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

[1TSX]

Wow. 

Are you sure that isn't paint/protective coating stripping off the alloy wheel?

[Squishy]

No, the shape of the underlying steel wheel is more rounded than the silver cover.

They had me fooled too.  I always thought those were alloy wheels.  But this is the reason why I run steel wheels with no hubcaps in the winter.

[dorin]

Those are pretty good-looking steelies.  Props to GM for that.

[Angry Chicken]

I ended up getting alloys for my Mazda3 (Mazda6 rims from my dealer) and black steels for my Hyundai Santa Fe.  I posted pics in a separate "mini-review" thread in this forum.

With the Mazda (it's the GT Sport) I couldn't stand the idea of ugly black steel rims for 5 months....almost 1/2 the year whereas the black steel rims on the Hyundai look kinda butch.

/Eric

[CyberNick]

I ended up getting alloys for my Mazda3 (Mazda6 rims from my dealer) and black steels for my Hyundai Santa Fe.  I posted pics in a separate "mini-review" thread in this forum.

With the Mazda (it's the GT Sport) I couldn't stand the idea of ugly black steel rims for 5 months....almost 1/2 the year whereas the black steel rims on the Hyundai look kinda butch.

/Eric

Nice! 

Now much did they charge for one of those rims? I might have to get one... 

[Angry Chicken]

I ended up getting alloys for my Mazda3 (Mazda6 rims from my dealer) and black steels for my Hyundai Santa Fe.  I posted pics in a separate "mini-review" thread in this forum.

With the Mazda (it's the GT Sport) I couldn't stand the idea of ugly black steel rims for 5 months....almost 1/2 the year whereas the black steel rims on the Hyundai look kinda butch.

Nice! 



Now much did they charge for one of those rims? I might have to get one... 

Thanks!  They do like nice, don't they?  I think I paid $150 ea rim.  You can give Dave Nally a call.  He's the parts manager at Performance Mazda in Orleans.  The number is 613-830-6318

[CyberNick]

Interesting... I just got quoted $239.40 for the Mazda 6 GT 17" rim... 

[Angry Chicken]

Interesting... I just got quoted $239.40 for the Mazda 6 GT 17" rim... 

Mine are replicas.  I got the whole package, 205/50/17 Hakkapeliittaa RSi's + rims for $1350 + tax.  Mind you, Dave did me a really good deal since I've known him for over 20 years, still.....

[CyberNick]

Cool...

Well, I have damage on the inside of one of the AS rim/tires.

Its the rim damage is really minor, but I can't leave it, expecially since the tire has a tiny bump in the sidewall too.

So, I got a used tire of the exact same brand with very similar thread wear, $50
I left the rim and tire at a local wheel repair place. $85 for the rim damage, $15 for tire change and balance and $5 for tire disposal.

Total $155, naturally Mrs. CyberNick goes and I'm like wait 'till we get the summer "sandals", dear... then it'd be 

[Schmengie]

The Versa's OEM steelies have the winter tires on them (with hubcaps 'cause they're pretty ugly). The summer tires are on Evo7 alloys. I just had them switched over - I'll be royally pissed if we get snow now.