Ally wheels. Are they really worth it?

A steel one? I wouldn't worry. If it passes a quick visual examination for damage/rust, it'll almost certainly be fine. Especially if it's off something older, retired for reasons other than accident damage.

cheers, clive

Reply to
Clive George
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Then, as that is the *only* benefit to be had from changing to alloys, that pretty much answers your question. For you personally, it's not worth it.

For those who take pride in their cars and think that wheels are an integral part of how your car looks, it is worth it.

For those who think that it makes their car handle better, or that they have lost 20 kilos of unsprung weight, it's also not worth it as they are deceiving themselves :)

Reply to
Lordy.UK

Did that, but the wheels are cheaper to maintain, generally give more pleasure, and are a better investment come trading in time.

Reply to
Lordy.UK

I have no idea who "Shopboi" is nor how he drives, and I can't quite figure out how this bizarrely random and content-lacking anechdote is supposed to re-enforce the notion that brakes do not suffer from heat issues.

Top marks though for complete avoidance of your daft statement.

Reply to
Lordy.UK

My wheels are 17s and can't be any smaller cos they won't fit over my brakes :-)

As a side note - I want to have a go at one of them hill climby things you and Doug have shown photos of before - that looks like fun :-) How does one go about finding somewhere local?

Reply to
Iridium

I've never been hit by a bus when crossing the road, but I still look both ways before doing it :)

Reply to
Lordy.UK

I wont bounce up a kerb either, but I see nothing wrong with slowly driving up an average kerb.

As long as one is careful, there is no reason to suspect a wheel or tyre will suffer any damage at all, by climbing the occasional kerb. I've done it for as long as I can remember, and have never had any problem with wheels or tyres from doing it.

My car hasn't got automatic mirror down, but when I have afdjusted it to see the n/s better when parking, all I cab see is the side of the car and the wheel arch

Nope. And believe me I have looked. Another point is that the fronts are 17" 8J, whilst the rears are 17" 9J

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spare is a 15" steel. I'd like to replace it with a17" ally wheel.Another 17" 8J would be fine for back or front as a spare.

They don't seem to make aftermarket oversize steel wheels. Std BMW wheels are easy to get hold of.

My wifes car hasn't got ties. I was being generous. Probably less than a minute to remove all 4 :-)

Still a helluva lot longer than it takes to remove and clean 4 wheel trims. Mike

Reply to
Mike G

Think yourself lucky, when I angle down the mirror to check where my back wheel is when parking - all I see is a big air intake...

Reply to
Iridium

Bah, that's OEM size just for small cars nowadays isn't it ?

Reply to
Lordy.UK

Hehe yea but my cars like, 5 years old (ew...).

Reply to
Iridium

Up to a point you are right. Any difference in unsprung weight is unlikely to have any affect on the handling. OTOH larger diameter wheels with low profile tyres can make a noticeable difference. Reducing the sidewall hight of a tyre, also reduces it's lateral flexing, meaning the car is less affected by rapid changes in direction. It can also mean the car is less likely to be affected by crosswinds. It can also improve the feel of the car in relationship to the road surface.. How well the tyres are gripping etc. For me all that makes for a better handling car. Not that it necessarily means it'll go round corners any quicker, but AFAIC it certainly makes fast cornering easier and more predictable. The down side is that the ride becomes harder, and for many, less comfortable. As for myself I have always prefered a firmer ride. Soft riding cars have never agreed with me. Mike.

Reply to
Mike G

Try

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Reply to
Depresion

Better yet it lets me fit bigger disks, reducing fade.

Reply to
Depresion
[snip]

Actually, every time it rains and I think of your car, I count myself lucky! :-)

Reply to
DervMan

Yes - they don't want to sift through your service history in such detail!

Reply to
DervMan

Do you mind, my old Volvo 740GLE Estate (long since gone) had alloys with trims on top. Regards Mike.

Reply to
Mike Cawood, HND BIT

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