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Steel wheels?
David Jenkins - 9/6/11 at 12:54 PM

This is just a random thought that's been rattling around in my brain for a while...

Everybody raves about alloy wheels, but they're expensive, look bad when scratched or neglected, and IIRC, they are actually heavier than alloys (excluding the super-expensive magnesium alloy, that is).

I was wondering if anyone had ever seen nice-looking steel wheels...

(I'm not planning to buy new wheels - I was just wondering).

bbwales - 9/6/11 at 12:58 PM

I always liked Rostyles as fitted to MK2 Cortinas and other makes, and some of the plain steel wide wheels of the early 70's were also nice.

regards

Bob

Doctor Derek Doctors - 9/6/11 at 01:06 PM

quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
IIRC, they are actually heavier than alloys (excluding the super-expensive magnesium alloy, that is).

(I'm not planning to buy new wheels - I was just wondering).


Its crappy after market alloys that are heavier than steel wheels, all the OEM alloys I have worked with have been far lighter than steel wheels from the same maker.

On Tueday I was changing some wheels on my 406 and the 15" Peugeot Alloys were noticably lighter than 15" Peugout steel wheels with the same tyres fitted.

In terms of nice looking steely's VW did some nice looking 15" steels for the Golf G60 but they are pretty highly sought after.

I had some Matt Lee 16" Steel Hill Rally wheels on my Old Landy and they looked ace. Like these:

Mal - 9/6/11 at 02:38 PM

Take a look here for lightweight steel wheels

http://www.wellerwheels.com/

hughpinder - 9/6/11 at 02:57 PM

When I was first looking for data to start my design, I went to the scrappies and weighed a selection of alloy and steel wheels. The alloys were generally lighter if you stick to the same size wheel and tyre. If you do what most people do on their tintops when they fit alloys, and go for a 1 or 2" bigger diameter wheel, by the time you've got a tyre on the alloy the overall weight for the same width tyre is more. Try to pick steels wheels that were original fit to a relatively light car as the ones from cars like the mondeo weigh a ton.

Conclusion - if you are on a budget, fit 13" steel wheels rather than 15" alloys.

For interest the honda civic coupe(1100kg) I have has steel wheels and 195/60R14 dunlop tyres which actually weigh in at 13.8kg/wheel
Team dynamic 1.2 in 14*7 = 5.7 kg (from rimstock.co.uk) and dunlop sport tyre as on the honda 8.6kg = 14.3kg /wheel
TD1.2 15*7 = 6.2kg and same type of tyre but a 195/50/15 at 8.2kg gives 14.4kg
TD1.2 17*7 = 7.9 and 225/45/17 @11.7 gives 19.6kg/wheel

Regards

Hugh

loggyboy - 9/6/11 at 04:10 PM

Technically Steel wheels are alloys.

David Jenkins - 9/6/11 at 05:21 PM

A fine point, and technically correct.

I shall ignore it immediately...

matt_gsxr - 9/6/11 at 05:34 PM

There were some Citroen C5 wheels (15inch) that looked like Steel but are actually aluminium alloy.

Supposedly very light (4.7kg). I am sure Google will help out. Magnet+breakersyard.

If you want the steely look, but want light weight then perhaps the way to go.

Matt