Buying a new set of car rims should be exciting. Unfortunately, it can also get confusing pretty quickly. Once you start looking at wheel sizes, offsets, bolt patterns, load ratings, finishes and tyre combinations, what initially seemed like a simple choice can turn into a crash course in automotive terminology.
The good news is that you do not need to become a wheel expert before buying a new set of rims. You simply need to understand a few key measurements, know what you want from your vehicle and make sure the wheels you choose are suitable and legal for Australian roads.
This guide covers the most important car rims tips to help you make a smarter choice, whether you are replacing damaged factory wheels, upgrading the appearance of your daily driver, building a performance car or giving your 4WD a completely different look.
Start With How You Actually Use Your Vehicle
Before looking at colours, spoke designs or brands, think about how you use your vehicle.
A car that spends most of its life commuting around town has very different requirements from a 4WD that regularly heads off-road. Likewise, the ideal rims for a performance car may not be the best choice for someone who simply wants a comfortable daily drive.
If you regularly drive on rough roads, carry heavy loads or travel long distances, durability and load capacity should be high on your list. If appearance is your main motivation, you have considerably more freedom to focus on design, finish and sizing.
There is nothing wrong with choosing wheels because you like the way they look. Just make sure the style choice does not come at the expense of fitment, safety or practicality.
Decide Whether You Want a Replacement or an Upgrade
There is a big difference between replacing your existing wheels with something similar and changing the overall wheel setup.
A replacement set might use the same diameter and width as the original equipment wheels. This is generally the straightforward option and gives you plenty of scope to change the design without dramatically changing the way the vehicle drives.
An upgrade might involve moving to a larger diameter wheel, changing the width, selecting a different offset or fitting a different tyre profile. This can give a vehicle a much more aggressive appearance, but it needs more careful consideration.
Bigger is not automatically better. A huge wheel with a very low-profile tyre might look fantastic in a showroom but can be less forgiving over potholes and rough roads.
Understanding Wheel Diameter
Wheel diameter is one of the easiest measurements to understand. A 17-inch rim, for example, has a nominal diameter of 17 inches.
Going up in diameter is commonly referred to as a “plus sizing” upgrade. A larger wheel is normally paired with a lower-profile tyre so that the overall rolling diameter remains appropriate for the vehicle.
This is important because the tyre and wheel work together as a package. You cannot simply increase the rim diameter without considering the tyre size fitted to it.
A larger diameter can sharpen the appearance of a vehicle and may provide a more responsive feel in some applications. However, there is usually less tyre sidewall to absorb bumps, so ride comfort and protection from pothole damage can be affected.
Do Not Overlook Rim Width
Rim width is measured in inches and refers to the width of the wheel between the bead seats. For example, a wheel might be described as 18 x 8. The 18 represents the diameter and the 8 represents the width.
The correct width depends on the vehicle, tyre size and intended application. A wider wheel can allow a wider tyre and may contribute to the look and handling characteristics you are after, but there are limits to what is suitable.
The tyre manufacturer’s approved rim-width range should always be considered rather than assuming that any tyre will work with any wheel.
Get the PCD Right
One of the most important car rims tips is to check the PCD before getting too attached to a particular wheel design. PCD stands for Pitch Circle Diameter. It describes the diameter of the circle formed by the wheel’s mounting holes, along with the number of studs or bolts.
You might see a specification such as 5×114.3. That means the wheel has five mounting holes positioned on a 114.3 mm pitch circle. The PCD needs to match your vehicle.
Offset Can Make or Break the Fit
Offset is one of the measurements that tends to cause the most confusion for people buying aftermarket wheels. In simple terms, offset describes where the wheel’s mounting face sits in relation to the centre line of the rim. Positive offset places the mounting face towards the outside of the wheel, while negative offset moves it towards the inside.
Changing offset changes where the wheel sits in relation to the suspension, guards and bodywork. Too much of a change can cause clearance problems, alter steering characteristics or result in the tyre protruding beyond the bodywork. Australian vehicle regulations also place restrictions on changes to wheel track and offset, so this is an area where getting professional advice is worthwhile.
For example, Queensland requirements place limits on replacement wheels, including considerations around wheel track, offset, diameter, width, tyre clearance and overall fitment. The specific rules can vary between states and territories, so always check the requirements that apply where the vehicle is registered.
What Does Wheel Backspacing Mean?
Backspacing is another measurement you may encounter when comparing wheels, particularly with 4WD and custom applications. It measures the distance from the wheel’s mounting surface to the rear edge of the wheel.
