Rims - question re dealer vs Cdn Tire

[jtmann]

I have a 2007 Camry LE 07 (16 inch wheel) and considering buying a second set of rims to make all-season/winter changeovers less expensive and easier. I have priced it at my local dealer and others, including Canadian Tire. The dealer's charging $80 a rim (320 a set) and Canadian Tire site lists "Factory Original Fit Steel wheel" at $55. So that's $100 savings per set. Both would be black steel. (the link to the Canadian Tire rims http://tires.canadiantire.ca/view/product/0095926 )

My questions for the forum are:
1.) I assume the dealer product and the Canadian Tire product would be same quality? Any watch outs from youe experience?

2) The dealer said the rims I'd but from them I would not need a seocnd set of lug nuts - the ones on her now would fit second set. If Canadian Tire's are "Factory Original Fit Steel wheel" then would I need a second set of lugs or not?

3) I assume my hub caps would also fit the CT rims if they are "factory original fit"?

Thanks!

[LE05]

Originally Posted by jtmann

My questions for the forum are:
1.) I assume the dealer product and the Canadian Tire product would be same quality? Any watch outs from youe experience?

2) The dealer said the rims I'd but from them I would not need a seocnd set of lug nuts - the ones on her now would fit second set. If Canadian Tire's are "Factory Original Fit Steel wheel" then would I need a second set of lugs or not?

3) I assume my hub caps would also fit the CT rims if they are "factory original fit"?

Thanks!

1. Very similar quality. You may actually find that most aftermarket steel wheels are a little beefier and heavier than OEM steel wheels.

2. You would not need a second set of lug nuts for the aftermarket steel wheels, they use the same acorn style nuts...that is, if you currently have steel wheels. If you have alloys on the car now, then yes you would need a second set of lug nuts...you talk about hubcaps though, which means steel wheel so never mind.

3. I would not assume so. In my experience OEM hub caps do not fit many aftermarket steel wheels, even if they say "factory original fit".

[hardtopte72]

Check your local craigslist. There is almost always someone selling a set of factory steel wheels for a Toyota.

You should be able to use the steel wheels from any 02-11 Camry with 16" Steel wheels, Scion xB (08 and up), Toyota Sienna (04-2010) and they will fit exactly right and the hub caps will fit right on.

Plus whole sets can be had for 50-100 bucks.

[jtmann]

Thanks to all for the comments. What is your opinion on the following three options I've uncovered?

1. Toyota dealer - new steel rims (obviously manufacturer original) - $80 each/$320 a set

2. After-market (Canadian Tire) - new steel rims (promoted as 'factory spec', but aftermarket supplier obviously) - $55 per/$220 per set

3. An auto parts supplier in my city - used steel rims from a Camry(s) (likely salvaged) - currently have four rims in stock, three from a 2009 Camry LE and one a 2007 LE (mine is an 07 LE). Auto parts supplier has been around since 1996, promotes the rims as fully inspected and has a 5-year warranty on the rims. $35 per/$140 per set

Some have suggested I go to independent salvage yards, but none in my area with Camry rims.

I'm only keeping the car another 3 years so cost matters and math doesn't work for me to do #1/dealer, so it's between 2 and 3. I’ve read/gotten mixed reviews of #2/aftermarket so I'm leaning to #3. Realize they come from salvage but with the history of the company, inspection and warranty it feels low risk. Only thing I wouldn't know is how many miles on the rims - is that an issue/what's typical maximum life/mileage on steel rims anyway?

Thanks for the input and tolerating the newbie questions!

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

Go with number 3. Cheapest, they're still OEM, just make sure they aren't bent or damaged...otherwise they'll be fine for what you want them for.

[PhatRoyale]

car-part.com

Search all the junkyards in your area.

[jtmann]

Thanks for the advice gents. The overwhelming feedback has been to go # 3 – the used OEM rims from the auto parts supplier. On that, two questions:

1. Would Toyota rims have any markings/stamping on them where I could tell they were truly OEM, not after market being passed off as OEM?

2. My 2007 Camry LE manual/specs list tow wheel sizes – 16 x 16.5 J and same except JJ. My dealer and Toyota are useless – any way to tell whether I am a J or JJ?

Thanks again

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

You're making too big of a deal of this and over thinking.

Any steel rim that has the right bolt batter, hub bore size and offset will work just fine.