When looking for rims, what is the best metal to seek in order from hardest/durable to weakest/tarnishes/cracks/breaks/irresistant to nature.

aluminum, steel, alloy, chrome, others?


I'm also looking at opinions based on experience and not-so-common sense.


I'm also also looking for a way to judge rims on their quality just by crossing paths with one. What signs signal a rim to stay away from? What signs signal a rim to be worth your time?


Thanks =]

3/24/2012 5:15:15 PM

go for dat gunmetal look

[Edited on March 24, 2012 at 5:37 PM. Reason : ]

3/24/2012 5:32:54 PM

what are you going to use them for?

there is no one right answer... unless you don't give a shit about how much you spend on rims

3/24/2012 7:06:19 PM

magnesium yo

3/24/2012 7:26:42 PM

When I make rims, I use D2.

3/24/2012 7:31:57 PM

before the flaming begins, you need to study up on your wheels

First of all

Quote :

"what are you going to use them for? there is no one right answer... "

Second, I think you are confused about material vs finish

Wheels can be made out of steel or an alloy

Steel alloy wheels are stamped

Alloy wheels can be cast or forged

Alloy wheels can be based on aluminum or magnesium

Alloy wheels can be made of one or two individual pieces

All types of wheels can be coated with paint, chrome plating, or powdercoat

Type of coat doesn't affect durability but all the other factors do

If this is for your 94 civic, just get what fits and looks good and don't overthink this

3/24/2012 8:14:45 PM

i was going to be helpful but then i saw who the OP was

Eh...


Aluminum wheels are usually the strongest.

http://www.alcoa.com/alcoawheels/north_america/en/info_page/home.asp

Steel wheels will bend but not break and a can usually be straightened.

you can get... any of them finished any way possible. I like polished aluminum because they can always be re-polished.

3/24/2012 8:41:38 PM

Magnesium. Go for the Magnesium rims.

3/24/2012 8:55:57 PM

The majority of you said Magnesium, so I'm going to go with that. Aluminum is weak and can easily rip. I use it everyday for cooking.


Thank you, everyone, for your great suggestions. I can't wait to supe up my 94 Honda Civic!

3/24/2012 9:51:57 PM

a set of forged magnesium wheels is worth more than the civic

3/24/2012 10:31:29 PM

stick some civic HX wheels on there. and paint them white

3/24/2012 10:49:21 PM

Quote :

"a set of forged magnesium wheels is worth more than the civic"

My car can travel on the same roads, same distances, and same speed limit than yours.

You might be able to rush to the next stop light faster than me, but I know in my city, the lights are timed relative to the speed limit so there is no advantage to having a fast car.

There is no advantage to having a nice car either. You stand out. You make yourself a target for thieves and cops, you pay more in insurance, stress, and higher property tax. You spend more on parts. People know where you are at all time because your car is unique.

Chances are, you are whipped by a bitch, and you ain't gonn be pickin up no pussy with your ride anyway.

Tell me again how much my Honda is worth compared to the cheapest rims on the market?

It doesn't make too much fucking sense.

3/24/2012 10:57:25 PM

magnesium is the most expensive

3/24/2012 11:01:26 PM

i don't think anyone is trying to put down your car choice. they're just pointing out how stupid it would be to put magnesium rims on it.

just put some plain old steel rims on there. you're already pointed out that you're not trying to impress anyone. don't even bother putting the slap caps on there.

3/24/2012 11:12:10 PM

^^ trolling much?

3/24/2012 11:13:51 PM

Quote :

"you're already pointed out that you're not trying to impress anyone."

Thread is about durability. I mean... durability impresses me, but I don't know many other people impressed by durability.

I'm simply asking what rim lasts the longest? What rim still looks decent after years of abuse?

3/24/2012 11:46:00 PM

if you're gonna daily drive these, i highly doubt you will want magnesium wheels

unless you are gonna x-ray them for cracks regularly


I'd say go with forged aluminum for durability

3/25/2012 12:41:07 AM

^thanks

3/25/2012 2:38:37 AM

I wish I was whipped by a bitch, maybe she'd clean this place up once in a while

[Edited on March 25, 2012 at 8:56 AM. Reason : for reference - a set of good motorcycle magnesium wheels is 2-4k. THATS ONLY TWO WHEELS!]

3/25/2012 8:54:47 AM

durability? really? how often are you fucking up your wheels? Wheels outlast vehicles.

3/25/2012 10:58:36 AM

aluminum wheels (not forged) just bend in most cases and can be straightened for about $125

you can replace them almost as cheap in most cases

potholes happen

i wouldn't trust daily driving something like magnesium, the cost of fucking them up coupled with the safety issues involved with cracked rims, no thanks

they'd be great for a racecar, not many potholes on a track

3/25/2012 2:05:09 PM

goddamn this trollery


steel wheels, you want factory civic steel wheels.

3/25/2012 4:20:57 PM

Let him get the mags. When they catch fire case he curbed it @60 we can all laugh. I mean I tried to be nice and give someone I don't think is worth his weight in manure some legit help then he just starts ranting stupid and trolling the joint.

Lock the bitch out this isn't chit chat.

3/26/2012 12:32:46 AM

If you don't like me, simply don't post in my thread. I don't need your help if you're going to act like that.

3/26/2012 12:55:52 AM

Quote :

"goddamn this trollery steel wheels, you want factory civic steel wheels. "

3/26/2012 9:24:08 AM

No pot holes on track but there def. is curbing to hit...
Magnesium wheels are not going to catch fire from rubbing a curb and unless you're talking forged mag alloy, you're better off going w/forged alloy or better yet leave it alone.

Also, lol

3/26/2012 11:38:37 AM

I know... for a mag to catch fire you pretty much have to drive for miles on the bare rim... otherwise they're pretty safe.

