Aftermarket Car Rims

The late model Ford Mustang is fast becoming an extremely popular vehicle for both customizers and enthusiasts. This is partly due to the volume of aftermarket parts available and the demand from consumers to set their Mustang apart from the crowd and show off their personal style.

In addition to custom paint jobs and aftermarket wheels (rims), many Mustang owners are opting to lower their cars for more aggressive handling and appearance. Due to the flexibility of the late model Mustang chassis, there are several ride height and stiffness options available.

Depending on the version of Mustang, there are several options for lowering from standard non-adjustable springs to fully adjustable coil-over kits. Coil-over kits offer the height and dampening adjustability that is not possible with a spring-only application.
It's important to note that when changing a vehicle's ride height, alignment adjustments will be needed for your vehicle. For lowering, this typically includes reduction in camber to counter the camber increase caused by shorter springs. For the newer Mustang, a set of camber bolts will do the trick for the front and an adjustable panhard bar or trailing arm for the rear.

When you're looking for Mustang shocks, springs, coil-over kits or other suspension parts for your ride, be sure to shop by vehicle to find the parts that are a great fit.

Despite what some automotive experts say, I really like the new Volkswagen Jetta. And, if the original Jetta tires and wheels are not to your liking, some aftermarket car rims and tires could really increase the vehicle's style.

As you try to envision how a given wheel will fit on your car, keep in mind that the offset spec effects the overall look. How would the 17x7.5 5-112 bolt pattern 45mm offset Bright Silver Enkei Tuning Fujin look on the car, even though your Original Equipment wheels are 16" in diameter and 6.5" with a 50mm offset? To help you gain a better picture of how these Enkei rims would sit on your vehicle, look at where your valve stems sit and picture them moving 17mm (roughly 3/4") out towards the fender.

Manufacturers will determine what sizes of wheels they'll make, as not all wheels come in all sizes. However, when you purchase wheels from Tire Rack, you can be assured the wheel you order is a perfect match for your vehicle. To see how we get the proper fitments for each vehicle, read "How We Know What Fits."

Since I am a big fan of the Jetta TDI let's use this application as an example. For 17" wheels you can choose Volkswagen tires in either 225/45-17 or 235/45-17. If I were picking tires to use here in Indiana, I'd get the 225/45-17 Michelin Primacy MXM4 for its combination of great steering response, wet grip and efficiency.

Since the new Jetta uses the indirect Tire Pressure Monitoring System with ABS sensors, you don't need to get separate sensors. And when you're looking at our online tire prices for the Michelin Primacy, create a Tire & Wheel Package with the Enkei wheels for $1388* plus shipping.

17x7.5 Bright Silver Enkei Tuning Fujin

225/45-17 Michelin Primacy MXM4

Create the perfect Tire & Wheel Package for your Jetta today!

Aftermarket wheels designed to use the Original Equipment center cap are available at Tire Rack. Let the wheels from Bremmer Kraft, Breyton, ASA, Elbrus and O.Z. Racing give your vehicle that custom look while maintaining the factory edge. Take a look at a few options that will set your car apart from the rest:

Bremmer Kraft BR05	Breyton Race GTS-R	ASA Type 8
Mercedes-Benz	BMW	Mercedes-Benz

O.Z. Racing Alleggerita HLT	Elbrus I02	O.Z. Racing Ultraleggera HLT
Porsche	BMW and Mercedes-Benz	Porsche

Use our website to view exact fitment and availability as some wheels may not be compatible with certain makes and models.

Note: Click the "Product Description" tab on the rim summary page to see if the wheel will accept the O.E. center cap. If available for the wheel selected, the O.E. center cap can be purchased from the "Optional Hardware" tab.

The 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Coupe at right is a sleek and powerful vehicle. But when you add an equally impressive set of aftermarket Mustang rims, it's hard to believe, but the vehicle manages to look even sleeker.

The particular wheels you see at right are Rockstar Car wheels from KMC, so named because the brand gets its inspiration from an elite group of famous musicians and actors. The Rockstar Car is a new wheel at Tire Rack, and we're very excited about its aesthetics.

