Maruti Suzuki Alto : Tyre & wheel upgrade thread

blackfire_9 · 17th May 2010, 14:17

Hi all,

There was an observation which I would like to share. I weighed the alloy rim as well as the stock rim today morning & they turn out to be of the same weight. Now this was no digital weighing machine, but there was hardly any difference (assuming the small difference due to analog machine errors).

I had however expected the alloy rim to weigh lesser.

From this, I have decided never to upsize the rims unless the rims are of a really upmarket company (read as 'performance'). Otherwise, with such alloys (Neo, Plati, etc) & that too an upsize, we are actually increasing the unsprung weight, which should ideally reduce for the car to perform better (this comes from what I read on other TBHP threads).

NOTE: By the observation stated above, I do not intend to say that Neo or Plati or any other brands are bad. They can probably just be called affordable hatch-backs in the world of alloys.

Also, after the balancing was done, there was a little metal sound coming from the front tyre (left or opposite to driver's side). Upon checking, it was learnt that the weights put on the inner side (looked like silver tablets) were touching the brake caliper & causing the sound. Also upon braking, the sound vanished, maybe because the caliper is pulled towards the centre of the wheel to grab the brake disc. Please comment if anybody has faced a similar issue with their rims.

Thanks.

wildsdi5530 · 17th May 2010, 22:04

You'll find a weight difference only if you compare with Magnesium alloys. Also called Mag wheels.

blackfire_9 · 18th May 2010, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildsdi5530

You'll find a weight difference only if you compare with Magnesium alloys. Also called Mag wheels.

From above, I understand that such magnesium alloys are the upmarket or performance alloys which come at a much higher price. Please correct me if I understood wrongly. Also please mention a few brands in case you might be aware, which manufacture such alloys. I want this information just to add to my knowledge.

Thanks.

wildsdi5530 · 18th May 2010, 23:20

Sorry not sure about the brand names. I guess OZ, BBS, etc. Know the names from NFS series. The wiki is Alloy wheel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nikhilb2008 · 19th May 2010, 10:47

Mags are not available widely in India. What you get is Aluminium Alloy wheels. They are lighter than the steel wheels, but not as much as mag wheels.

wildsdi5530 · 19th May 2010, 22:33

I had a friend in PUC who had Mag wheels and racing slicks on his RD350. Not sure where he sourced them from though.

blackfire_9 · 23rd May 2010, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildsdi5530

Sorry not sure about the brand names. I guess OZ, BBS, etc. Know the names from NFS series. The wiki is Alloy wheel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

Mags are not available widely in India. What you get is Aluminium Alloy wheels. They are lighter than the steel wheels, but not as much as mag wheels.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildsdi5530

I had a friend in PUC who had Mag wheels and racing slicks on his RD350. Not sure where he sourced them from though.

Thank you guys for your prompt responses. And as Nikhil mentioned, I am sure that the Mag wheels are not widely available in India, & from what I could infer, it is primarily to do with the higher cost.

As for weight, I feel there must be different grades (or classes) in Aluminium alloy rims, as the Neo rims I got are no different than the stock Alto rims in weight.

Regards.

asdon · 30th May 2010, 23:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackfire_9

Thank you guys for your prompt responses. And as Nikhil mentioned, I am sure that the Mag wheels are not widely available in India, & from what I could infer, it is primarily to do with the higher cost.

As for weight, I feel there must be different grades (or classes) in Aluminium alloy rims, as the Neo rims I got are no different than the stock Alto rims in weight.

Regards.

Which set of tyre you have gone for and how much they cost, details please.

asdon · 31st May 2010, 16:29

Changed tyres atlast

Michelin xm1+ = 2175 x 4 = 8700
Allignment = 250
Labour = 50
Old tyres = 600
Total = 8400/-

Now will look for 12" alloy

nick17s · 31st May 2010, 17:04

congrats adson: i have got same tires 155/70/12 size, wt size did you get ??
its just been a week, since i have installed these tires, but I am already long them.

asdon · 31st May 2010, 17:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick17s

congrats adson: i have got same tires 155/70/12 size, wt size did you get ??
its just been a week, since i have installed these tires, but I am already long them.

