Any love for steel wheels?

[Eleven]

We've just put a set of steel wheels and winter tyres on our Mini pool car. It looks quite cool in a utilitarian sort of way.

I find myself quite drawn, too, to the steels on the entry level Caterham.

I cannot quite put my finger on what it is, but there is something I like about the honesty of steel wheels in a world awash with alloys. Is it just me?

[vikingaero]

I like them especially in Silver - utilitarian, honest, back-to-basics, looks better than a kerbed and shagged 20" phat alloy.

I have a spare wheel for Mrs V's "Mitubshi" which has a 145/45/15(/) tyre on it. Looks fantastic sitting in the garage.

[ChasW]

Agree with your sentiment. There's a simple purity about steel wheels on certain cars. The base level Caterham looks in balance with those steel wheels. I think I saw it reviewed on Top Gear the other day.

[Spare tyre]

Spent my yoof lusting over alloys

Now I'd prefer a set of steelies

[The Turbonator]

I don't like the look of them, not even when they're on a Caterham to be honest.

Mind you, they're great for peace of mind and not having to worry about kerbing your wheels. Instead of it being a new alloy or repair job, it's just 20 quid for a new set from Halfords.

[BenWRXSEi]

Saw an M135i in Oxford this evening running a set of steels and winter tyres. Almost looked cool, except they were green

[ZX10R NIN]

I like Steels but only when they're stretched

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/story_images/1/977/...

[jet_noise]

Perfect for my daily Jazz, as others have observed no worries about damage, my commute is single track potholes mostly.
Surprisingly light too. I had a set of winters - tyres & wheels delivered a couple of years ago and thought they'd forgotten the metal,

regards,
Jet

[wildcat45]

I think it was the Land Rover Discovery 2 that came with a really basic steel wheel option. Sort of "police spec". Looked great.

Early Discos had a nice steel design which was fitted to some late model Range Rovers top.

I live them in MX-5s and have been considering them for my MGF

[Blayney]

I love steelies. I've considered them for the Twingo, especially after putting on the space saver after a puncture. Also I saw a load of mercs/bmw etc running on steelies in Berlin that looked really good.

Twingo on Steelies by blayney1989, on Flickr

[Spare tyre]

If I get a long term hire and it's got hubcaps I sometimes remove em

Stick em back on before returning

Clearly I try to avoid kerbing em, but I'm not perfect

[sideways man]

Original 1960's mini cooper S on steels. Ones with the holes around the rim. And a Mk1 lotus cortina on wide steelies, both very sexy

[Wacky Racer]

I much prefer steel wheels myself, with decent trims.

Alloy wheels can chip easily and often corrode badly with salt.

I will concede they look far better though

[B17NNS]

Barchetta looks good on steels.

[InfamousKeiran]

Yep, same.

[Blayney]

InfamousKeiran said:

Yep, same.

Love it.

[Cliftonite]

Was the whole point about alloys not that they were originally lighter than their steel counterparts?

Is it no longer important to reduce unsprung weight?

Now that alloy wheels seem to be heavier than their steel counterparts is there any advantage to having them, apart from cosmetics / fashion?

[Krikkit]

Blayney said:

InfamousKeiran said:

Yep, same.

Love it.

I was waiting for that to crop up.

[ecsrobin]

http://www.wellerwheels.com You will all have purchased a set of steel wheels by the end of tonight.

[V88Dicky]