Many drivers never think twice about the wheels they are driving on. Having a nice set of rims, though, can transform a car from everyday to exciting. Yes, sometimes looks do count! The best rim brands provide you with that as well as offering performance enhancements.
Some rims are optimized for speed, while others are best mounted on trucks and SUVs for off road use. The materials are often superior to OEM wheels and they usually are also very stylish. Prices can vary wildly, with some rims costing close to the price of a decent used car itself.
For car (and truck) lovers, the right choice of replacement rims can seriously enhance the drivability and enjoyment of your newer vehicle.
1. Vossen
One of the best rim brands is Vossen, maker of some truly specialty wheels. Wheels like their M-X1 series come in sizes from 18 to 24 inches and 48 different colors. That allows for a huge amount of customization to your car, truck, or SUV.
Made in Florida in the USA, Vossen has been in existence since 2006. On their website, you can follow the making of their wheels from the design stage through to the finishing.
Associated with the automotive industry by designing and making after market wheels for high performance and high style.
2. Enkei
The Enkei Classic 92 15 inch wheel is a mesh design that brings a touch of class to sports coupes and smaller to midsize sedans. Other wheels by Enkei are precision tuned for high performance and racing, with certain specialty wheels specifically made for trucks and SUVs.
Founded in Japan in 1950, Enkei also makes motorcycle wheels and aluminum parts for various industries.
Strongly associated with the worldwide automotive industry, Enkei supplies equipment and specialty wheels for Formula 1 Racing and Super GT.
3. BBS
Wheels like the lightweight BBS XA line are made in sizes 18 to 20 inches and look great on Trucks, SUVs, and larger cars. BBS makes so many styles of wheels it’s a little hard to keep up with all of them. Some of their wheels for racing have also been engineered for street legal use, giving car lovers the look and some of the performance of race style equipment.
Founded in 1970 in Germany, BBS wheels are made for most car brands and sizes within those brands.
BBS is associated with automotive manufacturing and professional racing by means of constantly designing the next generation of performance and quality wheels.
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4. OZ Racing
Alloy wheels like the Oz Racing Ares and Zeus wheels are available in multiple sizes for many current cars and in 17 different colors. Their other alloy wheels are also adaptable for fitting to a large number of automobiles.
An Italian company, Oz Racing has been a supplier of wheels for many racing champion teams throughout the decades. It was founded in 1971.
Oz Racing is associated with racing and performance due their design and engineering with the ultimate in performance behind their work. Oz Racing supplies wheels for Formula 1, Indy Racing, and various European rallies. They also make wheels specifically used for certain models of automobiles such as Porsche, Ferrari, and Maserati.
5. SSR
SSR Wheels are found on specially modified cars like low riders and café racers, and also on the cars used for daily driving by people who appreciate a really good looking wheel. The SSR III Minerva series of wheels is particularly good looking, especially on tuned and lowered versions of current cars.
Founded in Japan in 1971, SSR racing teams quickly made their mark in performance circles. Their exceptional good looks are a great alternative to OEM wheels for Japanese cars and other sporty vehicles.
Associated with the automotive industry in that SSR engineers for racing excellence and then adapts those designs to street use.
6. Konig
Konig makes wheels for high performance and upscale styling. Their Americana II wheels are designed to complement the look and the raw power of older American muscle cars and their newer counterparts.
Though Konig is a German name, the company is actually based in Singapore. It was founded in 1982.
Konig is associated with the after market automotive industry by being one of the most prolific and recognized wheel makes in the world. Engineering for off road, racing, and luxury, many Konig wheels can be found on cars of all types.
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7. Forgiato
The Tecnica series of wheels is meant for the current breed of high performance sports cars from American, Japanese, and European automobile manufacturers. Other Forgiato wheels can be found on off road vehicles and lifted trucks in many neighborhoods.
Established in California in 2006, Forgiato concentrates mostly on very high performance vehicles.
Associated with the sports car industry by means of specifically designing for high performance street legal cars as well as professional racing, both track and grand prix.
8. TSW
The Bristol wheel by TSW comes in sizes from 15 to 22 inches and either black matte or silver and is one of the most simple designs of wide spokes. It really makes performance cars stand out even more than they already.
Established in the 1960s in South Africa, TSW began by making wheels for Formula 1 Racing and other racing series worldwide.
Associated with the car and racing world through its engineering expertise in racing, TSW adapts what they learn to benefit regular drivers who enjoy good looking performance wheels.
9. Fuel Wheels
Concentrating on wheels for off road trucks and street legal 4X4 vehicles, Fuel Wheels like the Maverick can enhance your truck, SUV, or Jeep.
Established in 2008 in California, Fuel Wheels are able to be used for street driving or for off road, including rally racing.
One of the better wheels for 4X4s, they are associated with off road racing by designing for and supplying wheels for those type of trucks and SUVs.
10. American Racing
American Racing wheels have graced street racing hot rods for years. Their current line of wheels continue that tradition. Some of their wheels, like the Vintage Ashen Sprint are modern engineered lookalikes of some of the favorite wheels of past muscle cars.
Established in the USA in 1956, American Racing has been the brand of choice for entire generations of street racer fans.
Committed to maintaining a top spot in the automotive aftermarket wheel industry, part of their legacy that they still build on is the groundbreaking design of the Torq Thrust wheel from the 1950s. That wheels design was named by Hot Rod Magazine as one of the top 20 speed parts that changed racing and performance cars.
11. Lexani
Luxury cars from Rolls Royce to Lamborghini sport Lexani wheels on them. If you have a high dollar luxury or super performance vehicle, Lexani has a wheel that perfectly complements it.
Founded in the 1990s in the USA, Lexani wheels enhance the performance and looks of many luxury cars and exotic sports cars.
Associated with the automotive wheel industry by means of making some of the most exciting things about exotic cars nest to the cars themselves. Whatever new special vehicle shows up, Lexani will make a wheel just for it. You can also mount them to your other fine cars that may not carry the exotic label.
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12. Weld Racing
Inspired by the drag strip, Weld Racing wheels such as the RT-S 76 fit on current and classic muscle cars, giving them a classic look with a modern feel.
Founded in Kansas City in 1967, Weld Racing wheels came into existence for the purpose of making the best all around racing wheel.
Always striving to improve racing, Weld Racing wheels also enhance modern street driven cars and trucks. Associated to cars and truck through racing first, and also adapted to fill the needs of daily driving.
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13. HRE Performance Wheels
Wheels like the FF10 and FF11 mount to current sedans and coupes providing an upgrade from the OEM wheels supplied with he new cars. An upgrade in performance, plus they have some serious visual appeal.
Established in San Diego, California, HRE makes wheels for most current street driven vehicles.
Linked to the automotive industry by designing wheels with characteristics to match the capabilities of modern performance automobiles.
14. Ultra Wheels
Making wheels for almost type of consumer vehicle driven on roads, Ultra Wheels Focal series of wheels gives you another fine choice of aftermarket wheels to enhance your ride.
Located in California, Ultra Wheels makes wheels for cars, trucks, and motorcycles, as well as off road vehicles.
Associated with racing and street driven cars, Ultra is race design and tested, then adapted to everyday use cars and trucks.
15. Moto Metal
While Moto Metal concentrates on off roading, you can also use wheels such as their Razor or Breakout series on your daily driver.
Founded in 2002 in the USA, Moto Metal wheels are meant to stand out.
Associated with the truck and off road industry through their innovative designs and performance engineering. For more, check out this page.
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