comfort. Bouncing over a pothole strewn road on a set of 18-inch alloys is not the most pleasant experience.
And they can be easily damaged. Your alloys may look less than perfect after a close encounter with a pavement.
But you can’t get away from the fact that alloys make a statement. You know that feeling when you pull up at the filling station on a Saturday night and you notice the local boy racers eyeing up your wheels. It’s quite flattering. Let’s just say that a car fitted with a stonking big set of elaborate alloys wheels is the equivalent of a peacock displaying its feathers.
If you’re more of an alloy wheel lover, you’re going to need someone to repair them time to time. Check out alloy wheel repair from Whoops, they’re one of the best!
So steel wheels or alloy wheels? It’s alloy wheels for me – and last time I checked all four were still intact.
Do you know your 18-inch alloys from your steel wheels? Do you care? Leave a comment and let us know what you think.
2nd May, 2013