While offset and backspacing describe related aspects of wheel positioning, they are not interchangeable measurements. If you are looking at wheels from different manufacturers or suppliers, make sure you are comparing like with like.
If all of this is starting to sound like too much information, that is exactly why wheel fitment specialists exist.
Check the Centre Bore
The centre bore is the hole in the middle of the wheel that fits over the vehicle’s hub. A wheel with the correct PCD can still have an unsuitable centre bore. If the centre bore is too small, the wheel simply will not fit over the hub.
If the centre bore is larger than the vehicle hub, hub-centric rings may sometimes be used where appropriate to ensure the wheel is correctly centred. This is something that should be confirmed with the wheel supplier rather than treated as a DIY guessing game.
Load Rating Matters
A wheel’s load rating is particularly important for 4WDs, SUVs, commercial vehicles and vehicles that regularly carry passengers or equipment. The wheel needs to be capable of safely supporting the vehicle’s requirements. This is not an area where choosing a wheel because it looks tough is enough.
A reputable wheel supplier should be able to provide the relevant specifications and confirm that the wheels are suitable for your vehicle. Wheels and wheel and tyre packages from Purnell Tyres are load rated to comply with Australian standards as part of our fitment process.
Think Carefully About the Wheel Material
Most aftermarket car rims you will come across are alloy wheels, although steel wheels remain popular for certain applications. Alloy wheels can offer a wide variety of designs and finishes and are commonly used when appearance is an important part of the upgrade.
Steel wheels tend to be associated with durability and practical applications, particularly on some 4WDs and work vehicles. Neither option is automatically right for every vehicle. The intended use, vehicle type, wheel specifications and budget should all be considered.
Choose a Style That Suits the Vehicle
Once the technical side is sorted, you can get to the fun part. Wheel design can completely change the character of a vehicle. A simple factory-looking wheel can make a car appear more refined, while a deep-dish or aggressive multi-spoke design can give it a much more customised appearance.
Consider the overall shape of the vehicle rather than choosing a wheel in isolation. A design that looks fantastic on a large muscle car may look completely out of place on a small hatchback.
The colour matters too. Gloss black, satin black, gunmetal, silver, machined finishes and two-tone designs can all produce very different results.
Think About Brake Clearance
If you have upgraded brakes, or your vehicle has large factory brakes, make sure the wheels provide adequate clearance.
This is another reason why simply checking the diameter is not enough. Two wheels with exactly the same diameter and width can have very different internal profiles.
A reputable supplier should be able to check whether the wheel design clears your vehicle’s brake calipers.
Do Not Forget the Tyres
Buying new rims is often the perfect opportunity to replace your tyres at the same time. The tyre is every bit as important as the wheel. It is the component connecting the vehicle to the road, so choosing a premium-looking rim and pairing it with an unsuitable or poor-quality tyre defeats the purpose of the upgrade.
A wheel and tyre package can also make the buying process considerably easier because the two components can be selected together with the correct sizing and fitment.
Consider the Ride Before Going Bigger
There is a reason many people love the appearance of larger wheels. They can make a vehicle look lower, wider and more purposeful. The trade-off is that larger wheels generally mean lower-profile tyres when maintaining a similar overall rolling diameter. That means less sidewall between the road and the rim.
If you live somewhere with plenty of potholes, rough roads or uneven surfaces, consider whether the visual benefit is worth the potential reduction in ride comfort and increased risk of wheel or tyre damage.
For a daily driver, the “sweet spot” is often a wheel size that gives you the appearance you want without making the vehicle unnecessarily harsh.
Check the Legal Requirements in Your State
This is one area where Australian buyers need to be particularly careful. Wheel modifications are subject to vehicle standards and regulations, and the rules are not necessarily identical across Australia. Requirements can cover wheel diameter, width, offset, track, tyre clearance, load capacity and whether tyres protrude beyond the vehicle body.
For example, South Australian requirements specify limits around replacement wheel offset and track, while also requiring appropriate wheel specifications and clearance.
Do not assume that because a particular wheel setup is legal on a similar vehicle somewhere else in Australia, it is automatically legal for your vehicle in your state.
If you are making a significant change from the factory specification, talk to a qualified wheel and tyre specialist before ordering anything.
Think About Maintenance
Different wheel finishes require different levels of care. Gloss finishes can be relatively easy to clean, while highly detailed spoke designs can take considerably longer to keep looking good. If you drive regularly through mud, dust or brake dust, this is worth considering.
The design of the wheel also affects how easy it is to access the inner barrel and clean around the spokes. It might sound like a minor consideration when you are standing in a showroom looking at shiny new rims, but future-you may appreciate choosing something that does not take an hour to clean every weekend.
