Topic: Rims - question re dealer vs Cdn Tire

[jtmann]

I have a 2007 Camry LE 07 (16 inch wheel) and considering buying a second set of rims to make all-season/winter changeovers less expensive and easier. I have priced it at my local  dealer and others, including Canadian Tire. The dealer's charging $80 a rim (320 a set) and Canadian Tire site lists "Factory Original Fit Steel wheel" at $55. So that's $100 savings per  set. Both would be black steel. (the link to the Canadian Tire rims http://tires.canadiantire.ca/view/product/0095926  )

My questions for the forum are:
1.) I assume the dealer product and the Canadian Tire product would be same quality? Any watch outs from youe experience?

2) The dealer said the rims I'd but from them I would not need a seocnd set of lug nuts - the ones on her now would fit second set. If Canadian Tire's are "Factory Original Fit Steel wheel" then would I need a second set of lugs or not?

3) I assume my hub caps would also fit the CT rims if they are "factory original fit"?

Thanks!

[Arthur Dent]

I'd make sure the hub bore is the same size on the Canadian Tire rims too. Some aftermarket rims have large hub bores making then lug centric instead of hub centric. Another option is to find some used rims from a similar Camry.

[richink]

Crappy Tire buys their steel rims from Macpek, I suspect that Macpek may be an OEM supplier once you put the bullhorn brand on them. I wouldn't be too concerned about the quality difference as long as they fit and balance out properly.

If you're concerned enough to get OEM Toyota rims, see if a junk yard has a set.

[articsteve]

If Canadian Tire's are "Factory Original Fit Steel wheel" then would I need a second set of lugs or not?

Not.  Wheel covers should fit too.

[Fobroader]

Crappy Tire buys their steel rims from Macpek, I suspect that Macpek may be an OEM supplier once you put the bullhorn brand on them. I wouldn't be too concerned about the quality difference as long as they fit and balance out properly.

If you're concerned enough to get OEM Toyota rims, see if a junk yard has a set.

I was looking at the Crappy tire "oem replacement" steel rims for my old truck. They were the same rim that I had as a spare tire. I wouldnt worry about it. The absolute cheapest though is a junkyard and some used camry rims, they shouldnt be too hard to find, its a bloody Camry.

[airbalancer]

look for OEM on kijiji

[maritime_storm]

The rims your local dealer is quoting is Toyota OEM, same as came with from the factory, not an aftermarket knock off. Quality wise you will notice a difference simply by looking at them, the Toyota ones are a much higher quality then what you will buy from Canadian Tire, which they source from Robert Thibert not MACPEK. CTC switched suppliers 2 years ago.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

The absolute cheapest though is a junkyard and some used camry rims, they shouldnt be too hard to find, its a bloody Camry.

Yup. I used to do that years ago. I learned it was a good idea to have the bare rims spun up on a wheel balancer just to make sure they haven't been knocked out of true or round. Sometimes it wasn't easy to tell just by looking at them.

[jtmann]

Thanks to all for the comments. What is your opinion on the following three options I've uncovered?

1. Toyota dealer - new steel rims (obviously manufacturer original) - $80 each/$320 a set

2. After-market (Canadian Tire) - new steel rims (promoted as 'factory spec', but aftermarket supplier obviously) - $55 per/$220 per set

3. An auto parts supplier in my city - used steel rims from a Camry(s) (likely salvaged) - currently have four rims in stock, three from a 2009 Camry LE and one a 2007 LE (mine is an 07 LE).  Auto parts supplier has been around since 1996, promotes the rims as fully inspected and has a 5-year warranty on the rims. $35 per/$140 per set

Some have suggested I go to independent salvage yards, but none in my area with Camry rims.

I'm only keeping the car another 3 years so cost matters and math doesn't work for me to do #1/dealer, so it's between 2 and 3. I’ve read/gotten mixed reviews of #2/aftermarket so I'm leaning to #3. Realize they come from salvage but with the history of the company, inspection and warranty it feels low risk. Only thing I wouldn't know is how many miles on the rims - is that an issue/what's typical maximum life/mileage on steel rims anyway?

Thanks for the input and tolerating the newbie questions!

[Fobroader]

Thanks to all for the comments. What is your opinion on the following three options I've uncovered?