3/26/2012 11:40:08 AM

what's wrong with the wheels you have now?

3/26/2012 11:48:28 AM

Quote :

"what's wrong with the wheels you have now?"

they're ugly.

Quote :

"Magnesium wheels are not going to catch fire from rubbing a curb and unless you're talking forged mag alloy, you're better off going w/forged alloy or better yet leave it alone."

Is this what you wanted to say? I thought 'pure' magnesium rims would catch fire before forged magnesium alloy rims?



[Edited on March 26, 2012 at 2:17 PM. Reason : .]

3/26/2012 2:13:51 PM

Quote :

"Aluminum is weak and can easily rip. I use it everyday for cooking. "

ಠ_ಠ

Quote :

"94 civic"

just get a set of these

3/27/2012 10:29:29 AM

Quote :

"Aluminum is weak and can easily rip. I use it everyday for cooking. "

rofl

3/27/2012 11:23:16 AM

Do you rip a lot of aluminum cooking those shitty pizzas? You are the worst troll in the history of the internet.

just get a set of steel wheels and make sure to not tighten the lug nuts all the way down so hopefully you die in a crash and we dont have to be subjected to your retarded ass anymore.

3/27/2012 12:46:15 PM

hey GeniuSxBoY I'd recommend giving these guys a shot. they should be able to help you out without the trolling you'll get on tww.

http://rimtyme.com/About.html

3/27/2012 1:40:57 PM

I don't think people are actually reading what I type, and this kinda proves that point.
It took three days for 1 person to notice that joke.
I have to give credit for jtw208 for actually reading my post.


Not a single person answered what I wanted to know in the OP.

3/27/2012 2:36:42 PM

Quote :

"When I make rims, I use D2."

lol
I think some forged S7 would be better. You never know when you'll need your rims to be as tough as a jackhammer bit.

3/27/2012 2:58:13 PM

Steel spoke...they last 100 years.

3/27/2012 3:01:29 PM

I don't think people should waste their time reading what you type, and this thread kinda proves that point. Everyone noticed your ig'nant remark about aluminum, unfortunately it was not funny enough to look like a joke; quite the opposite, it perfectly corresponded to your clueless first OP. Some people tried to help, but I'm pretty sure the only way to help you is to sell you a set of wheels and then convince you that they are more durable than anything else on the market. To best answer your question and end this trollery, what you are looking for is a set of 15'' forged aluminum alloy wheels with universal four bolt pattern from a respected brand in any finish and shape you like. But what your broke ass really should get is a set of walmart hubcabs for your current wheels, or even keep your current ugly wheels so they match your face and hope all that money you saved will last you till the next paycheck.

3/27/2012 3:05:09 PM

Quote :

"I don't think people should waste their time reading what you type,"

I stopped there. Thank you for your input.

3/27/2012 3:13:54 PM

I enjoyed this thread and actually tried to help

you mean this was a troll thread?

3/27/2012 3:15:58 PM

I think so, h8r, I think so.

Do you see one post listing anything in order from "Greatest to Least"

3/27/2012 3:26:35 PM

you have to look at this in regards to what your goal is for this wheel

is it a rock crawler?

is it a time-attack / track rat?

is it street driven on pothole laiden roads?


what's good for one may or may not be the best for the others



if you don't answer these questions and just take offense or dance around it, it looks like trolling

[Edited on March 27, 2012 at 3:35 PM. Reason : sf]

3/27/2012 3:33:53 PM

Quote :

"goddamn this trollery steel wheels, you want factory civic steel wheels. "

again, for my sentiments.



GB, you should have worded the question/thread as follows:

"Title: Want new wheels for civic, need help

Body:

I've got a 94 civic and would like some different wheels than what it's currently equipped with. I don't really know that much about wheel selection or the aftermarket wheel market, so please post responses in laymans terms.

Also, for my future knowledge, what do I look for to know a quality wheel from a crappy one.

Thanks-"

3/27/2012 3:41:34 PM

Dr pepper, that is precisely not what I'm asking. Thank you for assuming.

This has nothing to do with my civic. This has nothing to do about me purchasing rims.
And it does say "what do I look for to know a quality wheel from a crappy one." which nobody even touched, with the added condition "when seeing one on the streets"

I really don't understand why you guys are so confused? I'm baffled.

You can't tell me a simple list of the rim metals from greatest to least for the one characteristic of durability?

[Edited on March 27, 2012 at 3:54 PM. Reason : .]

3/27/2012 3:53:19 PM

it...doesnt really work that way?

this aint materials science where it's 1018 cold rolled, 304 stainless, 4130 chromoly....you have basic characteristics available: cast aluminum, steel, spun forged, billet aluminum, american made, chinese made, etc. etc.

When seeing one on the streets, steel wheels have 'thin' features, aluminum wheels are 'thicker' to accomodate for the difference in properties. you'll be hard pressed to see the difference between cast aluminum & forged aluminum wheels. Mag wheels are hard to discern unless you are aware of the manufacturer & wheel design (unless it's a completely bare wheel... doubtful you will see that daily)

3/27/2012 4:31:01 PM

^Excellent answer!

Lets make this even more simple, for simple's sake.

If we had a 1"x1"x1" cube of each of the metals, which would be the strongest from greatest to least?

3/28/2012 1:15:58 AM

beh, it's time for this thread to be shut down

3/28/2012 7:02:26 AM

lock and ban from the Garage

3/28/2012 9:08:44 AM

Is the question too hard still? I thought I was in the garage.

3/28/2012 11:04:14 AM

Quote :

"forged aluminum alloy "

now GTFO

3/28/2012 11:24:43 AM

Actually, this is my thread, so you can feel free to escort yourself out.

3/28/2012 11:31:47 AM