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Rims & Tires For Cars (Luxury, Sports Car & EV Edition)

Updated: May 26

Austin's #1 AUTO CUSTOMIZATION Shop


A complete guide to selecting, installing and maintaining the perfect set of wheels for your car, SUV or crossover.
A complete guide to selecting, installing and maintaining the perfect set of wheels for your car, SUV or crossover.

Looking for rims for offroad trucks & SUVs? Click here.


Want to upgrade your rims but not sure where to start? Achieving the right combination of wheel size, tire size and offset can be tricky, even for an automotive enthusiast. This guide is designed to help you achieve the correct fitment, aesthetics and functionality to meet your needs.


Have questions? Need advice? Request-A-Quote to have one of our automotive customization experts contact you to help guide you through this process.


Contents


Top Wheel Brands for Cars & SUVs

With so many brands to consider, here are a few of our most recommended brands at each price point. Use this guide as a starting point, but if you can't find something that meets your specifications, feel free to reach out. Our wheel & tire experts are happy to discuss your options and answer any questions.


Pro Tip: For luxury and sports cars, we recommend Vossen. Vossen offers both an in-stock hybrid-forged series, as well as custom-made forged wheels. Vossen is renowned for their precision engineering and sleek, timeless designs.


Table: Luxury-Sports Car Wheel Brand Comparison

(scroll right to view more)

Brand

(click logo to visit)


Vossen Wheels

Vossen


Staff Favorite


Raceline Wheels

Raceline


Ferrada Wheels

Ferrada


HRE Performance Wheels

HRE


Forgiatto

Forgiatto


American Force

American Force Wheels

Average Price

$$$ - $$$$$

$ - $$

$$$

$$$ - $$$$$

$$$$$

$$$$$

Application

Luxury, Sports, EVs

Sports, Luxury, Passenger Cars, SUVs

Luxury, Sports, Performance SUVs

Luxury, Sports, Supercars, EVs

Ultra-luxury, Sports, Custom, EVs

Luxury Trucks/SUVs, Custom, Show, Performance

Styles

Deep concave, split-spoke, mesh, multi-piece, monoblock, custom finishes

Classic, mesh, multi-spoke, modern, matte/satin finishes

Concave, multi-spoke, sharp lines, performance-inspired

Monoblock, 2- and 3-piece, mesh, split-spoke, vintage, custom finishes

Spoke, mesh, deep dish, concave, multi-piece, custom colors & finishes

Polished, custom, deep lip, multi-piece, large diameters (20–30")

Features

Precision engineering, timeless styles

Value-focused, strong construction, wide fitment range, easy maintenance

Extensive finish options, performance and luxury focus, rigorous QC, custom fitments

Proprietary FMR® barrels, lightweight, custom fitments, CRBN® carbon fiber options

Custom sizing, high-end finishes, magnesium/aluminum alloys, signature luxury styling

Custom bolt patterns/offsets, heavy-duty load ratings, show-quality finishes

Warranty



Recommended Tires

Model

(click image to visit)


Pilot Sport 4S Michelin

Pilot Sport 4S



Nitto Invo Luxury Sport Car Ultra High Performance Tire

Invo


P Zero [series] Pirelli

P Zero [series]


Proxes Sport A/S Toyo

Proxes Sport A/S

Manufacturer

Michelin

Nitto

Pirelli

Toyo

Seasons

Summer

All Season

Summer Winter All Season

All Season

Features

#1 in max performance summer tires, excellent handling & control

Ultra high performance street tire, blending performance, ride comfort &quality

Dedicated to pure performance and built in partnership with top auto manufacturers

Excellent wet and dry braking, exhilarating experience at a great value


Bolt Patterns & Lug Sizes

When browsing new wheels for your ride, the first obstacle is determining your vehicle's bolt pattern. Before you fall in love with a particular style of wheel, know your bolt pattern and check to make sure your prospective set of wheels is available in that pattern. If you don't already know your vehicle's bolt pattern and lug sizes, check your owner's manual or online references such as wheel-size.com (not vetted by this site).


Many luxury wheel brands will offer their own lug nuts/bolts or wheel installation kits. If they do not, our preferred brand of lug nuts and wheel installation kits is Gorilla.



Manufacturing Processes

Wheel manufacturing processes vary widely, offering different combinations of strength, weight, cost, and customization. Here's an overview:


Cast Wheels

These are made by pouring molten aluminum alloy into a mold, followed by trimming and drilling. Cast wheels are affordable and quick to produce but can have air pockets that reduce structural integrity and make them heavier than other options.