Mine are stock size - 145/80 R12, it has been a half day, and I am liking them

wildsdi5530 · 31st May 2010, 23:41

Nick and Asdon, why did you not go for 165/60/13? Any particular problems? As I understand, rims should be 13 x 5J.

asdon · 1st June 2010, 09:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildsdi5530

Nick and Asdon, why did you not go for 165/60/13? Any particular problems? As I understand, rims should be 13 x 5J.

I would have gone for it, but came to know that there is a speedometer error going to happen, and it will not show the exact speed at which you are driving, and it will be a % and can not rectify that, that was my concern.

nick17s · 1st June 2010, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildsdi5530

Nick and Asdon, why did you not go for 165/60/13? Any particular problems? As I understand, rims should be 13 x 5J.

currently i am running 12" alloy wheels bro, i had to change those also, if i want 13" tires, and one more reason, i wasnt willing to change my 12" alloys, by the way, my next upgrade would be a 14" tires and alloys.

asdon · 1st June 2010, 15:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick17s

my next upgrade would be a 14" tires and alloys.

14" in an Alto?

17th May 2010, 14:17	#271
blackfire_9 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: India Posts: 1,075 Thanked: 191 Times	Weight of alloy equal to weight of stock steel rim Hi all, There was an observation which I would like to share. I weighed the alloy rim as well as the stock rim today morning & they turn out to be of the same weight. Now this was no digital weighing machine, but there was hardly any difference (assuming the small difference due to analog machine errors). I had however expected the alloy rim to weigh lesser. From this, I have decided never to upsize the rims unless the rims are of a really upmarket company (read as 'performance'). Otherwise, with such alloys (Neo, Plati, etc) & that too an upsize, we are actually increasing the unsprung weight, which should ideally reduce for the car to perform better (this comes from what I read on other TBHP threads). NOTE: By the observation stated above, I do not intend to say that Neo or Plati or any other brands are bad. They can probably just be called affordable hatch-backs in the world of alloys. Also, after the balancing was done, there was a little metal sound coming from the front tyre (left or opposite to driver's side). Upon checking, it was learnt that the weights put on the inner side (looked like silver tablets) were touching the brake caliper & causing the sound. Also upon braking, the sound vanished, maybe because the caliper is pulled towards the centre of the wheel to grab the brake disc. Please comment if anybody has faced a similar issue with their rims. Thanks. Last edited by blackfire_9 : 17th May 2010 at 14:19.
	() Thanks

17th May 2010, 22:04	#272
wildsdi5530 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,434 Thanked: 2,046 Times	You'll find a weight difference only if you compare with Magnesium alloys. Also called Mag wheels.
	() Thanks

18th May 2010, 23:20	#274
wildsdi5530 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,434 Thanked: 2,046 Times	Sorry not sure about the brand names. I guess OZ, BBS, etc. Know the names from NFS series. The wiki is Alloy wheel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
	() Thanks

19th May 2010, 10:47	#275
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,196 Thanked: 10,138 Times	Mags are not available widely in India. What you get is Aluminium Alloy wheels. They are lighter than the steel wheels, but not as much as mag wheels.
	() Thanks

19th May 2010, 22:33	#276
wildsdi5530 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,434 Thanked: 2,046 Times	I had a friend in PUC who had Mag wheels and racing slicks on his RD350. Not sure where he sourced them from though.
	() Thanks

31st May 2010, 16:29	#279
asdon BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 950 Thanked: 296 Times View My Garage	Changed tyres atlast Michelin xm1+ = 2175 x 4 = 8700 Allignment = 250 Labour = 50 Old tyres = 600 Total = 8400/- Now will look for 12" alloy
	() Thanks

31st May 2010, 17:04	#280
nick17s BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 536 Thanked: 103 Times View My Garage	congrats adson: i have got same tires 155/70/12 size, wt size did you get ?? its just been a week, since i have installed these tires, but I am already long them.
	() Thanks

31st May 2010, 23:41	#282
wildsdi5530 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,434 Thanked: 2,046 Times	Nick and Asdon, why did you not go for 165/60/13? Any particular problems? As I understand, rims should be 13 x 5J.
	() Thanks