Alloy wheels - are they a hassle?

Snuggles

I'm looking to buy a new Skoda Citigo, and the car looks lovely with optional decorative foils (a stripe down the centre of the bonnet and roof, and at the bottom of the doors). However, I think if I go for this option I would also need to get the alloy wheels, as I think it might look naff having sporty stripes with standard steel wheels?

However, I've never bothered with alloys before, but I have this idea that they're probably a pain to maintain and would damage easily. Can anyone tell me if this is correct, and what is involved in maintaining them?

I could go for the car in a plain metallic colour with standard wheels, but I don't love it as much as the striped option. However I don't want to make an expensive mistake by getting alloys and then regretting it.

Any advice would be appreciated. And if anyone is interested, the stripy version of the car can be seen in red and black here or on p25 of the downloadable brochure on the Skoda website.

111KAB

Problem with alloys is that if you kerb them they are damaged and if you don't like driving around with kerbed alloys then you need to have them repaired. Depending upon the extent of damage they will cost £30 upwards to get resprayed etc. A decent (individual) wheel trim will cost about the same although you can obtain a full replacement set (not original manufacturer item) for around £20 from say Halfords. IMO cars (incl yours) look better with alloys ~ just drive carefully and don't kerb them!

nonnatus

Also, on my last car, the alloys got old and mis-shapen (nothing to do with kerbs, I'm sure ) and this led to constant slow deflating of the tires. By the end, I was having to inflate the tires every week and I got really jumpy.

I'm happy with me shiny new hub caps now, on my shiny new car.

I DO love the look of alloys though, just expensive to maintain...

alanrowell

They are more expensive, they are more fragile, if they get damaged they are a pain to repair.

And on a car like a Citigo they are overkill

wba31

nonnatus wrote: »

Also, on my last car, the alloys got old and mis-shapen (nothing to do with kerbs, I'm sure ) and this led to constant slow deflating of the tires. By the end, I was having to inflate the tires every week and I got really jumpy.

I'm happy with me shiny new hub caps now, on my shiny new car.

I DO love the look of alloys though, just expensive to maintain...

I had 2 cars from brand new (on lease) both with alloys, and I didnt manage to damage any of them, and I had only been driving 1 year at the time.

Since then I've had 3 used cars with alloys on, and other than washing them when washing the car I've never done anything else to them. As time goes by they will get the odd scratch and mark, as will you car. I've never seen a car heavily hit in value due to the alloy wheels having a mark on them, so get them, be careful, wash the car and wheels regularly and I'm sure they'll be fine

mikey72

Alloy wheels always have more problems seizing to the hub, and it's worth checking the price difference in the low profile tyres as opposed to the standard one on steel wheels.

alanrowell

Lucky you, in 30 years of driving I've only ever replaced alloy wheels - all within the past 5 years, all on the only alloyed wheeled car I've ever had. Similar applies to my GF who on one occasion had to have two alloy wheels replaced in one day.

roddydogs

Alloys are for show only......same as "Low Profile" Tyres, they are expensive and easily kerbed (or rather marked by kerbing)

geordieracer

roddydogs wrote: »

Alloys are for show only......same as "Low Profile" Tyres, they are expensive and easily kerbed (or rather marked by kerbing)

If you are having a problem with kerbing your car id suggest that you are not taking enough care when driving and parking.

jackieb

Our last few cars have all had alloys. I don't see how they're a problem.

oldhand

Id agree some of the comments re easily damaged are due more to carelessness,I have had alloys for many years on my cars and if you spend a few moments extra when washing the car they stay looking good.The brake dust will tend to cling to them more and if not removed leave them looking shabby but the same power wash you use to clean the car will clean them also and if required a bottle of alloy wheel cleaner spray used once a month will remove any ingrained dirt...