Alloy wheels are an attractive and tempting proposition for car lovers – but is there any such thing as the perfect alloy wheels, and if so, what factors should you consider when it comes to choosing them? Let’s take a look.
Purposes
Why do you want to fit alloy wheels to your vehicle? There are many reasons to want alloy wheels, from wanting to make the scene, driving along Portrush’s fantastic beach fronts, being seen and admired by all, to wanting your car to be lighter, more responsive and more fuel efficient. Your reason for wanting alloys will dictate the construction style you choose when you visit TSC for alloy wheels in Portrush…
How It’s Made
There are, broadly speaking, three ways that alloys are made:
- Cast: Hot metal is poured into a mould and left to set and cool. The cheapest method of manufacturing alloys, this way can sometimes cause quality control issues, which makes these wheels less ideal for heavy duty pursuits like racing and lengthy drives on poorer roads. However, they look fantastic, and offer a lighter weight than steel wheels, so they are perfect for the budget-conscious person looking for some motoring advantages and a great, stylish look.
- Flow-Formed: These wheels are formed similarly to cast alloys in the beginning, but they are made a little smaller or narrower than the end product and stretched, using heat and high pressure rollers, until they reach the desired width. This heating and rolling process tempers the wheels, making them stronger. A great number of alloys are made in this way and the resulting wheels are sturdy and lightweight, better than cast alloys, but not quite as good as the superior forged alloys.
- Forged: The lightest and strongest alloys, forged wheels are sturdy but also the most expensive. They are created by carving the alloys from a solid block of high-grade aluminium, leaving no possibility of weak places or flaws.
The Cost
The three construction types listed above are displayed in increasing cost order, with cast wheels being the least expensive and forged alloys the most pricy. Which you choose will depend on your reasons for needing the alloys, as detailed above, but also on your own personal budget – is it better for you to invest in cheaper alloys now or to wait and save up for the best alloys on the market? Only you can answer that question.
Any Disadvantages?
Switching to alloys is sometimes decried as being an unnecessary extra expense which results in you having to drive on ‘weaker’ wheels. However, while alloys can be less strong than steel wheels, they are not by any means weak or unfit for purpose. The cost of alloys is undeniable, but as so often, the matter is not as clearcut as looking at the price at purchase point and considering only that – as discussed below.
The Advantages
Alloys are lightweight, which is instantly great for your fuel consumption – having to move less weight means the engine is burning less fuel and that the whole vehicle is experiencing less wear and tear. All of this means that you are saving money from the moment your ‘expensive’ alloy wheels are fitted. Alloy wheels also look fantastic – this is why they have become so popular with motorheads following their introduction into the racing industry: had they just been useful, they might have gained a small following, but it is the sleek, colourful image of alloys that has won hearts and minds everywhere in the UK, from London England all the way to Portrush, Northern Ireland!
