Which wheels are better to choose - cast, stamped or forged? Alloy wheels: is it worth overpaying? What are car rims made of?

Geometric parameters disk

When choosing wheels for "ordinary" use (we do not take into account various kinds of tuning), we strongly recommend that you adhere to the parameters as close as possible to the factory ones. Why is it so important? Large changes in parameters such as width, offset, diameter and weight of the disc can also affect the safety and ease of management. vehicle, and on the resource of elements of the running gear. So, for example, if we talk about the diameter of the disk, then its too large value (with the same outer diameter of the wheel) will adversely affect its weight.

When choosing rims true proverb "measure seven times"

More wheel weight means more unsprung masses, which, in turn, leads not only to an increased load on the suspension, but also to a deterioration in the smoothness of the car. Also, due to the greater inertia, a heavy wheel is less likely to follow the road profile, while a more light wheel keeps the tire in contact with the pavement longer, improving vehicle stability. In addition, an increase in the mass of the wheel to some extent worsens at least important characteristics- brake and acceleration dynamics car. Needless to say, larger-diameter discs shod with low-profile tires are easier to damage on Russian roads.

Larger rims shod with low profile tires are easier to damage on Russian roads

Excessive increase in wheel width, coupled with more wide tires to a certain extent, it has its advantages (the susceptibility of the car to lateral loads improves), but there are probably more disadvantages here: in addition to increasing the mass, this can have a worse effect on the stability of the car when driving along longitudinal irregularities. On a rut, a car with wider wheels will obviously be less stable, and its handling will become more “nervous”. But even more “harmful” is the game with a disc overhang, which can worsen the situation even more: the smaller the overhang (the wheel “bulges” outward more), the more the optimal wheel break-in shoulder is violated (most often negative), the more sensitive to unevenness it becomes steering, and the load on the chassis elements is greater. Another danger of an increase in the running-in arm is the lack of a stabilizing moment when braking with one of the faulty brake circuits. How far can you deviate from standard parameters? There is no clear answer, because the chassis of each car is individual and reacts to such changes in different ways, however, changes in offset by 2–3 mm most often remain without consequences.

When choosing, do not be lazy and "try on" the wheels to the tires - this can be done in numerous tire calculators. The rim should not be too wide or too narrow: for example, for a 205 / 55R16 tire, the width of the rim should be between 5.5 and 7.5 inches, but it is better to stick to the golden mean and stop at a 6.5 x 16 rim.

Housing material and price

The fact that alloy wheels are lighter than stamped ones should not mislead you. As a rule, a cast disk is either close in mass or slightly lighter than a comparable steel one. However, most often, when replacing discs, car owners try to increase the diameter of the wheel, and this entails an inevitable increase in mass, which, as we have already found out, does not lead to anything good. Typically, a 1-inch increase in rim diameter, coupled with an increase in tire width, adds an average 20-30% weight to the wheel assembly. But chasing light weight is also reckless. If a tire shop salesperson offers you too light a casting, beware: little-known companies, most often of Chinese origin, often do produce extremely light wheels that, in terms of their strength, do not stand up to scrutiny.

Documents that speak about the certification of Chinese wheels often turn out to be “fake” - such wheels not only “roll” are tormented, but look for new ones to replace the burst ones!

Forged wheels, of course, differ in this sense for the better: they are noticeably stronger and lighter, but because of the laboriousness of manufacturing, their price is noticeably higher, and the supply on the market is poorer: only 10% of the presented disc manufacturing companies have in their range of forged wheels. “Forging” has a different feature: when hitting an obstacle, the disk can retain its integrity, but the sidewall of the tire will take the whole blow, which in most cases is pointless to restore. Flying into the pits, as you can see, is unprofitable in any case.

In addition to many Chinese, discs and some Russian manufacturers, less often - European. That is why when choosing Special attention it is worth paying attention to the status and integrity of the brand. If there is no such confidence, then it's time to remember the golden words of Boris Razor from the movie "Big Jackpot": "Weight is reliability!"

