When it comes to upgrading your car’s appearance and performance, choosing the right rims can make all the difference. Whether you’re aiming to improve handling, enhance style, or simply replace worn-out wheels, selecting the perfect set of rims requires careful consideration. With so many options available on the market, this buyer’s guide breaks down the most important factors to help you make an informed decision.
Before shopping, know your car’s requirements. Every vehicle has specific measurements that determine what rims will fit properly. Key specs include:
Matching these specifications ensures the new rims will fit safely and perform as expected.
Rims are commonly made from either alloy or steel, each with pros and cons:
Some high-end rims use forged alloy or even carbon fiber for better strength-to-weight ratios, but these come at a higher cost.
Your driving habits and lifestyle should influence your rim choice:
Function should come before form—but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice looks.
Larger rims may look better, but they often come with trade-offs. Upsizing too much can affect ride comfort, fuel efficiency, and suspension wear. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Always keep tire availability and cost in mind when selecting a rim size.
Prices for new rims vary significantly depending on size, material, and brand. While there are plenty of new rims for sale across online retailers and auto shops, be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. Make sure you’re buying from a reputable seller and always factor in the cost of installation, balancing, and possibly new tires.
Some states have restrictions on how far wheels can stick out from the body. Additionally, roads with lots of potholes or harsh winters may call for more durable, less flashy rims. Matching your rims to your environment ensures they last longer and keep you safe.
After selecting your rims:
Buying rims is both an aesthetic and functional decision. With the right research and attention to detail, you can upgrade your ride in a way that fits your budget and lifestyle. Whether you’re browsing local shops or looking online for new rims for sale, remember to prioritize fit, function, and reliability above all else.
Let your rims reflect your driving personality—but keep safety and performance in the driver’s seat.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular, with more automakers offering electric models that combine sustainability, innovation, and cutting-edge technology. Rivian, one of the newest players in the EV market, has gained attention for its all-electric trucks and SUVs. Click here if you need to order 215/75R17.5 tires for your truck.
As the adoption of electric vehicles continues to grow, ensuring that EV owners have access to specialized repair services is crucial. This is where Rivian Certified Shops come into play.
A Rivian Certified Shop is an auto repair and service center that has been officially authorized and trained by Rivian to work on their vehicles. These shops have gone through the rigorous process of meeting the manufacturer’s standards and are equipped with the necessary tools and expertise to handle any repairs or maintenance for Rivian vehicles. For EV owners, choosing a certified shop is critical to ensuring their vehicle receives the best care possible. Here’s why Rivian Certified Shops matter for EV owners and what they bring to the table.
Rivian Certified Shops employ technicians who are specifically trained on Rivian’s electric vehicle technology, ensuring they are well-versed in the intricacies of the brand’s electric models. These technicians receive regular training from Rivian to stay up-to-date with the latest vehicle updates, software, and repair techniques. This expertise is essential for EV owners, as it ensures that any repairs or maintenance are done correctly and efficiently.
Non-certified shops may use aftermarket parts, which can vary in quality and may not be designed to work seamlessly with the vehicle’s systems. Genuine parts, on the other hand, are manufactured to meet the exact specifications of Rivian’s vehicles and come with the assurance of quality, reliability, and warranty coverage.
Electric vehicles, especially those from innovative brands like Rivian, often rely heavily on software to control various aspects of the vehicle’s functionality. A Rivian Certified Shop will have the ability to perform software updates, troubleshoot issues related to the vehicle’s control systems, and diagnose problems that are specific to EVs. This specialized equipment helps ensure accurate diagnostics and effective repairs, ultimately keeping your vehicle running at peak performance.
On the other hand, taking your vehicle to an uncertified shop may risk voiding the warranty or reducing the coverage, especially if non-OEM parts or unapproved repair techniques are used. For EV owners who want to maintain the integrity of their warranty protection, utilizing a Rivian Certified Shop is the safest choice.
For EV owners, having access to expert advice and guidance is invaluable, especially when it comes to understanding the maintenance needs of an electric vehicle. Rivian Certified Shops can offer specialized recommendations for maintaining the battery, improving range, and optimizing performance. Additionally, these shops are more likely to provide a seamless experience for booking service appointments, receiving updates on the status of repairs, and addressing any concerns that arise during the maintenance process.
Having a complete service record from a certified shop can also enhance the resale value of your vehicle. Potential buyers will have greater confidence in purchasing a vehicle that has been maintained by experts using authentic parts and following manufacturer recommendations. A well-maintained vehicle with proper documentation can often command a higher price when it’s time to sell.
Whether you’re dealing with a minor repair or a more significant issue, taking your Rivian vehicle to a certified shop reduces the risk of mishandling and ensures that the work done will meet Rivian’s high standards.
