How much do rims for a car cost?

By Julia Freeman

The tyre rim is the name for the metal wheel that holds the rubber tyres in place and enables the vehicle to move. Rims help to reduce friction and provide leverage, a good-quality set of rims can boost performance and provide a smoother ride.

The main components of a rim

  • Outboard face: the main visible part of the rim that provides the structure.

  • Centre bore: the empty hole in the centre of the rim. It is often covered by a cap.

  • Plate: the section around the centre bore that contains the bolt holes. It connects to the axle seat and the rotor, whilst everything else connects to the plate.

  • Spokes: the metal parts that connect the plate to the edge of the rim.

  • Dish: the part of the wheel that connects to the spokes.

  • Valve stem: the hole used to fill the tyre with air.

What are they made from?

Most rims are made from either steel, chrome, or an alloy.
 
Steel rims and wheels have been around for years and are very common. In the past they were found on all vehicles, but nowadays they are mostly seen on compact and sub-compact cars. Their main advantage is that they are cheap and durable, whilst the main downside is the fact that they are extremely heavy.
 
Despite their name, chrome rims are not actually made of solid chrome, which would be incredibly expensive. Instead, most manufacturers use chrome plating in order to achieve the shiny look. One of the main advantages of chrome rims is that the coating reduces oxidation, meaning they are a good option for people who drive mostly on wet roads.
 
Most cars nowadays use either alloy or aluminium alloy rims. Apart from being stylish, they are also lightweight, as well as reasonably economical to manufacture. They are known as alloys because they are made from a mixture of different metals.

Rim Sizes or Dimensions

If you are planning to replace your car rims, you need to consider the consequences of driving on different size rims. The size of the rim impacts on the alignment, handling, braking, and acceleration of the vehicle. Various rims are available in sizes ranging from 10 to 22 inches.

Rim Manufacturers

The top manufacturers for car rims include Konig, Enkei, and OZ Racing.

How much do they cost?

The price of rims varies considerably depending on the material they are made from, their size and their design. Economy rims are available from as little as £20, whilst those found on supercars can cost in excess of £10,000.
 
All Protyre garages stock a variety of tyres from manufacturers such as Pirelli, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Falken and Sumitomo, as well as many other well-known brands.

Book with Protyre

If you are unsure about your load rating or which tyres to get, click the ‘Find My Protyre’ button below and speak with the team at your local Protyre centre. With their wealth of knowledge and years of experience, you can be certain you will receive high-quality advice from our friendly team. Or you can book a free tyre check at a time and date to suit you, where our tyre technicians will be able to carry out a range of safety checks on your tyres to help keep you safe on the road.

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About the author

Article Author Photo
By Julia Freeman
Julia is Head of Brand Marketing for Micheldever Group and loves engaging with customers and the business as a whole to deliver their automotive needs.
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