Aluminum wheels or stainless simulators?

[OKIE9ERS]

About to start replacing tires and wheels...thought sims would be a lot cheaper, but new alum x6 is  1380.00, new steel with sims 1140.00..
Not the savings I expected...any opinions on the simulators?  I know the alum require some polishing, and my cost on them doesnt even count hub caps n nut covers...
Sims maintenance free pretty much??
Pros n cons?
Thanks

[chessie4905]

I bought decent takeoffs and took them to a wheel polisher. Will install with new Michelins.
Still need to change studs and nuts. I don't mi d the expense for studs and nuts since all new with no stretched issues.

[luvrbus]

Unless you have a outlet for the MCI studs those will set you back almost $400.00 (maybe more) for the front and tag axle for the aluminum wheels 

[PP]

Unless you have a outlet for the MCI studs those will set you back almost $400.00 (maybe more) for the front and tag axle for the aluminum wheels

Glad you mentioned that Clifford. I don't think a lot of people realize they're not simply interchangeable. 

[OKIE9ERS]

Unless you have a outlet for the MCI studs those will set you back almost $400.00 (maybe more) for the front and tag axle for the aluminum wheels

Are those studs totally unique to MCI?
I have a few sources for studs wholesale unless they are ...
Agree with Chessie, thats money well spent

[richard5933]

I thought real buses all had painted steel wheels?

[sledhead]

they did 40 years ago

[chessie4905]

No Richard, just yours and school buses.

[Lifes2short4nofun]

I thought real buses all had painted steel wheels?

I stayed with steel wheels

[Sunchaser Art]

I'm a big fan of aluminum wheels rather than simulators. . .in fact, I'd rather have painted steel wheels over simulators.  The biggest reason is, although it's rather rare, I want to know when a wheel has developed a crack.  Even though it's not a common occurrence, I really want to know before one of them passes me up!

[lostagain]

Aluminum wheels are better balanced than the steel ones that are welded.

Alum wheels are lighter.

They look better nowadays.

Simulators might look nice, but they cover up the nuts and hubs, so you cannot easily check them for a pre trip or on the road. Just the center hub cap on an aluminum wheel is easy enough to remove to check oil level.

JC

[DoubleEagle]

Aluminum wheels are preferable if you can afford the changeover, and you will be able to check for cracks more easily. The chances of getting cracks on aluminum wheels seems to be higher if they are over-torqued by zealous tire jockeys. 450 ft.lbs. is as far as I go on mine.

[Scott & Heather]

If you can fork over the money for the new studs go aluminum. But you need to determine if your wheels are stud or hub piloted first. You'll save weight on aluminum rims and and they are gorgeous.

[luvrbus]

Aluminum wheels are 1 piece were the steel are in 2 pieces weld together,what I like best about the Aluminum wheel is less transfer of road noise and they seem to reduce the road shock transfer,the polishing of Aluminum wheels I don't care for much,the hub and lug nut covers can be expensive for aluminum wheel can be pricey I bought T Kane covers for mine  I still have sticker shock   

[Boomer]

Aw 'come on Cliff.  We all know you swing through Danny's in Phoenix and get your wheels polished, lol.