Wheels aren't just about looks. The material also affects weight, price and how well the wheel copes with a knock.
Steel wheels
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Tough: they bend rather than break, and can often be repaired
- Ideal for winter tyres: salt and grit do less harm
Cons
- Heavier, which slightly affects fuel use and handling
- Less attractive; often finished with wheel trims
Alloy wheels
Pros
- Lighter, which is good for handling and comfort
- Better heat dissipation from the brakes
- Lots of choice in design and size
Cons
- More expensive
- More sensitive to kerb damage and corrosion from road salt
- Can crack after a hard impact
What do we recommend?
Many customers choose a combination:
- alloy wheels for the summer tyres,
- steel wheels for the winter tyres.
That protects your nice wheels from road salt, and changing over is quicker because your tyres are already on a rim.
What to check when choosing
Steel or alloy: the bolt pattern, centre bore and offset must suit your car.
We have steel and alloy wheels, also as a complete wheel set with tyres.
