Alto & Rims - what should I do?

[vebmetal]

I know that there are a number of threads on this topic, but none of them really comprehensively answer the questions I have.

I am thinking of getting an Alto Lxi, and have the following questions:

I understand from various threads that I need 12" rims. Aura seems to be a well recommended brand, and I don't really care about exclusivity, so it's okay if everyone has their rims. I basically want to avoid the ghastly stock rims that look like they were made by slicing the bottom part of gas cylinders.

1. Would any dealer give me such rims instead of me taking delivery of the car and then taking it to a tyre shop and having to exchange and not get a great price on almost brand new stock tyres / rims?
2. Do I need to know anything other than them needing to be 12"? As in is there any other specification I need to have in mind?
3. The biggest factor for me is fuel economy - would RIMs degrade that? (I would be getting tubeless tyres put so that should help the FE a little bit).
4. Do dealers offer body-coloured bumpers? If so, how much would it cost? If not, how do people get it done, and how much does it cost?
5. Is there anything else you would recommend doing to a stock Alto to help the FE or even pickup? (keep in my mind I know very little about cars - so exhaust mods etc are out of the question).

[akroy]

1) If u want to change steel rims,u will not get any price other than max 100 rs / rim... whether it is car dealer or tyre dealer

2) IF u are changing to Alloys and tyres both...I suggest u go in for 13"... 155/65/13 is one very good upgrade...also u will have wide range of alloys a 13"....See my report (Bye Bye JKs, Welcome Michelins for more info)

3) At 13" with Alloys there will be no marked difference in FE, may be a 0.5 on the lower side but the handling and high speed grip improves a lot...

4) Body Colour bumpers can be done in dealers site...I think it charged Rs 3500 in Feb, 2006 when I enquired while buying my car.

5) If u have FE in mind, I suggest u keep the tyres/RIM as it is, u can switch to tubeless (Turanza 145/80/12 is good) and 12" alloys but then u cannot upgrade it in a later point....u have to change alloys and tyres both....that is ur choice....In addition also put in a K&N stock filter...thats it... Alto anyway give high FE so no issues....drive normally without pushing hard u will get nice FE...

Abhi

[vebmetal]

1. I know I won't get much, but I assume that if dealers themselves do it, I might get a slgihtly better deal, even if it is Rs. 50.. but more importantly, it would save me a lot of hassle - so do dealers offer rims? Does anyone know of any maruti dealers in Delhi who do?
2. It seems that unless you really know what you are doing (and I don't), people say 12" is safer... that 13" is a problem with too many people sitting in the car (and I expect up to 5 people sitting sometimes).
3. That would be great if there is little to no difference in FE!
4. Rs. 3500 is reasonable (total for both bumpers right?) - do all / most dealers offer this?

Also I would like to add another question: A lot of people say that they don't like black colour on cars because it gets hot under the sun - true or not? (As in does it make a significant enough difference or not?)

[abhibh]

1. Yes maruti dealers do have alloys but they will be of AURA

2. Never heard of any problem with 13" on Alto. 4ppl + lugage goes great.

3. Yes all Maruti dealers offer this. You can ask them to pain the bumpers and give you delivery.

Well ya black things do get hotter hehe..

Originally Posted by vebmetal

1. I know I won't get much, but I assume that if dealers themselves do it, I might get a slgihtly better deal, even if it is Rs. 50.. but more importantly, it would save me a lot of hassle - so do dealers offer rims? Does anyone know of any maruti dealers in Delhi who do?
2. It seems that unless you really know what you are doing (and I don't), people say 12" is safer... that 13" is a problem with too many people sitting in the car (and I expect up to 5 people sitting sometimes).
3. That would be great if there is little to no difference in FE!
4. Rs. 3500 is reasonable (total for both bumpers right?) - do all / most dealers offer this?

Also I would like to add another question: A lot of people say that they don't like black colour on cars because it gets hot under the sun - true or not? (As in does it make a significant enough difference or not?)

[rishibravo]

you can go for Aura alloys aftermarket as well but going for the bumper paint deal is good and you should go for that.

[manikjeet]

1.When i was taking delivery of my alto few years back i to asked the same question and the answer i got was yes and they showed me 2 alloys and they didn't look good and they were charging to much
2.I am using 185/r13 60 in my alto for about 4 years now and still don't have a problem but when i put more than 4 people the trye scrap the wheel well because of the wide tyres
3. i get 15+ with the wide tyres and on HW i get around 20 but 155 would be a good upgrade and would hurt the KM/L factor much
4.Yes the dealer does give the option of body colour bumper but will cost you a bomb get it done from a good paint shop will cost you no more than rs.2500
5.i would suggest k&n filter to improve the fe but wouldn't help much

[vebmetal]

1. hmm.. I hope they have more alloys now... it's a lot easier convincing my parents to get them in the first instance, then to make a separate trip (and more importantly separate payment) for alloys.
2. I don't want any such problem with the wheels scraping the wheel well... so I think I'll best stick to 12" (plus wouldn't 12" be better for FE?)

Will check out the rest... anyone else have any more suggestions?

[vebmetal]

hello? There seem to be many knowledgeable people on this forum, and I'd great appreciate your help!

Please answer some of my questions (Alto & Rims - what should I do?)!

[abhibh]

Go for 12" with 155 tyre size and everything will be fine. Get the bumpers painted from company itself. Get some nice seat covers and car perfume.

Drive slow and easy and everything else will be fine

[kpzen]

Vebmetal..
Option 1: Stick to stock set of tyres n wheels(steel rims)...
option 2 : Get Aura 12" alloys with stock tyres.....Its not worth it
Option 3: Get 13" 5J alloys with 155/65-13 tyres(good) from outside...this would be my choice but with Baleno steel rims

Originally Posted by abhibh

Go for 12" with 155 tyre size and everything will be fine.

U will hardly find any 155 tyre in 12"

[rohan_fonseca]

Found a tyre shop recommending a yokohama 165/70/R12. Would that be a good upgrade?

[abhibh]

Originally Posted by kpzen

Vebmetal..
U will hardly find any 155 tyre in 12"

Soz i meant gor for 13" with 155 and it wont affect fe or anything.

[kpzen]

Originally Posted by rohan_fonseca

Found a tyre shop recommending a yokohama 165/70/R12. Would that be a good upgrade?

Upsize is correct.....but what yokohama's is your tyre dealer recommending???

[rohan_fonseca]

Upsize is correct.....but what yokohama's is your tyre dealer recommending???

Don't quite remember. It was a while back. A friend was going to change his tyres. Dealer suggested the yokohamas. But friend was just interested in stock. So there wasn't much talk about it.

[kpzen]

Originally Posted by rohan_fonseca

Don't quite remember. It was a while back. A friend was going to change his tyres. Dealer suggested the yokohamas. But friend was just interested in stock. So there wasn't much talk about it.

I find that upgrade(165/70-12) pretty wierd n i don't think it will change the dynamics of the car in terms of handling etc....