What's so good about alloys?

HELPDESK:Answering all your motoring queries

From JH: Some cars are sold with alloys as standard these days and the salesperson will emphasise this fact. I asked some salespeople what the benefits of alloys are. I did not get clear answers, though one salesman told me alloy wheels could be repaired if damaged.

If alloys are used for the appearance they provide, it should be remembered that they seem to get dirty much faster than older steel wheels.

If they are lighter than steel wheels, there would need to be a dramatic improvement in fuel efficiency to justify the extra expense of having alloys.

Alloy wheels have long been a feature on lists of options but are gradually being added to the standard features on cars, much like electric windows. The overriding reason is appearance, but there are some engineering justifications as well. The alloy metal gives designers far greater creative freedom.

Conor Twomey of Fiat Ireland explains that on a like-for-like basis, an alloy wheel has several benefits over its steel equivalent. “The main attraction is predominately due to appearance, with the alloy metal allowing for more flexibility in terms of styling and design,” he says. “But it also benefits from a lighter weight and that results in marginally better ride quality and steering feel because the suspension and steering is not fighting as hard to control the centrifugal forces of a heavier wheel attached to the hub.

“The ride should be better as well, as the lighter wheel doesn’t drop as hard into potholes. The perception is that the ride is harder but that’s because most alloys are larger than the steel wheels fitted and ride on lower profile tyres. In a like-for-like size comparison the alloy should actually be marginally better.”

The problems with alloys are well known: they crack over time, they look terrible if scraped against a kerb and they regularly come fitted with low-profile tyres that offer a choppier ride on Irish roads. For all that, I’d still prefer alloys to steel wheels in the same way I’d prefer a stylish sports car to a mobile metal box.

From DU: We got a Daihatsu Charade after reading a favourable review in The Irish Timesseveral years ago. It has served us very well but it is coming to the end of its time and were looking for something similar. The local dealer no longer stocks the Daihatsu range so we cant get a replacement. Any suggestions are welcome. Our budget is for a new car costing less than €12,000.

You have missed out on scrappage but I guess that means the Charade might not have qualified. There are still some good deals on offer, however. I may be reading too much into your previous purchase, but I guess that reliability and space are at the top of your demands. My suggestion would be to take a test in the Hyundai i10. It’s quite similar to the Charade in terms of size, relatively frugal on fuel and comes in within budget.

You might also wait a few months for the new Kia Picanto to arrive. The other alternative is the Toyota Aygo, but it’s a little smaller than its Korean counterparts. Try the Hyundai for size.

Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, Tara Street, Dublin 2 or e-mail motorshelp@irishtimes.com