How to Buy Alloys That Fit Your Car: Step-by-Step Guide

Wheels make all the difference. Whether your car is completely stock or already has a few mods installed, finding the right set of alloys can elevate it to a whole new level. Combine fresh wheels with lowered suspension and you’ll immediately set your car apart from others on the road - but the process of finding and installing aftermarket alloys isn’t always as simple as it sounds.

With a vast array of diameters, widths, offsets and bolt patterns available to choose from, simply selecting wheels that fit your car correctly can be a challenge in itself if you’ve not done it before. On top of that, you also have to think about aesthetics; which wheels will suit your car and which won’t?

Anyone who’s into modifying their car has been here at some point. We know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed with technical jargon - and by the sheer amount of wheel options available. If this sounds like your current position, read on to find out all you need to know about the process of buying aftermarket wheels.

Below, we’ll run you through the key considerations step by step, offering top tips to help you find the perfect set of wheels for your car.

Step one: Check the specs of your current wheels

The best place to start is with your current wheels. Whether they’re standard, factory-fit alloys or aftermarket ones that have been fitted by a previous owner, do your research to find out the wheel’s PCD, width, offset and diameter.

All of these parameters can be measured manually, but most wheels will have this information inscribed on them somewhere (typically on the rear, where the wheel bolts onto the hub). Alternatively, you can hop on Google to find out the technical specifications of your car’s standard wheels. Bear in mind that, depending on the type of car you own, these measurements may be different on your front and rear wheels.

There’s one final parameter that you also need to consider: centre bore. This refers to the size of the hole in the mounting surface of the wheel. Your new wheels will need to have a centre bore that’s equivalent in size to (or larger than) the centre bore of your standard wheels.

Step two: Determine a suitable size and offset for your goals

We all have different tastes and different goals for our cars. Some prefer to simply change up the style of their wheels, switching their OEM ones for an aftermarket design with the same diameter, width and offset. By contrast, some prefer to opt for wider wheels to give their car a more aggressive look.

There’s no right or wrong approach to take here - it all comes down to personal preference. So, do a little research to find out what different wheel sizes look like on your make and model of car. Are there any popular sizes that dial up the aggression without causing rubbing, for instance? Ask around on Facebook groups or use websites like Rimtuck to find out what works and what doesn’t, or speak to your wheel supplier of choice to get their expert advice.

Some cars can accept much wider wheels without the need for arch modifications (like rolling or flaring) while others already have relatively tight fitment from the factory, which is why it’s vital that you do your research. If you’re unsure whether a wheel will fit, refer back to your factory wheel specifications and take some measurements; if the wheel design you’re looking at has a 25mm lower offset than your standard wheels, for instance, it’ll poke out of the arch 25mm more.

Step three: Find a style and finish you like the look of

Once you have a target wheel diameter, width and offset in mind, you can start shopping for wheels and pick out designs that you feel would suit your car best. To make life easier, try to filter out wheels that don’t come in the correct sizes or PCD for your car.

Also, don’t forget to consider colour and finish. Some manufacturers offer a far broader spectrum of colours than others, so if you’ve got your heart set on a more unusual shade, shop around to find a brand that offers it.

Again, there are no right or wrong choices here. With that said, however, there are some colour and style combinations that often tend to suit specific makes, models and body colours better than others. For example, smaller vehicles often suit simpler wheel designs with fewer spokes, while larger, more luxurious vehicles tend to benefit from a more intricate, multi-spoke design.

Step four: Get hold of any accessories you need

Once you’ve decided on your next set of wheels and placed your order, you might want to get your hands on some accessories to go with them. Remember what we said about the centre bore earlier? Well, if your chosen wheels have a larger centre bore than the OEM ones, you’ll want to purchase some spigot rings to securely seat your new wheels on the hub, preventing wheel wobble.

Most aftermarket wheels require a different type of wheel nut or bolt than standard, factory-fit wheels too, so make sure you have the correct type of nuts or bolts before you go to install your wheels. Depending on your application, you might also need to fit wheel spacers, but the supplier of your wheels should be able to advise you on this beforehand.

When you shop at LK Performance, we include any essential accessories (like wheel nuts or bolts and spigot rings) with your order at no extra cost.

Step five: Fit your new wheels!

Here’s where the fun really begins. Once your wheels arrive, all that’s left to do is to get tyres mounted onto them, get them balanced and install them onto your car. Don’t forget to fit those all-important accessories while you’re at it!

If you don’t feel comfortable fitting the wheels yourself, you can leave that to us. As well as supplying a vast range of alloys, we offer fitting services too. If you’d like to take advantage, get in touch with us to book your car at our Cleckheaton-based workshop.

Find your dream wheels at LK Performance today

Here at LK Performance, our mission is to make the process of finding your dream wheels as simple and straightforward as possible. Instead of having to spend hours doing your own research, when you shop with us, all you need to do is input your vehicle make and model to be immediately presented with wheels that fit your car.

Not only that but if you need any advice or guidance, you’ll have a team of experts at your disposal. Our alloy wheel specialists are always happy to help answer your questions, guiding you through the process at your own pace.

So, if you want to get new wheels for your car the easy way, explore our range of alloys by car today.