Steel Rim vs. Alloys for Winters

[fastfly]

Need to order winters and I plan on going with 16in rims (my summers are on 19in) and don't know if it is worth stepping up to alloy rims.

I can get new black steelies for 55 dollars a pop while even cheap alloys are 120bucks.

I was thinking about just going to steelies...maybe spice them up with red rim tape :dunno

[samger2]

For winter driving, I'd save the money and go with steelies....hopefully you don't lose traction, but if you were to slide into a curb and ding, or bend a wheel, you can most likely pound out a bend on a steelie, or if it's beyond repair, you'll just be looking at another $55 vs. another $120. Not to mention the salt and the weather being damaging to clear coat on alloys.

[Jim@tirerack]

The salt will actually damage a steel wheel more than an aluminum. The steel wheels just cost less normally but they will rust and aluminum will not. Just wax them before you put them on and stay away from wheel cleaners.
If I can help let me know.

[RauchenReifen]

If you go to a self-service carwash and blast away the built-up snow and salt off the steel wheels every few weeks, they should last just fine. Remember it wasn't all that long ago when all car and truck wheels were steel.

[BimmerAutox]

I had steelies on my old car in the winter for 9 years. You really get tired of looking at them after a while. I'd just grab some used alloys on Craigslist for the same you'd pay for new steelies.

[Jim@tirerack]

I have used OE alloy wheels on my BMW's for 20 years with no issues. Just stay away from wheel cleaners.

[mijbr90190]

Just get steelies and some nice oem hubcaps. Unless you wanna be stylin' with a salt covered car. lol.