Call Off-Road Rim Financing to learn more about our flexible off-road wheels and tires financing.

We’ve come a long way since the invention of the wheel. Today, choosing what wheels to fit onto your vehicle is a whole science. There are a lot of questions you need to ask — for instance, what’s the difference between aftermarket vs. OEM wheels? Is one better than the other?

In this post, we’ll share all you need to know about OEM and aftermarket wheels, highlighting how our wheels and tires financing can help you get the right wheels at the right price.

What Are OEM Wheels?

OEM or original equipment manufacturer wheels are the wheels your vehicle rolled off the assembly line with. While they often come standard, some manufacturers offer various trim levels, giving you the chance to choose the size and appearance of your car’s wheels.

Aftermarket Wheels

What’s right for the manufacturer might not be what’s right for you. The only problem is, when it comes to customization, OEM wheels are quite limited. This is where aftermarket wheels thrive.

Just like other aftermarket parts, aftermarket wheels provide you with extensive custom options. This means you can get exactly what you desire from your wheels.

Weighing Aftermarket vs. OEM Wheels

On the surface, aftermarket wheels might sound like they have an edge over OEM wheels. However, once you look beyond the surface, this might not be the case.

Here’s what we found when we looked at aftermarket vs. OEM wheels.

Ride Quality

Manufacturers dedicate a lot of time and effort to get your vehicle’s ride quality just right. The slightest change in wheel size or bearing alignment can mess up your car’s entire ride quality. This is why OEM wheels tend to have an edge over aftermarket ones.

Design Features

Since OEM wheels prioritize functionality over style, they are nowhere near aftermarket wheels when it comes to design features. You can make your aftermarket wheels as unique as you’d like, adding whatever design elements you choose.

With a few changes, you can replace your car’s standard steel wheels with aftermarket alloy wheels that feature a unique spoke design, lip size, and center cap.

Safety

When auto companies design their wheels, they do so with vehicle-specific factors in mind. They look at how heavy the car is and how it handles. Also, they have to jump through a lot of regulatory hoops. This makes OEM wheels quite safe compared to their low-tier aftermarket counterparts.

Aftermarket vs. OEM Wheels: Which One Wins?

The ways to personalize your off-road vehicle are endless. However, the last thing you want is for all those changes to ruin your car. This is why it’s vital to weigh aftermarket vs. OEM wheels beforehand.

If you choose to make the switch but are tight on budget, our wheels financing options can help. Simply reach out to Off-Road Rim Financing at (888) 296-3605 for a free quote.

We also have a host of other resources you could check out, including the benefits of aftermarket truck bumpers. Learn more today!