Alloy wheels - are they a hassle?

photome

This works
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Armor-All%C2%AE-SHIELD-Wheels-300ml/dp/B007TIMOIC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1341853959&sr=8-3

Its cheaper than that in halfords and it works.

Its expensive but it definitely keeps alloys looking cleaner longer and they are easier to clean

I wash mine and my wifes cars both with alloys every week, have had the above product on for 3 weeks now and I do about 1000 miles a week so mine used to be really bad each weekend but now they have stayed much cleaner

111KAB

If you are worried about kerbing alloys you can get protectors ......

http://www.alloygator.co.uk/

datostar

roddydogs wrote: »

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

Reducing 'unsprung weight' to improve stability and handling has been a manufacturer desire since the early days of motoring, hence spoked wheels on older performance models and nowadays alloys. They are lighter than steel wheels and that is why they were initially developed. Certainly they are a bit of a fashion accessory nowadays but the handling considerations still apply. As for low profile tyres, they too are lighter, further reducing unsprung weight and if the car is driven at or near 'the limit' when cornering their reduced slip angle gives more precise steering and higher breakaway point. There are drawbacks in terms of ride comfort.

Anything with pretensions as a 'performance' car will come with alloys and low profile tyres for these reasons. Even 'lesser' cars driven hard will benefit.

Lum

I've never had a problem with alloys seizing on on any car I've owned, though admittedly this is mostly 90s cars, never bothered with any copper grease either.

The absolute worst I've had was changing a tire at the roadside, I had to push on the top edge at which point the bottom edge detached and the damn thing nearly landed on my foot.

mikey72

datostar wrote: »

Reducing 'unsprung weight' to improve stability and handling has been a manufacturer desire since the early days of motoring, hence spoked wheels on older performance models and nowadays alloys. They are lighter than steel wheels and that is why they were initially developed. Certainly they are a bit of a fashion accessory nowadays but the handling considerations still apply. As for low profile tyres, they too are lighter, further reducing unsprung weight and if the car is driven at or near 'the limit' when cornering their reduced slip angle gives more precise steering and higher breakaway point. There are drawbacks in terms of ride comfort.

Anything with pretensions as a 'performance' car will come with alloys and low profile tyres for these reasons. Even 'lesser' cars driven hard will benefit.

I'll have to weight a comparable wheel and tyre next time I have a like for like alloy and steel. I reckon the extra thickness in the alloy more than makes up for the thinner steel, and the extra width on the low profile tyre will compare to the increased sidewall on the standard narrower tyre. That fact most alloys are an inch or two bigger than the equivalent steel, to keep the same overall diameter, doesn't help.
I'd probably guess overall, a like for like alloy is heavier.

photome

mikey72 wrote: »

I'll have to weight a comparable wheel and tyre next time I have a like for like alloy and steel. I reckon the extra thickness in the alloy more than makes up for the thinner steel, and the extra width on the low profile tyre will compare to the increased sidewall on the standard narrower tyre. That fact most alloys are an inch or two bigger than the equivalent steel, to keep the same overall diameter, doesn't help.
I'd probably guess overall, a like for like alloy is heavier.

I think you may be right, which may explain why the eco models of the focus comes with steel wheels

Snuggles

Wow, thanks so much for all the replies! I would never even have considered getting alloys until I saw the Citigo with stripes on, which I really liked. The guy at the dealership (who have been fab by the way, full of advice without trying to pressure me or persuade me into buying) said that in their opinion it would look a bit naff to have the stripes with ordinary steel wheels, and advised me not to have them if I'm not having alloys. In fact they've advised me to just get the standard spec car and not add bells and whistles - a refreshingly different approach from the VW salesman who would have sold me his granny if he thought he could get away with it (I was also looking at the VW Up, but the Citigo is much better value).

After reading the comments here I think I would be better sticking to the standard wheels. Where I work, I have to park as tight to the kerb as possible, and I have been known to get a bit too close

Thanks again for all the advice.

red_eye

mikey72 wrote: »

Troweling it on the hub face and the flange never stops mine siezing on. Usually hitting the inside with a lump hammer, while someone kicks the outside with both feet shifts them.

then you have a problem and even bigger problem hitting a wheel or tire with a lump hammer.
I have had cars come back for work that have never sized after copper slip, you sure you not using normal grease?

red_eye

mikey72 wrote: »

Usually they corrode inside the rim, where the bead seats, and lose air there. It goes into a whte furry mess, which a good fitter will clean off. I have had some old alloys I've had to have the tyres off, so I can clean them properly, then get the tyres refitted.

Aluminum alloy can not go porous, only time alloy goes porous is during poor casting, a porous alloy is a weak alloy

the furry mess is oxide this act as a barrier between the alloy and o2 while this it not the wheel going porous it can prevent the seal between tire and wheel

interstellaflyer

Horses for courses, if the Alloy wheels are the same size as the standard wheels then they should be no problem, the trouble comes with the Boy Racer type Alloys, the ones that take very low profile tyres, these are not a good idea if the roads in your area are rough or full of potholes, as for kerbing, that's down to driver error.