5 + 1 Simple & Effective Tips for Choosing the Right Car Rims for Your Vehicle

Selecting a set of car rims, especially from the wide variety of models available in the aftermarket space, is easier said than done. Not too many vehicle owners in the United States (and around the world) are fond of the flashy and edgy style and aesthetics that most modern rims flaunt with pride. 

People reach out for custom aftermarket products for several reasons. For example, you might not particularly like the factory-fitted rims (OEMs) that came with your brand-new BMW sedan or a Mercedes SUV. Even the Tesla Roadster, widely admired as one of the most handsome production cars, has faced criticism for having very ‘plain and boring’ rims that often do not meet expectations.

Other reasons include increased navigability and traction, plus better off-roading.

But the elementary question remains: if you are a newcomer to the unimaginably diverse world of custom car rims, how do you home in on a set that’ll suit your vehicle just right?

Well, here are a few pro-recommended tips.

Buying car rims made easy

First of all, it’s a great idea to calculate your budget. Even if you are swept away by a deluge of rims that look mostly identical, visiting a local retailer (or logging in for shopping online) without having a specified budget would be a mistake.

1. Getting the right size: Most aftermarket rims start at 15-inches and can go up to more than 28-inches. There is a common misconception that bigger wheels will also automatically guarantee better performance; this is only partly true. 

In fact, studies have shown that most first-time buyers jump in on the ‘oversized rims’ trend. But bigger aftermarket car rims may not always improve navigability and ride comfort. 

With bigger rims, the total weight of the vehicle increases significantly. In turn, this has a negative effect on the complicated suspension system. Fuel consumption increases by quite a margin.

By this time, professionals will ask you to make amends by opting for slimmer tires that lack the traction the older (and thicker) ones had. This has a negative effect on safety too; the braking mechanism is often compromised.

The solution is to buy a set of high-quality aftermarket rims that are the same size as those which came with the vehicle! Proper sizing is trickier with staggered car rims and you must be on your toes.

2. Material used: This one’s simple enough. The aftermarket rim industry is dominated by models constructed using superior aluminum alloys – usually the 6061-T6 & A356 – and only a handful of stainless-steel rims are still in vogue.

Let’s leave the element of style and finish aside for a while. If you are looking for form, function and durability, aluminum rims are the way to go. But if you want high-octane and breathtaking performance on hostile terrain, steel rims are unmatched.

To break it down even further, if you drive mostly in and around cities and the suburbs, a set of aluminum alloy car rims from famous brands will do.

3. Match tires to select the right rims: This is often overlooked, but if you pay attention to the tires and base your custom rims on their various aspects (aspect ratio, diameter, thickness, and tread pattern), you will automatically be able to select a set of rims that will be more than just perfect!

Unlike point 1, this tip relies on your existing tires. The finest passenger cars in the US and abroad come outfitted with top-notch tires from the likes of Michelin, Continental, Goodyear, Nexen, Falken, Bridgestone or BFGoodrich. Unless you absolutely detest them, there’s no point replacing them.

The best car rims are those that does not stretch out these tires. The trend of getting hold of huge rims and stretch the existing tires is not only unsafe; it is also illegal after a point.

Overstretching tires breaks the innards and the damage to the rubber (plus the all-important sidewall) is irreparable. 

4. Pay attention to bolt patterns: While this might seem a more technical aspect, it’s staring right back at you- literally! Purchasing a set of super-deluxe car rims with 6 lugs for a vehicle that accepts only 5 is a waste of your time and money. Laughable, really.

Keep in mind that the lug nut layout before selecting a specific set. This layout varies from model to model and even the gap between the holes where the lugs go into can be spaced differently. In automotive terms, this is known as the ‘stud pattern.’ 

The more technical term is PCD or ‘Pitch Circle Diameter.’ You can get the details from the owner’s manual in a jiffy. Or Google it.

5. Choose from branded rims only: This should be pretty self-explanatory. Whether you are choosing from cast or forged options, for city use or off-roading, branded rims are a must-have. Agreed, there are several unbranded alternatives worth a fraction of the top brands like Fuel Wheels, Vision, Enkei, Vossen, MKW, Moto Metal, Forgiato, and premium ones like BSS, Savini, and Lexani Wheels. 

But the unbranded car rims are not nearly as capable as you would expect! They can sometimes break loose or even crack, leading to accidents.

Bonus: a word on retail outlets

Now that you have a better idea of what to look for, it is essential to get the ‘where to look for’ part right.

Get your branded car rims from authorized dealers only. There are plenty of fakes swamping the market. Trust only established and reputable institutions, like California’s AudioCity USA.