Buy the Wheels and Tyres as a Complete Package
For many drivers, a complete wheel and tyre package is the simplest way to approach an upgrade. The advantage is that the wheel size, tyre size, load rating and overall fitment can be considered together rather than buying components separately and hoping everything works.
It can also make budgeting easier because you are looking at the total cost of the upgrade rather than discovering additional costs later for tyres, balancing, fitting or other components.
Ask About Fitment Before You Buy
One of the most useful questions you can ask a wheel supplier is simply, “Will these fit my vehicle?” A good supplier should want to know the exact make, model, year and variant of your vehicle before recommending a wheel.
Purnell Tyres offers a 100% fitment guarantee on its wheels and wheel and tyre packages, including purchases made online. The company says its technicians review selections to ensure fitment and offers an exchange or money-back guarantee if the wheels do not fit.
That sort of assistance is particularly useful if you are ordering wheels online and are not completely confident about PCD, offset, centre bore and clearance requirements.
Buying Car Rims Online
Buying car rims online can give you access to a huge range of styles and prices that may not be available from a small local retailer. The important thing is to avoid treating the online shopping process like buying a pair of shoes. You cannot simply choose a wheel because you like the picture and hope it fits.
Have your exact vehicle details available and make sure the supplier confirms the fitment before the order is finalised. If the wheels are being custom drilled, machined or painted, also check the expected lead time before placing the order.
Purnell Tyres offers Australia-wide delivery, with freight arrangements designed to protect wheels and tyres during transport.
Do You Really Need the Biggest Rims You Can Fit?
Probably not. There is a tendency in the aftermarket wheel world to think that bigger automatically means better. In reality, the best wheel size is the one that gives you the appearance, handling and practicality you want while remaining suitable and legal for your vehicle.
For some cars, 18-inch wheels might be the perfect balance. For others, 20-inch wheels may look right and work perfectly well. On a 4WD, the ideal setup might involve going in a completely different direction.
Think about the whole vehicle rather than chasing a number.
How Much Should You Spend on Car Rims?
There is no single answer because wheel prices vary enormously depending on size, brand, construction, finish and application. Set a realistic budget before you start shopping, but remember to include tyres, fitting, balancing and any other components that may be required.
If you are upgrading to larger wheels, the cost difference is not necessarily limited to the rims. Larger tyres can also cost more, and certain sizes may have fewer options available. Getting a complete wheel and tyre quote can therefore be a much better way of comparing options.
The Biggest Mistake Is Choosing Looks First
There is nothing wrong with putting appearance high on your list. After all, you are probably buying new rims because you want your vehicle to look better. The mistake is choosing the design first and trying to make the technical specifications work afterwards.
Start with the vehicle, intended use, legal requirements and correct fitment. Then narrow the options down based on size, style, finish and budget. That approach gives you a much better chance of ending up with wheels that look great and work properly.
A Simple Approach to Choosing Your Next Set of Rims
If you are completely new to aftermarket wheels, keep the process simple.
Start by deciding what you want to achieve. Do you want a subtle factory-style upgrade, a more aggressive street appearance, improved off-road capability or a complete custom look?
Next, establish the correct wheel specifications for your vehicle, including diameter, width, PCD, offset, centre bore and load rating. From there, consider the tyre size, legal requirements and the type of driving you actually do.
Once those boxes are ticked, you can concentrate on the fun stuff: choosing the design, finish and overall look.
Why Getting Professional Advice Is Worthwhile
There is a surprising amount of information behind a set of four wheels.
The right rims can transform a vehicle, but the wrong combination can create clearance problems, handling issues, excessive tyre wear or compliance problems. Getting advice before buying can save you from an expensive mistake.
A specialist who deals with different makes and models every day will also know which combinations tend to work well in the real world, rather than simply relying on a catalogue’s photographs.
Choose Experience When Buying Your Next Set of Car Rims
When you are spending money on new wheels, experience matters. You want a supplier that understands more than just which rims look good on a particular vehicle.
Purnell Tyres is a family-owned Australian wheel and tyre specialist with more than 20 years of automotive industry experience, offering a large range of rims and tyres for passenger cars, 4WDs and a wide variety of makes and models, with particular expertise in American racing, muscle cars and classic vehicles.
With wheel and tyre packages, Australia-wide delivery and a 100% fitment guarantee, Purnell Tyres is an ideal choice for anyone looking for new car rims in Australia and wants the confidence that the wheels they choose are going to look right, fit correctly and be suitable for their vehicle.