Price, perhaps, is the determining factor when choosing rims. And when it comes to compressed finances, I recommend not chasing the beauty and size of rims - it is much wiser to choose regular and affordable stampings, and it is better to spend the money saved on quality tires- in this case and performance characteristics of the car will remain at the same level, including the resistance of the wheels to breakdown and the ease of straightening the discs when they are deformed. The issue of design is solved by installing additional caps (either factory or non-standard). Another thing is if the budget is not limited. In this case, the choice is simplified: it is best to consider the most trusted brands. It is better if it is light “forging”, however, here we do not recommend chasing a low tire profile - safety is more expensive.

Estimated prices in online stores for the most popular models of discs suitable forFordFocus 3 (PCD 5*108, Dia 63.3):

car design domestic production- the weak link of this very production. To the design department AVTOVAZ more sharp arrows were fired than during the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years War between England and France in the 14th-15th centuries...

Coming in Tolyatti French managers from Renault gives reason to believe that foreign partners will finally help their Russian colleagues in solving this difficult task - to do beautiful cars. Indeed, even Patrick Le Queme, the leading designer of Renault, announced the fruits of cooperation between Russian designers and French ones, which should “ripen” in two or three years.

In order for these fruits to really appear, an Englishman was sent to Togliatti Anthony Grade, former Vice President of the Renault Style Center, responsible for the company's external design. The new director of the design department (directorate) at AVTOVAZ will work on the design of new Lada models and update old ones.

Grade at AVTOVAZ will not be easy. Design is troublesome, expensive and, most importantly, does not bring immediate results. During the crisis, the top management of the Russian auto company thinks not about beautiful matters, but about tasks that require immediate resolution.

In recent decades, stamped steel wheel rims have been widely replaced by cast models. Some car enthusiasts do it for the sake of improvement appearance of their cars, but for most of them, not only the aesthetic effect is important, but also improved performance.

So, what are alloy wheels and what are their advantages over stamped ones?

What are alloy wheels?

As it is easy to understand from the name, alloy wheels are products made by casting. Steel is not suitable for them for a number of reasons, therefore, aluminum alloys are used mainly for discs, sometimes more exotic alloys based on magnesium.

The finished disk is a solid casting, which, in order to acquire greater strength, is subjected to a hardening procedure that relieves residual metal stresses. After these technological operations, the surface of the disk is polished and covered with a special varnish to maintain a stable gloss.

The shape of the disc is the result of the painstaking calculation of the leading engineers of the largest automotive companies. The composition of the alloy and the technology of its preparation in the most well-known manufacturers often is practically uncopyable. That is why, despite their external similarity, discs produced under world brands are much more reliable and durable than their cheap Chinese copies.

Advantages of alloy wheels

Deciding to replace stamped steel discs alloy cast, each car owner must understand why he is doing this and what he will get as a result of the replacement.

So what are the benefits alloy wheels compared to stamped ones?

1. Light weight. Aluminum alloy wheels, in addition, in the absence of hubcaps, weigh much less than stamped predecessors - sometimes the weight reduction reaches 50% of the previous one. As a result, the load is reduced, and the car becomes more manageable, stable and obedient on the road. In addition, ride comfort is increased, as the suspension absorbs shocks and impacts more effectively. An important factor is the reduction of suspension wear, as a result of which the cost of maintaining it in good technical condition is reduced.

2. Openness brake system. Due to the absence of caps, the inside of the wheel remains open during the movement and cools naturally. This improves the performance of the brake system, provides it with greater reliability and reliability.

3. Corrosion resistance. Unlike steel, which rusts easily, aluminum alloys are resistant to corrosion even when the outer lacquer is deeply scratched.

4. Superior design. Hubs rim form an elegant pattern, individual for each model. Well-chosen wheels can significantly improve the appearance of the car, give it individuality and enhance the dignity of the body design.

Disadvantages of alloy wheels

As happens everywhere, the disadvantages inherent in solid-cast wheels are an extension of their advantages. So, the strength obtained by hardening turns into brittleness: with a strong impact, the cast disk does not bend, but bursts. It is impossible to continue driving in this case, and if there is no spare tire in the trunk, the only way out is to call a tow truck. A broken disk can no longer be repaired - it only needs to be replaced with a new one.

