what's the difference between Premium, Allow, and Chrome Wheels?

Zanix

Diamond Member
Feb 11, 2003
5,568
12
81
Originally posted by: rnmcd
so are "rims" and "wheels" the same thing?



I'm no car expert, but I think the wheel includes the rim and the tire. The rim is the part in the middle.
 

DivideBYZero

Lifer
May 18, 2001
24,117
2
0
Originally posted by: Zanix
Originally posted by: rnmcd
so are "rims" and "wheels" the same thing?



I'm no car expert, but I think the wheel includes the rim and the tire. The rim is the part in the middle.


'Wheel' is a better term than 'Rim'. A wheel has a rim, but a rim does not necessarily have a wheel...
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,544
924
126
Money.

Edit-Wheel includes the tire and rim. Rim is just the part that bolts to the hub without the tire.
 

rnmcd

Platinum Member
May 2, 2000
2,507
0
0
so chrome wheels and alloy wheels and premium wheels are the same thing?
 

artikk

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2004
4,172
1
71
Originally posted by: rnmcd
so chrome wheels and alloy wheels and premium wheels are the same thing?

Deducing from the content of the previous posts YES.:)
 

PlatinumGold

Lifer
Aug 11, 2000
23,168
0
71
Originally posted by: russianpower
Originally posted by: rnmcd
so chrome wheels and alloy wheels and premium wheels are the same thing?

Deducing from the content of the previous posts YES.:)

it depends on the manufacturer. i would tend to think alloy wheels are lighter than chrome wheels tho.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,544
924
126
Originally posted by: SampSon
Originally posted by: spidey07
marketing.

Lots of cars have steel wheels with hubcaps - looks like crap.
Alloy and chrome wheels are not the same.

Technically they are...at least on most late model cars anyway. The finish on the alloy wheel is removed with chemicals or etched and then the chrome plating is done. It is the same rim just with a chrome plating which adds cost. So from that perspective they add a bit to the value of the car and depending on your point of view the aesthetics. Other than that there is no difference.

Edit-Premium wheels would be an optional wheel package. Usually a plus rim size over the stock size offered by the manufacturer.
 

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: SampSon
Originally posted by: spidey07
marketing.

Lots of cars have steel wheels with hubcaps - looks like crap.
Alloy and chrome wheels are not the same.

Technically they are...at least on most late model cars anyway. The finish on the alloy wheel is removed with chemicals or etched and then the chrome plating is done. It is the same rim just with a chrome plating which adds cost. So from that perspective they add a bit to the value of the car and depending on your point of view the aesthetics. Other than that there is no difference.
I was under the impression chrome wheels were chrome.

Either way, by what you said, they still arnt the same. One is plated, one isn't!
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,544
924
126
Originally posted by: SampSon
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: SampSon
Originally posted by: spidey07
marketing.

Lots of cars have steel wheels with hubcaps - looks like crap.
Alloy and chrome wheels are not the same.

Technically they are...at least on most late model cars anyway. The finish on the alloy wheel is removed with chemicals or etched and then the chrome plating is done. It is the same rim just with a chrome plating which adds cost. So from that perspective they add a bit to the value of the car and depending on your point of view the aesthetics. Other than that there is no difference.
I was under the impression chrome wheels were chrome.

Either way, by what you said, they still arnt the same. One is plated, one isn't!

Well, I guess if you go by the strictest definition they aren't the same. However, I looked at getting chrome wheels for my wife's Maxima and they just take the rims on my wife's car and swap them for an identical rim that has been chrome plated. They send my rims to the chrome place and have them plated for the next set someone orders or they stock them until they get an order for that particular rim. It is the same alloy rim. They don't change compsition of the rim at all...just the finish on it.
 

LtPage1

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2004
6,311
2
0
its all marketing. "chrome" means chrome. the shiny ugly ricy sh!tty lack of taste bling stuff.
premium means nothing, and could mean anything. alloy just means that the wheel isnt a black steel wheel with a hubcap. applies to anything from the $100 corner ripoffs to $2000 HREs.
 

CRXican

Diamond Member
Jun 9, 2004
9,062
1
0
Alloy wheels are not chrome, they are wheels that are not steel wheels with hub caps. If the wheel is chrome it is either labled chrome or premium. I work with cars and their descriptions on KBB and from dealers everyday.
 

EyeMWing

Banned
Jun 13, 2003
15,670
1
0
Originally posted by: spidey07
marketing.

Lots of cars have steel wheels with hubcaps - looks like crap.

Cars with steel wheels = nasty.
Trucks with steel wheels = manly.