In fact, we are so excited that we decided to carry it in a version made specifically for lifted trucks and SUVs, too. The Rockstar is part of KMC's XD line, which focuses on creating aggressive wheels that work on and off the road.

Shop by vehicle today to see if KMC can outfit your vehicle.

Visually speaking, the answer to that question is fairly obvious. But there's more to an aftermarket wheel than simply the good looks. Aftermarket alloy wheels produce a number of performance benefits for your vehicle, starting with reduced unsprung weight compared to steel wheels. What is unsprung weight? Any portion of your vehicle not supported by the suspension system. Without that support, those components get hit with road shock and cornering forces. To combat that, wheels make steering precise and improve "turning in" characteristics.

Aftermarket rims are also lighter than steel rims, which helps reduce the overall weight of your car. Clearly a lighter car handles much easier than one with significant weight to it. In addition, alloy wheels are quite strong. And strong wheels support your tires in the corner.

Finally, alloy wheels are made with metals that conduct heat most excellently. Heat is moved away from the brakes, which reduces brake fade. And often, alloy wheels are designed in a way that allows air to flow away from the brakes a little easier.

Still wonder why aftermarket wheels are so great? Let's go back to that visual note. Play around in the Upgrade Garage to see what some of Tire Rack's best aftermarket wheels look like on your vehicle. You just might find yourself sold on a particular set from one of our manufacturers. A list that includes BBS, moda, MSW and more.

Tire Rack is your complete source for all things auto tires and wheels. Aside from our collection of rims and tires online, you'll find first-hand product reviews from our sales specialists and Tire Rack consumers alike. We essentially don't hold anything back so that you can make the best purchase possible. And so that you can feel comfortable doing so.

In fact, now is most definitely the time to buy. With the onset of spring, we rolled out (pardon the pun) our biggest and best collection of aftermarket rims and tires to date...and a few other new things, too. Like car suspension products, a brake system upgrade and even a few engine tuning products.

Click here to see it all.

We recently added Platinum Wheels to our list of premium aftermarket wheel brands. Produced by Ultra Wheel Company, these car and SUVrims will enhance the style and improve the performance of your vehicle.

Three styles—Apex, Saber and Widow—come in a variety of different finishes. Choose from hyper black with a machined lip, chrome plated or black with a machined lip and more. Take a look:

Apex Hyper Black with Machined Lip

Saber Chrome Plated
Widow Flat Black Painted

See all Platinum Wheels.

Update your vehicle with a set of aftermarket car rims from our clearance rack. Act quick, though—this offer is only good while supplies last.

Search by vehicle and look for wheels with Closeout (blue) and/or Special (yellow) prices. And while you're at it, you may want to check out tires. Wheel prices this low make Tire & Wheel Packages even more affordable!

Pretty cars need pretty wheels. Or, to take it from another perspective—high performance vehicles benefit from aftermarket wheels to enhance tire performance and handling. But still, they do make a car look really good. The 2009 135i Coupe below features 18" O.Z. Racing Allegerita HLT wheels in an anthracite finish. The following BMW wheels will look just as good:

• ASA GT1 (Bright Silver Paint)
• Breyton Race GTS-R (Black with Red Stripe)
• moda MD7 (Machined with Anthracite Accent)

Now, search by vehicle in our Upgrade Garage to get a visual representation of what different BMW rims might look like on your vehicle. You'll also get the opportunity to see matching BMW tires.

And you might not want to stop there. The Upgrade Garage helps you search our entire inventory of suitable products, like BMW brake pads and BMW suspension upgrades. Are your BMW shock absorbers absorbing enough bounce? Feeling every bump in the road? New BMW shocks might be just what the doctor...or, mechanic...ordered.

Ford Mustangs have been rolling down our streets since 1964, impressing us all with their power and their style. Though Ford has made a few improvements over the years, it's as classic a car as ever. Why change a good thing, right? We only disagree with that statement when it comes to the Mustang wheels.

It's not that we dislike the Original Equipment, we only aim to exhibit how the installation of aftermarket Mustang wheels provides performance and aesthetic benefits. And there are a number of excellent aftermarket Mustang wheels.

