by Michael Skatoli

We all like a little tender loving care every once in a while, and so do our cars. A nice spray job, new suspension, or a little under-rail lighting can really spruce up your ride. However, there are few upgrades as classy, convenient and cheap as swapping your old car wheels for a set of custom rims.

So if you are looking to 'pimp that ride', custom rims and car wheels are ideal. They are not too expensive, a basic set of 18" wheels can be found for around the $100 mark, though you will probably need to pay a lot more than that for top-of the range wheels.

The first step when buying custom wheels is to do your homework. Check out a few different tire shops and custom rim websites to see what is on offer, and check out which styles are available. Custom car rims come in many intricate styles and do not require wheel covers or paint.

Not only do they look great, quality custom wheels will improve the speed and steering of your car because they are normally more lightweight than the equivalent size of normal steel wheels.

There are two main varieties of custom rims - cast and forged. Many custom wheels you see on the roads are cast. These are normally of good quality and are reasonably priced. Forged custom rims are of better quality, and they are lighter and stronger than cast wheels. However, the are a lot more expensive and are most popular with enthusiasts and the rich.

Whichever option you decide on, there are a number of factors you need to think about before you invest. First, you should ensure that the wheel will fit your car. Custom wheels usually range in size from 18" to twenty-four inch, so you should choose a size that suits your vehicle. In addition, keep it in mind that custom wheels can differ in width.

It is also important to check the weight of your new custom rims, the lighter the better. If they are very heavy they may dramatically reduce the speed, performance and handling of your car.

Other things you ought to consider are whether your car is front or rear wheel drive; the kind of tires you want to fit; and the finish you would like on your new custom rims - plated, polished, powdercoated, etc.

While it pays to do your homework, any good custom wheel dealer online or on the high street should be able to help you choose the right product. If you provide them with the make, model and specifications of your car, along with your preferences and your budget, they should come back to you with some good options.

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