^^ just salt attack on chips  

Steels are technically better with winters: with an alloy you can get water built-up behind the balance weights. This then freezes, expands and you end up losing the weights. Steelies generally have hammer-on weights so this isn't an issue.

 

Furthermore, when the inevitable slide off the road into a kerb does happen, then you can hammer out a steel rim relatively easily.

Don't the weights look ugly on the front of Steelies. I couldn,t believe my eyes when they where done to mine.Recipe for surface rust straight away, me thinks!!!!.

Tony

Skoda alloys are quite likely to be heavier than steel wheels.

 

On my last Passat, I fitted some 17" genuine Skoda alloys from a Superb (that I bought used from someone one here).

 

They were ridiculously heavy; reduced traction on rough roads as the suspension just couldn't control them as well, and had a detrimental effect on acceleration, braking & fuel consumption. Switching back to the OE alloys was a revelation.

 

At the time, we had a Zafira with 17" alloys, and when doing the annual winter swap round on both cars I managed to weigh the Zafira alloys and the Superb alloys - there was a massive difference.

 

On my current Focus, I run 16" steels all the year round in place of the OE 17" alloys it came with. Better all round (and the tyres are around £40-50 each cheaper, for same 205 width!) - so long as you don't care about looks (which I don't!). And less likely to burst them on potholes or loose stones because of the slightly higher profile.

Why alloys?

 

Why does any car manufacturer change something?

 

My guess...

 

 

...alloys are cheaper to make?

 

tom

Let's face it, in the UK we never used to be bothered with swopping wheels for the winter - or the tyres for that matter until a few years ago. On the continent they've done it for decades with their harsher winter conditions. Steels are normally used to carry the winter tyres as they tend to be cheaper to buy.

 

Alloys were introduced as standard equipment many years ago because they look stylish. Personally, I think that all the talk of the reduction of unsprung weight etc at our level of motoring is just people (including manufacturers) justifying the cost and enhanced looks.

 

I trust that anyone here who says that they aren't interested in what the wheels look like as they can't see them from inside the car, haven't slated the new look of the FL. Which they can't see from inside the car....    

^^^^ No I haven't   

I trust that anyone here who says that they aren't interested in what the wheels look like as they can't see them from inside the car, haven't slated the new look of the FL. Which they can't see from inside the car....    

 

Neither have I.

Winter tyres and ALLOYS just fitted again today.  Bring it on..........Grrrrrrrrrrr  

Switched to Winters yesterday, and have a set of Spectrum Alloys on this year (looks better is the only reason)

Just to answer the weight question - 16" 7J Steel  weighs in at 9Kg, 16" 7J Spectrum Alloy is 10Kg - both without tyres.

Edited 17 November, 201312 yr by ScottH

This skirts round 2 old chestnuts:  

 

1.  Why SUK makes all models except S have 17 inch wheels with 50 section tyres, giving less sidewall depth to absorb bumps /potholes (winter or summer) and more vulnerable to rims being scuffed, and tyres only available in ridiculously high speed ratings (V=149mph) and correspondingly expensive.  Why not a 16 inch option for at least SE?  I've ordered S rather than SE to avoid 17 inch wheels and drug-dealer windows (having put up with both on a Mazda 5 'Sport'); wouldn't have minded steelies (as per the old E) since it's not unknown for SWMBO to clip the odd kerb...

 

2.  Having a second set of winter wheels/tyres as against fitting Goodyear Vector All Seasons.  (I'm asking dealer to swap tyres prior to delivery).

This skirts round 2 old chestnuts:  

 

Why not a 16 inch option for at least SE?  I've ordered S rather than SE to avoid 17 inch wheels and drug-dealer windows (having put up with both on a Mazda 5 'Sport'); wouldn't have minded steelies (as per the old E) since it's not unknown for SWMBO to clip the odd kerb...

 

 

 

Without wishing to open up an old and well worn debate on the subject.