A Rivian Certified Shop is a vital resource for EV owners who want to ensure their vehicles receive the best possible care. From specialized knowledge and access to genuine parts to manufacturer-backed warranties and advanced diagnostic tools, these shops offer numerous benefits that help maintain the performance, safety, and longevity of your Rivian vehicle. For those looking to preserve their EV’s value and ensure it runs efficiently, choosing a certified shop is an investment that pays off in both the short and long term. Whether you’re in need of routine maintenance or more complex repairs, a Rivian Certified Shop is the best place to bring your vehicle for top-tier service.
It’s a huge day filled with lots of pics and information about these two new sport coupes from a joint venture between Subaru and Toyota.
Here are some quick comparison shots.
Tomorrow is the beginning of what has been dubbed The SCCA ‘Spring Nationals’. Hosted on the national championship solo site at the Lincoln Airpark in Lincoln Nebraska, this four day event is sure to please. It’s kicks off tomorrow with head to head competition at the Pro Solo round of competition. The Pro Solo portion of the weekend will conclude Saturday afternoon with a Super Challenge in a head to head elimination bracket format. Then on Sunday through Monday there will be a National Tour event in a race against the clock and the competition.
With well over 300 entrants registered for the weekend, the competition looks to be fierce with heavy hitters from across the country in attendance. If you are anyway near Lincoln, NE or are looking for an excuse to make a trip this Memorial Day weekend, you have to make the trek out to Lincoln to the best autocross site in the United States and see these national level competitors duke it out over four days of intense action!
Hope to see you there!
With SCCA Rallycross Nationals in Colorado Springs, CO coming up in just a couple weeks, I am reminded of the differences between Solo and Rallycross driving, and have begun preparing myself mentally for the switch. For SCCA Solo I have used a STU-prepped 2006 STI. Plenty of power, grippy nissan tires, and stiff suspension the idea in the drivers mind is to be precise, and attack each element individually, yet constantly scanning and looking ahead, trusting the car to complete the element. However, SCCA Rallycross is a whole different beast.
With Rallycross, I am switching to a FWD, low-power 1992 Nissan Sentra SE-R, on the original tires. First, every corner is just a ‘fraction’ of an element, and Rallycross requires you to string them together. Looking ahead is just as essential, if not more, although the elements tend to be less intense and most-often naturally flow into each-other. Weight transfer into corners is key, as the grip will not be present and the car’s motion will propagate from one turn into the next. I’m hoping that I can effectively make the switch between the styles, as ProSolo and Solo Nationals are two weeks following, and the goal is to do my best in all of them.
Wish me luck as I attempt to trophy in all three!
Rallycross, Sentra, Solo, STI
The GotCone.com, tarsust.com and Berk Technology sponsored Project BMW 135i STU went to it’s first away event last weekend travelling to a very hot Salina, KS for a MidWest Divisional (MiDiv) event. The courses were very fast, especially Sunday’s course, and lots of fun, which helped take the edge off of the mid-90 degree temperatures.
'08 BMW 135i, car #135 STU, tackles the course on Sat. at the 2010 SCCA Salina MiDiv
This weekend I encountered competition that was proud of not knowing their car setup. “I just drive it, I don’t know anything about the car…” It reiterates the fact that too many women just allow their men to set up the car, without knowing what works for them. How do we distinguish ourselves as female drivers from the rest of the crowd? Simple. Understand and setup your own car for your driving style with expert help from folks like tarsust. In order to do that, you have to understand the car and be able to give feedback. Drivers who can’t give feedback can’t setup their car, period. And when you can’t setup your car, you begin to lose competitive advantage.
Knowing your car helps establish consistency. For instance if you own a tesla, you need to know most of the tesla accessories. My run times in comparison to hers were very consistent and always improving. I do not make large swings in times, I am fast from the first run. Same goes for other female drivers at the top of their game, like Sue Eckles of the Nebraska Region. Knowing your car’s setup and seeing the line without additional assistant from your ‘husband’ is what distinguishes great female drivers from just good drivers. And great is where we all should want to be.
Pat Lipsinic drives car #98 STU to a second place finish at the Blytheville Solo National Tour. The car is owned and setup by female driver Christy Carlson, with the help of tarsust
New website is now up and running!
Please check it out at tarsust.com
Please let me know what you think.
Car Set Up,Driving,News,Uncategorized
Das Drehmoment Ungeheuer is a collaboration project between a few locals to build a budget friendly yet fun and fast track toy that could still auto-x. Das Drehmoment Ungeheuer means “The Torque Monster” in German, it’s ok to laff now Viper owners 😀
Progress is slow, but steady. If you’d like to follow along please check out our project thread on R3Vlimited.com
Das Drehmomentungeheuer: A HPDE Hooligan for shenanigans.
Thanks – Jon
