Alloy wheel shopping - why so difficult?

[300bhp/ton]

Beginning to get a bit fed up here All I want to do is browse for some new alloys so I can find some designs I like and start pricing them up. Should be easy but no

Why is it no alloy wheel websites seem to allow you to search for rims based on the actual friggin sizes?? I can search by car make/model, rim make even colour. But none of this is of any help to me. Think I've tried 10+ websites and eBay so far with no joy at all. Anyone know of any places that'll let me do this?


All I want is to see what choices are available for this size:

-18" diameter
-9 or 9.5" width
-PCD of 5 x 4.75" or 5 x 120.65 mm
-ET of +38 to +42
-Centre bore of 70.5 or bigger


Surely any aftermarket alloy wheel shop should be able to cater for such a simple requirement as the actual wheel sizes??

[HBFS]

No, but I enjoyed reading your profile

[v8will]

Email and ask? TBH it is a stty PCD that you're after Might be possible with BMW wheels and vari nuts but my knowledge of wheels has escaped me somewhat since leaving that line of work.

I assume this is for the Camaro? Maybe try a yank site such as tirerack, pick a wheel design and then ask suppliers/importers here what they can do.

What style are you after? I'll have a think and see if I can recall/suggest anything that would work.

Edited by v8will on Monday 28th May 19:40

Edited by v8will on Monday 28th May 19:41

[PJ S]

....because Tesco/Sainsbury's/etc, didn't buy trolleys designed for alloys, but just food stuff and smaller items?
Should take your own dolly or bring 3 other helpers, and just roll them to the checkout.

[300bhp/ton]

v8will said:

Email and ask? TBH it is a stty PCD that you're after

Its for the Camaro, although BMW e36/46 and most Jags run the same PCD.

[v8will]

300bhp/ton said:

Its for the Camaro, although BMW e36/46 and most Jags run the same PCD.

BMW is 5x120 (see my above post ref vari nuts but can't recall if they are available in 1/2 UNF which is what I think your wheels studs are) and depending on the model the offsets can vary as can the centre bore, Jags using the old 5x120.65 are usually low offset (I think!)

Jag has been using Ford type hubs with a 5x108 pitch for some time.

[300bhp/ton]

Ta. I'll keep looking. I know the wheels I'd ideally like and using US sites is so much easier. But once you add shipping to the UK and VAT you are talking silly silly money. Also have to watch as some US tyres are DOT approved but not E-marked, which websites never tell you about.

[Monty Python]

You're missing one important thing here - these alloy wheel places are not catering for people who know what size/PCD/hub size their wheels are, just the ones that know that they want 24" rims for their Corsa. That's why the search is done by car rather than wheel measurements.

This any use?

http://www.performancealloys.com/Car-Range.aspx?ra...

or this?

http://www.andysautosport.com/custom_wheels/chevro...

Edited by Monty Python on Monday 28th May 20:20

[v8will]

Monty Python said:

You're missing one important thing here - these alloy wheel places are not catering for people who know what size/PCD/hub size their wheels are, just the ones that know that they want 24" rims for their Corsa. That's why the search is done by car rather than wheel measurements.

Kerching! We have a winner!

Actually the yanks are generally more clued up, as customers. They generally want light weight, quality etc. Punters here want some bling 'innit' or the latest stance bks.

Team Dynamics or Autopart (Lenso) could probably custom drill something to suit, as could Compomotive, although Comp designs probably don't lend themselves well to something like a Camaro

[redtwin]

Find a common European market car and search for alloys that fit that car.

Or just go to a website that lists alloys for Camaros.

http://www.wheelbasealloys.com/chevrolet_camaro_94...

[v8will]

redtwin said:

Find a common European market car and search for alloys that fit that car.

Or just go to a website that lists alloys for Camaros.

http://www.wheelbasealloys.com/chevrolet_camaro_94...

Very very few of the wheels on that link are the correct fitment

[falkster]

I'm not sure you're gonna find a set! Searching styles and very few would suit the camero lines and I've not found one from 3 websites and a trawl through eBay!!
You need something big and thick spoked similar to the Ford GT or a Mustang if you could get them in the correct pcd/bore.

[Gokartmozart]

Anything useful from these guys ?.

http://www.imagewheels.co.uk/index.html

[300bhp/ton]

falkster said:

I'm not sure you're gonna find a set! Searching styles and very few would suit the camero lines and I've not found one from 3 websites and a trawl through eBay!!
You need something big and thick spoked similar to the Ford GT or a Mustang if you could get them in the correct pcd/bore.

Ideally I'd like some American Racing Torque Trust II's. Common size is to go 17x9.5 all round or a little wider out back and run 275/40R17's upto a 305 width on the rear. Sadly tyre widths like those in the UK are really hard to find and cost silly amounts. As does getting the rims imported. 18" tyres seem to offer more choices at better prices.

[falkster]

An ex girlfriends dad had a Z28 Iroc shape Camero and he had some huge 5 spoke alloys that resembled a 'Penta' that was seen on some mercs in the late 80s, early 90s.