I am going to be buying rims soon and have been checking out the local shops. From threads I have been reading here, most people are going with and recommending polished wheels. When talking to the guys at the wheel shops, most are pushing chrome.
Can some of you with knowledge in this area help me out. Why is one better or worse than the other?

 

chrome = ghetto ugly (IMO) plus heavy.

 

If you decide to go with chrome wheels, try not get a cheap brand made of cast alloy ( heavier and easier to bend/damage ), make sure its made of forged alluminum alloy, which are more expensive but strong and lighter. Downside with chrome, if you get nicks/scratches or get damaged, chrome rims are more expensive to repair than polished wheels, however polished wheels needs cleaning/polishing more often.

 

Everyone has their own opinion, but I think chrome wheels (especially on a Z or G) are ugly, overdone and obnoxious. It's kind of like the 70's version of nugget jewelry. Also too heavy.

 

Go for chrome, dont spend all your time polishing.

 

simple, do something in the middle, a chrome-ish powdercoat. Not quite as 'bling' and shiny as chrome with none of the upkeep of polished.

 

depends if you're talking about clearcoated polished or regular polished - regular polished will require metal polish every week - they will tarnish instantly, clearcoated you'll be good - i'm not to into chrome myself, but I do love it for its ease to clean

 

There's a reason the sales people are pushing the chrome wheels. They are trying to unload their crappy wheels that don't sell.

 

Is it true that a well polished wheel with a clearcoat will be almost as bright as chrome? I have seen pictures of wheels that say they are polished, but they sure look chrome. Also, any problems or maintenance issues with clearcoated wheels?

 

I don’t know if this has happened to any of you, but condensation trapped between the rim and the tire bead eventually corroded the chrome enough to allow air to escape. This happened on our Saleen after owning it for four years. There was a slow leak in both front wheels. Took the car in and saw the corroded areas when the tires were removed. The tech wire-brushed to problem areas and added bead sealer before remounting the tires. It is a temporary fix that can only be resolved by re-chroming the wheels. The tire shop said it is not a uncommon problem with chrome wheels.

I am shopping wheels now for the G and they are not going to be chorme.

 

if you like the bling, def chrome...i prefer polished...just remember with chrome, if you ever have a bad day and curbed those babys, you'll have to get the entire lip re-dipped vs polished you can always sand them yourself and polished them..i'm pretty good at it... check out the link in my sig..

 

They both shine pretty F'n good when clean, so why go for the added weight of chrome?

 

When I started buying aftermarket wheels 20 years ago, polished was the big thing. You have to use wheels wax or regular wax very oftern to keep them shiny. I discovered chrome and haven't turned back. You have to get a quality triple chrome plated wheel to avoid the one problem mentioned previously and one other problem not said. Chrome is by far more durable. Besides, people work like a dog to keep polished wheels shiny and chrome is already there. Go figure. My current wheels, Maya GR5's are chrome with polished lips. I hate the polished lips because they require frequent waxing but the triple chrome plated face goes on and on and on. My next wheel will have chrome lips to match the face.

 

I have polished Iforged wheels on my old IS300. They had look real sweet until they got dull. And it was a bitch to polish them myself. Only for 3 weeks later to look like they needed polishing again. My next wheels will be chrome.

 

I say go for white or black forged aluminum...