Alloy Rim 

What is it? An alloy rim is an automobile rim made from a mixture of aluminum, metals and other elements. Basically an alloy rim is a finished aluminum metal, hence the nick name ‘alloy’.

Advantages of Alloy Rims:

Strength -> alloy rims are stronger than a steel or mag wheel ensuing less flex around corners resulting in the car handling better.

Lighter in weight -> the light weight of alloys reduces the un-sprung weight of the car which in turn provides better handling and a smoother ride. If you think about it, the less weight bouncing around that the suspension has to cope with and the less weight for you to steer will automatically improve the handling and domino effect into a smoother ride.

Heat conducting properties – alloys are better heat conductors and are better at resisting heat buildup from the cars breaks giving the breaks a longer life span and reducing the chance of brake failures

Less rotational resistance -> alloys have less rotational resistance and can accelerate faster from a standstill start and can also stop quicker which gives the car a performance edge

Improved cosmetic appearance – > they just look good don’t they?!

Disadvantages of Alloy Rims:

Expensive –> alloy rims can be a costly addition to your vehicle (but so worth it).

Easily damaged -> alloy rims don’t like to be abused. Brushing a gutter will result in unsightly scratches and gauges (known to us as “gutter rash”) and hitting a deep pot hole or bump on the road at the right angle and speed can cause the alloy to crack, bend or buckle.

Mag Rim

What is it? A mag rim is a rim made from a mixture of magnesium, metals and other elements. Basically a mag rim is a rim made from magnesium, hence the nick name ‘mag’. The earliest light-weight rims were made of magnesium alloys and were originally used for racing. Developments with aluminum casting and the manufacture of safer wheels saw the aluminum wheel to take the place of the mag wheel.

Advantages of Mag Rims:

Similar to that of the alloy rim, the mag rim is also very light weight, even lighter than an aluminum rim. It’s light weight and associated advantages saw the magnesium rims used on a lot of race cars.

Disadvantages of Mag Rims

Easily flammable –> magnesium is more reactive than aluminum and highly flammable making them hazardous

Cracking and corrosion -> magnesium is prone to cracking and breaking and once exposed to moisture it starts to break down relatively quickly

Requires constant maintenance -> time consuming polishing rituals are required to keep your mag rims looking good

Expensive -> like the alloy rim, mag rims were also an expensive addition

The hazardous disadvantages made mag rims impractical for usage on most common vehicles hence the development of aluminum alloys to help alleviate some of these problems.