Similarly, select wheels for the specific application you're going to use them for. If you're building a track-only performance car then the car will probably only ever experience the lush, smooth track and never feel a pothole or speed bump. Because of this, track cars are able to run extremely light wheels that may not hold up to rough street conditions. On the street, however, bumps and other obstacles are everywhere. If you peg some debris at highway speeds you'll quickly bend a wheel-as Maria will attest. Since city streets aren't as perfect as a track, daily driven cars probably should use a heavier, sturdier wheel. Show cars, however, are a different animal. Some show cars are towed to events, or only driven to and from shows. These cars will more than likely see less debris and bumps then daily driven vehicles, thus they can run wheels which may otherwise suffer during daily street driving.
With all that said, a lot of lightweight wheels are as strong, if not stronger, then their heavier counterparts-and just because a wheel is heavy doesn't mean it's strong. Which wheels are strong and which aren't is a difficult thing to determine. Check out the composition of the wheel versus the weight. If the wheel is a 15-pound gravity cast 19-inch wheel, chances are it isn't too sturdy, where as a forged wheel with the same specs may hold up to quite a few potholes. Ultimately, however, the lighter the wheel, the more expensive it will be. This fact alone will usually determine how light of a wheel you will be able to purchase.
Wheel Purchasing ProcesWow, look at all these wheels and tires. You've been flipping through these pages for days and you've finally decided which wheels to buy-now it's time to order those bad boys and mount them on your Euro.
There are various ways to purchase wheels. Some manufacturers sell direct tothe consumer while others sell their wheels through distributors. Either way, chances are you'll be able to head to the Web site we've listed and find out more information. If a manufacturer doesn't sell the wheels direct to the consumer, more than likely its Web site will tell you where you can buy the wheels. No matter which Web site you eventually end up on in your search, you'll probably be given the choice to place your order online or dial an 800 number.
There are advantages to both methods. Speaking to a person gives you the assurance that you have ordered the correct wheels, and the sales representative will also be able to make suggestions and help you select the right wheels for your car. The downside to using the phone is the hold time you'll have to endure. This is why, if you know the exact wheels you want, we highly recommend placing your order online.
Discount Tire Direct, one of the largest distributors of wheels and tires online, stresses that ordering from its Web site is both safe and easy. With the click of a few buttons you can be on your way to driving around in style. Much like everyone else, we're always skeptical of return policies when ordering anything, especially when ordering online, but after talking to the folks at Discount Tire, our fears were put at bay.
Discount Tire Direct's return policy is a simple and easy one: If you change your mind about your order, Discount Tire will gladly refund your money. Not only that, but Discount Tire's return policy extends to 30 days after you've received your wheels. The only thing they ask is you don't use the wheels or tires before you return them. Discount Tire Direct even goes so far as to tell you how to pack the wheels if you are going to return them, and if you need any shipping material, they will deliver it to you free of charge.