A variety of disk designs can also turn into problems: if you need to replace one disk, it can be difficult to find an identical one in size and pattern. True, today the task is facilitated by Internet commerce, thanks to which disks of the desired shape can be found and ordered even on the opposite side of the planet.

The exposed spokes and rims that adorn the car in such a way need constant washing and cleaning, as road dust and dirt constantly penetrate into the recesses. If cleaning is not taken care of, the accumulated dirt can cause wheel imbalances, resulting in uneven wear and premature failure of suspension components.

When the first joyful sensations from buying a car pass, when driving it becomes your daily work, it is at this moment that you face questions that you never thought about before. For example, how to choose the right wheels for your car, and specifically - rims.

Currently, the market represents a huge selection of car discs. Therefore, which disks and how to choose the right one sometimes becomes an insoluble task.

What discs are made?

There are several varieties: stamped, cast and forged wheels.

Stamped discs are the most common. Made of ordinary steel, painted with enamel, usually black or dark grey colour. The main advantage is that they are easy to repair. Always, with the ability, with the help of a simple tool, it is possible to return the shape of the disk. Of the minuses - they do not differ in the elegance of forms. You must have a set of stamped wheels, usually used with winter tires.

Alloy wheels made of lightweight alloys, usually aluminum.

Have different shape, and lighter stamped discs. This explains their popularity among experienced motorists. However, the high cost and, in practice, the impossibility of repair are a minus of this variety. We recommend that you buy if you are sure of careful driving and attentiveness on the road. And best used with summer tires.

How to choose an alloy wheel for a car?

The main alloys used in alloy wheels are aluminum, titanium, magnesium. Aluminum rims are light, strong and virtually corrosion resistant. Therefore, they are the most recommended for daily use. Magnesium alloy wheels are very susceptible to corrosion, so it is recommended to use them in warm and dry conditions, or permanently cover with an anti-corrosion coating. Titanium wheels belong to the elite group, so if you have a prestigious car or a sports car, and you plan to drive only in the city, choose titanium wheels.

Which is better - stamped or cast wheel? (video)

The next variety is forged wheels.

forged disc

The best and highest quality, but also the most expensive type. Made by hot stamping, they have high strength and low weight. Of the minuses - with a strong impact on an obstacle, it retains its shape, but there is a possibility of destruction of the wheel or cord, which leads to a complete replacement of the tire.

How to choose car wheels (video)

How to choose wheels on a car by size?

Usually, all information about the sizes of wheels and disks is indicated in the instructions for your car. Additionally (depending on the car) it can be indicated on separate parts, for example, on the gas tank cap.

Departure size;

Hub hole diameter size;

The size of the landing diameter;

Disc mount;

The shape of the holes for fasteners;

Information on disks (video)

Inches are the classic measure of wheel width. The value is marked as "J". For example, 5.5J. Stands for 5.5 inches wide. Tires are also marked in inches, each tire has its own rim.

Departure affects the functionality of the auto suspension in general, and bearings in particular. Incorrect departure will result in premature wear running. Concepts such as positive overhang, negative overhang and zero overhang are used.

Departure calculation (video).

The hub hole is where the disc is screwed onto the hub of the car. Therefore, it must fit exactly. If the hole is small, the disk will not install. With a large hole, balancing with rings will be required.

Disc seat diameter. This is the disc diameter in inches. Marked with the letter R.

For example, R18 indicates an 18" disc.

We remind you that the required disc diameters for your car are indicated in the book for the operation of your car.

REMEMBER! The tire diameter must match the diameter of the rims.

location diameter.

Number of fixing holes.

In English - PCD (PITCH CIRCLE DIAMETER). In Russian - "razboltovka".

The number of mounting bolts can vary from four to six on average. Minimum 3. This is important and must be strictly observed.

The shape of the holes for fastening disks.

Forged disc bolts are slightly tapered. The length is shorter than others. In cast, the conical shape is more pronounced, here you need longer fasteners. Some designs use flat and hemispherical fasteners.

Humps.

