Steels versus Alloy wheels, which is better?

[Jc007]

Hello Tsikot people! Interested to know your opinions about "Steel wheels" and "Alloy wheels", which is better?

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[TheUninvited]

Steelies are for base models and spare tires.

[Archerfish]

Technically speaking, both are alloys. Basic steel alloys are a combination of mostly iron and carbon. Chromium is added to make the steel rust resistant.

Whenever we say alloy wheels, we usually refer to cast aluminum wheels. These are lighter but more expensive.

Some very high-end wheels are made from magnesium. So the expression "mag wheels" or "mags" originally described magnesium wheels. However, it became a marketing​ term.

Ordinary shops will often refer to "rims" to describe cheap looking wheels​ and "mags" to a good looking one.

Generally speaking, a more costly wheels means its tensile strength is better and of course lighter. Most experts will recommend that you stay away from cheap, unknown brands.

Take note that some dealers or insurance companies will not honor any accident related claims if you replace your wheels, should it fail and cause an accident.

References​:

Design of Machine Elements
by Virgil Moring Faires

High-Performance Car Mods
by Matt Cramer

[bloowolf]

Technically speaking, both are alloys. Basic steel alloys are a combination of mostly iron and carbon. Chromium is added to make the steel rust resistant.

Whenever we say alloy wheels, we usually refer to cast aluminum wheels. These are lighter but more expensive.

Some very high-end wheels are made from magnesium. So the expression "mag wheels" or "mags" originally described magnesium wheels. However, it became a marketing​ term.

Ordinary shops will often refer to "rims" to describe cheap looking wheels​ and "mags" to a good looking one.

Generally speaking, a more costly wheels means its tensile strength is better and of course lighter. Most experts will recommend that you stay away from cheap, unknown brands.

Take note that some dealers or insurance companies will not honor any accident related claims if you replace your wheels, should it fail and cause an accident.

References​:

Design of Machine Elements
by Virgil Moring Faires

High-Performance Car Mods
by Matt Cramer

I really appreciate it that you referred expert opinions. Choosing the right wheel is very confusing. There is always the looks vs the cost. There are so many wheel shops & most of these look really nice & the price is so tempting. Unfortunately, most of them are low quality fakes made in China. Some are so well finished to pass off as original. I have friends who used to drag race & rally, & they said that spin offs are dangerous, since there have been instances of them fracturing. They said that if you want the durable ones & just to be sure those are not fakes, buy surplus wheels (OEM) or ROTA’s.

[dr. d]

Hello Tsikot people! Interested to know your opinions about "Steel wheels" and "Alloy wheels", which is better?

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for ordinary everyday use, either is fine.
for ordinary everyday use, alloys add only bling.
i have yet to see fake steel rims.
alloys ...

[travajante]

The real non-aesthetic benefit of alloy wheels+tires will only come when they are lighter than what you currently have. Lower unsprung rotational mass will help you get more from your car's power, pull & FC. Braking will be better, shorter....& your suspension will thank you for it.
So when choosing wheels & tires, think too of unsprung rotational weight....not just looks.[emoji4]

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[WallyWest]

Do mag wheels offer better ventilation for the brakes than steelies? I imagine airflow to the brake assembly would be better than steelies.

[Vodka]

after using aluminum wheels for a very long time i've decided to go w/ steelies w/ wheel covers w/ my most recent car. advantages:

- no worrying about scratching them on the curb. i bought 4pcs extra wheel covers (OEM). just replace when needed
- no worrying about scratching them at the tire changer
- can be safely be bent back to shape
- cheap
- depending on the car you could include the spare tire w/ your tire rotation
- low risk of theft

[Archerfish]

I really appreciate it that you referred expert opinions. Choosing the right wheel is very confusing. There is always the looks vs the cost. There are so many wheel shops & most of these look really nice & the price is so tempting. Unfortunately, most of them are low quality fakes made in China. Some are so well finished to pass off as original. I have friends who used to drag race & rally, & they said that spin offs are dangerous, since there have been instances of them fracturing. They said that if you want the durable ones & just to be sure those are not fakes, buy surplus wheels (OEM) or ROTA’s.

I agree, OEM surplus wheels are better than those good looking ones but unknown brands. I heard that ROTA is a good brand.