Hybrid-Forged Wheels

A combination of casting and rotary forging (flow forming), this process starts with a cast wheel that is subjected to additional compression and stretching to improve strength and reduce weight. Hybrid-forged wheels balance affordability with enhanced performance.


Flow-Forged Wheels

Essentially the same process as hybrid-forged wheels but often marketed under a different name. The barrel is cast and then flow-formed to increase strength and reduce weight. These wheels are stronger than standard cast wheels but not as robust as fully forged options.


Fusion-Forged Wheels

Fusion-forged wheels combine a forged aluminum barrel with a cast face, joined using advanced welding techniques. This hybrid construction allows for intricate designs while maintaining the strength and weight advantages of forging.


Forged Wheels

The pinnacle of wheel manufacturing, forged wheels are created from a solid block of alloy (billet) subjected to intense heat and pressure. CNC milling refines the design, resulting in lightweight, strong wheels with superior performance—but at a premium cost.


Manufacturing Type

Process

Cost

Strength & Durability

Weight

Customization

Cast Wheels

Molten aluminum alloy poured into a mold; trimmed and drilled

$$$$$ - $$$$$

Low

Heavy

Limited

Hybrid-Forged Wheels

Cast wheel strengthened via rotary forging (flow forming)

$$$$$

Moderate

Moderate

Limited

Flow-Forged Wheels

Similar to hybrid-forged; barrel compressed under high pressure

$$$$$

Moderate

Moderate

Limited

Fusion-Forged Wheels

Forged barrel fused with cast face using advanced welding techniques

$$$$$

High

Moderate

High

Forged Wheels

Solid alloy block heated, pressed, and CNC milled for precision

$$$$$

Very High

Very Light

High



1 Piece vs. 2 Piece Wheels

Wheels can be categorized into 1-piece and 2-piece designs, each offering unique benefits based on their construction.


1-Piece ("Monoblock") Wheels

1-piece wheels are made from a single unit of alloy, combining the face (center and spokes) and barrel (rim) into one cohesive structure. These wheels are mass-produced, affordable, and readily available, making them a practical choice for most drivers.


2-Piece Wheels

2-piece wheels consist of a separate face and barrel joined together by bolts or welding. This design allows for greater customization in terms of finishes, sizes, and offsets, but it comes with longer lead times and a higher price tag due to the bespoke manufacturing process.

Wheel Type

Construction

Cost

Customization Options

Availability

Design Complexity

1-Piece

Single unit combining face and barrel

Affordable

Limited

Typically mass produced and stocked

Simple

2-Piece

Separate face and barrel joined by bolts or welding

Premium

Extensive (sizes, finishes)

Typically made-to-order

Intricate



Offset & Backspacing

Offset and backspacing are two methods used to describe the position of a wheel's mounting surface relative to its centerline or inner edge. These measurements are critical for determining how far a wheel will sit inside or outside the wheel well, affecting both the vehicle's appearance and functionality.


Offset

Offset is is the most commonly used metric today. It is measured in millimeters from the centerline of the wheel to the wheel's mounting pad and is categorized as negative, zero, or positive.

  • Zero Offset: The mounting surface is perfectly in line with the centerline of the wheel.

  • Positive Offset: The mounting surface is towards the back (inner side) of the wheel. This brings the wheel more inward of the wheel well

  • Negative Offset: The mounting surface is towards the front (outer side) of the wheel. This pushes the wheel further outward of the wheel well, creating what is considered a more "aggressive" stance.





Backspacing

Backspacing, on the other hand, measures the distance in inches from the inner edge of the wheel to the mounting surface. While backspacing is less prevalent today, it may still be referenced by some suspension kit manufacturers.



Hub Centric vs. Lug Centric Wheels

The distinction between hub centric and lug centric wheels lies in how the wheel is centered on the vehicle's hub.


Hub Centric Wheels

Hub centric wheels are designed with a center bore that perfectly matches the vehicle's wheel hub, ensuring precise alignment and a snug fit. These are typically found on factory wheels, as they are specifically engineered for the vehicle’s make, model, and year (YMM).


Lug Centric Wheels

Lug centric wheels rely on the lug holes to center the wheel on the hub. Most aftermarket wheels are lug centric, as they are designed with larger center bores to accommodate a wider range of vehicles. To improve fitment, many aftermarket wheels include hub centric ring adapters that fill the gap between the wheel hub and the oversized center bore.


Get Expert Assistance

Wheels and tires can be complicated. Mistakes can be costly. We highly recommend consulting an expert before purchasing or installing any wheels and tires.


Live in Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, Lago Vista, Marble Falls or surrounding areas? We're happy to answer any questions and provide a quote. Request-A-Quote to have one of our Automotive Customization Experts contact you.

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