Outside the disc there are protrusions that fix the tubeless rubber. They are called humps. They are present on every disc. With the exception of discs for pneumatic chambers.

Interesting fact.

For more than 100 years, pneumatic tires have been installed on cars, which are inflated with atmospheric air. Internal chamber pressure ensures structural rigidity and ease of movement. Until the 80s of the last century, a rubber or rubber chamber was located inside the tire. But, starting from the 2000s, tubeless tires came to replace chambered tires. Today, almost all cars, especially new ones, are equipped with tubeless tires.

In the article we will talk about how to choose the right alloy wheels, what parameters you should pay attention to and what nuances there are when choosing and installing.

The content of the article:

First of all, when tuning a car, motorists immediately try to install new wheels, replacing regular disks on cast. To date, there are many configurations and types of alloy wheels. Young motorists often bet on domestic cars discs of this kind and it's true, they immediately change the look for the better. But the replacement process is not always so easy. Needs to be sized wheel arches, so that later it does not rub on the fender liner, the parameter that is responsible for this is considered to be the diameter.

What are cast


The material from which the discs are made is considered important. Now they are made of titanium alloy (very rarely), aluminum or magnesium alloys. Aluminum alloy wheels are among the best. Most often they can be found in expensive car dealerships. They are less susceptible to corrosion and look more attractive.


Each owner individually selects the design and color, here you can argue ad infinitum. You can pick up both in the market and in a specialized auto shop they will show you how your car will look with themes or other disks.

Disc material

Design is not the main thing when choosing, but what the element is made of has a role. According to the composition of the material they recognize:

  1. Cast magnesium - light, but very capricious to blows and quickly crack;
  2. Cast aluminum - the most optimal in terms of the combination of qualities;
  3. Forged aluminum - durable and lightweight;
  4. Forged magnesium - super strong and lightweight.
I want to say right away that you should not take magnesium ones - both cast and forged ones cost a lot of money, they are often made to order and only for sports cars. The price can start from $ 1000 per piece. Therefore, it is better to take the optimal ratio of the price of cast and the price of a car, since buying a car for $5000 and investing another $4000 in wheels makes no sense, and the quality will not increase for the better.

Diameter (R)


Regarding the diameter of the cast, it should be selected best option, it is often advised to take the same diameter as native disks, because of this it will not rub the tire against the fender liner, it will not tear the wings when cornering, and there will be no problems with the axle load either. It is customary to measure it not in centimeters, but in inches. It is allowed to take a slightly larger diameter, but then you have to take a smaller tire diameter. But given our roads, low-profile tires are not the best option, ruin the wheels faster. If an ordinary disk can be brewed, then cast ones, unfortunately, even brewing for a long time is not enough. For a couple of thousand kilometers, or until the first good hit. It will only be possible to brew argon welding. The maximum that can be done is to roll the disk during deformation.

Departure (ET45)


In addition to the diameter, you should pay attention to the offset (ET45 - standard), the so-called distance between the plane of the disc and the plane of the disc mounting itself. For each disk, this parameter is different and can be measured from millimeters to centimeters, often referred to as OFFSET. It is worth following the recommendations for selecting this parameter. Some violate this parameter and put wider discs, this increases stability and maneuverability. But where there are pluses, there is also a minus, this will entail an increase in the load on the hub bearings, an increase, since the load on the motor will increase.


Next on the list is the PCD parameter or, in other words, the diameter of the centers of the mounting holes and their number. The store will recommend you what size will fit your car. Sometimes motorists still buy not suitable discs and then they completely change the hub, or put special stands, this will allow you to adjust the parameters of the car to the wheels.

When installing disks, make sure that the mounting bolts are right size, they should not be too short, and too long. If they are too short, they will be cut off at the hub. If too long, they can press and damage the brake disc or other moving parts of the wheel.


Some manufacturers indicate the DIA parameter, the diameter of the central hole of the disk (measured from the side of the mating plane, measured in mm), often they try to choose bolts for this parameter optimal size. If the hub has not been changed, then the auto shop will immediately tell you which bolts are better to take.