It is possible to have 16" rims on higher spec models, you just have to persevere with SUK. Your dealer cannot make this change to the spec.

 

Do some searching in this forum and see what you can dig up. Once upon a time these variants were called "Special builds" and at the last count there were about a dozen or so in the UK. Our European counterparts have no such problems getting the running gear they would prefer.

17" wheels were the reason I didn't buy a scout    I'd seen someone buying a pair, the price was horrendous,  the week before I started shopping for a car  -   look at a BM and the first thing is they try to sell even larger wheels an skinny-er tyres      Here in "Cheshire East"   we seem to be reverting to the 17 th  century to the point where you don't care what the wheels look like as long as you get from A to B without damage       as someone once said   "like your lightweight wheels  -do you have lightweight tyres too?"

So is there any point or advantage whatever to having 17" wheels?  And is it really worthwhile (and feasible) to get them changed on an existing FL order?  :think:

So is there any point or advantage whatever to having 17" wheels?  And is it really worthwhile (and feasible) to get them changed on an existing FL order?  :think:

Yes, Looks-the 16s are smaller looking in the wheel arches

Performance -the standard 17s with wider and lower profile tyres handle very well when the excellent handling of the yeti is to be enjoyed.

I had 16s and 17s on my last yeti (winter/summer) and the less precise steering feel is noticeable-no problem unless you have had and enjoyed a good handling car before-after lots of cars I've driven you could lose the ability to detect or the spirit to enjoy a yeti on 17s. If your avatar is anything to go by either will be a revelation.

Just a side note if the ride of an O/E shod Yeti is too harsh for you then either look into changing springs/dampers/anti roll bars-to fit deliberately squidgy tyres is not the answer. If your shoes dont suit your gait trying to fill them with marshmallows is not the answer.

Just to second what JCP said. Handling is much better on 17s than 16s. 

Just to second what JCP said. Handling is much better on 17s than 16s. 

Whoa there!  Depends where you're driving, doesn't it?  My 16's handle far better over our local (and further afield!) potholes and broken shoulders than 17's would.  That little bit of extra flexibility in the sidewall helps keep the tread down on whatever's available.  They protect my alloys better - and my spine.  You've got real tarmac round your way?  Yes?  Great - go for 17's 

 

JMO

As I think I've said before, I've not noticed a massive difference between my 17s and 16s. The 16s do feel just a little boingier, the 17s do seem to afford the car a bit more sharpness in the handling, but if you put me in the car and I didn't know which set were on (and it wasn't snowy) I doubt I could tell, and I am unconvinced that anyone else could either.

..... boingier....

Forget 'Selfie' - I vote for 'boingier' as 

 

Word of the Year ! !

 

Good word and a positive spin on less precision and poorer control.

From a green point of view wood would be better, they are the originals after all.

Good word and a positive spin on less precision and poorer control.

 

I think it depends on how you look at it - to some Yetiers the change to 16s is an increase in ride comfort. To others it is, as you say, a loss of handling sharpness. I didn't intend any "spin", it's simply that the advantages of each occur to me more naturally than the disadvantages!

 

To me the differences, as much as I can perceive them, are very small - I am happy with the performance of my Yeti on either 16s or 17s. I understand that, to others, what is to me a slight change in one characteristic or the other is enough to tip the balance from acceptable to unacceptable, or vicey-versey (sic).

Also, having braved/suffered/survived having a Kia Sorrento for a week and a bit while my Yeti was in for repair, the idea of 16s making the Yeti less precise and less well controlled seems a bit funny. On the 16s it's still pretty direct and nippy. By comparison with the Kia it feels like an Elise! (moderate pinch of salt required here)

From a green point of view wood would be better, they are the originals after all.

True !   And if you got a flat, just bung it on the lathe and turn it 'round' again

 

 

 

(Any room in Bob's Corner at the moment?)

I wonder if skinning something like poplar with carbon fibre would produce a usable wheel...