The 2010 Ford Mustang GT Coupe above features 20" Sport Muscle Tach wheels that are machined with an anthracite accent. Other Mustang wheels that would look just as good include:

• Enkei Performance Series LS-5 (Black Painted)
• Sport Edition KV5 (Silver)
• TRMotorsports MT1 (Matte Grey)

Use our Upgrade Garage to see what these and other Mustang wheels would look like on your vehicle. You'll also get access to Mustang tires, Mustang brake pads and Mustang suspension products, including Mustang shocks.


 

Many people use these two terms—"aftermarket rims" and "aftermarket wheels"—interchangeably. Same goes for "car rims" and "car wheels." But technically speaking, "aftermarket wheels" and "car wheels" stand correct.

A rim is actually one of three parts to a wheel, including the hub and spokes. Sometimes these parts will be one piece, and other times two or three pieces. The hub is obviously the center, and it keeps the wheel attached to the car via the suspension system. The spokes come out of the hub, attaching to the wheel's rim. 

It is the rim that keeps the tire attached to the wheel, which is why many people refer to wheels as "rims."

Read more about wheel construction.

You can pick a certain look for your vehicle and hope for a perfect fit when you buy aftermarket car rims (more accurately referred to as wheels) or you can use the "Shop by Vehicle" tool on our site. Here's why:

Though wheel size, offset and/or bolt pattern are all important, they alone cannot ensure an exact fit. To avoid vibration, wheel/tire interference and unbalanced handling, you'll need to measure a few other critical wheel components. At Tire Rack, we do this with sophisticated electronic tools so that our fitment engineers can get extremely accurate measurements. Vehicles are measured as well, enabling us to compare the two sets of numbers in order to determine precise fitments. (Read more.)

All you need to really know is that it helps us help you find the perfect wheels—just search by vehicle, and we'll show you.

 

One of my pet peeves is the modern usage of the term "rim"  to describe aftermarket alloy wheels.  Perhaps this is one of those long standing debates that will never be resolved but it's important to use the correct terminology when discussing parts. 

The rim is the outer barrel portion of the wheel where the tire is mounted. 

The term wheel applies to the entire assembly so anyone who says they are going to purchase some rims for their car is not using the correct terminology.

If they intend to purchase an entire assembly, they should say they are purchasing wheels, not rims.

It's a small point but it still bugs me when I hear it used incorrectly.


Perhaps looking at the origin of the word rim would help clear things up.

I believe a lot of the confusion goes back to the very early days of automotive history when it was common for cars to use something called detachable rims.  These early vehicles had wooden wheel centers much like what you would have seen on a horse drawn wagon.



Mounted to the outside of the wooden center was a removable assembly made up of the steel rim, a rubber tire and a rubber inner tube.

This design was intended to make it easy to dismount the rim and tire as a complete unit.  The rim itself was secured to the wooden wheel center using retainer bolts threaded into the wood. as seen in this close-up.


When you got a flat tire, it was a 'simple' matter of pulling over and switching out the rim and tire assembly. Here's a nice series of vintage photos showing the process:

Here's the damaged flat tire on the steel rim. You can make out the dark rim retainers along the edge of the wooden wheel rim. These would be un-bolted with a wrench.



Here's a nice close-up of the rim retainers. The nut 'floated' in the seat of the retainer so they could spin freely. When tightened, they clamped the edge of the steel rim down against the wooden wheel center:



Once they were removed, the entire rim and tire assembly could be lifted off of the wooden center. 


Then it was time to slip the new tire and rim assembly back on the wooden center. It was so easy you could wear your Sunday best coat and gloves!



Many multi-piece alloy wheels are still constructed from separate rim sections and center discs like this O.Z. Racing three-piece wheel:




The centers drop into the rim sections and are bolted in place from the front of the wheel.



So in reality, you purchase wheels, not rims! 

I want to send out a special thanks to Mr. John M. Daly for allowing me to use some  detailed photos from his website, the  E-M-F 30 Homepage.


For more info about detachable wheels and to learn about the history of the E-M-F 30, check out his organization's website:


emfauto.org/index.php


It's a wealth of information about this fascinating vehicle and its history.