Wheels and Tires

Buying used rims a good idea?

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  • Oct 5th, 2018 10:31 am
Deal Fanatic
Feb 4, 2010
7156 posts
7138 upvotes

Buying used rims a good idea?

I realize that buying used tires is more challenging if you don't know what to look for but what about buying used alloy rims for winter tires? Or is it better buy new (in that case I would buy steel)?
6 replies
Deal Fanatic
Jul 26, 2007
7579 posts
5274 upvotes
Toronto
If the used wheels are badly damaged, it won't seal properly and air would leak out. It would cost avg $100 to fix and clean the lip of each wheels. You can ask the shop to clean and seal for $20 but all they would do is rinse with water and apply sealant glue around the lip and edge of the tires.
Deal Expert
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Jun 12, 2007
20807 posts
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London
Need to check carefully for slightly“bent” rims (from potholes).

Used aftermarket steel rims usually aren’t as thick/ heavy as OEM and are more likely to get/ be bent
Deal Fanatic
Feb 4, 2010
7156 posts
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Hmmm I did find this ad for OEM alloys but I probably won't know what to look for so I'm thinking probably best to buy new https://www.kijiji.ca/v-tires-rims/barr ... nFlag=true
l69norm wrote: Need to check carefully for slightly“bent” rims (from potholes).

Used aftermarket steel rims usually aren’t as thick/ heavy as OEM and are more likely to get/ be bent
Just to clarify - if I do buy used it would be for alloy not steel...they're cheap enough to buy new.
Deal Fanatic
Feb 4, 2010
7156 posts
7138 upvotes
I'm looking online for tires and wheels and came across something called minus size - not sure I understand what that is. Can I go size below (which would be cheaper)? Tire size is 215/45/R17.
Deal Guru
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Jul 12, 2003
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Toronto
hierophant wrote: I'm looking online for tires and wheels and came across something called minus size - not sure I understand what that is. Can I go size below (which would be cheaper)? Tire size is 215/45/R17.
Yes aslong as it clear the brake caliper (which it should if you 17" rims). A lot of people are using a size down on winter tires, narrower tire gives better traction on icy road as well. Cost is also cheaper from a set of 18" tires to a set of 17".
But it may affect the speedometer, means you could be driving few km/hr faster than it shows from your car.

Read: https://www.discounttiredirect.com/lear ... r-accuracy

If you choose your car from the online tire retailer, they usually have a suggested winter tire size for you and you can go from there.
Retired Forum Moderator February 2009 - June 2015
Deal Expert
Feb 24, 2007
15169 posts
2743 upvotes
hierophant wrote: I'm looking online for tires and wheels and came across something called minus size - not sure I understand what that is. Can I go size below (which would be cheaper)? Tire size is 215/45/R17.
https://tiresize.com/calculator/

Run it through the calculator tire comparison to keep your speedometer error within 2.5%- 3.0%.

https://www.tyresizecalculator.com/tyre ... calculator

** Altering overall circumference of the tire/rim on AWD vehicles is not recommended as it places undue stress on the vehicle AWD drivetrain.

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