Now an example of decoding the inscriptions ( specifications) of all disks. Let's take an example: J5.5x14, 4x100, ET49, DIA56.6 - this means a 5.5 inch wide wheel with a R14 inch radius, with four mounting holes on a circle with a radius of 100 mm, with an offset of 49 mm and a hub hole diameter of 56.6 mm.



It is not worth replacing alloy wheels at home in the grandfather's way, as you will immediately leave traces and damage on the discs. The first thing to do after purchase is to install and try on an alloy wheel without a tire on the hub of your car. Remove original wheel and install new disk, if all the parameters were observed, then it should become like a native from the first time. After installation, move it around, it should not move, there should not be any backlash. Now we put the native wheel again and go to the service station to change the car.

At first, you should not immediately step on the gas and test new wheels, let them get used, and at the same time see how the car behaves with new wheels.


When buying, many are wondering how not to fall for a fake. I will say that only experienced specialists can determine the quality by eye, and no one in the store will allow you to test it. Usually sellers will persuade you to buy exactly what they consider the best (this is not always the case), they should not be trusted, as they are not always honest and objective. It is better to buy discs in specialized salons with a guarantee, often such salons value their reputation and will not slip low-quality goods. Do not hesitate to demand documents for discs and a certificate of quality from the manufacturer.


Pictured is LEXANI FORGED 105


Popular brands include Asanti, Lexani, Fuel, Vellano, Rucci. Prices for discs can vary from $50 to $5000-6000. For example, such an alloy wheel LEXANI FORGED 105, the cost of which starts from $ 1000, expensive sports cars are often equipped with such wheels.

Video on how to choose the right alloy wheels:

Video with tips on fitting:

The content of the article "How to choose rims?"

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Properly selected car wheels are the key to your safety on the road. We will help you make a choice.

Popular brands:

Replica Nitro Yamato scud K&K FM Replay Alcasta

Selection of discs by manufacturing technology

  • Weight. The lighter the disc, the faster machine accelerates and decelerates. Heavy weight affects increased consumption fuel and less smooth running. In addition, the resource of the remaining suspension parts will last for a longer period if the disc is light.
  • Corrosion (rust) resistance.
  • Strength. This parameter is important if you often drive on uneven roads, with potholes and pits.

Varieties of disks for cars

To select rims, you need to know their types.

      • stamped discs are made from steel. They are equipped budget cars at the factories. A good option, if you are unpretentious in design and do not want to spend a significant amount on the purchase and operation of disks. Keep in mind that discs can also be faked and then they do not last long.
        • pros: low cost; are subject to repair, tk. on impact, a dent is formed without significant damage.
        • Minuses: heavy; susceptible to corrosion, so they need to be monitored; sometimes discs are not produced accurately and are difficult to balance; standard design (but you can use special caps).

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    • Alloy wheels are made from aluminium. They are 15-30% lighter than stamped ones. If each wheel weighs 1 kg less, then it will be possible to load the car with an extra 50 or 60 kg. Be careful, some manufacturers make alloy wheels as heavy as stamped ones.
      • pros: lungs; resistant to corrosion; varied design.
      • Minuses: with a strong impact, the disc does not crumple, but completely splits, and it can no longer be repaired; the cost is higher than that of stamped ones.

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    • Forged wheels made of magnesium or aluminum alloys . They are more often installed on sports and luxury cars. Magnesium alloy wheels are significantly more expensive.
      • Pros: 20-30% lighter than cast ones; more resistant to corrosion than cast; shock-resistant - the suspension is more likely to be damaged than the disk to bend, and it does not threaten a split at all.
      • Minuses: the price, but on the other hand, the discs will serve you for many years; simple design.

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  • Combination "casting + forging". These wheels have a forged rim and a cast wheel. The whole structure is connected by bolts (titanium most often).
    • Pros: lungs; impact resistant; resistant to corrosion; varied design.
    • Minuses: high price.

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You can have one set of rims for two sets of tires, or you can buy stamping for summer and casting for winter. Firstly, save on overboarding in the long run, and the tires will last longer. Secondly, for most of the year you will drive with beautiful wheels and a minimal possibility of damaging them.

