Where to buy steel wheels

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Lum

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Lum

Soldato
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Given we've got 10 years of increasingly cold winters coming (thanks to global warming), I think it's time to buy a set of steel wheels and some decent snow tyres. One set should last me the whole 10 years.

Problem is getting ones to fit. I need the same fitment as a 200SX which is to say 4x114.3, 66.1mm centre hole, not sure on offset, however I need them in 16" in order to clear my brakes (standard on both my car and the 200SX is 15") and I have no idea where to buy some.

MyTyres sell steel wheels, but they only let you choose by car type, not by parameters, so no use to me.

Also, I know the general advice is that narrower is better for snow, but does this still hold true when using proper snow tyres?
 
Lum said:
Also, I know the general advice is that narrower is better for snow, but does this still hold true when using proper snow tyres?
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don't think so, i've got 225/45 R17 on mine

you can even get my ContiWinterContact in 18" and 19" for storming the autobahn in your Porsche, Benz, etc if you want.

the only thing regarding steelies is that 16" is your limit
 
mjt said:
don't think so, i've got 225/45 R17 on mine

you can even get my ContiWinterContact in 18" and 19" for storming the autobahn in your Porsche, Benz, etc if you want.

the only thing regarding steelies is that 16" is your limit
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VW recommend down sizing on my Golf from 225/40 R18 to 205/55 R16 when using winter tyres.
 
mjt said:
cheapo alloys are your best bet. steelies rust and look crap as they usually have hubcaps
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Cheapo alloys generally means Rotas though, and thus the steelies will be a lot more durable.

Dont really care how they look given they'll only get used for one or two months a year.
 
Dangerous Dave said:
VW recommend down sizing on my Golf from 225/40 R18 to 205/55 R16 when using winter tyres.
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were the 18s stock?
18" winter tyres are horrifically expensive though, i'd downsize too tbh :p

mine are £150 each, 18s are £180+.
given the choice, i would have downsized to 16s, but the previous owner had 4 17s ContiWinterContacts as his mate worked for Continental, and i had to replace the fronts earlier this year..

Lum said:
Cheapo alloys generally means Rotas though, and thus the steelies will be a lot more durable.

Dont really care how they look given they'll only get used for one or two months a year.
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i'd go with 15" or 16" steelies then, whatever the stock size is, and get matching profiles

not sure if you can be bothered (although did you did order an obscure car from japan), but german suppliers will have every single size known to man
 
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No need to change your wheels. I have 275/45 20 Conti Cross Contact Winter tyres on my Q7, which are the same size as the summer tyres, and they work a treat.

Only disadvantage is you can't use snow chains.
 
popping the tyres on and off twice a year isn't great for the tyres, and it's ~£50 a pop, so getting some cheap steelies will be cheaper in the long term

i dread to think how much your Contis cost Spie..

-edit, i've just had a look. rather you than me :D
 
Spie said:
No need to change your wheels. I have 275/45 20 Conti Cross Contact Winter tyres on my Q7, which are the same size as the summer tyres, and they work a treat.

Only disadvantage is you can't use snow chains.
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Id imagine hes wanting a different set of wheels just for convinience as its nice and easy to just switch them round on your drive rather than having to go to a garage and have tyres changed
 
mjt said:
popping the tyres on and off twice a year isn't great for the tyres, and it's ~£50 a pop, so getting some cheap steelies will be cheaper in the long term

i dread to think how much your Contis cost Spie..

-edit, i've just had a look. rather you than me :D
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Aye they were a bit eye watering, but my car looks as good in winter as summer.

As for changing your tyres twice a year, I cannot see why this isn't great for the tyres? It's very common in Europe.
 
Spie said:
Aye they were a bit eye watering, but my car looks as good in winter as summer.
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totally worth it though
i like having big wheels in winter too. well, relatively ;)

As for changing your tyres twice a year, I cannot see why this isn't great for the tyres? It's very common in Europe.
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yes of course it's common, but most people do have a spare set of wheels.
it's a lot less hassle to just swap the wheels rather than faffing about putting the tyres on, balancing them, etc.

i meant for the sidewalls. it's just something that i've wondered about. the dealer and tyre fitters said it's not bad for them as such, but it can't be good for them either, if you see what i mean
 
mjt said:
were the 18s stock?
18" winter tyres are horrifically expensive though, i'd downsize too tbh :p

mine are £150 each, 18s are £180+.
given the choice, i would have downsized to 16s, but the previous owner had 4 17s ContiWinterContacts as his mate worked for Continental, and i had to replace the fronts earlier this year..


i'd go with 15" or 16" steelies then, whatever the stock size is, and get matching profiles
Click to expand...

18"s were optional and 17" standard, as you say it works out cheaper buying 16"s and steel wheels compared to getting 18" winter tyres and when you start adding the fitting costs to change them over each time it adds up. My 18"s alloys are also diamond cut so very prone to corrosion in the winter months so it will help preserve these.

I have ordered a set of ContiWinterContacts 810s so it will be interesting to see how I get on compared to summer tyres I think even in Scotland I will get 4-5 months usage out of them each year.
 
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Dangerous Dave said:
18"s were optional and 17" standard, as you say it works out cheaper buying 16"s and steel wheels compared to getting 18" winter tyres and when you start adding the fitting costs to change them over each time it adds up.

I have ordered a set of ContiWinterContacts 810s so it will be interesting to see how I get on compared to summer tyres I think even in Scotland I will get 4-5 months usage out of them each year.
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i've got those and they're bloody good. they're designed for the milder German winters rather than the extreme Nordic ones so they'll be perfect for scotland. shame you won't be able to make use of the high speed rating though ;)
did you get a 2nd set of wheels too?
 
As every year gets colder winters (it seems) it would make sense to make it law to change tyres season to season like in Switz. Finland. Swe. etc. Not just for benefit in getting from A-B in snow/ice but any temp under 7 degrees is beneficial and wud save a lot of accidents and closures.

My neighbour, over a period of 5 hours 'in an out' of his house was attempting to shift his car off the street after moving it off the drive then popping to the shops. he basicaly beached it and coudltn get himself out and never manged to get traction until he spent nearly an hour digging himself out with recycle bin lids...
 
Lum said:
Given we've got 10 years of increasingly cold winters coming (thanks to global warming), I think it's time to buy a set of steel wheels and some decent snow tyres. One set should last me the whole 10 years.

Problem is getting ones to fit. I need the same fitment as a 200SX which is to say 4x114.3, 66.1mm centre hole, not sure on offset, however I need them in 16" in order to clear my brakes (standard on both my car and the 200SX is 15") and I have no idea where to buy some.

MyTyres sell steel wheels, but they only let you choose by car type, not by parameters, so no use to me.

Also, I know the general advice is that narrower is better for snow, but does this still hold true when using proper snow tyres?
Click to expand...

Not planning on changing car for a while then ;)
 
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