Topic: POLL: Alloy vs. Steel Wheels for Winter Tires?

[CyberNick]

Alloy vs. Steel Wheels for Winter Tires?

Alloy Wheels

• Enhance the look of your vehicle
• Are manufactured to precise standards to meet exact fitment and performance needs
• Weigh less than steel wheels and have superior strength
• May be the preferred option for your vehicle based on fitment requirements
  Will allow for better brake clearance (depending on wheel style and brake components installed)
• Require proper maintenance as finish damage may result in the harshest winter climates where salt and sand are routinely used
  

Steel Wheels

• Meet the basic needs of drivers who want the convenience of a winter tire package without the additional cost of an alloy wheel
• Typically available in black or silver finish depending on the application
• Basic styling can often be updated with wheel covers
• Cost less than alloy wheels due to ease of manufacturing and lower material costs

 

[tpl]

For the BMW the winter tires are on the oem wheels and the summers on aftermarket wheels. I suspect that the oem wheels, made by Borbet, probably cost 3 times as much as the summers.

The Fit has the standard black steelies for summer and will get a 2nd set with the winters on any week now.

[Trainman]

Both the Pathfinder and Sienna have steel winter wheels, no hubcaps.  The only true Canadian way   

[initial_D]

For the BMW the winter tires are on the oem wheels and the summers on aftermarket wheels. I suspect that the oem wheels, made by Borbet, probably cost 3 times as much as the summers.

The Fit has the standard black steelies for summer and will get a 2nd set with the winters on any week now.

Same here on our vehicles. No steelies. Alloys are cheap enuff for consideration, if the vehicle is kept for a few years.

[HeliDriver]

Aside from the performance (weight) advantage, I like winter alloys because they don't get all pockmarked with rust like steelies do.

Oh sure, I know that some people complain about their alloys oxidizing and developing slow leaks from winter use, but it's never been a problem for me. Maybe it's an issue back east with all the salt, but I've never had a problem out here.

My Civic has some OE-takeoff alloys from an Acura 1.6 EL, and they don't lose any air after five winters of use. The finish still looks good, too.

I just got some winter steelies for the Suburban - not my first choice, but I did it out of convenience. Plus they're painted silver, so they don't look too bad. I'll just have to keep on them with the touch-up paint. 

EDIT: Just wanted to make one final point (that should really go without saying) - Plastic wheel covers are never an acceptable option.     

[ovr50]

Highlander has the Base HL wheels (OEM) for winter, and the summers are the HL alloys it came with, I bought the Base HL wheels extra.

Wife's Solara uses the Solara alloy for winter, and we have aftermarket FRD alloys for summer.

The BMW, when it comes, will use the OEM 17" alloys for winter, and I will buy a new set of BMW OEM alloys in 18" for summers.

No steelies. 

[quadzilla]

Steel all the way.

[CyberNick]

Highlander has the Base HL wheels (OEM) for winter, and the summers are the HL alloys it came with, I bought the Base HL wheels extra.

Wife's Solara uses the Solara alloy for winter, and we have aftermarket FRD alloys for summer.

The BMW, when it comes, will use the OEM 17" alloys for winter, and I will buy a new set of BMW OEM alloys in 18" for summers.

No steelies. 

It must be nice to have a pile of $$$ and just splurge on it.

In other words I failed to get funding approval from my better half to go with the current OEM's for the winter tires and get a set of 18's with new summer tires next spring. 

[dr_spock]

I have rusty OEM steelies with OEM hubcaps.  They don't seem to have any leaks.   Not sure I would want to use alloys with the heavy salting they do around here.

[gotak]

I actually want to go alloy but everyone says they aren't good?

[mmret]

I actually want to go alloy but everyone says they aren't good?

What price for your vanity?

[ovr50]

I actually want to go alloy but everyone says they aren't good?

 

[ovr50]

Highlander has the Base HL wheels (OEM) for winter, and the summers are the HL alloys it came with, I bought the Base HL wheels extra.

Wife's Solara uses the Solara alloy for winter, and we have aftermarket FRD alloys for summer.

The BMW, when it comes, will use the OEM 17" alloys for winter, and I will buy a new set of BMW OEM alloys in 18" for summers.

No steelies. 

It must be nice to have a pile of $$$ and just splurge on it.

In other words I failed to get funding approval from my better half to go with the current OEM's for the winter tires and get a set of 18's with new summer tires next spring. 

Sour grapes or what? 

[CyberNick]

Sour grapes or what? 

No, just pointing out that not eveyone is not loaded like you... 

[CyberNick]

I actually want to go alloy but everyone says they aren't good?

Oh sure, I know that some people complain about their alloys oxidizing and developing slow leaks from winter use, but it's never been a problem for me. Maybe it's an issue back east with all the salt, but I've never had a problem out here.

Does that imply that steel wheels do not develop leaks when they rust? I think they may too, but could anyone share an actual experience or knowlege on that?

[gotak]

I actually want to go alloy but everyone says they aren't good?

What price for your vanity?

Well from tiretrend although they say now they don't know which alloy would fit. about 200 is the difference between steels and alloys. So i mean it's not like chum change but it's not huge either is it?

[airbalancer]

Have you tried ebay, or other car forums?
I pick up Alloys for 323 for $400 with used tires no tax. New Steelies for a 323 was almost $400 plus tax. So you are always shop around for the best deal

[gotak]

It's a new model you really can't find much on the internet.

[ovr50]

Sour grapes or what? 

No, just pointing out that not eveyone is not loaded like you... 

Comments like that, masked with a wink and a big grin, show envy; and get into the personal attack area. My post as to whether my vehicles had steelies or alloys was one of fact, and implied that I prefer the look of alloys to steelies. Whether or not I have more money than you, or bought the alloys from a thief who stole them off a car has nothing to do with the topic. You don't know my situation so pis$ off with the smart remarks.

Besides, in my experience, one can buy alloys (not OEM, but lots of aftermarket) for not much more than steelies (as has already been mentioned above). So, instead of making personal jibes, do a little research and maybe you will find that you can "afford" alloys.

 

[mmret]

I actually want to go alloy but everyone says they aren't good?

What price for your vanity?

Well from tiretrend although they say now they don't know which alloy would fit. about 200 is the difference between steels and alloys. So i mean it's not like chum change but it's not huge either is it?

I was considering cheaping out (ref: another thread in this forum), but given some further thought the extra $200-250 or so is nothing in the long run...the winters will be around for 4 seasons or so.

This is assuming the alloys don't get eaten alive by Ottawa road salt