How to choose wheels by car model?

Each manufacturer indicates the parameters of the disks in the documentation (or on a sticker in the driver's door opening) in the form of an alphanumeric cipher.

From the first time it is not clear, but in reality there is nothing difficult there, and you will see for yourself.

Our example would be the following cipher: 8Jx19H2 PCD5x108 DIA75 ET45

Always listed first disc width and diameter in inches. In our example, the width is 8 inches and the diameter is 19.

The letter J (or can be L, JJ, K and JK) indicates the design of the rim (specialist information).

The letter H2 (or maybe H, AF, FH, CH) indicates the design of the humps (information for the specialist).

In our case, the disk has 5 holes at a distance of 108 mm.

Next item - center hole diameter(DIA or D). We have it equal to 75 mm.

And last in order, but not by value, is indicated disk "ejection"(ET). In our example, the overhang is 45 mm.

Sometimes the letters are removed and only numbers remain. It doesn't change the order itself, so you won't get confused. Our example would look like this: 8x19/5x108 d75 et45.

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Changing selection options

We must say right away that it is better to choose wheels that fully comply with the requirements of the car manufacturer.

  • Disc diameter. You can choose a larger diameter to fit low profile tires for better handling and more grip. But at the same time, the load on the suspension and, in particular, the hub increases, and the disk itself is also likely to be damaged. For our everyday off-road, this option is not suitable.
  • Rim width. There is a tolerance of 0.5-1 inch for diameters up to 14 inches and 1-1.5 inches for diameters over 15 inches. If you deviate significantly from the specified parameter, then the tire will either be strongly compressed or relaxed, which will negatively affect the driving characteristics (turning response, lateral stiffness, resistance to slip). By the way, if you are looking for a rim for a tire, then remember the rule: the width of the rim of the rim should be 25-30% less than the width of the tire profile.
  • Center hole diameter. It may be slightly larger than the diameter of the hub of your car, but not less (the disc cannot be put on at all).

In the case of a larger diameter, additional adapter rings are used for mounting and balancing. There are no other advantages in increasing the diameter of the central hole. Just know that if you find a disk you like, which, if all other parameters match, has a slightly larger diameter of the central hole, then it's okay - you can install such a disk.

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Unchanged options for choosing car rims

The parameters listed below must be strictly observed, so you can immediately set them in the e96 rubricator to narrow the circle of choice.

  • Number of mounting holes. If there are 4 mounting holes on the hub of your car model, then there should be 4 of them on the disk, not 5. Otherwise, you simply will not fasten the disk to the hub.
  • Hole diameter. Be careful with this setting. If the diameter differs from the regular one by at least a couple of millimeters, then only one bolt will be fully tightened. On the go, such a wheel will “beat”, and not tightened nuts can be unscrewed by themselves.
  • Departure. This parameter must comply with the manufacturer's requirements with an accuracy of 1 mm without fail. Sometimes motorists have a desire to reduce the departure. The main argument is an increase in handling due to the expansion of the track and an improvement in appearance. The wheels protrude from the arch - it is considered stylish. Even sellers can assure you that this is a normal situation when the departure is slightly different from the set value. But you must understand that when the departure changes, the load on all suspension units increases dramatically, for which they are not designed. The least that awaits you is a decrease in the life of suspension parts, tire abrasion. In the worst case, during movement, it can collapse.

Which foxes are better to choose?

If a car is just a means of transportation for you, then when choosing wheels, first of all, pay attention to the compliance with all technical characteristics. Only with manufacturer-recommended sizes will you prolong the life of your vehicle's suspension and maintain stability on the road.

If you often drive off-road or roads in the city are far from ideal, then choose stamped wheels with exact observance of all parameters. The same recommendation for those who want to save money.

If you drive carefully good roads or you don't experienced driver and observe speed mode, then pay attention to alloy wheels.

If you are an experienced driver and love speed, then choose alloy wheels. Ass is better to buy forged wheels - and they will last easier and longer.

Choose wheels on the e96 website, and remember: the main thing is safety! Good luck on the roads!

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