Tips for Buying a New Set of Rims or Mags

Have you ever thought of making your car look a lot better? One of the most common and probably among the most attractive modifications you can do to your vehicle is to buy a new set of rims. The designs and sizes vary and the tires usually come along with it. But should you just buy a new set of rims outright? Let me share some tips if you are planning to buy a new set of rims or mags.

You first need to consider the size of the rims. Usually, the bigger it is, the more attractive it becomes. The design is based on personal preference so how it looks is subjective to the one who sees it. However, you need to make it fit the car. If you have a small car like a Honda Civic hatchback or a Ford Focus, don't put in mags that are more than 20 inches. It is fine when it comes to design but practically, it usually won't work. It might hit the fenders when you turn. It will scrape the body and could damage the tires as well.

And of course, what that big set of rims, you will most likely use thin tires. It may damage the mags or the wheels if you hit a bump or debris on the road. On the other hand, don't use 13-inch mags on a huge SUV such as a Lincoln Navigator or a Cadillac Escalade. First of all, it doesn't look good. Plus, since it's small, it might not be able to handle the pressure of the vehicle's weight.

The next thing you should consider is the type of tires you're going to use. Radial tires are practical for everyday use. It doesn't wear off as much as slick or racing tires (may depend on your use or if you do jackrabbit starts or drift often) and it usually has good grip on the road. Choose something that has a fairly wide base. It usually has better traction and control than narrow ones.

If you want to buy secondhand rims and tires, check the quality. There should be no dents or damage on the mags especially on the inner side. Air might leak especially if you have tubeless tires. Check the quality of the tires. The tread should be thick and you shouldn't notice the lines on the tread. Check for cracks which may have been caused by an accident.

And of course, you should consider your budget. Huge rims and quality tires cost quite high. There are tons of rim designs, brands, tire manufacturers and tire types to choose from. You may also trade-in your current set of rims and tires if you'd like and if the store accepts them. It will help decrease the cost of your new set. I did that when I bought my current set of rims and tires and I got a good discount.

Right now, I'm on my third set of mags and tires. The first one was the stock rims with hubcaps. The previous one I had was only 13 inches with regular 175/70 tires. However, due to an accident, one of the rims was destroyed and I decided to buy a new set this year. I now have a set of 15-inch mags and 195/55 tires.

So there you have it. These are just some of things that you may want to think about when you plan to buy a new set of rims. In my case, I really needed it because I didn't have any spare tire and I can't buy a single rim with that particular design. They have to be bought as a set. What's the use of having a spare tire if you don't have a rim to put it on? The tread on the previous tires I had at the rear, since my car is rear-wheel drive, was already worn out. So if you're out to buy one, I would recommend that you think about all your options and again, it will also depend on your needs.