1. Toyota dealer - new steel rims (obviously manufacturer original) - $80 each/$320 a set

2. After-market (Canadian Tire) - new steel rims (promoted as 'factory spec', but aftermarket supplier obviously) - $55 per/$220 per set

3. An auto parts supplier in my city - used steel rims from a Camry(s) (likely salvaged) - currently have four rims in stock, three from a 2009 Camry LE and one a 2007 LE (mine is an 07 LE).  Auto parts supplier has been around since 1996, promotes the rims as fully inspected and has a 5-year warranty on the rims. $35 per/$140 per set

Some have suggested I go to independent salvage yards, but none in my area with Camry rims.

I'm only keeping the car another 3 years so cost matters and math doesn't work for me to do #1/dealer, so it's between 2 and 3. I’ve read/gotten mixed reviews of #2/aftermarket so I'm leaning to #3. Realize they come from salvage but with the history of the company, inspection and warranty it feels low risk. Only thing I wouldn't know is how many miles on the rims - is that an issue/what's typical maximum life/mileage on steel rims anyway?

Thanks for the input and tolerating the newbie questions!

Go with the scrap yard man. $35/rim is a killer deal, even if they are not the same color or shape, paint and hubcaps can do wonders 

[Arthur Dent]

I'd go with the scrapyard rims - $35 per is a good price.

[articsteve]

I'd go for the cheapest option which is 3.

"Fully inspected" is a bit of a crock because you can't tell by looking at them, but the chances any steel rim is unsuitable is rare.

Recyclers don't keep steel rims in stock like they used to so don't sweat that and most won't take cash unless they know you.

[articsteve]

is that an issue/what's typical maximum life/mileage on steel rims anyway?

If they don't hit a rock or left in a puddle of water all summer:  about a million miles.

[Fobroader]

is that an issue/what's typical maximum life/mileage on steel rims anyway?

If they don't hit a rock or left in a puddle of water all summer:  about a million miles.

Unless there are any visible damages or corrosion along the bead seat....good to go.

[articsteve]

corrosion along the bead seat

Hidden by black paint.  So if the steel feels a little "bumpy" or "rough" along this area take some course sand paper and spend a few minutes going around the area.  This of course is the installer's responsibity in "theory" 

Wear a mask if you do this.

[Fobroader]

corrosion along the bead seat

Hidden by black paint.  So if the steel feels a little "bumpy" or "rough" along this area take some course sand paper and spend a few minutes going around the area.  This of course is the installer's responsibity in "theory" 
Wear a mask if you do this.

HAHAHAHA.....ahhhhhh.....installers responsibility, you mean the 12 year old working at the local tire shop? In all seriousness, like articsteve said, check that bead for corrosion and roughness, it should be almost perfectly smooth. Thats where the tire meets the rim in case you dont know.

[jtmann]

Thanks for the advice gents. The overwhelming feedback has been to go # 3 – the used OEM rims from the auto parts supplier. On that, two questions:

1. Would Toyota rims have any markings/stamping on them where I could tell they were truly OEM, not after market being passed off as OEM?

2. My 2007 Camry LE manual/specs list two wheel sizes – 16 x 6.5 J and same except JJ. My dealer and Toyota are useless – any way to tell whether I am a J or JJ?

Thanks again

[Fobroader]

Check your door pillar/glovebox/center console, there should be a plaque stating what you need for rims. I am not sure on the J/JJ thing??? There should be a toyota stamp, when I got my Nissan steels from the dealer, it actually said NISSAN on them.

[jtmann]

Thanks I'll look for the Toyota stamp. Re: J vs JJ, I checked the door jamb and the plate only says 215 60 R16 - no mention of J vs JJ........

Check your door pillar/glovebox/center console, there should be a plaque stating what you need for rims. I am not sure on the J/JJ thing??? There should be a toyota stamp, when I got my Nissan steels from the dealer, it actually said NISSAN on them.

[bridgecity]

I'm thinking that the 16x16.5 should read 16x6.5, where the 6.5 is the rim width.  The J, or JJ, refers to the tire bead profile of the rim.  I would have thought that this would be the same for all wheels.  Maybe try and have another look.