I mean decent looking ones that aren't hidden behind plastic covers. You see them on vans, where they look fine, but on cars you only seem to get grotty ones with covers, or alloys.
Are there any new cars available with cover-less steel wheels? And why aren't they generally available - are they just trying to get us to shell out for more expensive alloys?
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......... are they just trying to get us to shell out for more expensive alloys?
Alloy wheels are functionally superior to steel wheels. Their greater dimensional accuracy gives rise to far less steering vibration problems. They have less radial and axial run-out, and better circularity, than steel wheels. Give me alloys any day.
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Alloy wheels are functionally superior to steel wheels.
Fair enough, but there are still a lot of cars sold without them. Why don't they at least make the steel ones look better so they don't need the plastic covers?
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Our 2003 2.0x Forester has steel wheels with nice deep tyres - this was one of the reasons for not going with the All Weather Pack
6 years, no vibration, no cracking, even tyre wear, no punctures, you can keep your alloys!
MVP
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Our 2003 2.0x Forester has steel wheels
...and no plastic covers?
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...and no plastic covers?
Nope, just the steel of the wheel
www.hubcaps-wheelcovers.com/photo/Su268698.jpg
MVP
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So far I have actively managed to avoid the Bling of Alloys on the last 3 new cars. In 45 years and the best part of 1,000,000 miles I have never had problems with balance. Many alloy owners suffer regular balance issues because the weights fall off and also complain about damage by tyre fitters. The cost of replacement steels in the case of theft or damage makes them a worthwhile choice. You only have to read the thread on Technical about BMWs inability to supply alloys that can cope with poor road surfaces.
Steels weigh less than most manufacturers cheap alloys, but common perception is the opposite.
Another example of the triumph of marketing over reality, (or how to separate the pound from the pocket of the punter).
p
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Another example of the triumph of marketing over reality (or how to separate the pound from the pocket of the punter).
I have said it before and I'll say it again: It is a British thing. We are mugs for the manufacturers. Go to France and you see BMWs and Mercs. with steel wheels. You would think it would be the other way round as European rounds are these days much smoother than ours and we have to put up with speed-bumps and potholes...............
Here, it is very difficult to buy even a shirt or a jumper without a 'designer' label. Same with car wheels.
Nearly every road test I read says 'go for the standard wheels and tyres, forget the low profile options if you want a decent ride.'
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Same in the States - almost every car you see has steel wheels and ordinary tyres - no low profile stuff there.
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Here it is very difficult to buy even a shirt or a jumper without a 'designer' label.
Can't say I've had that problem in Asda :-)
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Is George not a designer then?? :-)
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Is George not a designer then?? :-)
The day 'George' becomes a 'designer' is the day I stop wearing his clothes :-)
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New model of the Panda 4x4 due to be launched with sensible, for off-road use, steel wheels.
tinyurl.com/n5aa2f
Bet we never it see it in the UK, though. Far too sensible.
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Called "Rostyles" in the past but I've seen steel wheels fitted with plastic covers on the nuts and another cover over the central hub.
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New model of the Panda 4x4 due to be launched with sensible for off-road use steel wheels.
...and I think they look pretty good.
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I second the plea for uncovered steelies. My campervan has them, and I have no wish to change them for alloys. Quite the reverse. Much less likely to get nicked, no fuss with lcoking wheelnuts, not easy to bang them on a kerb, and if I did they are cheap to replace.
Brilliant. If alloys had been invented first and then steel became available everbody would want steel.
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I had two problems with my wife's previous car re the alloys:
1 - they corroded very badly. I had all 4 changed under warranty even though at the time I only asked for the 2 front ones to be changed
2 - the tyres needed constant inflation. The franchise service manager said it was because the corrosion lessened the seal between wheel & tyre
I would have gone for steel this time but the model I bought only came with alloys
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anyone know where you can buy steel wheels...i wanted to get a full sized spare wheel, in steel, same size as the rest of the car (on alloys), and thought it would be easy....gave up looking
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Its easy if your bling motor has a base model with steel wheels, no further than the nearest car scrap yard, sorry dismantler.
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My Mazda has 17" 225x45's on it but the spare is a steel 15" with 205x65 on it - it looks just like the wheels fitted to Mazda 626's so as posted above look for a same size base model wheel - I think if I had four of these steel wheels with proper specced tyres the ride would be very quiet.
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hmm. I think that large diameter alloy wheels necessarily have to be made more accurately than steel wheels of a smaller diameter designed to fit on the same car. But that has precisely nothing to do with the ride quality. Many manufacturers seem to consider it desirable to sell cars with wheels that seem to be set up for the track, at the expense of ride quality and suspension life. I'm not sure many buyers really realise the compromises they make by buying this stuff. Anyone who drives a car fast enough on public roads to benefit from the handling improvements 'on the limit' should not have a licence.
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