I just bought some black VW winter steels and don't fancy buying wheel trims as well, will I get problems with wheel bearings, or seized wheel nuts if I just fit as they are ??..

Also on reflection hope they were a wise buy living in west London , it's not renown for lots of snow...

I doubt it.

Very few cars before the 80s had problems but if in doubt buy some cheap trims.

No issue at all. Especially when you look at how many cars run about like that in far colder climates - Eastern Europe as an example.

Spend the extra on better winter tyres... wheel trims are best left at the side of the road!

You will be fine. Plenty of vans and older or poverty spec cars on steels and alloys don't have trims.

Your alloy wheel bolts (nuts) may not be suitable for you new steels.

Simply wash your wheels when the temperature is above freezing.

I'd give the hub nut a spray with copaslip - because I've had to deal with rusty hub furniture. 

The Caddy has some pretty unobtrusive caps which slot straight on.  I think it was in the yeti section, some one had fitted them to theirs. 

Nah if you don't buy them you can't lose them.

I purchased a black set of wheels from local VW dealer in December 2010. After 10,000 winter miles, wheels are now rusting badly. Car garaged and washed weekly/polished. Stored for rest of year on a tyre tree in garage. Took up problem with Dealer and VW Customer Service, whilst their technical department agreed there was more rust than expected, claim was refused as 4 months out of warranty. Not my fault that we had a long winter. Not what I call good customer service. Anyone else found similar issues?

Not good. Only thing you can do is paint them - at least you know it'll be done properly then!

I purchased a black set of wheels from local VW dealer in December 2010. After 10,000 winter miles, wheels are now SDC13680a3.JPGrusting badly. Car garaged and washed weekly/polished. Stored for rest of year on a tyre tree in garage. Took up problem with Dealer and VW Customer Service, whilst their technical department agreed there was more rust than expected, claim was refused as 4 months out of warranty. Not my fault that we had a long winter. Not what I call good customer service. Anyone else found similar issues?[/

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Edited 21 September, 201312 yr by Black_Sheep

My VAG steel wheels are pretty badly corroded too - obviously a common occurrence.

In reply to the op, rather than using copper slip try using non-metallic grease - when the grease in copper slip breaks down, the copper in contact with the brake disc / steel wheel causes 'galvanic corrosion', which is accelerated by the presence of salt / water. Pagid cera tec etc. http://www.pagid.de/eu/products-mainmenu-29/pagid-cera-tec-mainmenu-36

Cheers guys, comments / thoughts much appreciated, I bought the wheels and tyres used of flea bay and they all look in good condition, if they rust then when the weather improves I'll set about them with a wire brush then prime and touch up after..