Are you thinking of buying cheap rims or aftermarket wheels for your car? I agree it’s tempting – it’s so easy to buy inexpensive but good looking rims nowadays, without paying high prices for 17, 18 or 19 inch rims that typically can cost a great deal. They’re easy to find on eBay, for one, but there are also plenty of importers who can source cheap replica wheels from overseas. Alloy rims can look good too! Here are some pictures that show you what can happen if you do decide to fit cheap rims, and then take your ride out onto a racing track.

These photos are of a Nissan Skyline R33 GTS-T – you can see the wheel has sheared right off the center hub. The wheel lock nuts are still intact around the axle: this is definitely a factory manufacturing defect.

I know some places offer repairs for used or second hand rims but I don’t know if they are any good. What I do know is that you should aim for good quality racing rims from known manufacturers like Konig, BBS, Work, Weld, Racing Hart or Volk.

They may cost a little more to begin with, but they’re worth it when they’re what’s between you and the ground!