If you visit Europe or Asia, you'll notice a wide assortment of very small microcars you never see in the United States. Conventional wisdom says that since we don't buy these types of vehicles often, many major manufacturers won't sell microcars in the U.S. So why has Toyota, builder of the steady and reliable Camry, Corolla and Sienna launched the 10-foot-long Scion IQ?
Do Toyota's executives know something we don't? Is it now hip to be small? We'll see, but I wouldn't bet against Toyota. After all, this is the same company that took Lexus from the 1989 ES250 to the $400,000 2012 LFA "halo" car and also created one the world's toughest vehicles, the indomitable Hilux. The vehicle is so tough that even Top Gear can't kill it.
Regardless if you drive one of these aforementioned vehicles, the wheels still make the car. If your IQ came equipped with a set of the steel wheels, we can improve its look. Ideally we want wheels that maintain spoke symmetry on a 4-lug wheel, flow with the car's styling and work with your IQ's body color. To view the wheel options for your IQ and see what they look like on your vehicle, visit our Upgrade Garage.
I like the bright silver Borbet BS4 especially on the black currant, black sand and pacific blue IQs. For the blizzard white, classic silver metallic and magnetic gray vehicles, I'd consider the machined with anthracite accent MSW Type 21. I'm also a fan of the new Rial Murago. The anthracite painted finish would be ideal for the hot lava, pacific blue, classic silver metallic and black sand options.
After selecting the wheel, what tire should you consider? The 195/55-16 Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 is a great choice for overall performance and tire efficiency. Ecopia EP422 tires combine year-round traction, handling and comfort with reduced environmental impact. The tire is designed to enhance vehicle fuel economy by reducing tire rolling resistance along with the vehicle's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions while delivering year-round, all-season traction. It's important to note that if you're using your Original Equipment 175/60-16 tires, they are too narrow for the options listed earlier, and can only accommodate a maximum rim width of six inches. The sole compatible option if you're sticking with O.E. tires is the 16x6 Rial Flair.
*Prices subject to change
MSW Rims are engineered and designed by O.Z. Racing to the top standards of modern production. Their wheels meet official regulations for the U.S. D.O.T. and also the more stringent rules set by Germany's T.U.V (Technical Inspection Association).
MSW has added a new wheel to their line this year. The Type 23 is truly a unique design that puts a new spin on the line of wheels from MSW.
Take a look at the Type 23 and other options from MSW.
See if the Type 23 or any other MSW wheel fits 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.
Cutting edge design meets precise manufacturing in a set of
MSW rims. No matter what you drive, installing a set of MSW wheels instantly upgrades the style of your vehicle.
Check out the MINI Cooper at left. The addition of 17"
MSW Type 16 rims makes for an eye-catching, unique twist on an already impressive vehicle. Let it be known, however, that the benefits aren't purely aesthetic.
Aftermarket wheels make it really easy for you to switch out tires between seasons.
Keep your summer tires installed on your MSW wheels, then swap out the whole set for your
winter / snow Tire & Wheel Package when the weather turns—doing so protects your MSW wheels from harmful salt and ice, and it also saves you time and money by cutting down the installation process.
Check out
Tire Rack's complete collection of MSW wheels, or
select your vehicle for a customized list. (Looking for MINI Cooper tires as well?
Start here to complete a Tire & Wheel Package.)
We understand that a wheel purchase isn't always an inexpensive purchase. Though aftermarket wheel benefits are worth every penny, sticker shock still exists. So at
Tire Rack, we do our best to help you out whenever possible. And right now, you can find a number of our wheels on the
clearance rack.
Find wheels for snow tires. Search reputable brands like
MSW Wheels and
Sport Edition Wheels,
Borbet rims and more. Push the savings even further by
searching tire and wheel sets. With a discounted wheel, these packages are even more affordable in the long run.
Start your
search by vehicle today. See how much you can save...
2007 Mini Cooper S
MSW rims combine strength with style. Production is overseen by O.Z. Racing engineers, which means that quality is never compromised. In the Upgrade Garage, select your vehicle to see which MSW wheels fit, then click to see what they look like.