I actually warned my brother about his plan on our CR-V 98 that he should not simply trust any shops found alongside the road.

And yes, it is always better to refer anyone to the experts instead of giving your own opinion. If the person will insist on my opinion, I will decline but offer alternatives and let the person decide for his own. I'm not an expert, but an ordinary employee who finds time in reading, so I cannot give advice.

So I remembered that we should learn "the art of giving advice without giving advice".

[monty_GTV]

Hello Tsikot people! Interested to know your opinions about "Steel wheels" and "Alloy wheels", which is better?

Sent from my SM-P355 using Tapatalk

asking which is better it subjective, there is always sort of compromise and there is no right or wrong. they might not carry the same level of safety, durability and performance but some are willing to overlook that aspect for the cosmetic improvement. its a thing of form over function. if you cannot stand the appeal of a bare steel wheels then go for a more fancy colored alloy wheels. durability wise, no doubt steel rims are the king of the road.

[ice15]

Based on the subject of thsi thread... Steel vs Alloy

Steel - more durable and cheaper - so just think kung bigla kang malubak ng alanganin... there's a higher chance na mag survive yung steel rim kesa sa alloy.

Another benefit I can see with steel rims is madali maghanap ng replacement... kung isa or 2 lang kailangan mo, mas madali maghanap (sa dami ng nag trade in)

Alloy - should be lighter... Reducing unsprung mass theoretically helps a car’s suspension work more effectively. Reducing rotating mass should make the car accelerate and stop faster as well. Pero in the real world, wala naman talagang benefit yung performance aspect ng alloy wheels... So it's basically aesthetics.

[D3nb3r]

Alloy: Maporma, expensive(orig), Still havent heard of a shop that could repair a broken/crack alloy wheels sa pinas unless you want to take the risk sa mga unknown shops.

Steelies: so-so sa appearance(subjective), cheap, off-roaders love steelies dahil repairable kahit sa trail site mismo.

Or better yet, just google it daming lalabas na hits nyan kahit sa you tube.

[brushless]

There's also cast alloy wheels vs forged alloy wheels.

Forged=stronger, lighter and more expensive.

[ninjababez]

Alloy: Maporma, expensive(orig), Still havent heard of a shop that could repair a broken/crack alloy wheels sa pinas unless you want to take the risk sa mga unknown shops.

Steelies: so-so sa appearance(subjective), cheap, off-roaders love steelies dahil repairable kahit sa trail site mismo.

Or better yet, just google it daming lalabas na hits nyan kahit sa you tube.

meron sana sa paranaque (evacom area) bro
ang kaso, imported japanese owned rims lang ginagawa nila (ship back to japan).

[D3nb3r]

meron sana sa paranaque (evacom area) bro
ang kaso, imported japanese owned rims lang ginagawa nila (ship back to japan).

If the price is less than buying a new set of rims, why not.
I wonder magkano kaya cost ng repair since ipapadala pa sa japan then ibalik naman uli sa pinas.

[ninjababez]

If the price is less than buying a new set of rims, why not.
I wonder magkano kaya cost ng repair since ipapadala pa sa japan then ibalik naman uli sa pinas.

di kasi ako maalam sa rims bro, pero yun tinuro sakin na 18" (im guessing) nasa 100k plus daw in pesos.

[jick.cejoco]

[QUOTE=Jc007;2973426]Hello Tsikot people! Interested to know your opinions about "Steel wheels" and "Alloy wheels", which is better?

Sent from my SM-P355 using Tapatalk[/Q







OEM wheels for late model European cars are alloy wheels (aluminum alloy or magnesium alloy) for a couple of reasons:
1. Alloy wheels are lighter-better fuel economy, lighter unsprung weight which result in a more comfortable ride on bumpy roads.
2. Better heat dissipation for better brake cooling
3. Can be shaped to have a better air foil to reduce wind noise and reduce air drag
4. In addition to the little spoilers in front of each tire, induces the road water splash away from the car's body.

[Vodka]

i wonder about the supposed weight advantage of aluminum alloy wheels. of course i know that aluminum is lighter than steel but aluminum wheels are very thick, while steelies use very thin material

i have a feeling that this weight advantage is overrated does anyone have empirical data?